Excelsior Fire District

Minnesota State Fire Code and the
Excelsior Fire District Inspection
Fire Safety & Code Requirements

TENTS UNDER 200 SQUARE FEET

The following is the requirements for the event organizers, inspection information for the event, and the most common Minnesota State Fire Code violations found during Excelsior Fire District inspections of exhibitors, vendors, and concessions.

Complete sections for tents, canopies and other membrane structures can be found in chapter 24 of the Minnesota State Fire Code and in referenced chapters and codes books. The following applies to tents less then 200 square feet.

EVENT ORGANIZER INFORMATION

CONTACT INFORMATION REQUIRED

Organization name :
Event name:
Contact:
Tent size/sizes:
Tents location (s):
Dates of operation:

GENERAL REQUIREMENTS

A bird’s eye view sketch of the tent (s) locations should be provided to the Excelsior Fire District 2 weeks prior to the event.

Sketch should include the following:

• Structures surrounding the tent (s) and approximate distance the structures are from the from the tent (s)
• Other tents and structure included in the event
• Streets, road ways, public way, trails and sidewalks

All exhibitors, vendors, and concessions tents using any type of a power supply, propane, open flame, or operate with conditions that have the potential to be hazardous must be inspected before opening to the public.

Inspections

A time for the inspections must be set at least 2 weeks before the event. All exhibitors, vendors, and concessions must have their area/booth/stand set up and ready for inspection at the set for the inspections. A $50.00 fee will be charged for exhibitors, vendors, and concessions not set up or present when the inspections begin.

Note: the fee will be raised to $100.00 in 2011

It is the responsibility of the event organizers to notify the exhibitors, vendors, and concessions under 200 square feet of the inspection time and to provide them with copies of this letter.

A list of the vendors requiring an inspection must be provided to the Excelsior Fire District 2 weeks before the event. Include the following information:

1. Exhibitors, vendors, and concessions business name
2. Business address
3. Business owners/operators name(s)
4. Phone number(s)
5. Any special information that applies to the inspection

Exhibitors, vendors, and concessions business must be have their booth, trailer, area completely set up and ready for their MN State Fire Code Inspection at the time that is set. A fee of $50.00 will be applied to those who are not ready for inspection at the time set. Items can not be sold from individual exhibitors, vendors, or concessions business to the public until the inspection is complete.

Recreational Fire Burn Permit

Any type of recreational fire at the event will required an Excelsior Fire District Recreational Burn Permit turned into the Excelsior Fire District 7 business days before the event.

EXHIBITORS, VENDORS, AND CONCESSIONS INFORMATION

Exhibitors, vendors, and concessions business must be have their booth, trailer, area completely set up and ready for their MN State Fire Code Inspection at the time that is set. This includes exhibitors, vendors, and concessions business that have been inspected at previous events in the same calendar year. A fee of $50.00 will be applied to those who are not ready for inspection on the time set. Items can not be sold from individual exhibitors, vendors, or concessions business to the public until the inspection is complete.

MN State Fire Code 2063

Section 2401.3 Place of assembly. For the purposes of this chapter, a place of assembly shall include a circus, carnival, fair, tent show, theater, skating rink, dance hall or other place of assembly in or under which persons gather for any purpose.

THE TOP 4 MOST COMMON VIOLATIONS FOUND WHEN CONDUCTING INSPECTIONS FOR A TENT THAT IS LESS THEN 200 SQUARE FEET.

1. Portable Fire Extinguishers must be Present and Current
2. Portable Fire Extinguishers must be Mounted or Secured
3. LP Gas
4. Tents and their Appurtenances shall be Anchored Properly

1. Portable Fire Extinguishers must be Present and Current

Commercial Cooking Equipment

904.11.5 Portable fire extinguishers for commercial cooking equipment. Portable fire extinguishers shall be provided within 30 foot travel distance of commercial-type cooking equipment.

Cooking equipment involving vegetable or animal oils or fats shall be protected by a 1.5 gallon Class K portable fire extinguisher

1. up to four fryers having a maximum cooking medium capacity of 80 pounds.
2. For individual fryers exceeding 6 square feet in surface area.

Portable Class A Class B & Class C Fire Extinguishers

A commercial ABC fire extinguisher that has been inspected, tested, and tagged or is brand new with in the last 12 months and accompanied with a receipt on site shall be provided.

Fire extinguishers shall be provided for cooking operations. Cooking equipment involving vegetable or animal oils or fats shall be protected by a Class K portable fire extinguisher. For all other purposes each vender shall provide an ABC-5 pound fire extinguisher.

Note: The Excelsior Fire District requires any exhibitor, vendor, or concessions that have an open flame, uses electricity and/or has a power supply must provide a fire extinguisher.

Note: The Excelsior Fire District requires all concessions that are operating in front of an establishment and/or on the same property must have a fire extinguisher that is solely assigned for the concession operations. A fire extinguisher designated for an area within the occupancy can not be taken from an operating businesses and/or business that is occupied for use in a concessions area.

2. Portable Fire Extinguishers must be Mounted or Secured

906.7 Hanger and Brackets. Hand-held portable fire extinguishers shall be installed on the hanger or brackets supplied. Hangers and bracket shall be securely anchored to the mounting surface

Note: To prevent accidental discharge of fire extinguisher (s) The Excelsior Fire District requires that the fire extinguisher shall be mounted and/or secured to a stable object with a rope or bungee cord. The extinguisher shall be secure in a manner that allows it to be readily assessable, not be obstructed, and not required special operation to access.

901.6.1 Standards. Fire protection systems, alarms systems, and fire extinguishers shall be inspected, tested and maintained annually in accordance with reference standards listed in chapter 9. A fire protection system, alarm system, and fire extinguisher must be tagged with current date of inspection.

Note: Owners and operators of concessions should be aware that in the event of a cooking, frying, or equipment fire they should turn off the electrical power source, propane tank, or any other equipments /sources if it is safe enough to do so.

3. LP Gas

2412.1 General. LP-gas equipment such as tanks, piping, hoses, fittings, valves, tubing and other related components shall be approved. Approved piping shall be of a flexible type. Ridged piping such as copper is not allowed.

2412.2 Location of containers. LP-gas containers shall be located outside. Safety release valves shall be pointed away from the tent, air-supported, air-inflated or tensioned membrane structure, or canopy. Valves shall also be pointed away from pedestrian pathways and areas where people gather.

2412.3 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, airsupported, air-inflated or tensioned membrane structure, temporary membrane structure or canopy 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.

Note: The Excelsior Fire District requires when portable LP-gas or compressed gas container are on site at any time they must be secured with a chain, nylon tie down strap, or medal cord. No ropes or bungee cords will be accepted.

4. Tents and their Appurtenances shall be Anchored Properly

2403.9 Anchorage required. Tents and their appurtenances shall be adequately roped, braced, and anchored to withstand the elements of weather and prevent against collapsing. All post/legs of the tent must be tied down, anchored, or weighed down to prevent the tent from lifting on any sides. Documentation of structural stability shall be furnished to the fire official on request.

Tents, Canopies and Other Membrane Structures

2403.8.2 Location Tents, canopies or membranes structures shall not be located within 20 feet of lot lines, buildings, other tents, canopies or membrane structures, parked vehicles or internal combustible engines. For the purpose of determining required distance, support ropes and guy wires shall be considered as part of the temporary membrane structure, tent or canopy.

Note: The Excelsior Fire District may reduce the distance between tents in order to keep a safety zone maintained around each tent and to limit foot traffic in-between tents.

Please consult the code official for the Excelsior Fire District for exact tent location (s).

Note: For safety purposes the Excelsior Fire District may require certain precautions be taken around support ropes, guy wires, and stakes.

2413.1 Use. Flammable-liquid-fueled equipment shall not be used in tents, air-supported, air-inflated or tensioned membrane structures, temporary membrane structures or canopies.

2406.6 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, air-supported, air-inflated or tensioned membrane structures while open to the public unless approved by the code official.

Note: No lit candles

Food Preparations

2404.15.3 Location. Cooking and heating equipment shall not be located within 10 feet (3048 mm) of exits or combustible materials.

2411.5 Cooking tents. Tents where cooking is performed shall be separated from other tents, air-supported, air-inflated or tensioned membrane structures, temporary membrane structures or canopies by a minimum of 20 feet (6096 mm).

2411.6 Outdoor cooking. Outdoor cooking that produces sparks or grease-laden vapors shall not be performed within 20 feet (6096 mm) from a tent, air-supported, air-inflated or tensioned membrane structure, temporary membrane structure or canopy.

Heat Producing Equipment

2411.1 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 code official.

Heaters

Torpedo style and tank mounted space heaters are not allowed to be used in tents. Use of an unapproved heater can result in a citation. Approved tent heaters and/or approved indoor/outdoor heaters are allowed to be used in tents and manufactures instruction must be followed. All heaters in use must be UL approved.

Patio heaters that are UL approved can be used and manufactures instructions must be followed.

Flammable & Combustible Liquids (gas)

2413.2 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, air-supported, air-inflated or tensioned membrane structures, temporary membrane structures or canopies.

2413.3 Refueling. Refueling shall be performed in an approved location not less than 20 feet (6096 mm) from tents, air-supported, air-inflated or tensioned membrane structures, temporary membrane structures or canopies.

Generators

2404.19 Separation of generator. Generators and other internal combustion power sources shall be separated from tents, air-supported, air inflated or tensioned membrane structures, temporary membrane structures or canopies by a minimum of 20 feet (6096mm) and shall be isolated from contact with the public by fencing, enclosure or other approved means.

Note: The Excelsior Fire District requires that generators be protected from any type of impact and damage.

House Keeping

2417.2 Waste material. The floor surface inside tents, air-supported, air-inflated or tensioned membrane structures, temporary membrane structures or canopies and the grounds outside and within a 30-foot (9144 mm) perimeter shall be kept clear of combustible waste. Such waste shall be stored in approved containers until removed from the premises.

Should you have any questions, please feel free to contact an Excelsior Fire District Inspector, Kellie Murphy-Ringate at 952-960-1692 or e-mail This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Revised: January 26, 2011

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