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IFC SECTION 3104 Tents.docx 2015 INTERNATIONAL FIRE CODE, SECTION 3104 TEMPORARY AND PERMANENT TENTS AND MEMBRANE STRUCTURES 3104.1 General. Tents and membrane structures, both temporary and permanent, shall be in accordance with this section. Permanent tents and membrane structures shall also comply with the International Building Code. 3104.2 Flame propagation performance 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 and membrane structures and their appurtenances; sidewalls, drops and tarpaulins; floor coverings, bunting and combustible decorative materials and effects, including sawdust where used on floors or passageways, are composed of material meeting the flame propagation performance criteria of Test Method 1 or Test Method 2, as appropriate, of NFPA 701 or shall be treated with a flame retardant in an approved manner and meet the flame propagation performance criteria of Test Method 1 or Test Method 2, as appropriate, of NFPA 701, and that such flame propagation performance criteria are effective for the period specified by the permit. 3104.3 Label. Membrane structures or tents shall have a permanently affixed label bearing the identification of size and fabric or material type. 3104.4 Certification. An affidavit or affirmation shall be submitted to the fire code official and a copy retained on the premises on which the tent or air-supported structure is located. The affidavit shall attest to all of the following information relative to the flame propagation performance criteria of the fabric: 1. Names and address of the owners of the tent or air-supported structure. 2. Date the fabric was last treated with flame-retardant solution. 3. Trade name or kind of chemical used in treatment. 4. Name of person or firm treating the material. 5. Name of testing agency and test standard by which the fabric was tested. 3104.5 Combustible materials. Hay, straw, shavings or similar combustible materials shall not be located within any tent 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. 3104.6 Smoking. Smoking shall not be permitted in tents or membrane structures. Approved “No Smoking” signs shall be conspicuously posted in accordance with Section 310. 3104.7 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 or membrane structures while open to the public unless approved by the fire code official. 3104.8 Fireworks. Fireworks shall not be used within 100 feet (30 480 mm) of tents or membrane structures. 3104.9 Spot lighting. Spot or effect lighting shall only be by electricity, and all combustible construction located within 6 feet (1829 mm) of such equipment shall be protected with approved noncombustible insulation not less than 9/inches 14 (235 mm) thick. 3104.10 Safety film. Motion pictures shall not be displayed in tents or membrane structures unless the motion picture film is safety film. 3104.11 Clearance. There shall be a minimum clearance of at least 3 feet (914 mm) between the fabric envelope and all contents located inside membrane structures. 3104.12 Portable fire extinguishers. Portable fire extinguishers shall be provided as required by Section 906. 3104.13 Fire protection equipment. Fire hose lines, water supplies and other auxiliary fire equipment shall be maintained at the site in such numbers and sizes as required by the fire code official. 3104.14 Occupant load factors. The occupant load allowed in an assembly structure, or portion thereof, shall be determined in accordance with Chapter 10. 3104.15 Heating and cooking equipment. Heating and cooking equipment shall be in accordance with Sections 3104.15.1 through 3104.15.7. 3104.15.1 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. 3104.15.2 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 where required. Where vents or flues are used, all portions of the tent or membrane structure shall be not less than 12 inches (305mm) from the flue or vent. 3104.15.3 Location. Cooking and heating equipment shall not be located within 10 feet (3048 mm) of exits or combustible materials. 3104.15.4 Operations. Operations such as warming of foods, cooking demonstrations and similar operations that use solid flammables, butane or other similar devices that do not pose an ignition hazard, shall be approved. 3104.15.5 Cooking tents. Tents with sidewalls or drops where cooking is performed shall be separated from other tents or membrane structures by not less than 20 feet (6096 mm). 3104.15.6 Outdoor cooking. Outdoor cooking that produces sparks or grease-laden vapors shall not be performed within 20 feet (6096 mm) of a tent or membrane structure. 3104.15.7 Electrical heating and cooking equipment. Electrical cooking and heating equipment shall comply with NFPA 70. 3104.16 LP-gas. The storage, handling and use of LP-gas and LP-gas equipment shall be in accordance with Sections 3104.16.1 through 3104.16.3. 3104.16.1 General. LP-gas equipment such as tanks, piping, hoses, fittings, valves, tubing and other related components shall be approved and in accordance with Chapter 61 and with the International Fuel Gas Code. 3104.16.2 Location of containers. LP-gas containers shall be located outside. Safety release valves shall be pointed away from the tent or membrane structure. 3104.16.2.1 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). 3104.16.2.2 Containers more than 500 gallons. Portable LP-gas containers with a capacity of more than 500 gallons (1893 L) shall have a minimum separation between the container and structures not less than 25 feet (7620 mm). 3104.16.3 Protection and security. Portable LP-gas containers, piping, valves and fittings that are located outside and are being used to fuel equipment inside a tent 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. 3104.17 Flammable and combustible liquids. The storage of flammable and combustible liquids and the use of flammable -liquid-fueled equipment shall be in accordance with Sections 3104.17.1 through 3104.17.3. 3104.17.1 Use. Flammable-liquid-fueled equipment shall not be used in tents or membrane structures. 3104.17.2 Flammable and combustible liquid storage. Flammable and combustible liquids shall be stored outside in an approved manner not less than 50 feet (15 240 mm) from tents or membrane structures. Storage shall be in accordance with Chapter 57. 3104.17.3 Refueling. Refueling shall be performed in an approved location not less than 20 feet (6096 mm) from tents or membrane structures. 3104.18 Display of motor vehicles. Liquid- and gas-fueled vehicles and equipment used for display within tents or membrane structures shall be in accordance with Sections 3104.18.1 through 3104.18.5.3. 3104.18.1 Batteries. Batteries shall be disconnected in an appropriate manner. 3104.18.2 Fuel. Vehicles or equipment shall not be fueled or defueled within the tent or membrane structure. 3104.18.2.1 Quantity limit. Fuel in the fuel tank shall not exceed one-quarter of the tank capacity or 5 gallons (19 L), whichever is less. 3104.18.2.2 Inspection. Fuel systems shall be inspected for leaks. 3104.18.2.3 Closure. Fuel tank openings shall be locked and sealed to prevent the escape of vapors. 3104.18.3 Location. The location of vehicles or equipment shall not obstruct means of egress. 3104.18.4 Places of assembly. When a compressed natural gas (CNG) or liquefied petroleum gas (LP-gas) powered vehicle is parked inside a place of assembly, all the following conditions shall be met: 1. The quarter-turn shutoff valve or other shutoff valve on the outlet of the CNG or LP-gas container shall be closed and the engine shall be operated until it stops. Valves shall remain closed while the vehicle is indoors. 2. The hot lead of the battery shall be disconnected. 3. Dual-fuel vehicles equipped to operate on gasoline and CNG or LP-gas shall comply with this section and Sections 3104.18.1 through 3104.18.5.3 for gasoline powered vehicles. 3104.18.5 Competitions and demonstrations. Liquid and gas-fueled vehicles and equipment used for competition or demonstration within a tent or membrane structure shall comply with Sections 3104.18.5.1 through 3104.18.5.3. 3104.18.5.1 Fuel storage. Fuel for vehicles or equipment shall be stored in approved containers in an approved location outside of the structure in accordance with Section 3104.17.2. 3104.18.5.2 Fueling. Refueling shall be performed outside of the structure in accordance with Section 3104.17.3. 3104.18.5.3 Spills. Fuel spills shall be cleaned up immediately. 3104.19 Separation of generators. Generators and other internal combustion power sources shall be separated from tents or membrane structures by not less than 20 feet (6096 mm) and shall be isolated from contact with the public by fencing, enclosure or other approved means. 3104.20 Standby personnel. Where, in the opinion of the fire code official, it is essential for public safety in a tent 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. 3104.20.1 Duties. 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. 3104.20.2 Crowd managers. There shall be trained crowd managers or crowd manager/supervisors at a ratio of one crowd manager/supervisor for every 250 occupants, as approved. 3104.21 Combustible vegetation. Combustible vegetation that could create a fire hazard shall be removed from the area occupied by a tent or membrane structure, and from areas within 30 feet (9144 mm) of such structures. 3104.22 Combustible waste material. The floor surface inside tents or membrane structures and the grounds outside and within a 30-foot (9144 mm) perimeter shall be kept free of combustible waste and other combustible materials that could create a fire hazard. Such waste shall be stored in approved containers and removed from the premises not less than once a day during the period the structure is occupied by the public.