OCEAN CITY FIRE DEPARTMENT
OFFICE OF THE FIRE MARSHAL
INSTRUCTIONS FOR INSTALLATION AND USE OF AIR-SUPPORT AND AIR-INFLATED STRUCTURES
Page 1 of 3
Recipient of the Air-support and Air-Inflate Structures instructions initials___________
The pressurization system shall consist of one or more operating blower units. The
system shall include automatic control of auxiliary blower units to maintain the required
operating pressure. Such equipment shall meet the following requirements:
(1) Blowers shall be powered by continuous-rated motors at the maximum
power required.
(2) Blowers shall have personnel protection, such as inlet screens and belt
guards.
(3) Blower systems shall be weather protected.
(4) Blower systems shall be equipped with backdraft check dampers.
(5) Not less than two blower units shall be provided, each of which has
capacity to maintain full inflation pressure with normal leakage.
(6) The blowers shall be designed to be incapable of overpressurization.
(7) The auxiliary blower unit(s) shall operate automatically if there is any loss
of internal pressure or if an operating blower unit becomes inoperative.
(8) The design inflation pressure and the capacity of each blower system shall
be certified by a professional engineer.
A fully automatic standby power system shall be provided.
1) The system shall be either an auxiliary engine generator set capable of running
the blower system or a supplementary blower unit that is sized for 1 times the
normal operating capacity and is powered by an internal combustion engine.
2) The standby power system shall be fully automatic to ensure continuous
inflation in the event of any failure of the primary power.
3) The system shall be capable of operating continuously for a minimum of 4
hours.
4) The sizing and capacity of the standby power system shall be certified by a
professional engineer.
Instructions in both operation and maintenance shall be transmitted to the owner by the
manufacturer of the air-supported, or air-inflated structure.
Annual inspection and required maintenance of each structure shall be performed to
ensure safety conditions. At least biannually, the inspection shall be performed by a
professional engineer, registered architect, or individual certified by the manufacturer.
Smoking shall not be permitted in any air-supported, or air-inflated structure.
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 AIR-SUPPORT AND AIR-INFLATED STRUCTURES
Page 2 of 3
Recipient of the Air-support and Air-Inflate Structures instructions initials___________
Only labeled heating devices shall be used.
Only labeled Fuel-fired heaters shall be used.
Containers for liquefied petroleum gas shall be installed not less than 60 in. from any air-
supported, or air-inflated structure 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 120lbs.
for each appliance rated more than 80,000 btu/hr.
Containers for liquefied petroleum gases 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 (5’) feet 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 air-supported, or air-
inflated structure.
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 2 or more exits are required Illuminated Exit Signs must be provided.
A site plan shall be submitted indicating the location of the air-supported, or air-inflated
structure in relationship to other structure(s), 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 AIR-SUPPORT AND AIR-INFLATED STRUCTURES
Page 3 of 3
Recipient of the Air-support and Air-Inflate Structures instructions initials___________
Detail drawings shall be submitted on the interior of the air-supported, or air-inflated
structure layout.
Cooking is not permitted within an air-supported, or air-inflated structure that is occupied
by the public or where cooking equipment is not protected in accordance with NFPA 96
and shall be separated from other air-supported, or air-inflated structures.
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 AIR SUPPORT/AIR-INFLATED STRUCTURE
OFFICE OF THE FIRE MARSHAL
APPLICATION FOR AIR SUPPORT/AIRINFLATED STRUCTURE
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 air-support/air-inflated structure 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 air-support/air-inflated 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 shall 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 an air-support/air-inflated
structure 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 name Print_________________________ Signature _____________________ Date ____________
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