CTY OF PAM DESERT Building & Safety Department Permit Application Requirements For Temporary Tents, and Membrane Structures F O R M A T O A B U E T Revised 1-30-14 73510 Fred Waring Drive Palm Desert, CA 92260 Phone: (760) 776-6420 Fax: (760) 776-6392 www.cityofpalmdesert.com Tent A structure, enclosure or shelter, with or without side-walls or drops, constructed of fabric or pliable material supported by any manner except by air or the contents it protects, and shall not be used for more than a period of 180 days. Permits are required for all temporary tents and membrane structures that exceed 400 square feet (19 m 2 ) in area. OTE: This is a general list of requirements. More information may be required as each project is individually evaluated. When such a request is made, the application can progress only after the necessary information is received. Completed Temporary Use Permit Application attached. Site plan (11x17 minimum 24x36 maximum) showing all structures, address Disabled Access requirements for parking, restrooms and seating. The following conditions must be met based on the 2013 California Building Code and California Fire Code: 1. Temporary tents and membrane structures and their appurtenances shall be adequately braced and anchored to prevent weather related collapse. A report shall be provided to minimally state that in the engineer s professional opinion, the tent is designed to withstand expected forces and climate conditions including a minimum wind force of 90 mph, 3 second gust. The report shall be signed and stamped with the engineer s professional seal. 2. The sidewalls, drops and tops of temporary tents and membrane structures shall be composed of flame-resistant material or shall be treated with a flame-retardant in an approved manner. 3. Temporary tents or membrane structures shall have a permanently affixed label bearing the following information: a. dentification of temporary tent or membrane structure, size and fabric or material type. b. For flame-resistant materials, the necessary information to determine compliance with this chapter (Chapter 31) or Section 304 as applicable.
c. For flame-retardant-treated materials, the date that the temporary tent or membrane structure and other combustible materials were last treated with an approved flame retardant. d. The trade name and type of flame retardant utilized in the flame-retardant treatment. e. The name of the person and firm that applied the flame retardant. Floor plan of the tent delineating the following requirements of Chapter 31: 1. Portable Fire Extinguishers to be located per the Fire Marshal prior to occupancy. 2. Seating arrangement plan (if applicable) 3. Delineate the location of any heating, cooking equipment on the floor plan. Tents containing cooking equipment shall be located a minimum of 20 feet from other tents or membrane structures. 4. Outdoor cooking that produces sparks or grease laden vapors shall not be performed within 20 feet from a temporary membrane structures and tents. 5. Delineate the exits (2 required if occupant load is 10 to 199, 3 required if occupant load is 200-499) 6. Exit signs when occupant load is 50 or more (illuminated if occupant load is more than 100) 7. Exits in tents are required to be a minimum of 72 inches in width per exit. Electrical permit required for all portable generators. 1. Show locations of emergency generators and fuel storage that are onsite. Generators must be at least 20 ft. from tents/membrane structures and shall be isolated from contact with the public by fencing, enclosure or other approved means. CFC Section 3104.19. Applications that include bleachers, grandstands and stages must provide: Calculation or certification from a structural, civil, or other qualified registered engineer may be required. The structure of the bleachers shall be sufficient to support the proposed loads. Provide an exiting plan showing location, width, and configuration of exits. A plan indicating location of handicapped access seating. State accessibility laws require that wheelchair areas shall be an integral part of any seating plan, and shall be arranged so as to provide persons with disabilities a choice of admission prices and lines of sight comparable to those of the general public. At least one companion seat shall be provided next to each wheelchair seating space. The number of spaces shall be 1 space for up to 26 persons, 2 up to 50, 4 up to 300, 6 up to 500, and one additional space for each fraction of 100 people over 500 people.
2013 Submittal Requirements for Temporary Tents or Membrane Structures All applications for permits for temporary tents or membrane structures must be accompanied by two (2) copies of detailed site plans prepared on paper no less than 11 x 17 no larger than 24 x 36 paper. The plans shall comply with all of the following: 1. ndicate the type of structure: i.e. tent, membrane structure 2. Be drawn to scale at a minimum of 1/8 inch to the foot 3. All text on the plans shall be minimum 1/8 inch in height 4. ndicate size of each structure in sq. ft. and show dimensions of each side of the structure 5. State location of structure (address, block and lot) 6. ndicate the duration of permit (from construction until take-down) 7. ndicate the name of the company erecting tent or membrane structure, the name of the organization sponsoring the event, the name of the property owner at the tent location, and the name and cell phone numbers of the on-site contact personnel. 8. State that the plans are in compliance with the 2013 California Fire Code, and when applicable, the 2013 Electrical Code, and 2013 Mechanical Code. 9. ndicate the proximity (in feet) of tent or membrane structure to nearby buildings, property lines, other tents or membrane structures, parked vehicles, or internal combustion engines. Tents and /or membrane structures shall be located a minimum of 20 ft. from these items. Vehicles parked on a public street or necessary for the operation of the establishment should be kept twenty (20) ft. from these structures; all other vehicles shall be 100 feet away. See exceptions in the Fire Code. 10. Show fire department access roads. 11. ndicate the use of all areas of the temporary structures. 12. Show proposed furniture lay-out (table, chairs, bleachers, grandstands, and stages) properly scaled with aisles and exit access. Aisles shall be in accordance with Section 1014 of the CFC, and shall be a minimum of 44 inches CFC Section 3103.12. The dimension between tables and between tables and adjacent walls and/or other obstructions shall be shown. 13. When bleachers, folding and telescopic seating, and/or grandstands are used, they shall comply with the 2007 CC 300 Standard. Documentation of compliance from the vendor providing the seating is required. 14. Show the exits and indicate the clear exit width provided. All points within the tent shall be 100 ft. or less from an exit and exiting shall comply with CFC Section 3103.12. 15. On sloped sites, where stairs or ramps are necessary, stairways, ramps, landings, handrails, and guards shall meet Chapter 10 of the CFC. Details shall be shown on plans. 16. nclude the proposed occupant load and justification for each area (based upon CFC 1004). 17. Shall show the locations and size of fire extinguishers that will be provided. Travel distance to fire extinguishers shall not exceed 75 ft. Additional
extinguishers are required at each cooking area and at each fuel powered generator. 18. Show locations of all exit signs. Exit signs must be illuminated when serving occupant loads of more than 49 occupants. When occupant loads exceed 300, an approved emergency system is required for exit sign illumination. All back-up sources of illumination shall have a minimum duration of 90 minutes CFC Section 3103.12.6.1 19. Show locations of O SMOKG signs and occupant load signs. 20. All cooking areas shall be shown (inside and outside of tents), and shall indicate the fuel source for each cooking appliance (sterno, P-gas, etc). Generally, only food warming with sterno is permitted inside assembly tents. Cooking tents must be separated by a minimum distance of 20 ft. from other tents or membrane structures. Outdoor cooking that produces sparks or grease laden vapors shall not be performed within 20 ft. of a tent or membrane structure. CFC Section 3105.15. Additional Fire Department permits for fuels associated with cooking are required. 21. Gas, liquid and solid fuel burning equipment designed to be vented shall be vented to the outside air as specified in the California Mechanical Code. All venting shall be shown on plans, including clearances from tents or membrane structures. Such vents shall be equipped with approved spark arresters when required. Where vents or flues are used, all portions of the tent or membrane structure shall be not less than 12 inches from the flue or vent. 22. Show location of all P-gas containers (must be a minimum of 10 ft. from any tent/membrane structure). CFC Section 3104.16. 23. Show locations of emergency generators and fuel storage that are onsite. Generators must be at least 20 ft. from tents/membrane structures. CFC Section 3104.19. 24. Show all flammable or combustible fuel storage (shall be a minimum of 50 ft. from any tent or membrane structure). CFC Section 3104.17. Additional Fire Department permit required for generators and fuel storage. 25. Show location, type, and fuel source of all heating equipment and/or any other appliances in tent. Manufacturer s installation instructions shall be made available on request. 26. Vehicles or equipment used for competition, demonstration, or display in tents shall be shown on plans and shall comply with CFC Section 3104.18. a) Membrane structures shall comply with other relevant requirements shown in the CFC. b) A Certificate of Flame Resistance for each tent, membrane structure, and/or interior decorative fabrics or materials proposed shall accompany the application. c) Plans shall state that the applicant will provide trained crowd managers at a ratio of one crowd manager for every 250 occupants, or as approved.
Additional Documentation. Applicants proposing to install tents and /or membrane structures that meet any of the following three criteria shall provide a report of installation inspection prepared by a California licensed structural engineer after the installation is complete, but prior to occupancy: The square footage of the structure is 7500 sq. ft. or more The approved occupant load is 500 or more The clear span width of the structural support is 60 ft. or more The report shall minimally state that in the engineer s professional opinion, the tent is designed, installed, and anchored to withstand expected forces and climate conditions including a minimum wind force of 90 mph. The report shall be signed and stamped with the engineer s professional seal. nspection. Prior to issuance of a permit, the Fire Department will inspect the installation for conformance with the approved plans. Any variations from the approved plans should be justified prior to the field inspection. Field inspections must be conducted with ample time to make corrections prior to the start of the event. This will vary depending on the size/scope of the event. n general, field inspectors will verify that the tent is installed and furnished in compliance with the approved plans. Deviations from the approved plans are subject to approval by the field inspector. Other inspection items: f P-gas is being permitted for the event, applicants shall have on hand a spray bottle of soapy water for testing purposes, and should be prepared (have personnel on hand) to conduct leak testing of hose and equipment at the time of the inspection. Heating or cooking equipment, tanks, piping, hoses, fittings, valves, tubing and other related components shall be installed as specified in the California Mechanical Code and shall be approved by the Fire Code Official. Unapproved hoses, etc. will be required to be replaced prior to use. Temporary wiring shall meet the requirements of the 2013 California Electrical Code and shall be prevented from being a tripping hazard. There shall be a minimum clearance of at least 3 ft. between the fabric envelope and all contents located inside membrane structures. CFC Section 3104.11. Generators shall be isolated from contact with the public by fencing, enclosure, or other approved means. CFC Section 3104.20. Means of egress illumination shall be a minimum of 1 foot-candle at floor level and have a separate circuit or source of power. All flammable vegetation within 50 ft. of any tent shall be removed (Title 19). n general, this is referring to tall dead grass/weeds.