Office of the State Fire Marshal
- [email protected]
- Main
- 800-525-3124
- Office
- 410-653-8980
- Fax
- 410-653-8988
Crowd Manager Training
A certified Crowd Manager is required by all national fire code standards in public assemblies such as nightclubs, auditoriums, ballrooms and arenas, that have over 50 occupants. One crowd manager must be present for every 250 individuals.
Training
The Office of the State Fire Marshal (OSFM), in partnership with the National Association of State Fire Marshals (NASFM) and the Maryland Fire and Burn Safety Coalition (FABSCOM), now offers an updated online Crowd Manager Training Program on a national platform. This program is officially endorsed and fully compliant with NFPA 101 Life Safety Code, NFPA 1 Fire Code, and the International Fire Code (IFC).
The 2‑hour online course provides essential training based on current industry standards and regulations, including:
- Occupancy load management — calculating and monitoring safe capacity
- Means of egress — exit locations, clear pathways, and safe movement
- Fire protection systems — alarms, suppression systems, and emergency announcements
- Emergency preparedness — planning and executing evacuation procedures
- Coordination with responders — effective communication with fire and emergency personnel
Crowd Managers
A crowd manager is the person(s) responsible for defining their establishment’s emergency plan for evacuation. He or she is also responsible for ensuring that employees properly understand their roles in crowd management and assisting in directing the crowd in an orderly manner for evacuation.
The State Fire Prevention Code requires a trained crowd manager in all assembly occupancies where the occupant load exceeds 50 persons, other than occupancies used exclusively for religious worship with an occupant load not exceeding 500. (NFPA 101 12.7.6.1 & 13.7.6.1, 2015 ed.)
A ratio of 1 crowd manager per 250 persons is required. (NFPA 101 12.7.6.1& 13.7.6.1, 2015 ed.)
Course Details
- Cost: $24.95 per student
- Access Window: 30 days to complete the course
- Certification:
- Delivered electronically (full-size and wallet-size formats)
- Valid for two years from the date the final exam is successfully completed
- Course Access: http://www.crowdmanagers.com/