Film Locations Glossary
Fire safety officer
What is a fire safety officer?
Also called fire marshal, or fire safety advisor.
A fire safety officer is the fire department representative assigned to a location where the production's activity carries fire risk: pyrotechnics, open flame, smoke, heaters, or heavy set builds in an enclosed space.
Their presence is usually a permit condition and their cost is billed to the production. They hold genuine stop-work authority, which is why the department is consulted at scout stage rather than on the day.
Example
A practical fireplace and atmospheric smoke inside a heritage building triggers a mandatory fire safety officer, billed at an hourly rate with a four-hour minimum. They also have authority to stop the smoke, which is why the department is consulted at scout stage.
Figures are illustrative, chosen to show the mechanics rather than to quote market rates.
Where you'll see it
Booked through the fire authority as a permit condition, billed to the production.
Common mistake
Consulting the fire authority once the effect is planned. Bringing them in at scout stage is what stops a smoke effect or a set build being refused on the shoot day.
Related questions
- When is a fire safety officer required?
- For pyrotechnics, open flame, atmospheric smoke, heaters, and substantial set builds in enclosed spaces, as a condition set by the fire authority.
- Can a fire safety officer stop filming?
- Yes. They hold genuine stop-work authority over the activity they are there to supervise, which is why their conditions are agreed in advance.