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City of Whitefish Fire Department also serving the Whitefish Fire Service Area 275 Flathead Avenue – PO Box 158 - Whitefish, Montana 59937 [PHONE REDACTED] Fax: [PHONE REDACTED] FIRE SAFETY GUIDELINE TENTS, INFLATABLE, & MEMBRANE STRUCTURES Any tent, inflatable or membrane structure: - In excess of 400 square feet with a side or multiple sides, - In excess of 700 square feet open on all sides with 12-foot clearance to any structure or other tents, - Not used for recreational camping purposes, - Or multiple tents placed side by side without a 12-foot fire break in excess of 700 square feet aggregate total, shall not be erected, operated or maintained for any purpose without first obtaining approval from the fire code official. USE PERIOD Temporary tents, air supported, air filled or tensioned membrane structures shall not be erected for a period of more than 180 days within a 12-month period on a single premises. FLOOR PLAN Tents, air supported, air filled or tensioned membrane structures with an occupancy load of 50 or more shall provide a floor plan indicating details of the means of egress, seating arrangement and location and type of heating and electrical equipment. LOCATION Tents, air supported, air filled or tensioned membrane structures shall NOT be located within 20-feet of lot lines, buildings, other tents, other membrane structures, parked vehicles, or internal combustion engines. For the purpose of determining required distances, support ropes and guy wires shall be considered part of the text or membrane structure. ---PAGE BREAK--- ACCESS Fire apparatus access roads shall be provided that meet Section 503 of the IFC. Reference: - 20-foot wide unobscured including ropes and guy wires, - Access to within 150-feet of the ground level perimeter of the text or structure, - Overhead clearance of at least 13-feet 6-inchs, - Turning radius 28-ft inside, 50-ft outside - Maximum grade of 9% - Capable of supporting the weight of fire apparatus (30-tons), - Appropriate turn around if dead-end road over 150-feet long. All Tents as defined by the fire code and being used for a structure, shelter or fully enclosed shall have a Flame Retardant Certificate indicating the size of tent, type of fabric, and the chemical used to treat. Car storage is allowed for display purposes only if the battery is disconnected and there is less than 5 gallons of fuel. No fueling or defueling is ever allowed within a tent. Fire Code 2404.18 GENERAL COOKING Cooking booths shall be separated by a minimum of 10’. Fire Code 2403.8.2. This does not apply warming devices with no open flame or heat. There is no open flame, heating, or cooking under a tent or canopy and if done must be at least 10’ from the canopy or tent. Fire Code mandates 20’ but City of Whitefish will allow 10’. Cooking and Heating shall NOT be located within 10’ of an exit or any combustible materials. No storage of LP is allowed in any tent or canopy Fire Code 2404.16.2.1 Commercial Cooking done inside a trailer shall be required to have a Type I hood system that is UL300 or UL300A rated if using deep fat frying. Fire Code 610, 904.2.1 and 904.11. The code could require this for grilling as well but the City of Whitefish will only require if deep fat fryers. Hood systems should be inspected every 6 months Fire Code 904.11.6.4 Must have an approved 2A:10BC fire extinguisher for each canopy or tent and within 30’ of the cooking area. Fire Code 904.11.5. If Vegetable or Animal fat is present, a Class K is required, Fire Code 904.11.5. ---PAGE BREAK--- All gas, solid, or liquid fuel burning inside a trailer must be vented to the outside with an approved venting system and spark arrestor. All cooking rules are subject to change depending upon local burn ban rules or a declaration of disaster. Generators shall be at least 20’ from any structure or canopy and not accessible to the public. Fire Code 2404.19 Flammable or Combustible liquids shall be at least 50’ from all tents, canopies and structures. Fire Extinguishers need to be secured or mounted for ease of access If you have any questions regarding fire safety requirements within the City of Whitefish or the Whitefish Fire Service Area contact: Fire Marshal Travis Tveidt at [PHONE REDACTED] or [EMAIL REDACTED]