Fire Code 10
Guidance on the use of Marquees,
Tents and other Temporary Structures
Health & Safety Services
FPS/FC10
Revision 0
Ratified at Health & Safety Committee 22 May 2012
Table of Contents
Table of Contents ...........................................................................................................②
1. Introduction ..............................................................................................................③
2.
The Structure ....................................................................................................③
3.
Site ....................................................................................................................③
4.
Erecting .............................................................................................................④
5.
Fire and Emergency Exits .................................................................................④
6.
Heating and Cooking .........................................................................................⑤
7.
Electrical Installations and Lighting ...................................................................⑤
8.
Smoking/Hot Work ............................................................................................⑥
University Fire Safety Officer, Health & Safety Services, University of Bradford, 22/05/2012
②
1.
Introduction
The University recognises that Schools, Departments and other University associates
may hire Marquees and other tented structures periodically for external events, and
also, to provide additional space during degree day celebrations etc. This guide has
therefore been provided to assist event organisers to comply with both legislative
requirements and industry best practice with respect to the selection, erection and
sighting of marquees and tented structures.
2.
The Structure
The material forming the main structure of a marquee or tented structure and internal
linings or drapes must be inherently flame retardant to prevent ignition and the spread
of flames.
The fire retardant nature of the material making up the tented structure must be easily
identifiable by a form of permanent marking indicating a test date, the number and date
of the British Standard i.e. BS 7837: 1996, and the name, address and telephone
number of the manufacturer. If the tented structure does not display this information it
should not be assumed that the marquee or tented structure is fire retardant.
3.
Site
A suitable location must be established prior to the positioning of any marquee or tented
structure and where necessary any grass or vegetation on the site should be cut short
before the erection of the structure can take place, areas for consideration are:

Is the area flat and free from potholes, tree roots or other potential trip hazards
etc?

Does the proposed area hold water and could it be wet underfoot during the
activity?

Is a solid or loose fitting floor required because of ground conditions?

Does the chosen location offer any protection from environmental factors such as
wind?
Other areas which must be complied with are;

The structure should not obstruct the emergency exits of adjacent or nearby
buildings,

Any fire hydrants within the area must not be obstructed or covered over.

A clear area of 3m2 around hydrants must be maintained where applicable.
University Fire Safety Officer, Health & Safety Services, University of Bradford, 22/05/2012
③
4.
Erecting
The tented structure must be erected by a competent person. Where guy ropes have
been used they must be sufficiently staked. Where ground penetration is not possible,
heavy ballast weights must be used to withstand maximum uplift forces.
Persons hiring these products should not consider constructing their own marquees
unless competent to do so. In these instances a risk assessment must be undertaken
and submitted to the Universities Head of Health and Safety Services for approval prior
to any construction taking place.
5.
Fire and Emergency Exits
Fabric structures intended to hold more than 50 people must have a minimum of 2 exits.
The maximum travel distance from within the structure to a final exit must not exceed
6·5 metres for occupancy of less than 50 where only one exit has been provided, or 18
metres where there are two exits.
As a guide, if there are less than 50 occupants the single exit width must have a
minimum opening width of 1·5 metres. Where there are two exits they must both be a
minimum opening width of 1·65 metres.
Exit doors must open outwards. Where these doors are of a solid construction and need
to be locked to restrict or control entry they must be fitted with a panic bolt or similar
single action release mechanism. Where there are no doors but a flap is utilised (e.g.
second exit), the flap exits must be provided with a quick release action design so that it
can be easily and immediately openable from inside allowing people to escape from
within the structure in accordance with current legislation and guidance. Where any
doubt exits the University Fire Safety Officer should be consulted. Additionally these
exits must be clearly and readily identifiable. This may be achieved by highlighting the
exit with a contrasting coloured tape around the edges.
All emergency exit doors and flaps must be provided with emergency exit signs
conforming to BS 5499. These show the running man with a directional arrow and are in
the standard green and white colouring.
Fire extinguishers must be provided within the structure that are in sufficient numbers
and appropriate to the risk. As a minimum there should be one 6 litre foam extinguisher
at each exit and a 2 kilogramme CO2 extinguisher positioned where necessary to deal
with any electrical risks.
For events where occupancy is expected to be in excess of 250, it will be necessary to
have emergency wardens who have been trained in evacuation and use of fire
extinguishers.
University Fire Safety Officer, Health & Safety Services, University of Bradford, 22/05/2012
④
Occupant capacity is the maximum number of persons allowed inside the structure. This
figure includes not only guests but staff and event organisers who may be in
attendance. Occupancy is an important factor in assessing the size of the structure
required and number and size of exits required. These numbers along with size of
structure will need to be agreed with the University Fire Safety Officer in advance,
persons holding events within tented structures are advised to note that furniture layout
and use may also impact on occupancy figures.
A means of giving warning in case of fire must be provided. This may simply be a loud
hailer. The procedure must be agreed with the University Fire Safety Officer.
There should also be facilities or some communication means of calling Security and/or
the Emergency services. This may be simply that someone has been designated to
have a fully charged mobile telephone that is within the signal range of the respective
network.
6.
Heating and Cooking
Cookers or barbeques using gas, charcoal or any other open flame source must not be
used in Marquees or tented structures that are occupied by people. Where cooking is
required in the vicinity of a marquee or tented structure it must be conducted either in
the open air or within a flame retardant gazebo, or similar structure if required to be
under cover, this must be open on at least two sides. All cooking must be supervised at
all times and no members of the public should be present whilst cooking is taking place.
Flammable Liquids and LPG cylinders should not be present in any tent.
Where hot holding of food is required it should be achieved by means of an electrical
Bain-Marie.
If heaters are to be used these must be for pre-heating the structure prior to it being
occupied. All heaters must be switched off and removed before occupation.
7.
Electrical Installations and Lighting
Electrical installations must be installed, tested and maintained in accordance with
current standards by a competent person.
Where the structure is to be used during the hours of darkness lighting will be
necessary and should be designed so as to facilitate occupants being able to leave
safely. Emergency lighting must include luminaires for all fire exit doors and must be
capable of being able to operate independently of any external power supply to ensure
its continued functionality in the event of a power failure.
The University shall not be responsible without prior arrangement for internal electrical
installations. Only a live supply will be provided to a junction box by Estates and
Facilities Electricians for contractors to connect to.
University Fire Safety Officer, Health & Safety Services, University of Bradford, 22/05/2012
⑤
All external equipment shall have RCD protection and must be PAT tested.
Any electrical equipment brought to site by the supplier must be tested and inspected in
accordance with current legislation and industry best practice.
8.
Smoking/Hot Work
No smoking is permitted in any marquee or tented structure,
There must be no welding, soldering or any other hot works as defined by the Health &
Safety Executive within a marquee or tented structure;
Hot work includes any process that generates a source of ignition (e.g. naked
flames, heat, sparks) arising from working methods such as welding, flame
cutting, grinding and using disc cutters. [HSE]
University Fire Safety Officer, Health & Safety Services, University of Bradford, 22/05/2012
⑥