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Scenes from the College of Arts and Sciences

Fire & Life Safety

University of Rhode Island/RI State Fire Safety Code

Tent Application Guidelines

***ALL TENTS REQUIRING A LICENSE/PERMIT ARE REQUIRED

TO BE INSPECTED PRIOR TO USE***

General Requirements

  1. Licenses are required for tents greater than 120 square feet. Licenses are valid for not
    more than (30) days. RILSC 23-28.19-1
  2. Flame resistance certificates are required for ALL tents greater than (120 sq.ft.) Flame
    resistance certificates are valid for (10) years. NFPA 1 25.2.2. In the absence of a
    certificate, a notarized letter, signed by the owner or the tent company certifying that the tent complies with NFPA 701 shall be submitted. (original copy)
  3. Portable fire-extinguishing equipment of approved types shall be furnished and
    maintained in tents in such quantity and in such locations as directed by the AHJ.
    NFPA 1 25.2.5
  4. All flammable and combustible materials shall be cleared from within (10 ft.) of any tent
    to be occupied by the public. NFPA 1 25.2.4.1
  5. All electrical installations shall be inspected and approved by University Electricians. (874-2092)
  6. A scaled floor plan shall be submitted for all tents greater than 120 square feet showing
    any and all items to be placed under the tent. This information will help us correctly
    calculate your maximum safe occupancy. RILSC 23-28.19-1
  7. Tents shall be erected to cover not more than 75 percent of the premises, unless
    otherwise approved by the authority having jurisdiction. NFPA 10111.11.1.3
  8. Generators and other internal combustion power sources shall be separated from
    temporary membrane structures and tents by a minimum of 5 ft. (1.5 m) and shall be
    protected from contact by fencing, enclosure, or other approved means. NFPA 1 25.1.12

Exit Signs & Emergency Lighting

****NOTE: As of July 1, 2009 only exit signs with emergency lights that are approved by the Rhode Island Fire Safety Code Board of Appeal and Review will be deemed acceptable for use inside tents where required. All non-.approved signs will be cause for a failed inspection.

  1. Exit signs shall be provided for all tents with sides. NFPA 10112.10
  2. Emergency Lighting shall be provided for every tent over 1200 square feet. NFPA 10112.2.9.2

Smoking


  1. Smoking is prohibited in all tents covered by this regulation. RILSC 23-28.19-11
  2. NO SMOKING signs shall be posted at all entrances. RILSC 23-28.19-11
  3. Metal receptacles shall be located at all entrances for disposal or smoking materials
    prior to entering tent. RILSC 23-28.19-11


MAXIMUM OCCUPANCY OF TENT TO BE DETERMINED BY FIRE INSPECTOR BASED ON SIZE OF TENT AND SET UP OF INTERIOR OF TENT USING SUBMIITED SCALE DRAWING

Detailing of Uniformed Firefighters


  1. Uniformed Firefighters shall be assigned according to the following:

Class A Places of Assembly: one thousand (1 000) or more people at least (2)
Firefighters on duty, or as many as deemed necessary by Fire Chief for the event(s).

Class B Places of Assembly: three hundred and one (301) people to one thousand (1000) people at least (1) Firefighter on duty, or as many as deemed necessary by Fire Chief for the event(s).

Class C Places of Assembly: fifty (50) people to three hundred (300) people at least (1) Firefighter on duty, or as many as deemed necessary by Fire Chief for the event(s).

Heating and Cooking


  1. Cooking is not allowed under any tent that is under the guidelines of this standard
    unless it can meet the requirements of item # 16.
  2. Cooking equipment used in fixed, mobile, or temporary concessions, such as trucks,
    buses, trailers, pavilions, tents, or any form of roofed enclosure, shall comply with
    NFPA 96 unless all or part of the installation is exempted by the AHJ. RILSC NFPA 1
    50.2.9
  3. A Fire Extinguisher with a minimum rating of (2A-20BC) shall be available within all cooking areas.
  4. Any heating devices must be listed with a recognized testing facility.