OCEAN CITY FIRE DEPARTMENT
OFFICE OF THE FIRE MARSHAL
INSTRUCTIONS FOR INSTALLATION AND USE OF TENTS
Page 1 of 3
Recipient of the tent instructions initials______________
Tents shall be permitted only on a temporary basis.
All tent fabric shall meet the flame propagation performance criteria contained in NFPA
701, Standard Methods of Fire Tests for Flame Propagation of Textiles and Films.
One of the following shall serve as evidence that the tent fabric materials have the
required flame propagation performance:
(1) A certificate or other evidence of acceptance by an organization acceptable to the
fire authority.
(2) The fire authority shall require a report of tests made by other inspection
authorities or organizations.
The fire authority may require a confirmatory field tests by using test specimens from the
original material, which shall have been affixed at the time of manufacture to the exterior
of the tent.
Location and Spacing of tent(s).
1) There shall be a minimum of ten feet (10’) between stake lines.
2) Adjacent tents shall be spaced to provide an area to be used as a means of emergency
egress. Where ten feet (10’) between stake lines does not meet the requirements for
means of egress, the distance necessary for means of egress shall govern.
3) Tents not occupied by the public and not used for the purpose of storage of
combustible material shall be permitted to be erected less than ten feet (10’) from other
structures where the fire authority deems such close spacing to be safe from hazards to
the public.
4) Tents not exceeding 1200 ft2 in ground area and located in open spaces, shall not be
required to be separated from each other
The ground enclosed by any tent, and the ground for a reasonable distance but for not less
than ten feet (10’) outside of such a tent, shall be cleared of all flammable or combustible
material or vegetation that is not used for necessary support equipment. The clearing
work shall be accomplished prior to the erection of such a tent. The premises shall be
kept free from such flammable or combustible materials during the period for which the
premises are used by the public.
Portable fire-extinguishing equipment of approved types shall be furnished and
maintained in tent(s). Fire extinguishers shall be conspicuously located where they will
be readily accessible and immediately available in the event of fire. Preferably they shall
be located along normal paths of travel, including exits from areas.
An approved portable
fire extinguisher having a minimum rating of 4A 40BC shall be provided in any area
where cooking equipment is installed. An approved Class K extinguisher shall be
provided to protect any deep-frying.
OCEAN CITY FIRE DEPARTMENT
OFFICE OF THE FIRE MARSHAL
INSTRUCTIONS FOR INSTALLATION AND USE OF TENTS
Page 2 of 3
Recipient of the tent instructions initials______________
Only labeled heating devices shall be used.
Only labeled Fuel-fired heaters shall be used.
Containers for liquefied petroleum gases shall be installed not less than 60 inches from
any tent and shall be in accordance with the provisions of NFPA 58, Liquefied Petroleum
Gas Code.
LP gas tank size shall be limited to 60 lbs. The total amount of LP gas on site shall not
exceed 60 lbs. for each appliance that is rated not more than 80,000 btu/hr. and 120 lbs.
for each appliance rated more than 80,000 btu/hr.
Containers for liquefied petroleum gas tanks shall be secured in the upright position and
protected from vehicular traffic. Tanks shall be secured in their upright position with a chain,
strap or other approved method that prevents the tank from tipping over.
Tanks shall be located so that they are not accessible to the public. LP gas tanks shall be
located at least five feet (5’) from any cooking or heating equipment or any open flame
device.
Tanks must be maintained in good physical condition and shall have a valid hydrostatic
date stamp.
Only labeled Electric Heaters shall be permitted.
Heaters shall be connected to electricity by electric cable that is suitable for outside use
and is of sufficient size to handle the electrical load.
No open flame devices or pyrotechnic devices shall be used in any tent.
Electrical wiring and equipment shall be installed in accordance with NFPA 70, National
Electrical Code. The Fire Official may require an electrical inspection be conducted by an
approved electrical inspection agency.
All electrical cords shall be maintained in a safe condition and shall be secured to prevent
damage.
Exits shall be arranged to minimize the possibility that they might be blocked by any
emergency.
When two (2) or more exits are required Illuminated Exit Signs shall be provided.
A site plan shall be submitted indicating the location of the tent(s) in relationship to other
structure(s), tents, means of egresses, public right of ways and/or fire lanes.
OCEAN CITY FIRE DEPARTMENT
OFFICE OF THE FIRE MARSHAL
INSTRUCTIONS FOR INSTALLATION AND USE OF TENTS
Page 3 of 3
Recipient of the tent instructions initials______________
Detail drawings shall be submitted on the interior of the tent layout.
Cooking is not permitted within a tent that is occupied by the public. Tents or canopies
where cooking equipment is not protected in accordance with NFPA 96 shall be
separated from other tents or canopies, and shall not be occupied by the public.
Movable cooking equipment shall have wheels removed or shall be placed on blocks or
otherwise secured to prevent movement of the appliance during operation.
Smoking shall not be permitted in any tent and plainly visible signs shall be posted that
read as follows: NO SMOKING
All trash containers/receptacles shall be metal.
All gasoline-powered generators shall be maintained a minimum distance of ten feet (10’)
feet from all combustible materials and/or LPG tanks.
Spare fuel shall be stored in approved “ Safety Containers”.
Storage of fuel shall be an outside area away from all combustible or ignition sources.
OCEAN CITY FIRE DEPARTMENT
OFFICE OF THE FIRE MARSHAL
APPLICATION FOR TENT SETUP
OFFICE OF THE FIRE MARSHAL
APPLICATION FOR TENT SETUP
Submit application to: For Information Contact:
Office of the Fire Marshal Office of the Fire Marshal
P.O. Box 158 P.O. Box 158
Ocean City, MD 21843 Ocean City, MD 21843
Phone Number 410-289-8780
PLEASE TYPE OR PRINT CLEARLY AND COMPLETE ALL AREAS OF THE APPLICATION
Date(s) of proposed tent setup: __________________________
Name and complete address of applicant: ________________________________________________________
City: _________________________ State: _________________ Zip Code: ___________
Ocean City/local address: ____________________________________________________________________
Phone Numbers that the Applicant may be reached at: Home phone _______________
Cell Phone ________________ Ocean City/Local Phone _________________ Other _______________
Proposed Tent Location: ____________________________________________________Ocean City, MD
*******Site plan must be submitted with application*******
Note: The issuance of the permit is based upon the information contained in this application only, and does not
cover unsatisfactory conditions resulting from errors, omissions or failure to clearly indicate conditions. Any
change(s) to the application will be submitted to the Office of the Fire Marshal for review.
I hereby certify that I am aware of the conditions and requirements for installing a tent and agree to comply with
those conditions and requirements. I understand that failure to comply with the conditions would mean
cancellation of this permit and possible denial of future permits.
Applicants Signature ________________________________________ Date ____________
For Official Use Only Below
Application received _____________ Permit application #____________
Deputy Fire Marshal Assigned_______________ Reviewed and ready for invoicing _______________
Applicant notified permit is ready for issuance ________________________ Revised 7/10/09
click to sign
signature
click to edit