CALIFORNIA STATE FIRE CODE

CHAPTER 31 AND TITLE 19

Tenting that requires permitting can be handled by Made in the Shade's knowledgable sales team. As an event tent rental company servicing the Sacramento and Bay Area counties, we understand the importance of the real world of, the State of California Fire Code as it relates our company-wide commitment to provide excellent and dependable customer service.

EXCERPTS FROM THE CALIFORNIA FIRE CODE

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS PER 2022 CFC, CHAPTER 31

1. Tents or membrane structures shall not be located within 20 feet of lot lines, buildings, other tents or membrane structures, parked vehicles, generators or internal combustion engines.(California Fire Code 3103.8.2 & 3104.19)

2. An approved certification of the fire-resistive treatment must accompany this application. Membrane structures or tents shall have a permanently affixed label bearing the identification of size and fabric or material used. (California Fire Code 3104.2 & 3104.3)

3. Hanging of NO SMOKING signs with block letters. (California Fire Code 3104.6)

4. Fire extinguishers and other fire-protection equipment shall be provided as required. (California Fire Code 906 CFC 3104.12)

5. Show required exits per California Fire Code 3103.12. Doorways must have exit signs installed above to indicate the exit and where otherwise necessary to indicate clearly the direction of egress when the exit serves an occupant load of 50 or more. Exit signs shall be of an approved self-luminous type or shall be internally or externally illuminated by fixtures supplied in the manner specified by California Fire Code 3103.12.6.1.

6. A detailed site and floor plan for tents and membrane structures with an occupant load of 50 or more shall be provided with each application for approval. The tent or membrane structure floor plan shall indicate details of the means of egress facilities, seating capacity, arrangement of the seating and location and type of heating and electrical equipment. (California Fire Code 3103.6)

7. All combustible decorative material, floor coverings and any other effects must be noncombustible or treated and comply with California Fire Code 807 & 3104.5.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS

8. When more than 200 seats are set up, those seats must be fastened together in groups of three or the seats shall be securely fastened to the floor (CFC 1029.14)

9. Approval for heating and cooking equipment will be issued by the Fire Marshal (California Fire Code 3104.15)

10. Heating and cooking equipment shall not be located within 10 feet of exits or combustible materials.(California Fire Code 3104.15.3). Outdoor cooking that produces sparks or grease laden vapors must be a minimum of 20 feet from the tent or membrane structure. (California Fire Code 3104.15.6)

11. Obtain an electrical permit from the Building Department prior to commencing any electrical work.

12. Membrane structures having an area of 15,000 square feet or more shall be located not less than 50 feet from any other tent or structure. (California Fire Code 3103.8.3)

13. Guy wires and other support members shall not cross a means of egress at less than 8 feet. *

THESE REQUIREMENTS CAN CHANGE WITHOUT WRITTEN NOTIFICATION AT ANY TIME.

CALIFORNIA CODE OF REGULATIONS, TITLE 19, DIV 1 (Abbreviated)

3104.2 Flame Propagation Performance Testing and Certification

Before a permit is granted, the owner or agent must file with the fire code official a certificate provided by the product manufacturer to verify that the materials have been tested and certified by an approved testing laboratory. The certificate shall indicate that the floor coverings, tents, membrane structures and their appurtenances, which include sidewalls, drops and tarpaulins, include materials meeting the flame propagation performance of Test Method 2 of NFPA 701.

Additionally, it shall indicate that the bunting and combustible decorative materials and effects are composed of material meeting the flame propagation performance criteria of Test Method 1 or Test Method 2 of NFPA 701, as applicable. All materials must be treated with a flame retardant in an approved manner and meet the flame propagation performance criteria of the applicable test method of NFPA 701. The certificate shall indicate compliance with the testing requirements of NFPA 701, Chapter 16. The flame propagation performance criteria shall be effective for the period specified by the permit.

3104.3 Label Membrane structures or tents shall have a permanently affixed label bearing the following information:

1. The identification of size and fabric or material.
2. The names and addresses of the manufacturers of the tent or air-supported structure.
3. A statement that the fabric or material meets the requirements of Section 3104.2.
4. If treated, the date the fabric or material was last treated with flame-retardant solution, the trade name or kind of chemical used in treatment, name of person or firm treating the fabric or material, and name of testing agency and test standard by which the fabric or material test was completed.
5. If untreated, a statement that no treatment was applied when the fabric or material met the requirements of Section

STATE FIRE MARSHAL SEAL

Made in the Shade supplies registered fabrics that have been certified by Cal Fire as Flame Retardant.

The California Fire Marshal seal is proof that the fabric meets the requirements as outlined in the fire code.

Learn more about Cal Fire’s code development process HERE.

Learn about how Made in the Shade uses the code when applying and processing tent permits HERE.

*Rental confirmation is when completed rental agreements and payment forms have been received and processed, and payments have been applied to the job (deposit or in full).