The Los Angeles Fire Department, specifically the Film Unit in the Bureau of Fire Prevention and Public Safety, handles all fire and life safety oversight for motion picture and television production studio sound stages, approved production facilities and production locations, and all commercial digital media production conducted within the City of Los Angeles.
LAFD FILM UNIT OVERSIGHT
- Issue special permits for helicopter landings, the use of tents, vehicles on stage, fire performers and open flames, as well as special effects pyrotechnics.
- Inspect all motion picture and television production facilities, all related occupancies on studio property including wood shops, paint shops, spray booths, fiberglass operations, metal shops, theaters, daycare, restaurants, offices, explosive vaults, as well as all new construction on studio lots.
- Review plans for audience shows, fire lanes, set construction, building construction, and helicopter landings, and plans for change-of-use events such as parties, concerts and trade shows.
- Perform walkthroughs at film locations and studios to insure fire/life safety and exiting requirements are enforced.
- Train, test, certify and supervise all Uniform Fire Safety Officers.
- Serve as liaison with the City, County, State, Federal and private agencies in regards to filming, special effects pyrotechnics, studios and related issues.
- Confer, consult and direct FilmLA regarding film location approvals, required Uniform Fire Safety Officers, fire protection, fire lanes and special effects.
- Attend meetings with film industry representatives concerning rules, regulations, policies and procedures.
- Prepare legal reports for submittal to the City Attorney Office resulting from noncompliance with codes and regulations.
FORMS
- Application for Specific Action or Project Permit (Fillable PDF)
- Authorization for Uniform Fire Safety Officer (aka UFSO) (Fillable PDF)
- Fire Performer Applicant Form
- Fire Safety Inspection Checklist [aka "Spotcheck Inspection Form"] (Fillable PDF)
- Hospital Filming Location Evaluation Report (Fillable PDF)
- Hot Work/Welding Permit Request (Fillable PDF)
- Schools and Churches Pre-Approval Questionnaire (Fillable PDF)
- Special Effects (aka SPFX) Permit Request (Fillable PDF)
- Special Permit Request (Fillable PDF)
LINKS
- California Film Commission
- FilmLA
- LAFD Related Filming Requests
- Los Angeles Department of Building and Safety (LADBS)
- Los Angeles Department of Recreation and Parks - Park Film Office
- Los Angeles Unified School District - Filming Permits
- Office of the State Fire Marshal Motion Picture & Entertainment Unit
BE SAFE!
HONDA EU2000i GENERATOR RECALL - Honda EU2000i generators with serial numbers between EAAJ-2260273 through EAAJ-2485025 are prohibited from use within the City of Los Angeles
PERSONNEL
Captain I - Marshall Rodgers
Inspector II – Marvin Anderson
Inspector I – Vince Owens
Inspector I – Carlos Morel
Inspector I – Jabari Jumaane
Inspector I – Jeffrey Hudson
Clerk Typist – Kanisha Leonard
CONTACT
213.978.3670
lafdfilm@lacity.org
*For filming inquiries regarding the use of LAFD facilities, branding, etc., send an email to lafdrequest@lacity.org.