Fire Code for Special Events
Is your business hosting an event in Lenexa that requires a Special Event Permit? Here are the 2018 International Fire Code regulations for tents, temporary special event structures and other membrane structures.
Section 3103.1 – General
3103.1 Scope
Tents and membrane structures shall comply with this chapter. The provisions of Section 3103 are applicable only to temporary tents and membrane structures. The provisions of Section 3104 are applicable to temporary and permanent tents and membrane structures.
Section 3102 – Definitions
3102.1 Definitions
The following words and terms shall, for the purpose of this chapter and as used elsewhere in this code, have the meanings shown herein.
Air-Supported Structure. A structure wherein the shape of the structure is attained by air pressure and occupants of the structure are within the elevated pressure area. Included are single and double skin structures.
Canopy. A structure or architectural projection or shelter constructed of fabric, or pliable materials supported by any manner, except by air or the contents it protects, and is open without sidewalls or drops.
Membrane Structure. An air-inflated, air-supported, cable or frame-covered structure as defined by the 2018 International Building Code and not otherwise defined as a tent or canopy. See Chapter 31 of the 2018 International Building Code.
Tent. A structure, enclosure or shelter constructed of fabric or pliable material supported by any manner except by air or the contents that it protects.
Section 3103 – Temporary tents and membrane structures
3103.1 General
All temporary tents and membrane structures shall comply with this section.
3103.2 Approval required
Tents and membrane structures having an area in access of 400 square feet and canopies in excess of 400 square feet shall not be erected, operated or maintained for any purpose without first obtaining a permit and approval from the fire and building code officials.
Exceptions:
- Tents used exclusively for recreational camping purposes.
- Fabric canopies and tents open on all sides which comply with all of the following:
- Individual canopies having a maximum size of 700 square feet.
- The aggregate area of multiple canopies placed side by side without a fire break clearance of 12 feet, not exceeding 700 square feet total.
- A minimum clearance of 12 feet to all structures and other tents.
3103.3 Outdoor assembly event
For the purpose of this chapter, a place of assemble shall include a circus, carnival, tent show, theater, skating ring, dance hall or other place of assembly in or under which persons gather for any purpose.
3103.3.1 Special amusement building
Tents and other membrane structures erected as a special amusement building shall be equipped with an automatic sprinkler system in accordance with Section 411.3 of the International Building Code.
3103.4 Permits
Permits shall be required as set forth in Sections 105.6 and 105.7.
3103.5 Use period
Temporary tents, air-supported, air-inflated or tensioned membrane structures and canopies shall be used for a period of not more than 180 days within a 12-month period on a single premise.
3103.6 Construction documents
A detailed site and floor plan for tents, canopies or membrane structures with an occupant load of 50 or more shall be provided with each application for approval. The tent, canopy 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. The construction document shall include an analysis of structural stability.
3103.7 Inspections
Structures shall be inspected on a regular basis, but not less than two times per permit use period by the permittee, owner or agent to determine the installation is maintained in accordance with this chapter.
3103.8 Access, location and parking
Access location and parking for temporary tents, canopies and membrane structures shall be in accordance with this section.
3103.8.1 Access
Fire apparatus access roads shall be provided in accordance with Section 503.
3103.8.2 Location
Tents, canopies or membrane structures shall not be located within 20 feet 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:
- Separation distances 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.
- Membrane structures, tents or canopies need not be separated from buildings when all of the following conditions are met:
- The aggregate floor area of the membrane structure, tent or canopy shall not exceed 10,000 square feet.
- 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.
- Required means of egress provisions are provided for the building and the membrane structure, tent or canopy, including travel distances.
- Fire apparatus access roads are provided in according with Section 503
3103.8.3 Location of structures in excess of 15,000 square feet in area
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 as measured from the sidewall of the tent or membrane structure unless joined together by a corridor.
3103.8.4 Membrane structures on buildings
Shall be regulated as permanent membrane structures in accordance with Section 3102 of the International Building Code.
3103.12 Means of egress
Means of egress for temporary tents, canopies, and membrane structures shall be in accordance with this section. All parts of this Section shall apply.
3103.12.1 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 or less from an exit.
Section 3104 – Temporary and permanent tents and membrane structures
3104.1 General
All tents, canopies and membrane structures, both temporary and permanent, shall be in accordance with this Section and Sections 3106 and 3107. Permanent tents, canopies and membrane structures shall also comply with the International Building Code.
3104.2 Flame propagation performance treatment
Provisions shall apply by authority of the Fire Code Official.
3107.2 Combustible material
Hay, straw, shavings or similar combustible materials shall not be located within any tent, canopy or membrane structure containing assembly occupancy, except the material necessary for the daily feeding and care of animals. Sawdust and shavings utilized for a public performance or exhibit shall not be 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 shall be maintained clear of all combustible materials or vegetation that could create a fire hazard within 20 feet 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.
3107.3 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.
3107.4. 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 devices or any other un-approved devices shall not be permitted inside or located within 20 feet of the tent, canopy or membrane structures while open to the public unless approved by the fire code official.
3107.5 Fireworks
Fireworks shall not be used within 100 feet of tents, canopies or membrane structures.
3107.8 Clearance
There shall be a minimum clearance of at least 3 feet between the fabric envelope and all contents located inside the tent or membrane structure.
3107.9 Portable fire extinguishers
Portable fire extinguishers shall be provided as required by Section 906.
Note: Contact the Lenexa Fire Department, Fire Prevention Division for specific fire extinguisher requirements at 913.477.7990.
3107.11 Occupant load factors
The occupant load allowed in an assembly structure, or portion thereof, shall be determined in accordance with Chapter 10.
3107.12 Heating and cooking equipment
Heating and cooking equipment shall be in accordance with this section.
3107.12.1 Installation
Heating or cooking equipment, tanks, piping, hoses, fitting, 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.
3107.12.2 Venting
Gas, liquid and solid fuel-burning equipment designed to be vented shall be vented to the out-side 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 from the flue or vent.
3107.12.3 Location
Cooking and heating equipment shall not be located within 10 feet of exits or combustible materials.
3107.12.4 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.
3107.12.5 Cooking tents
Tents where cooking is preformed shall be separated from other tents, canopies or membrane structures by a minimum of 20 ft.
3107.12.6 Outdoor cooking
Outdoor cooking that produces sparks or grease-laden vapors shall not be performed within 20 ft from a tent, canopy or membrane structure.
3107.12.7 Electrical heating and cooking equipment
Electrical cooking heating equipment shall comply with the ICC Electrical Code and NFPA 70.
3107.13 LP-Gas
The storage, handling and use of LP-gas and LP-gas equipment shall be in accordance with sections 3107.13.1 through 3107.13.3.
3107.13.1 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.
3107.13.2 Location of containers
LP-gas containers shall be located outside in accordance with Table 6104.3. Safety release valves shall be pointed away from the tent, canopy or membrane structure.
3107.13.3 Protection and security
Portable LP-gas containers, piping, valves and fitting 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.
3107.14 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 3107.14.1 through 3107.14.3.
3107.14.1 Use
Flammable-liquid-fueled equipment shall not be used in tents, canopies, or membrane structures.
3107.15 Display of motor vehicles
Liquid- and gas-fueled vehicles and equipment used for display within tents, canopies or membrane structures shall be in accordance with this section.
3107.15.1 Batteries
Batteries shall be disconnected in an appropriate manner.
3107.15.2 Fuel
Vehicles or equipment shall not be fueled or defueled within the tent, canopy or membrane structure.
3107.15.2.1 Quantity limit
Fuel in the fuel tank shall not exceed one-quarter of the tent capacity or 5 gallons, whichever is less.
3107.15.2.2 Inspection
Fuel systems shall be inspected for leaks.
3107.15.3 Location
The location of vehicles or equipment shall not obstruct means of egress.
3107.15.4 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 of the following shall be met:
- 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.
- The hot lead of the battery shall be disconnected.
- Dual-fuel vehicles equipped to operate on gasoline and CNG or LP-gas shall comply with this section and Sections 3107.15.1 through 3107.15.3 for gasoline-powered vehicles.
3107.16 Separation of generators
Generators and other internal combustion power sources shall be separated from tents, canopies and membrane structures by a minimum of 20 feet and shall be isolated from contact with the public by fencing, enclosure or other approved means.
Contact us
For additional requirements, contact the Lenexa Fire Department Fire Prevention Division at 913.477.7990.