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A global DIY music community joined forces to create a DIY venue harm reduction guide for those who manage spaces, host and or attend events.




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.     ︎

IMMEDIATE LOW-COST

FREE BUILDING &
SAFETY MODIFICATIONS

ENTRIES, EXITS, AND EGRESS


De-clutter

YOUR SPACE

AND surrounding areas.
Piles = fires and obstruction.


Clearly mark ALL

exit doors

Use reflective,
or battery-powered
LED-lit signage.


Clearly mark ALL

emergency exiTS

including non-barred windows,
fire escapes, etc.

Clear
obstructions

FROM doorways AND EXITS.

To ensure people can safely enter or exit a doorway, remove any
objects or clutter that may prevent the door from opening fully.

This should especially be checked during events when equipment
may be temporarily placed in front of a door.

 Mark and label building circulation with reflective tape or paint on
the floor. Ideally, these glow in the dark, paths should be at least 44"
(1.2m) wide, with doors a minimum 36” (90cm) wide.

Whenever possible, design your navigation so it's possible to get
through the space while using a wheelchair.





Ideally, at least one exit should

open onto a street

that is at least 20’ wide

Narrow driveways, parking lots, alleys don’t count.
If you have the means to add or modify an exit, you will need to consult with a professional.
It may require A structural engineer if a new opening needs to be placed in a masonry wall.







Doors along the EGRESS PATH
including stair doors

should always
be unlocked

in the direction of egress.


Make sure doors swing freely and don’t stick!


Make sure doors

swing away
from you

as you move along the exit (egress) path.

Re-orient hinges as necessary.
Doors need to move in the direction of “egress,” or total exit from
both the “building envelope” (exterior walls) and its grounds.

For example, a door that opens to the outdoors but into an
enclosed courtyard does not count as true “egress.” 

Exit signs should ideally point in the direction of egress,
not just any point on the building envelope. 




In non-exit doors, locks that

require keys

from both sides

are illegal

in public or
multi-occupant buildings.

These locks should be replaced with exit deadbolt locks.
These are useful for individual studios and relatively low-cost.
Install panic hardware aka

crash bars

on your exit doors where it is possible
to replace knobs or latches.

It makes sure venues can be locked from the outside
without sacrificing the ability to open them from the inside.

A Panic Exit Bar typically requires a skilled person to install.
If you can’t afford panic hardware, push plates are an economical option.



IMMEDIATE LOW-COST

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.     ︎


FREE BUILDING &
SAFETY MODIFICATIONS

FIRE SAFETY


Ensure all major exit path infrastructure is made of

fire-safe material.


This includes hallways, doors, stairs.
Especially if you have "decorative" or private stairs, lofts, ladders, poles.

Note: standard, single layer drywall is designed to withstand a fire for only 30 minutes, though it is possible to purchase materials and design walls to last for up to 1 hour in a fire.

Code compliant exit stairs are typically rated for 1.5 to 2 hours.
For detailed diagrams, go here - free registration required.




Store

flammable / combustible / hazardous

material properly

solvents, gasoline, kerosene, spray paint,solvent soaked or oily rags, and more.

Use appropriate individual containers,
flammables cabinets, etc

These can be bought for$300 or less from lab/office supply liquidators.
The blue hazmat cabinets typically offer the same fire protections as the
yellow flammables cabinets, and may be cheaper. 

Keep a MSDS (Material Safety Data Sheet) for all hazardous
materials onsite in an easily accessible location.




Do not allow

large installations or dividers of fabric,
paper, flammable wood, etc.

Unless the materials are known to be flame retardant and/or the space has working sprinklers.  

Require all existing large installations or dividers made of flammable material to be fireproofed. There are cheap, low-cost methods as well as standard products, and they vary for different flammable materials that can be found by searching online.

Note that some fireproof materials can (when there isn’t a fire) cause adverse reactions in people with chemical sensitivities.




OBTAIN AND Install

battery operated exit signs

with integral strobes as not all visitors can hear a fire alarm.

 This will also help with the location of exits in instances of crowd panic.



Obtain and install

functional smoke AND
CARBON MONOXIDE DETECTORS

30 feet apart in common areas
 
One in each enclosed room. Consult the manual of your individual detector for testing
frequency, but if you don’t have the manual, test the batteries at least every 6 months.

More information from FEMA about smoke detectors can be found here.




Obtain, install, and clearly label 

non-expired fire extinguishers

75 feet apart in common areas.

If your space has contained studios or bedrooms, include a fire extinguisher in each.

Check the fire extinguishers annually: verify pressure is in the green area on the dial,
and make sure there aren't any obstructions
in the nozzle. 

Dry chemical extinguishers (like most multi-use extinguishers) should be inverted and shaken about once a month to prevent the powder from compacting at the bottom of the container.
A Multi-Purpose Fire Extinguisher labeled for Type A, B and C fires will cover many types
of fires (paper, oil, electric) and costs approximately $55 for a 5lb extinguisher.

If you have specific risky conditions (flammable material; complex/extensive electrical wiring) place the appropriate extinguisher nearby. 
Have fire extinguishers professionally serviced annually, and replace it if it has been used or if the hose or nozzle is cracked, ripped, or blocked; the locking pin is missing or unsealed; or the handle is wobbly or broken.

High-quality extinguishers can often be
picked up used at low cost.

Recertifying is a $10-20 investment if
the extinguisher is not too old.



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.     ︎


IMMEDIATE LOW-COST

FREE BUILDING &
SAFETY MODIFICATIONS 

ACCESSIBILITY


Prioritize

disability justice

in all updates and maintenance of your space
For every decision you make, consider how people with disabilities;

mobility, blindness, deafness / hard of hearing, intellectual disabilities,
as well as elders, children, intoxicated people, and others with mobility challenges will navigate the space.

Everyone must be able to get out, so make decisions that
support the most vulnerable inhabitants.

As you make improvements, when possible, hire/pay disabledpeople to accessibility-audit your venue.




Obtain at least one

carrying chair

per set of stairwells in your location and per floor.

The chair should be stored in a clearly marked and unobstructed place.
Key residents/volunteers should be trained on how to
appropriately use it in times of emergencies.

Unless your building is already

mobility accessible

via pre-installed ramps or easements,
aftermarket ramps can be purchased and installed to
ensure all emergency exits are also accessible to wheelchairs.



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.     ︎


IMMEDIATE LOW-COST

FREE BUILDING &
SAFETY MODIFICATIONS

ELECTRICAL


Make sure your
electrical wiring is

properly grounded

Make sure your electrical wiring isproperly grounded and attached to breakers
so if the system overloads it shuts off rather than exploding

If you regularly lose power during events, first be thankful that the breakers are working
asthey should, but also acknowledge that your system is not adequate to handle your needs.

You must update the system, or modify what you book there until you can update it.
Using another object in place of a fuse or breaker is a solution far worse than the problem.




Label the circuits on your

breaker box


This makes it easy to kill the power to something without the lights going out.
Figure out which outlets are on which circuits, and what the maximum current is for every circuit.
Make sure you’re not overloading a circuit.




Connect your electronics to

surge protecting
power strips



Power intensive items, like heaters, ovens, microwaves, air conditioners, etc. should
be plugged directly into the wall outlet
wherever possible.

If you must connect these item to an extension cord, ensure that it is rated for the appliance
you want to use. Clear space around electronics and wiring, and keep electrical items dust-free.
Ensure that surge strips are not daisy-chained together in place of the use of a proper extension cable of the appropriate gauge.

When possible, uncoil extension cords entirely when using them, particularly when they are connected to power intensive appliances. Coiled extension cords are more likely to overheat causing a fire hazard.
Periodically check all appliance cables, extension cords, plugs, and outlets for any signs of damage.

Do not use anything with exposed copper, frayed or nicked insulation, black burn marks, or any other sign that there might be damage to the cord.

Don’t try repairing anything unless you know
what you are doing.



Avoid running long light gauge

extension cords

in order to access outlets.

Use extension cords only temporarily, and place them in a way they are not a tripping hazard. 
Use surge protectors instead for more permanent installations; check condition regularly and
replace if there are signs of wear. 

Never use flex cable (lamp cord, extension cord, etc) in permanent, hardwired installations.
It’s not rated for permanent installation.

Learn more about extension cord suggestions.



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.     ︎



IMMEDIATE LOW-COST

FREE BUILDING &
SAFETY MODIFICATIONS 

Residents, Staff, and Visitors


Create and review

emergency procedures

and run periodic emergency drills with residents, staff, and volunteers.

Orient visitors to emergency procedures



Create a list of

emergency
contact
numbers


  • fire
  • ambulance
  • medical help
  • landlord
  • real estate
  • owner

  • Plumber
  • carpenter
  • electrician
  • locksmith
  • construction workers
  • local emergency supports
whether run by state, county, grassroots, etc
You can also include contact information for first responders such as EMT and police, and be aware that minimizing police involvement and using alternatives to police is itself a harm reduction strategy when many vulnerable and informal communities are threatened and unsafe in police presence.

Keep a list of staff and residents’ emergency contacts






Each resident should prepare

an emergency kit

(for fire or earthquake) that can be stored in their space or in a secure outside location. The kit can include extra set of clothes/shoes/sweater, toiletries, flashlight, safety helmet, goggles, extra batteries, first aid kit, extra cash, emergency numbers, spare phone charger,  gloves, etc.


Speaking of earthquakes:
 Review placement of large furniture and objects on shelves.
Anchor furniture into wall studs. Secure objects to surfaces with museum wax or
other safety tethering. Also consider whether there are fragile objects, including
those made of glass, placed on unsecured shelves. If possible keep such objects
in a cupboard with shelves. Examine hanging decorations or lighting and make
sure they are adequately secured.




Obtain

escape ladders

upper-story rooms and make sure they are easily usable in emergencies.

Kidde KL-2S Two-Story Fire Escape Ladder is approximately $35.
Make sure to test on windows. Train key people on use.






Complete risk assessments

for your space
taking all possible risks into account
These Australian/Canadian/British resources from CCOHS and WorkSafe Victoria have information that can be applied in many other places. Document potential risks, as well as measures to mitigate them into a single document that can be referred to when necessary.



Hold
regular drills 

Practice = safety 
The more realistic the drill, the better.
The more realistic the drill - the better.

Look to Street Medic communities on how they run situational drills and apply similar techniques. Some possible options: hold a fire drill with the lights out; bring in smoke machines; add disorienting background noise; practice evacuating someone who is injured; practice using emergency ladders and carriers (if applicable); simulate mock phone calls to emergency personnel.

These drills may be traumatizing to participants so be sure to work in space for self care afterward. However, drills will ensure that all key residents and volunteers are fully prepared in time of emergency.




Have non-flammable,

non-power-dependent lighting

available indoors, for example, battery-operated candles and flashlights.






Keep all

electrical panels,
water and gas valves, meters,
and other infrastructure
accessible and identifiable, with a minimum 3' of
space at their front and sides at all times,
in case someone needs to access them in an emergency.

Depending on the area of the building, you may want to use chain-link fence to define space around panels/meters to prevent objects from being stacked against them, while offering a visual connection.

Limit the sizes of

storage rooms

whenever possible

Unless the room has sprinklers, or the walls are fire-rated.
This is one of the most important things you can do,
as storage rooms are major sources of fires.

Do not use the spaces under stages for storage,
unless they have adequate fire attenuation.



Have a

cleaning day

Including removing hazardous substances
and unused objects, de-cluttering, etc. 

Dispose of toxic materials and large objects safely, per your city’s process.
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