Pier 35 Special Event Facility Guidelines for Caterers

For the purpose of these guidelines the party and/or parties renting Pier 35 Special Event Facility shall be referred to throughout as the sponsor, furthermore any caterer and/or caterers contracted by the sponsor to provide services for the sponsor's event shall be referred to throughout as the caterer.

Access to Pier 35 is by appointment only: No person or persons shall be allowed access to Pier 35 without prior notification and approval by the Pier 35 facility coordinator. The caterer is responsible for submitting to the Pier 35 facility coordinator, a schedule of set-up and break-down requirements, any and all scheduled deliveries, and a list of all employees that will be providing services for the sponsor's event. Access to Pier 35 will not be allowed prior to or after the contracted times of the sponsor's event.

Access to the passenger terminal: All equipment and supplies must be taken upstairs by using the ramp at the west end of the passenger terminal. All carts and hand trucks used to transport equipment and supplies must be equipped with pneumatic tires. No equipment with hard rubber tires will be allowed on the ramp or in the upstairs passenger terminal. No equipment or supplies will be allowed in or on the elevator or escalator at the east end of the passenger terminal. All liquids must be sealed to prevent any and all leaking while in transport. The caterer will be responsible for any damage caused by transporting of equipment and supplies.

Parking. Staff parking is determined according to a Fire Marshall approved site plan. The caterer shall insure all staff and delivery vehicles present are in their assigned parking places. Delivery and pick-up parking must be arranged with the Pier 35 facility coordinator.

Site Plan. A site plan showing all locations for set-up (food stations, tables, etc.) must be submitted to the Pier 35 facility coordinator for Port Fire Marshall approval no later than 30 days prior to the event.

Set-up and break-down. The caterer is responsible for set-up and removal of all equipment being provided by the caterer for the sponsor's event in accordance with the approved site plan. The caterer shall not use tape, staples, tacks, or nails to affix any materials to Pier 35 facilities or equipment including but not limited to walls, platforms, tables, chairs, etc. with out prior approval of the Pier 35 facility coordinator.

Electrical requirements. Pier 35 Special Event Facility has limited electrical outlets. The caterer must ensure to make arrangements for adequate electrical service. A comprehensive outline of existing electrical services is available from the Pier 35 facility coordinator. The Port of San Francisco requires all electrical work to be performed by a licensed contractor. Outside contractors must be approved and briefed by the Pier 35 facility coordinator. Special electrical needs can be arranged for by the Pier 35 facility coordinator.

Booths and Partitions: Waterfront Promotions strongly recommends that exhibitors hire a professional company to design fire retardant booths and partitions. The manufacturer must provide a certificate of compliance issued by the California State Fire Marshall. In cases where an event producer designs or constructs their own exhibit booths, construction must be of flame retardant or flame resistant materials. Proof of compliance will be required by the Port Fire Marshall.

Construction Materials: Booths, platforms, space dividers, signs, displays, banners, decorations, and other event materials shall be fire retardant and meet fire and safety code regulations governing construction in a place of public assembly. Unacceptable construction materials included, but are not limited to: plywood, foamboard, black plastic, untreated paper, untreated pressboard. Any partition adjacent to a fire exit must be of one-hour construction. Any staging or other construction requires a temporary building permit from the Port, and must be ADA compliant.

Clean up. The caterer is responsible for cleaning all areas used by the caterer within the contracted event times. The caterer shall be responsible for removal of ALL trash and recyclable. Trash that is not removed must be placed in a dumpster rented for the event if the cruise ship schedule allows. Nothing is allowed to enter the Bay. This includes but is not limited to, ice, waste water, litter, etc.

Use of candles, open flames and other fire producing heating mechanisms. The caterer shall not use or bring onto Pier 35 any form of bottled gas or open flame. The use of Sterno must be approved by the Pier 35 facility coordinator. No Sterno is allowed in the carpeted banquet room. The use of candles must be approved in advance by the Port of San Francisco Fire Marshall. No propane tanks or charcoal grills are allowed on the pier without written authorization from the Fire Marshal.

Smoking Policy. By law smoking is prohibited in all areas of Pier 35, except for the upstairs viewing deck. This policy is strictly enforced and can result in the removal of persons form Pier 35.

Glasses and glass containers. Events using the upstairs viewing deck may be prohibited from serving in glasses or glass containers. The Pier 35 facility coordinator reserves the right to determine the use of glasses and glass containers.

Safety. The caterer is responsible for the safety and safe practices of all persons employed or providing services for the caterer. The Pier 35 facility coordinator will assist in discussing safety precautions with employees and suppliers. The Pier 35 facility coordinator reserves the right to remove anyone from Pier 35 at any time for behavior deemed unsafe or threatening to Pier 35 facilities, equipment or personnel.