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The Fire Film Safety Office is available to assist, inform and collaborate with production companies. If you have questions or need help, please contact:

Fire Film Safety Office
Burbank Fire Headquarters
311 E. Orange Grove Ave., Burbank, CA 91502
Monday through Thursday, 7:30 am - 5:00 pm
Friday, 7:30 am - 4:30 pm

Phone: (818) 238-FIRE (3473)
Fax: (818) 238-3479
BFDfilming@burbankca.gov

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Fire Film Safety Office
Operational Permits
FAQ's

FAQ's

1. How do I contact the Fire Film Safety Office?

Please contact us at (818) 238 - FIRE (3473) or BFDFilming@burbankca.gov. Office hours are Monday through Thursday, 7:30 am - 5:00 pm and Friday, 7:30 am - 4:30 pm.
2. Do I need a film permit if I am a student or non-profit organization?

Yes. Please contact the Police Film Office at (818) 238-3105.
3. Does the Fire Film Safety Office require any permits if I am a student or non-profit organization?

Yes, a Fire Film Safety Permit may be required and the fee is waived; or a Fire Safety Officer may be assigned and the associated fee shall be paid. Depending on your film activity, the Fire Film Safety Office may also issue operational permits. For more information, please visit the Operational Permits page.
4. If I am filming all on private property, do I need a film permit?

Yes, unless you are filming within an Approved Production Facility. Depending on your film activity, the Fire Film Safety Office may also issue operational permits and the associated fees shall be paid. For more information, please visit the Operational Permits page.
5. When is a film permit not needed?

A film permit is not required for filming that takes place outside an Approved Production Facility; uses hand-held cameras (video or digital), wireless microphones, hand-held light diffuser or other related hand-held equipment; and if your filming does not involve exclusive use of any sidewalk or other public property. Equipment must be held in the photographers or filmmaker's hand and carried at all times with the photographer or filmmaker or subject(s) of the filming during the course of filming. If a tripod is used as a camera-stabilizing device, no permit is required as long as the tripod is of such size and weight that it will not interfere with the safe ingress, egress, or access to any public facility, or that it will not otherwise negatively impact the public safety during filming. We recommend that you contact the Police Film Office to review your film request at (818) 238-3105.
6. What is a Fire Safety Officer?

An assigned Fire Safety Officer is an active Burbank firefighter who is responsible for providing a reasonable degree of safety from fire, panic and explosion at events and on filming locations used by the entertainment industry. Our Fire Safety Officers have at least one year experience as a Burbank firefighter, are an Emergency Medical Technician, and have completed the State Fire Marshal Fire Safety Officer training course on motion picture and entertainment safety.
7. Will a Fire Safety Officer be assigned to my production?

Filming outside of an Approved Production Facility usually requires a Fire Safety Officer whether or not it is private or public property. Film permits are issued by the Police Film Office and forwarded to the Film Captain in the Fire Film Safety Office for review. The Film Captain determines the level of involvement the Fire Film Safety Office must take to insure safety and code compliance. This decision is based on the California Fire Code, industry standards, and our experiences overseeing production as a regulatory body. The Fire Film Safety Office does not contact production companies who pull a film permit to notify them if a Fire Safety Officer has been assigned. If you have any questions about a Fire Safety Officer assignment, please contact the Fire Film Safety Office at (818) 238 - FIRE (3473) or email BFDFilming@burbankca.gov.
8. What are the fees charged by the Fire Film Safety Office?

Effective July 1, 2017, 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 of $520.00 per day of production shall be collected upfront. The balance shall be invoiced at the conclusion of the production.

Depending on your film activity, the Fire Film Safety Office may issue a Temporary Production Location Permit Enforcement and operational permits, which have associated fees.

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

If you have any questions, please call (818) 238-(FIRE) 3473 or email BFDFilming@burbankca.gov.
9. What if my production call times change or I need to cancel?

Please email the Fire Film Safety Office at BFDFilming@burbankca.gov regarding any revised production call times or cancellations at least 24 hours prior to the scheduled start of production or the paid fees shall be forfeited.
10. What are the differences between an Approved Production Facility (sound stage) and a Permanent Production Location?

An Approved Production Facility (sound stage) is an existing building used by the entertainment industry for the purpose of motion picture, television and commercial production. It must be equipped with an automatic fire sprinkler system, maintain a 4 foot perimeter, have exit doors with panic hardware that swing in the direction of travel, illuminated exit signs and exit way illumination that shall be automatically provided by an emergency backup system. It is a building that is inspected annually and under the direct oversight of the Fire Film Safety Office. These facilities do not require a film permit. However, additional operational permits may be required by the Fire Film Safety Office.

A Permanent Production Location is not an Approved Production Facility (sound stage). It is inspected annually and under the direct oversight of the Fire Film Safety Office. A film permit is required. Additional operational permits may be required by the Fire Film Safety Office.
11. What is a Temporary Production Location Permit Enforcement?

A Temporary Production Location is private or public property other than an Approved Production Facility (sound stage) or Permanent Production Location. The Fire Film Safety Office will issue a Temporary Production Location Permit Enforcement that authorizes the location for production use. There is a $250.00 fee for this Temporary Production Location Permit Enforcement, which shall be paid prior to the first day of production. If the required upfront payment is not received, your film permit shall be revoked.

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