Code of Maine Rules
10 - DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
144 - DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES - GENERAL
Chapter 214 - MASS GATHERINGS
Section 144-214-1 - GENERAL PROVISIONS

Universal Citation: 10 ME Code Rules ยง 144-214-1

Current through 2024-38, September 18, 2024

A. Definitions

1. Commissioner: The Commissioner of Health and Human Services.

2. Department: The Department of Health and Human Services.

3. Mass Gathering Area: Any place maintained, operated or used for a mass gathering, except an established permanent stadium, athletic field, arena, auditorium, coliseum, fairground, or other similar permanent places of assembly.

4. Mass outdoor gathering: For the purpose of these rules, a mass outdoor gathering shall be deemed to mean any gathering held outdoors with the intent to attract the continued attendance of 2,000 or more persons for 12 or more hours.

5. Operator: The person responsible for managing the mass gathering area. In the event that no manager exists, the owner, or in the event of his unavailability, the lessee of the ground encompassing the mass gathering area, shall be deemed to be the "operator" under these regulations.

6. Person: An individual, group of individuals, association, partnership or corporation, firm or company.

7. Refuse: All combustible and non combustible, putrescrible or nonputrescrible solid or liquid waste.

B. Permit Application

1. A written application for permit shall be received by the Department at least thirty (30) days in advance of the proposed mass gatherings.

The applicant shall place a notice, approved by the Department , in the newspaper serving the area where the mass gathering is proposed to be held, thirty (30) days in advance of the date of the mass gathering unless a lesser time is authorized by the Department. The notice informs the public of the applicant's intention to hold a mass gathering, and invites public comments to be addressed to the Department.

2. Provisions. The following shall be included with the application for permit:
a. An outline map of the area to be used showing the location of all proposed toilets to be used, lavatory and bathing facilities, water supply sources, areas of assemblage, camping areas, food service areas, ingress and egress of pedestrian and vehicular traffic, egress roads, refuse disposal and collection facilities.

b. Detailed drawings of toilet facilities, sewage disposal system, lavatory and bathing facilities, and water supply system.

c. Size of area to be used.

d. An anticipated attendance figure and dates and hours which mass gathering will be held.

e. Provisions for preventing people in excess of maximum permissible number from gaining access to mass gathering area.

3. Detailed description of the water supply to be used including, but not necessarily limited to:
a. The source and its treatment and protection from pollution.

b. For water distributed under pressure, the operating pressures to all fixtures and the rate of delivery in gallons per person per day.

c. Where water is not available under pressure, and non-water carriage toilets are used, the gallons of water per person per day to be provided for drinking and washing purposes.

d. Source of transported water.

e. Manner of storage and dispensing of transported water.

4. Detailed description of excreta and liquid waste disposal facilities, including but not necessarily limited to:
a. Facilities to be provided.

b. Maintenance.

c. If public sewer system available, whether all plumbing fixtures and building sewers shall be connected thereto.

5. Detailed description of refuse disposal including, but not necessarily limited to:
a. Measures to prevent odor, insect, rodent, and other nuisance conditions.

b. The number and size of refuse containers to be provided.

c. Accessibility of refuse containers.

d. Frequency of collection of refuse.

e. Location of disposal of refuse.

f. Plans for cleaning area of refuse following mass gathering.

g. For area where cars and recreational vehicles to be parked, number of rubbish disposal facilities per car or recreational vehicle.

6. Detailed description of vermin and vector control.

7. Detailed description of grounds including, but not necessarily limited to:
a. Illumination - location and light level intensities.

b. Size of areas for assemblage, camping and parking.

c. Width of service roads.

d. Number of parking spaces per person and density per vehicle.

8. Detailed description of sanitary facilities including, but not necessarily limited to:
a. Number of toilets or urinals per person.

b. Construction materials of buildings housing plumbing fixtures.

c. Provisions for maintenance and cleaning of fixtures.

d. Measures to provide privacy of toilets.

e. Identification of water points or drinking fountains.

f. Drinking facilities.

g. Drainage of waste water.

9. Detailed description of medical facilities and services including, but not necessarily limited to:
a. Names, positions, and qualifications of medical personnel to be available and a statement whether such personnel will be on site or on call.

b. On site facilities and supplies.

c. On site first aid vehicles.

d. Communication systems available.

e. Statement whether area hospitals have been advised of gathering.

10. Detailed description of food service activities including, but not necessarily limited to:
a. Facilities to be provided.

b. Statement whether eating places servicing mass gathering are licensed.

11. Detailed description of safety precautions including, but not necessarily limited to:
a. Electrical system and equipment.

b. On site fire prevention equipment.

c. Internal and external security control.

d. A statement that the respective police and sheriff's department have been notified.

12. Detailed description of noise control including, but not necessarily limited to:
a. Proximity of closest inhabitant.

b. Expected noise level in decibels at perimeters of mass gathering area.

13. Municipal Approval:

A statement that the mass gathering has municipal approval.

C. Inspection

1. The following shall be available for inspection and testing by the Department.
a. All private water supplies for mass gathering.

b. A copy of the water analysis.

Disclaimer: These regulations may not be the most recent version. Maine may have more current or accurate information. We make no warranties or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness, or adequacy of the information contained on this site or the information linked to on the state site. Please check official sources.
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