Fire Prevention Office
Tent Regulations
2403.8.2 Location.
Tents, canopies or membrane structures shall not be located within 20
feet (6096 mm) of lot lines, buildings, other tents, canopies or
membrane structures, parked vehicles or internal combustion engines. For
the purpose of determining required distances, support ropes and guy
wires shall be considered as part of the temporary membrane structure,
tent or canopy.
Exceptions:
1. Separation distance between membrane structures, tents and canopies
not used for cooking, is not required when the aggregate floor area does
not exceed 15,000 square feet (1394 m2).
2. Membrane structures, tents or canopies need not be separated from
buildings when all of the following conditions are met:
2.1. The aggregate floor area of the membrane structure, tent or canopy
shall not exceed 10,000 square feet (929 m2).
2.2. The aggregate floor area of the building and membrane structure,
tent or canopy shall not exceed the allowable floor area including
increases as indicated in the
International Building Code.
2.3. Required means of egress provisions are provided for both the
building and the membrane structure, tent or canopy, including travel
distances.
2.4. Fire apparatus access roads are provided in accordance with Section
503.
2403.10.3 Blowers.
An air-supported structure used as a place of assembly shall be
furnished with not less than two blowers, each of which has adequate
capacity to maintain full inflation pressure with normal leakage. The
design of the blower shall be so as to provide integral limiting
pressure at the design pressure specified by the manufacturer.
2404.2 Flame-resistant treatment.
Before a permit is granted, the owner or agent shall file with the fire
code official a certificate executed by an approved testing laboratory,
certifying that the tents, canopies and membrane structures and their
appurtenances, sidewalls, drops and tarpaulins, floor coverings,
bunting, combustible decorative materials and effects, including sawdust
when used on floors or passageways, shall be composed of flame-resistant
material or shall be treated with a flame retardant in an approved
manner and meet the requirements for flame resistance as determined in
accordance with NFPA 701, and that such flame resistance is effective
for the period specified by the permit.
2404.3 Label.
Membrane structures, tents or canopies shall have a permanently affixed
label bearing the identification of size and fabric or material type.
2404.5 Combustible materials.
Hay, straw, shavings or similar combustible materials shall not be
located within any tent, canopy or membrane structure containing an
assembly occupancy, except the materials necessary for the daily feeding
and care of animals. Sawdust and shavings utilized for a public
performance
or exhibit shall not be prohibited provided the sawdust and shavings are
kept damp. Combustible materials shall not be permitted under stands or
seats at any time. The areas within and adjacent to the tent or
air-supported structure shall be maintained clear of all combustible
materials or vegetation that could create a fire hazard within 20 feet
(6096 mm) from the structure. Combustible trash shall be removed at
least once a day from the structure during the period the structure is
occupied by the public
2404.6 Smoking.
Smoking shall not be permitted in tents, canopies or membrane
structures. Approved “No Smoking” signs shall be conspicuously posted in
accordance with Section 310.
2404.7 Open or exposed flame.
Open flame or other devices emitting flame, fire or heat or any
flammable or combustible liquids, gas, charcoal or other cooking device
or any other unapproved devices shall not be permitted inside or located
within 20 feet (6096 mm) of the tent, canopy or membrane structures
while open to the public unless approved by the fire code official.
2404.11 Clearance.
There shall be a minimum clearance of at least 3 feet (914 mm) between
the fabric envelope and all contents located inside the tent or membrane
structure.
2404.12 Portable fire extinguishers.
Portable fire extinguishers shall be provided as required by Section
906.
2403.12.1 Distribution.
Exits shall be spaced at approximately equal intervals around the
perimeter of the tent, canopy or membrane structure, and shall be
located such that all points are 100 feet (30 480 mm) or less from an
exit.
2403.12.6 Exit signs.
Exits shall be clearly marked. Exit signs shall be installed at required
exit doorways and where otherwise necessary to indicate clearly the
direction of egress when the exit serves an occupant load of 50 or more.
2403.12.6.1 Exit sign illumination.
Exit signs shall be of an approved self-luminous type or shall be
internally or externally illuminated by fixtures supplied in the
following manner:
1. Two separate circuits, one of which shall be separate from all other
circuits, for occupant loads of 300 or less; or
2. Two separate sources of power, one of which shall be an approved
emergency system, shall be provided when the occupant load exceeds 300.
Emergency systems shall be supplied from storage batteries or from the
on-site generator set, and the system shall be installed in accordance
with the ICC
Electrical Code.
2403.12.7 Means of egress illumination.
Means of egress shall be illuminated with light having an intensity of
not less than 1 foot-candle (11 lux) at floor level while the structure
is occupied. Fixtures required for means of egress illumination shall be
supplied from a separate circuit or source of power.
2404.15.1 Installation.
Heating or cooking equipment, tanks, piping, hoses, fittings, valves,
tubing and other related components shall be installed as specified in
the
International Mechanical Code
and the
International Fuel Gas Code,
and shall be approved by the fire code official.
2404.15.2 Venting.
Gas, liquid and solid fuel-burning equipment designed to be vented shall
be vented to the outside air as specified in the
International Fuel Gas Code
and the
International Mechanical Code.
Such vents shall be equipped with approved spark arresters when
required. Where vents or flues are used, all portions of the tent,
canopy or membrane structure shall be not less than 12 inches (305 mm)
from the flue or vent.
2404.15.3 Location.
Cooking and heating equipment shall not be located within 10 feet (3048
mm) of exits or combustible materials.
2404.15.4 Operations.
Operations such as warming of foods, cooking demonstrations and similar
operations that use solid flammables, butane or other similar devices
which do not pose an ignition hazard, shall be approved.
2404.15.5 Cooking tents.
Tents where cooking is performed shall be separated from other tents,
canopies or membrane structures by a minimum of 20 feet (6096 mm).
2404.16.2 Location of containers.
LP-gas containers shall be located outside. Safety release valves shall
be pointed away from the tent, canopy or membrane structure.
2404.16.2.1 Containers 500 gallons or less.
Portable LP-gas containers with a capacity of 500 gallons (1893 L) or
less shall have a minimum separation between the container and structure
not less than 10 feet (3048 mm).
2404.16.3 Protection and security.
Portable LP-gas containers, piping, valves and fittings which are
located outside and are being used to fuel equipment inside a tent,
canopy or membrane structure shall be adequately protected to prevent
tampering, damage by vehicles or other hazards and shall be located in
an approved location. Portable LP-gas containers shall be securely
fastened in place to prevent unauthorized movement.
2404.19 Separation of generators.
Generators and other internal combustion power sources shall be
separated from tents, canopies or membrane structures by a minimum of 20
feet (6096mm)and shall be isolated from contact with the public by
fencing, enclosure or other approved means
2404.20 Standby personnel.
When, in the opinion of the fire code official, it is essential for
public safety in a tent, canopy or membrane structure used as a place of
assembly or any other use where people congregate, because of the number
of persons, or the nature of the performance, exhibition, display,
contest or activity, the owner, agent or lessee shall employ one or more
qualified persons, as required and approved, to remain on duty during
the times such places are open to the public, or when such activity is
being conducted. Before each performance or the start of such activity,
standby personnel shall keep diligent watch for fires during the time
such place is open to the public or such activity is being conducted and
take prompt measures for extinguishment of fires that occur and assist
in the evacuation of the public from the structure.
