EXCELSIOR FIRE DISTRICT
Minnesota State Fire Code Inspection
Fire Safety & Code Requirements for 2009
The following are 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. These following apply to tents less then 200 square feet.
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
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
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 Class K portable fire extinguisher.
Portable Class A Class B & Class C Fire Extinguishers
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 must have a fire extinguisher that is solely assigned for the concession operations. A fire extinguisher designated for an area within occupancy can not be taken from an operating businesses and/or business that are occupied for use in a concessions area.
2. Hanger and Brackets
906.7 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.
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, air- supported, 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. 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. Documentation of structural stability shall be furnished to the fire official on request.
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.
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.
Fire Protection Standards
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.
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.
2411.3 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.
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
2415.1 Separation. 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.
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 vehicals 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.
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.
For safety purposes the Excelsior Fire District may require certain precautions be taken around support ropes, guy wires, and stakes.
Please consult the code official for the Excelsior Fire District for exact tent location (s).
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
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