Section 3.14 — Tents and Air-Supported Structures

(1) Except as provided in this Subsection, tents are exempt from complying with the requirements of this Division.

(1) Except as provided in Sentence (2), the requirements of this Subsection shall apply to all tents. (2) Articles 3.14.1.3., 3.14.1.7. and 3.14.1.8. do not apply to tents that (a) do not exceed 225 m2 in ground area, (b) do not exceed 225 m2 in aggregate ground area and are closer than 3 m apart, (c) do not contain bleachers, and (d) are not enclosed with sidewalls.

(1) Except as provided in Sentences (2) and (3), tents shall conform to Sections 3.3. and 3.4. (2) A tent need not conform to Article 3.4.6.12. except where swing type doors are provided. (3) Where the area between adjacent tents or a tent and the property line is used as a means of egress, the minimum width between stake lines shall be the width necessary for means of egress, but not less than 3 m.

(1) Tents shall not be erected closer than 3 m to the property line. (2) Except as provided in Sentences (3) to (6), tents shall not be erected closer than 3 m to other tents or structures on the same property. (3) A walkway between a building and a tent occupied by the public is permitted provided (a) the tent is not closer than 3 m from the building, and (b) the walkway conforms to Article 3.2.3.19. (4) Tents not occupied by the public need not be separated from one another, and are permitted to be erected less than 3 m from other structures on the same property, where such closer spacing does not create a hazard to the public. (5) Tents located on fair grounds or similar open spaces, need not be separated from one another provided such closer spacing does not create a hazard to the public. (6) Where a tent is to be constructed in proximity to existing above ground electrical conductors, the tent shall be constructed in accordance with Article 3.1.20.1.

(1) The ground enclosed by a tent and for not less than 3 m outside of such structure shall be cleared of all flammable or combustible material or vegetation that will carry fire.

(1) Every tent, and tarpaulins, decorative materials, fabrics and films used in connection with tents, shall be certified to CAN/ULC-S109, “Standard Method for Flame Tests of Flame-Resistant Fabrics and Films,” or NFPA 701, “Standard Methods of Fire Tests for Flame Propagation of Textiles and Films.”

(1) Where bleachers are provided in tents, they shall be designed in conformance with Articles 3.3.2.9., 3.3.2.12. and Subsection 4.1.5.

(1) Except as provided in Sentence (3), the minimum number of water closets for tents shall be determined in accordance with Table 3.7.4.3.-E. (2) Article 3.7.4.16. applies to sanitary facilities in Sentence (1). (3) Sanitary privies, chemical closets or other means for the disposal of human waste may be provided in lieu of toilet fixtures.

(1) Access shall be provided to all tents for the purpose of firefighting.

(1) The electrical system and equipment in a tent, including electrical fuses and switches, shall be inaccessible to the public. (2) Cables on the ground in areas used by the public in a tent shall be placed in trenches or protected by covers to prevent damage from traffic.

(1) Except as provided in this Subsection, the requirements of this Division apply to air-supported structures.

(1) Air-supported structures shall not be used for Groups B, C or Group F, Division 1 major occupancies or for classrooms. (2) Except where no fire separation is required between major occupancies, air-supported structures shall contain not more than one major occupancy. r1 (3) Except as provided in Sentence (5), air-supported structures are exempt from complying with Articles 3.2.2.20. to 3.2.2.93., except for maximum building size. (4) Air-supported structures may be designed with interior walls, mezzanines, or similar construction. r1 (5) Interior construction contained within air-supported structures must meet the construction requirements of Articles 3.2.2.20. to 3.2.2.93.

(1) Except as provided in Sentences (2) to (5), air-supported structures shall not be erected closer than 3 m to other structures on the same property or to the property line. (2) Air-supported structures not occupied by the public need not be separated from one another, and are permitted to be erected closer than 3 m from other structures on the same property where such closer spacing does not create a hazard to the building occupants or the public. (3) Except as provided in Sentence (4), an air-supported structure is permitted to be attached to another building provided the building to which it is attached (a) conforms to the requirements of other Parts of this Division based on the total building areas of the air-supported structure and the attached building, (b) is sprinklered throughout, and (c) is separated from the air-supported structure by a fire separation having a fire-resistance rating of not less than 1 h. (4) An air-supported structure is permitted to be attached to another building provided the building to which it is attached (a) has a building area not more than 200 m2, (b) conforms to the requirements of other Parts of the Code based on the building area of the attached building, and (c) is sprinklered or separated from the air-supported structure by a fire separation having a fire-resistance rating of not less than 1 h. (5) Where an air-supported structure is to be constructed in proximity to existing above ground electrical conductors, the air-supported structure shall be constructed in accordance with Article 3.1.20.1.

(1) The ground enclosed by an air-supported structure and for not less than 3 m outside of such structure shall be clear of all flammable or combustible material or vegetation that will carry fire.

(1) Air-supported structures shall be constructed of material conforming to CAN/ULC-S109, “Standard Method for Flame Tests of Flame-Resistant Fabrics and Films,” or NFPA 701, “Standard Methods of Fire Tests for Flame Propagation of Textiles and Films.” (2) Materials for fabrics used in connection with air-supported structures are exempt from compliance with the requirements for flame-spread ratings for interior finishes in Subsection 3.1.13.

(1) An air-supported structure designed for an assembly occupancy with an occupant load of more than 200 persons shall have either an automatic emergency engine-generator set capable of powering one blower continuously for 4 h, or a supplementary blower powered by an automatic internal combustion engine.

(1) The electrical system and equipment in an air-supported structure, including electrical fuses and switches, shall be inaccessible to the public. (2) Cables on the ground in areas used by the public in an air-supported structure shall be placed in trenches or protected by covers to prevent damage from traffic.