Fire Safety & California Title 19 Compliance Consultants for Entertainment Venues and Live Events
What is California Title-19
California Title 19 is the section of California law that governs fire safety standards for decorative materials used in places where the public gathers. Its purpose is simple but critical: to reduce how easily materials can catch fire and how fast fire can spread, giving people more time to escape and emergency responders more time to act.
In short:
👉 If it’s decorative and people are nearby, Title 19 probably applies.
What Title 19 Covers
Title 19 applies to materials that are not part of a building’s permanent structure, including:
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Curtains, drapes, and stage backdrops
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Scenic elements and set pieces
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Fabric décor, banners, and soft goods
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Artificial foliage and props
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Trade show booths and themed environments
These materials are common in:
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Theme parks
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Theaters and live events
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Concerts and festivals
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Trade shows and conventions
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Houses of worship
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Corporate and public events
What Title 19 Requires
Title 19 requires that applicable materials be flame resistant, meaning:
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They do not ignite easily
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If exposed to flame, they self-extinguish when the flame source is removed
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They limit flame spread
This can be achieved in two ways:
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Inherently flame-resistant materials (built that way at manufacture), or
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Flame-retardant treatment applied after fabrication
Testing & Certification
To be compliant:
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Materials must be tested using State Fire Marshal–approved methods
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Results must meet specific performance thresholds
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Proper documentation or certification must be available for inspection
Importantly:
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Out-of-state or international fire tests do NOT automatically qualify
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California often requires its own testing standards, even if something passed elsewhere
Why Title 19 Is Strict
California has a long history of fire-related tragedies in public spaces. Title 19 exists to ensure:
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Fires spread slower
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Smoke and flame hazards are reduced
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Public venues maintain consistent safety standards
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Responsibility and accountability are clearly defined
Who Is Ultimately Responsible
This is a critical point that’s often misunderstood:
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The owner, producer, exhibitor, or venue operator is ultimately responsible for compliance
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Consultants, designers, and fabricators may advise or prepare materials, but they do not replace legal responsibility
Why Title 19 Matters in the Real World
Non-compliance can result in:
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Event shutdowns
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Failed inspections
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Costly re-treatments or rebuilds
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Liability exposure if an incident occurs
Compliance means:
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Safer environments
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Faster approvals
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Fewer surprises onsite
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Peace of mind for everyone involved
Services
Imagination Ignited empowers entertainment professionals with clear, expert guidance in California Title 19 compliance.
From installations and venues to tours and live entertainment, we help you confidently navigate the complexities of compliance and regulation.
FR Document Review
Event Consultation
Seamless Permitting
Creative Solutions
We can help you review your documentation and existing non-California based and even foreign country based flame retardant test results to ensure they are compliant with California standards.
If your event is coming to California or happening in California, we can help ensure that all materials, documents, and sundries are compliant with the local Fire Marshals you may be coming in contact with. We will partner with them to make sure your event is a success with as little risk as possible.
Ensure your event plans meet every safety and fire regulation. We review seating layouts, stage designs, pyrotechnic setups, and electrical systems for full compliance with California Title 19 and NFPA standards.
We will work with your creative design team to ensure your designs are fire safe and will provide you the full support of our creative team to ensure fire safety and compliance.
Who Are We
With over 50 years of combined experience in fire service and entertainment production, Patricia Setter and Jonathan Ramos joined forces after meeting through Cal Fire and Disney Scenic Fabrication. Their shared mission is to bridge the gap between the fire service and entertainment industries—transforming what was once an adversarial relationship into a collaborative partnership that promotes safety, compliance, and creativity working hand in hand.
Patricia Setter
Patricia brings over two decades of experience in fire service and life safety. She began her career with the San Bernardino County Fire Department, serving ten years in fire suppression before moving to Fort Irwin Fire Department, where she spent another seven years as Lead Fire Investigator, Level III Fire Inspector, and Special Events Safety Liaison. For the next eight years, Patricia served as Deputy State Fire Marshal with Cal Fire, where she coordinated the Flame Retardant Program, acted as a safety liaison for concerts, special events, hospitals, and assembly occupancies, and provided training on flame retardant practices to private companies and local fire jurisdictions.
Jonathan Ramos
Jonathan has more than 30 years of experience in the technical entertainment industry, 25 with The Walt Disney Company, specializing in nearly every facet of live entertainment production as well as Film/TV Production. His background includes serving as a Master Electrician for high-profile events, a pyrotechnics operator and safety specialist, as well as Key Grip and Best Boy on commercials. Most recently, Jonathan has served as area manager in a large-scale entertainment fabrication facility for Disney Live Entertainment Global Delivery based in Southern California, where he partnered with Cal Fire to ensure fire-safe compliance and certification of entertainment assets.