Board of County
Commissioners
www.baycountyfl.gov
840 West 11
th
Street
PANAMA CITY, FL 32401
COMMISSIONERS:
TOMMY HAMM
DISTRICT I
ROBERT CARROLL
DISTRICT II
WILLIAM T. DOZIER
DISTRICT III
KEITH BAKER
DISTRICT IV
PHILIP "GRIFF" GRIFFITTS
DISTRICT V
ROBERT J. MAJKA JR.
COUNTY MANAGER
BAY COUNTY
FIRE SERVICES DIVISION
700 Hwy 2300 Southport, FL 32409
Telephone: (850) 248-6040
FAX: (850) 248-6059
March 5th, 2019
Cory B. Welch
Fire Safety Inspector
Bay County Fire Services
cell: 850-819-6694
cwelch@baycountyfl.gov
Tent Requirements
Pursuant to Chapter 25 NFPA 1 of the Florida Fire Prevention Code
This document will help in meeting the minimum Life Safety requirements for setting
up a tent over 900 square feet on public property for the purpose of providing a temporary
means of providing service to the public. Listed below are code sections referencing some
of the more commonly asked issues.
Tents shall be permitted only on a temporary basis. [25.2.1.1]
Tents shall be erected to cover not more than 75 percent of the premises. [25.2.1.2]
All tent fabric shall meet the flame propagation performance criteria contained
in Test Method 2 of NFPA 701. A certificate or other evidence of acceptance from
an approved organization indicating the tent fabric materials have the required
flame retardant material. [25.2.2.1 & 25.2.2.2]
There shall be a minimum of 10 feet between stake lines. [25.2.3.1]
Tents stakes adjacent to any means of egress from any tent open to the public
shall be protected, capped or covered as to not present a hazard. [25.1.3.3]
Finished ground under and around tent within 10 feet shall be cleared of all
flammable or combustible material or vegetation. [25.2.4.1]
Smoking shall not be permitted in any tent. [25.2.4.2.1]
A minimum of one portable fire extinguisher with a rating of not less than
2-A:10-B:C shall be provided. Current service tag from a fire protection equipment
contractor required. [25.1.12.3]
Sincerely,
BAY COUNTY FIRE SERVICES DIVISION
700 Hwy 2300 Southport, FL 32409
Telephone 850-248-6040 Fax 850-248-6059
6th Edition Florida Fire Prevention Code in effect
FIRE SAFETY INSPECTION PERMIT APPLICATION
New Business Existing Business Annual Fire Inspection Change of Occupancy
*
Apply for this Permit at:
Bay County Builders Services
840 W. 11th Street
Panama City, FL 32401
850-248-8350 FAX 850-248-8384
Note: All Life Safety equipment and devices installed must have current inspection tags by a licensed Fire Alarm/ Fire
Suppression/ Fire Extinguisher contractor. Exit signs and Emergency lights must have working back up battery when
testing. Fire Extinguishers should be mounted on hanging bracket and not sitting on floor or shelf and be clearly visible
and easily accessible to building occupants.
Fire Safety Inspection Fees for Commercial Buildings and Structures and Change of Occupancy:
1st 3,000 sq. ft ................................................................................................................................ $ 50.00
Over 3,000 sq. ft. & up to 10,000 sq. ft............................................................................................ $ 75.00
Over 10,000 sq. ft. & up to 50,000 sq. ft.......................................................................................... $ 100.00
Over 50,000 sq. ft............................................................................................................................ $ 200.00
Each additional 1,000 sq. ft. over 50,000 sq. ft or fraction thereof.................................................. $ 1.00
Buildings with Fire Alarm System, add per system......................................................................... $ 25.00
Buildings with Fire Suppression System, add per riser................................................................... $ 25.00
*Change of Occupancy may require additional Life Safety features to meet current code requirements outlined in the
Florida Fire Prevention Code and the Florida Building Code.
I understand all REQUIRED INSPECTIONS will be requested of the work permitted herein. Compliance will be strictly enforced. This
permit is VOID after six (6) months from issuance unless the work it covers has been commenced and has had ongoing inspections.
The Building/Fire Official may revoke this permit or remove service, in such case as there has been any false statement or misrepre-
sentation as to the material fact in the application or plans, upon which this permit was based.
Signature of Business/Property Owner Date
Form FS02
Revised 03/19
Tent over 900 sq. ft.