The use of Sterno/chafing fuel is prohibited* unless approved and permitted by the Fire Marshal’s office. The use of Sterno/chafing fuel shall be limited to the individual event covered by request/permit and shall not be construed as establishing any precedent for any future requests or events.
Sterno® is not permitted for use in private office spaces, amphitheaters, sleeping areas, and certain other non-public areas.
These guidelines address both the information needed in the application to successfully apply for a permit and for the safe operating procedures for the use of Sterno/chafing fuel as approved by the Fire Marshal’s office. These guidelines are for all University of Berkeley staff, faculty, vendors, and visitors who handle and/or use Sterno/chafing fuel in or around the University of Berkeley Campus and leased facilities.
Event Procedures
- Use caution when handling open flame products.
- Heating devices are set up, installed, and disposed of by qualified personnel.
- For each event where solid fuel is used, catering staff, the event coordinator, or their representative, must be identified as the person who is responsible for implementing this guideline and any other applicable codes, standards, and University policies for the safe use of open flame(s) in buildings.
- Catering staff will serve food to guests (no self-service)
- A 10-pound ABC dry chemical extinguisher, or Type K extinguisher, shall be available within ten (10) feet of the serving table or tables.
- Sterno® shall be placed on a non-combustible surface, for example, a cookie sheet, pie pan, ceramic tile, stone material, or a similar product.
- Use of secondary containers for Sterno, i.e., fuel holders with cover, is mandatory. Proper tools must be available for the smothering of the flame if needed, i.e., a snuffer paddle. Sterno extinguishment lids/snuffer are to breadily available for immediate use.
- Only regular cloth table covers shall be used, paper or plastic table coverings are not permitted. Table decorations must be flame resistant. Combustible materials such as plates, napkins, plastic utensils, cups, and similar products shall be separated by a minimum of three feet from Sterno.
- Wind guards for Sterno devices will be installed
- Storage of Sterno cans at the event is prohibited.
- Only enough Sterno cans for the event will be on hand.
- Select the burn time that matches your needs based on the equipment type and duration.
- Light the chafing fuel using a long-reach butane lighter.
- Sterno must be immediately extinguished when the food tray is empty or no longer used.
- When the event is over, all Sterno devices must be extinguished, immediately capped, and removed from the facility.
Emergency
- In case of a fire follow the R.A.C.E. (Rescue, Alarm, Confine, Extinguish/Evacuate) fire plan and P.A.S.S for extinguishment if possible.
- Call (510)642-3333 from a cell phone and/or Campus Police at 911 from any Campus landline to report a fire.
Questions?
Contact UC Berkeley's Fire Marshal: Fireprevention@berkeley.edu.
*California Code of Regulations, Title 19 - Public Safety, Section 3.25 - Open Flame Devices states “(a) Open flame devices shall be prohibited in every Group A, E, I, R-2.1, R-3.1, and R-4 Occupancy.”
**California Fire Code Section 1.11.2.4 Request for alternate means of protection. Requests for approval to use an alternative material, assembly or materials, equipment, method of construction, method of installation of equipment, or means of protection shall be made in writing to the enforcing agency by the owner or the owner’s authorized representative and shall be accompanied by a full statement of the conditions. Sufficient evidence or proof shall be submitted to substantiate any claim that may be made regarding its conformance. The enforcing agency may require tests and the submission of a test report from an approved testing organization as set forth in California Code of Regulations, Title 19, to substantiate the equivalency of the proposed alternative means of protection.