Fire Department Film Safety Office

Burbank Fire Department

As a production center for the motion picture and television industry, the City of Burbank actively promotes a positive atmosphere for production companies wishing to film within the City limits. A film permit is required for all filming done within the City of Burbank. We have a simplified permit procedure designed to coordinate all your production needs with City health and safety requirements. The following outlines permit procedures and restrictions for filming in the City of Burbank.

To initiate the permit procedure, a production company MUST:

Step 1

Contact the Police Film Office at (818) 238-3105, no less than 72 business hours prior to start of proposed filming.

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Step 2

Complete the film permit application form. Supply a description of the desired location and type of production activity. Email, fax or apply on-line 72 business hours prior to the proposed filming date. Please provide the application to both the Police Film Office and Fire Film Safety Office at BFDfilming@burbankca.gov.

Step 3

If filming occurs on private or public property, a Fire Safety Officer is usually assigned. The permit will be reviewed by the Fire Film Safety Office and a determination will be made based on film activity, location, and cast/crew size.

The production company may contact the Fire Film Safety Office at (818) 238-FIRE (3473)

or

BFDfilming@burbankca.gov if there are any questions about the Fire Safety Officer assignment.

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Step 4

If no Fire Safety Officer is assigned, a Fire Film Safety Permit will be issued.

Step 5

A production company representative must complete our application process online. Appropriate forms must be signed and fees collected before actual filming begins.

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Step 6

Copies of all permits will issued to the production company and must be on hand at all times at the film location.

Step 7

Please email the Fire Film Safety Office at BFDfilming@burbankca.gov regarding any revised production call times or cancellations at least one business day prior to the scheduled start of production or the paid fees shall be forfeited.

FIRE DEPARTMENT PERMIT INFORMATION

General Information

Effective July 1, 2022, the Fire Film Safety Office will require the Fire Safety Officer 4 hour minimum fee to be paid prior to the first day of production. The 4-hour minimum fee per day of production shall be collected upfront. Additionally, permits that require a Fire Safety Officer will incur a Temporary Production Location Permit Enforcement fee. The balance shall be invoiced at the conclusion of the production.

Please note that if a Fire Safety Officer works over 4 hours, the total hours will include an additional 30 minutes for pre- and post-assignment tasks.

Productions not assigned a Fire Safety Officer will be issued a Temporary Production Location Permit and the fee shall be paid prior to the first day of production.

Payment options include cash, check or credit card. If the required upfront payments are not received, your film permit shall be revoked.

Depending on your film activity, the Fire Film Safety Office may issue operational permits and the associated fees shall be paid. If you have any questions, please call (818) 238-FIRE (3473) or email BFDfilming@burbankca.gov.

A current list of fees can be found HERE.

Open Flame on Motion Picture Set
  • Follow the Industry Wide Labor-Management Safety Committee,Safety Bulletin #19, Recommended Guidelines for the Use of Open Flame on Production.
  • No flammable or combustible liquids or gases allowed in the area.
  • Combustible materials to be kept at a safe distance.
  • Control all other possible forms of ignition source on stage, e.g., water heaters.
  • Coordinate with other departments to insure no use of flammable or combustible materials on stage.
  • Fire extinguishers, class A (water) and multi-purpose (ABC) type to be immediately available for the event of a fire emergency.
  • A 30-minute fire watch needed after use of open flame.
  • No smoking in building.
  • Fill out the Request for Special Effects Permits form and email it to BFDfilming@burbankca.gov.

A current list of fees can be found HERE.

Pyrotechnics/Special Effects
  • Follow the Industry Wide Labor-Management Safety Committee,Safety Bulletin #16, Recommended Guidelines for Safety with Pyrotechnic Special Effects.
  • Proper State Fire Marshal credentials are to be held and in possession by the pyrotechnic operator.
  • No flammable or combustible liquids or gases to be in the area.
  • Control all other possible forms of ignition source on stage, e.g., water heaters.
  • Coordinate with other departments to insure no use of flammable or combustible materials on stage.
  • At least one 2A10BC extinguisher is to be immediately available for the event of fire emergency. Additional fire protection equipment may be required. This is determined by the opinion of a Fire Safety Officer on scene and/or Fire Prevention Bureau personnel, based upon varieties and amounts of pyrotechnics or other special effects to be used.
  • Proper pyrotechnics storage magazine to be kept in a safe, secure area.
  • Minimal personnel, limited to those only necessary for production, to be in immediate area of pyrotechnics use.
  • No smoking in building.
  • Conduct safety meeting with all involved personnel prior to use of pyrotechnics.
  • Fill out the Request for Special Effects Permits form and email it to BFDfilming@burbankca.gov.

A current list of fees can be found HERE.

Hot Works (Welding/Cutting/Grinding)
  • No flammable or combustible liquids or gases allowed in the area, except those necessary for process (welding gases).
  • Combustible materials to be kept out of range of sparks and other sources of ignition that are products of welding or cutting processes.
  • Coordinate with other departments to insure no use of flammable or combustible materials on stage.
  • Fire extinguishers, Class A (water) and multi-purpose (ABC) type to be immediately available for the event of a fire emergency.
  • A 30-minute fire watch needed after completion of hot work, e.g., welding, cutting, etc.
  • Compressed gas bottles are to be properly secured so that they will not fall if disrupted.
  • No smoking in building.
  • Fill out the Request for Hot Works Permit (Film Production) form and email it to BFDfilming@burbankca.gov.

A current list of fees can be found HERE.

Vehicles on Set
  • Vehicles shall be manually moved on and off set.
  • Vehicles to be inspected for and free of ignitable liquid leaks.
  • Vehicles should have less than a ¼ tank of fuel.
  • Disconnect the negative battery cable.
  • All exits to be maintained unobstructed.
  • At least one 2A10BC fire extinguisher needs to be immediately available.
  • No fueling of vehicles on set.
  • Fill out the Request for Vehicles on Set Permit form and email it to BFDfilming@burbankca.gov.

A current list of fees can be found HERE.

Tents & Other Membrane Structures
  • Compliance with 2013 California Fire Code Chapter 31 is required for tents over 400 sq. ft. and canopies over 700 sq. ft.
  • Tents and membrane structures shall be adequately roped, braced, and anchored to withstand the elements of weather and to prevent collapsing.
  • Material needs to be treated with fire retardant treatment and certified.
  • No smoking signs shall be conspicuously posted.
  • No vehicles parked closer than 20 feet.
  • Exits to be clearly identified with signage, as required for clarity.
  • Fill out the Request for Tents and Other Membrane Structures Permit form and email it  to to BFDfilming@burbankca.gov.

A current list of fees can be found HERE.