The following harm reduction guide is an open source document contributed to us by a remarkable community of DIY/lived experience to credentialed professionals in architecture, fire rescue and prevention, disability justice, and many other fields. Please visit our friends at https://D-I-Y.fyi for more information. îŁď¸
ACTIONS TO TAKE
FOR VENUES & PROMOTERS
Limit THE
number of attendees
based on your venue's size.
number of attendees
based on your venue's size. ANNOUNCE THE
LOCATION
before and during each event.
LOCATION
OF EXITS
before and during each event.Have
medical providers
at your event to provide first aid.Have an
emergency plan
fire, flood, earthquake, active shooter, etc.Have people in place
who know what to do.
Make sure these people are easily identifiable.
If something goes wrong at an event, visitors
need to know who can help.
who know what to do.
Make sure these people are easily identifiable.
If something goes wrong at an event, visitors
need to know who can help.
Designate A Safety captaiN,
OR 2, who can offer
clear direction.
The safety person should stay a safe distance away to assist first responders, and have an updated floor plan indicating all the rooms
in the building.
OR 2, who can offer
clear direction.
The safety person should stay a safe distance away to assist first responders, and have an updated floor plan indicating all the rooms
in the building.
Accountability and
safety for everyone
is paramount.
Many times persons are killed in building fires because of unknown, or unauthorized spaces, where one thing was expected, but a whole different scenario is encountered.
safety for everyone
is paramount.
Many times persons are killed in building fires because of unknown, or unauthorized spaces, where one thing was expected, but a whole different scenario is encountered.
Calculate
the venueâs capacity
For a generic capacity estimate, assume youâll need a minimum of 5 square feet per person in the common areas. Measure the square footage of public space in your building and divide by 5 - the result is the number of people you can allow in at one time.
Check your local code:
Oakland fire code says 7 sq ft per person standing,
15 sq ft per person, seated.
Oakland fire code says 7 sq ft per person standing,
15 sq ft per person, seated.
Note that this is the rule of thumb for a dense assembly occupancy
(how many people can reasonably fit in your space).
Itâs used to determine the number of exits and their minimum widths.
Basic rules of thumb:
If you do this math and it comes out to more than 50 people, you should have 2 doors (somewhat far apart from each other) out of there.
Ask your
community
for support
Many of us are contractors, electricians, plumbers, construction workers, architects, firefighters, acousticians, food safety experts, etc. who might be willing to at least evaluate your conditions, suggest options, or rank the urgency of changes needed.
Offer an exchange based on what you can afford. For example, you might offer free admission for an agreed duration or number of events, or organize a fundraiser to compensate community members for their labor and expertise.
Ask if anyone is willing and able to help pro bono, or create a payment plan if you truly have no alternative. Just talk to your people to see what peopleâs availability and boundaries are, then make a plan when you are informed.
Communicate accessibility
(or inaccessibility) information on event promotionsEspecially online where unlimited text is allowed.
That way, attendees can consent in advance to the conditions they'll experience in the venue.
Some specifics
to note:
All-gender restrooms
or gendered restrooms
Scent-free space
or Scented products used
All-Ages
or Age-Restricted
Space for chest feeding
pumping, diaper-changing, etc.
Allergens
pets, plants, etc.
Wheelchair accessibility
of venue & restrooms
When bathrooms are inaccessible, you can rent an
accessible port-a-potty. Ramps are rentable from
medical supply stores and drugstores for $30-40.
Primary languages
of performance or text content
availability of ASL or international language interpretation
Availability
or un-availability of drug use harm reduction supplies Needle drop box, Naloxone kits, clean needle exchange, etc.
of venue & restrooms
When bathrooms are inaccessible, you can rent an
accessible port-a-potty. Ramps are rentable from
medical supply stores and drugstores for $30-40.
Primary languages
of performance or text content
availability of ASL or international language interpretation
Availability
or un-availability of drug use harm reduction supplies Needle drop box, Naloxone kits, clean needle exchange, etc.
Do not
allow smoking
candles, pyrotechnics, fireworks, incense, or any open flame indoors.
Suggest alternatives for smokers
Abstention, vaping, nicotine patch, gum, edibles, LEDs, finger spinners, etc.
Especially if you cannot provide an adequate outdoor smoking area.
Assign
Fire Watch
volunteers to raise the alarmAssign fire watch volunteers in each room of your event to raise the alarm if a problem occurs and to help evacuate each room.
This is especially important for spaces that donât have a central fire alarm system with strobe lights to alert the entire building in case of fire.
Fire Watch volunteers should ideally not be intoxicated or
even using intoxicants at all, while serving in this role.
Fire Watch volunteers should ideally not be intoxicated or
even using intoxicants at all, while serving in this role.
Staff your event with people
Free training is available online.
Be aware that many people are unsafe in the presence of police oreven
official uniformed security guards. This may include people who are traumatized
from police violence or who are demographically vulnerable to police violence:
Undocumented people, people with criminal records,
people of color, sex workers, unhoused people, etc.
The addition of âsecurityâ or police-type staff does not
necessarily increase actual or perceived safety for everyone.
who are trained
in crowd managementFree training is available online.
Be aware that many people are unsafe in the presence of police oreven
official uniformed security guards. This may include people who are traumatized
from police violence or who are demographically vulnerable to police violence:
Undocumented people, people with criminal records,
people of color, sex workers, unhoused people, etc.
The addition of âsecurityâ or police-type staff does not
necessarily increase actual or perceived safety for everyone.