Every Birmingham venue needs a written safety plan. Here's how to build yours.
Under Sec. 12-10-46 of Birmingham's General Code (the Kelvyn Felder Ordinance), every bar, nightclub, restaurant, lounge, and event venue is required to maintain a written safety plan. For existing establishments, this must be filed with the chief of police and the public safety committee chair within 45 days of the ordinance taking effect. New establishments file when they apply for their license. Plans must be updated annually.
What your safety plan must include — all 12 sections
1. Security personnel — number and locations
Document where your security personnel are stationed throughout the venue. Include rotation schedules, entry point assignments, and how positions change based on crowd size.
2. Occupancy, attendance, entertainment type, and hours of operation
State your maximum occupancy as determined by the fire marshal. Describe how you track capacity, the type of entertainment you host, and your days and hours of operation specifying when you're open to the public.
3. ID checking and patron search procedures
Detail your ID verification process and your patron screening method. The ordinance requires you to describe your procedures — you choose the method (wanding, pat-downs, bag checks, or other). The key is doing what your plan says you'll do.
4. 21+ alcohol service procedures
How you ensure only patrons 21 and older are served alcohol. Wristband systems, stamps, server training on refusal.
5. Violent incident and emergency procedures
Step-by-step response: who calls 911, how the scene is secured, witness identification, manager notification, and how you track the 36-hour written report deadline (Sec. 12-10-53).
6. Staff training — type, provider, dates, and roster
The 2026 amendment expanded this significantly. You must now document: the type of training provided, the company providing it (if applicable), the date it was provided, and a copy of the list of individuals who completed it.
7. Crowd control and overcrowding prevention
Line management, interior crowd flow, VIP area management, capacity warning thresholds, and your protocol when you hit max occupancy.
8. Order on accessory premises
Your plan for maintaining order in parking lots, adjacent open space, sidewalks — anywhere patrons congregate outside your main space.
9. Safety and security contact information
Current contact info for the person responsible for safety, security, and code-related complaints.
10. Security officer licensing
Proof that security officers are licensed by the state security regulatory board or exempted by state law.
11. Emergency evacuation plan (new)
An evacuation plan specific to your establishment — routes, assembly points, how disabled patrons are assisted, communication during evacuation.
12. Site plan — interior and exterior layout (new)
A clear, legible site plan showing: all entrances/exits, seating areas, bar area with square footage, restrooms, camera placements (interior), building perimeter, parking lots, exterior cameras, and exterior lighting (specifying what's yours vs. third party like Alabama Power).
The bottom line
Your safety plan isn't a document you write once and forget. It's a living operational document that needs to be current, signed, acknowledged by your staff, and producible on demand when a police officer or city enforcement requests it.