Dangerous chemicals are chemicals that have been classified as dangerous to health, dangerous to the environment or chemicals causing physical danger. With regard to public events, typically used dangerous chemicals are liquefied petroleum gas and the fuels used in aggregates.

Chemicals can only be stored in the assembly premises and large public events to the extent that is necessary for carrying out the operations. The stored amounts of dangerous chemicals must be kept as low as possible. The event organiser must review the total need for the dangerous chemicals needed for the event and negotiate about it with the rescue authorities well in advance before the event. The event organiser must present the amounts of dangerous chemicals in the event’s emergency plan and the grounds for their need. In addition to this, the emergency plan presents the risks caused by the use of dangerous chemicals, the safety arrangements and the instructions based on them concerning the prevention of accidents and operations during possible accidents and hazardous situations.

Notification about small-scale temporary industrial handling or storing of dangerous chemicals

The use of dangerous chemicals at public events is small-scale temporary industrial handling and/or storing of dangerous chemicals. Temporary handling or storing refers to operations that take no longer than six months, such as the use of chemicals on worksites or in fairs, exhibitions or competitions. If the quantity of chemicals handled and stored in a public event fulfils the criteria set for the control of handling and storing of dangerous chemicals in the section 5 of the government degree 685/2015, the handling and storing must be notified. The notification is made using the “Notification on the small-scale industrial handling and storing of dangerous chemicals” form (in Finnish). The notification must be delivered at least a month before the event starts. The notification is delivered by e-mail to pel.tapahtumat(at)hel.fi or by mail to
The City of Helsinki
Rescue Department / Events and temporary accommodation
PO Box 112
00099 The City of Helsinki.

The rescue authorities will make the decision based on the notification, according to the Government decree on the control of handling and storage of dangerous chemicals (685/2015), section 36, and perform the commissioning inspection of temporary operations defined in section 38 of the decree before the event starts. In this inspection, special attention will be paid to the safe use of dangerous chemicals, the personnel’s guidance, the prevention of accidents and the organising of rescue authorities.

With regard to the use of dangerous chemicals in public events, it should be noted that

• sufficient care is taken in the use of dangerous chemicals
• the material safety data sheets of dangerous chemicals are followed
• at least one 6 kg 34A 183BC fire extinguisher and one fire blanket must be available near the locations where the chemicals are used and stored
• the storage location has been marked using the necessary warning signs in accordance with the CLP decree and it has been equipped with signs prohibiting smoking and open fires
• the access of any outsiders to the storage location of the dangerous chemicals has been prohibited
• environmental protection has been taken into account in the use of dangerous chemicals. Liquids dangerous to the environment have been placed in drainage basins and sufficient amount of absorbent material has been reserved nearby the use and storage locations.

With regard to liquefied petroleum gas, the following matters must also be taken into account:

• mainly the 5 or 6 kg LPG bottles are used
• the use of composite bottles is recommended
• all the LPG bottles in the event area have been connected to devices using them
• the possible spare bottles and empty bottles must be kept in a storage space reserved for this use in advance
• all liquefied petroleum gas devices have the CE certificate
• all liquefied petroleum gas hoses meet the requirements set for them
• no T connections without locks are installed to the liquefied petroleum gas hoses
• the liquefied petroleum gas devices and installations are inspected before taking them into use, especially the joints of liquefied petroleum gas hoses, using e.g. a soap solution
• only liquefied petroleum gas devices suitable for indoor use are used indoors. The device’s suitability for indoor use must be ensured from the device manufacturer or the instruction manual.

The use of liquefied petroleum gas as an effect is handled under the section “Pyrotechnical effects”.

Further information
Act on the safe handling on dangerous chemicals and explosives (390/2005)
Government decree on the control of handling and storing of dangerous chemicals (685/2015)
Government decree of the safety requirements of liquefied petroleum gas plants (858/2012)
European Parliament and Council’s decree (EC) number 1272/2008 (CLP decree).

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