EXHIBITIONS AND SHOWS (15-4-640 et seq.)

Municipal Code of Chicago tit. 15, ch. 15-4, art. XI

in effect

Municipal Code of Chicago § 15-4-640 Fireguard requirements.

15-4-640 Fireguard requirements. It shall be the duty of the promoter, show manager or person in charge of any show, display, convention, contest, social function, exhibition, or similar activity (for purposes of this section, the "event") to provide, at his own expense, special fireguards for such activities. While on duty the special fireguards shall wear such uniform and badges as the fire commissioner may prescribe and shall carry on their person the license issued under the provisions of Section 15-4-680. Special fireguards shall be subject to the orders of the fire commissioner at all times while the special fireguard is on duty. The number and locations of such fireguards shall be determined by the following methods: 1. During such time the event is open for business or activity, one special fireguard shall be provided for each 25,000 square feet of exhibition or show area including the storage space used by the show or exhibition. 2. During such time the event is closed for business, such as the nighttime hours and during the move-in and move-out periods of the event one, special fireguard shall be provided for each 50,000 square feet of exhibition or show area including the storage space used by the show or exhibition. 3. Depending upon the nature of the event, the anticipated attendance, the nature of the audience or in cases where the number of floors or levels of exhibition at the event make compliance with items 1 and 2 of this section inadequate, the fire commissioner may, at his discretion, require additional special fireguards. 4. Notwithstanding the foregoing paragraphs 1, 2 and 3 of this section, and subject to review and approval of the fire commissioner, the Metropolitan Pier and Exposition Authority (M.P.E.A.) shall be responsible for determining the appropriate number and location of fireguards to be provided at the McCormick Place Convention Complex and at Navy Pier Festival Hall, as long as those facilities are owned and operated by M.P.E.A. M.P.E.A's authority to make this determination is subject to its compliance with the following conditions: (a) maintaining a fire prevention staff of at least 25 employees certified by the State of Illinois as Firefighter II and as emergency medical technicians; and (b) maintaining a security staff of at least 120 employees registered with the city as fireguards available for events at the named M.P.E.A. facilities, to function in the capacity as fireguards available for events at the named M.P.E.A. facilities; and (c) maintaining the capacity to contract for additional fireguards as may be necessary for any event or series of events at the named M.P.E.A. facilities; and (d) documenting and submitting to the fire commissioner the number and location, and other such information as the fire commissioner may require, of fireguards for each event at M.P.E.A. facilities no later than 30 days prior to the event. At all times, when an event is ongoing, there shall be an adequate number of fireguards. When the event consists of 25,000 square feet or more, there shall be at least one fireguard assigned to the event. Such fireguards shall be placed in appropriate locations, subject to review and approval of the fire commissioner. There shall also be an adequate number of fireguards during nighttime hours and move- in and move-out periods. If, at any time, in the opinion of the fire commissioner, the number and location of the fireguards is insufficient at the named M.P.E.A. facility, the fire commissioner shall order additional fireguards placed on duty. The fire commissioner shall consider, in determining the appropriate number of fireguards, the square footage of the event, the materials and equipment to be used during the event, the number of event attendees, and exit and aisle configuration of the exhibits. The fire commissioner may also consider additional factors as are necessary or appropriate to ensure public safety. (Prior code § 90-62; Amend Coun. J. 7-10-02, p. 90060, § 1; Amend Coun. J. 11-8-12, p. 38872, § 232; Amend Coun. J. 5-18-16, p. 24131, § 90)

Municipal Code of Chicago § 15-4-650 Watchman clocks and keys.

15-4-650 Watchman clocks and keys. It shall also be the duty of the promoter, show manager, or person in charge of any activity requiring special fireguards to provide sufficient listed portable watchmen's clocks and keys so that regular hourly rounds shall be made. The location of the keys shall be designated by the fire commissioner. (Prior code § 90-63; Amend Coun. J. 5-18-16, p. 24131, § 91)

Municipal Code of Chicago § 15-4-660 Fireguard duties.

15-4-660 Fireguard duties. It shall be the duty of the fireguard to see that all exit doors are unfastened and unobstructed, that the aisles, corridors, fire escapes and other means of egress are kept clear and free from all obstructions and, in the event of a fire, it shall be his duty to see that the fire department is notified and an orderly evacuation is started. He shall see to it that first aid fire appliances, including standpipe and hose connections, are in place, properly identified, unobstructed, and in working order and that the fire prevention provisions contained within this Code are adhered to. (Prior code § 90-64)

Municipal Code of Chicago § 15-4-670 Watchman tours.

15-4-670 Watchman tours. During the time the event described in Section 15-4-640 is not open to the public, and during the time such event is being set up or dismantled, the fireguard shall make regularly scheduled rounds of his assigned areas on at least an hourly basis. Such areas shall be designated by the fire commissioner. Regularly scheduled rounds shall also be made of any storage area used by or during the event on a 24-hour basis while the storage area is occupied. (Prior code § 90-65; Amend Coun. J. 5-18-16, p. 24131, § 92)

Municipal Code of Chicago § 15-4-680 Fireguard license.

15-4-680 Fireguard license. Any person who desires employment as a special fireguard shall make application for a license to the fire commissioner. To receive such license the applicant must: (a) Be of legal age, have temperate habits and be mentally competent; (b) Not have any record of conviction for a felony charge; (c) Be able to speak and understand the English language; (d) Produce evidence of his employment or occupation and residence for the previous two years; (e) Pass a written examination conducted by the issuing officer upon the laws and ordinances governing fire protection, operation of first aid fire equipment, upon the hazards and duties incident to the supervision of the safety of the persons and property to be accommodated, and any other related fire prevention items; (f) Not have had any such certificate revoked; (g) Furnish with the application for license two unmounted photographs of the applicant, no less than two inches by three inches, one of which shall be attached to the application, the other to the license when issued. The fire commissioner shall examine all persons who seek employment as special fireguards; as to their qualifications and fitness for the duties for which they seek to be employed; and whenever the fire commissioner finds any such applicant to be competent, the fire commissioner shall, upon payment of $20.00 by the applicant to the comptroller, issue a license to such applicant. The fire commissioner may suspend for a period not to exceed 30 days or revoke any license at any time when the fire commissioner finds any special fireguard to be incompetent, inefficient or neglectful of the duties required of such special fireguard by the provisions of this Code. If such a license is revoked, the holder thereof, upon written request made to the fire commissioner, shall be given a hearing before said fire commissioner within 30 days after such revocation. No person shall employ anyone as a special fireguard whose license has been revoked or suspended. (Prior code § 90-66; Amend Coun. J. 12-15-92, p. 27387; Amend Coun. J. 11-16-11, p. 13798, Art. I, § 11; Amend Coun. J. 5-18-16, p. 24131, § 93)

Municipal Code of Chicago § 15-4-690 Submission of floor plan.

15-4-690 Submission of floor plan. The promoter, show manager, or person in charge of any show, display, convention, contest, exhibition or similar activity shall submit in triplicate a diagram to the fire commissioner for approval, before any space is let and not less than 60 days prior to the opening of such event, indicating the arrangement of each booth, display area, aisles, means of exit and fire protection equipment. The diagram shall also show the amount and the type of drapes, hangings and other materials used for decorations or separations. One copy of the approved diagram shall be returned to the person in charge of such event and the others retained by the fire commissioner. (Prior code § 90-67; Amend Coun. J. 5-18-16, p. 24131, § 94)

Municipal Code of Chicago § 15-4-700 Submission of show description.

15-4-700 Submission of show description. The promoter, show manager or person in charge of any show, display convention, contest, exhibition or similar activity shall submit to the fire commissioner a statement indicating the nature of the exhibits and especially those exhibits where flammable liquids, fume or explosion hazard gases, flammable materials and similar materials are intended to be used. All such exhibits shall comply with the applicable fire prevention provisions of this Code. (Prior code § 90-68; Amend Coun. J. 5-18-16, p. 24131, § 95)

Municipal Code of Chicago § 15-4-710 Storage of combustibles.

15-4-710 Storage of combustibles. Combustible packing cases or cartons shall not be stored behind or between exhibit booths or behind draperies. (Prior code § 90-69)

Source: City of Chicago, Municipal Code of Chicago (American Legal Publishing, codelibrary.amlegal.com)URL: https://codelibrary.amlegal.com/codes/chicago/latest/chicago_il/0-0-0-2677118Fetched: 10/24/2026