3108 Operational Requirements — 2025 California Fire Code

Temporary and permanent tents and membrane structures shall comply with this section.

Hay, straw, shavings or similar combustible materials shall not be located within any tent or membrane structure containing an assembly occupancy, except the materials necessary for the daily feeding and care of animals. Sawdust and shavings utilized for a public performance or exhibit shall not be prohibited provided that the sawdust and shavings are kept damp. Combustible materials shall not be permitted under stands or seats at any time.

[California Code of Regulations, Title 19, Division 1, §315.(b)] Flame Resistance Standards.

(b) Sawdust, shavings or other combustible material used on the floor or ground shall be made flame resistant or when approved by the enforcing authority shall be kept adequately damp when tent is occupied.

[California Code of Regulations, Title 19, Division 1, §326.(b)] Hazard Abatement.

(b) Hay, straw, trash and other similar flammable material shall be stored more than 50 feet from any tent except upon approval of the enforcing authority.

Exception: Tents to which the public is not admitted.

Smoking shall not be permitted in tents or membrane structures. Approved “No Smoking” signs shall be conspicuously posted in accordance with Section 310.

[California Code of Regulations, Title 19, Division 1, §316] Smoking Prohibited.

Smoking is not permitted in any tent and in any adjacent areas where hay or other highly flammable materials are kept. “No Smok- ing” signs shall be conspicuously posted in all tents open to the public and wherever otherwise specified by the enforcing authority.

Open flame or other devices emitting flame, fire or heat or any flammable or combustible liquids, gas, charcoal or any other unapproved devices shall not be permitted inside or located within 10 feet (3048 mm) of the tent or membrane structures while open to the public unless approved by the fire code official.

Exception: Cooking devices shall comply with Section 3108.12.

[California Code of Regulations, Title 19, Division 1, §317] Fireworks and Open Flames.

Fireworks, open flame or any device emitting flame or spark shall not be used in or immediately adjacent to any tent while open to the public, except when approved in writing by the enforcing authority.

Fireworks shall not be used within 100 feet (30 480 mm) of tents or membrane structures.

Spot or effect lighting shall only be by electricity, and all combustible construction located within 6 feet (1829 mm) of such equipment shall be protected with approved noncombustible insulation not less than 9 1/4 inches (235 mm) thick.

Motion pictures shall not be displayed in tents or membrane structures unless the motion picture film is safety film.

There shall be a clearance of not less than 3 feet (914 mm) between the fabric envelope and all contents located inside membrane structures.

Approved portable fire extinguishers complying with Section 906 shall be provided and placed in locations as required by the California Code of Regulations, Title 19, Division 1, Chapter 2, Article 3, Section 319.

[California Code of Regulations, Title 19, Division 1, §319.(a) through (c)] Fire Extinguishers and Other Fire Protection Equipment.

(a) One Class 2-A fire extinguisher shall be provided in every tent having a floor area between 500 square feet and 1,000 square feet plus one 2-A fire extinguisher in each auxiliary adjacent tent. One additional extinguisher shall be provided for each additional 2000 square feet or fraction thereof.

(b) At least one Class 10 B-C fire extinguisher shall be provided with each generator or transformer.

(c) At least one Class 10 B-C fire extinguisher shall be provided in kitchen, dining areas and at locations where flammable or combus- tible liquids or flammable gases are used, stored or dispensed.

Fire hose lines, water supplies and other auxiliary fire equipment shall be maintained at the site in such numbers and sizes as required by the fire code official.

[California Code of Regulations, Title 19, Division 1, §319.(d) and (e)] Fire Extinguishers and Other Fire Protection Equipment.

- (d) Tents having a capacity of 1,000 or more persons shall be protected on each of the long sides with fire hose lines of at least 1 1/2 inch internal diameter and of sufficient length to reach either end of the tent. The water supply shall be either from the public water mains or from tanks having a capacity of not less than 500 gallons. There shall be at least 65 pounds of flowing pressure at the nozzle of the hose line when a 1/2-inch tip is used.

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TENTS, TEMPORARY SPECIAL EVENT STRUCTURES AND OTHER MEMBRANE STRUCTURES

(e) The enforcing authority may modify or waive any of the requirements of this section [Title 19, Division 1, Section 319] and may accept other types of fire extinguishing equipment in lieu of that required by Title 19, Division 1 regulations if, in the authorities’ opin- ion, reasonable and adequate protection will be afforded.

The occupant load allowed in an assembly structure, or portion thereof, shall be determined in accordance with Chapter 10.

Temporary heating and cooking equipment shall be in accordance with Chapter 41. Permanent heating and cooking equipment shall be in accordance with Chapter 6 and Sections 3108.12.1 through 3108.12.3.

3108.12.1 Installation. Heating or cooking equipment, tanks, piping, hoses, fittings, valves, tubing and other related components shall be installed as specified in the International Fuel Gas Code and the California Mechanical Code, and shall be approved by the fire code official.

3108.12.2 Venting. Gas, liquid and solid fuel-burning equipment designed to be vented shall be vented to the outside air as specified in the International Fuel Gas Code and the California Mechanical Code . Such vents shall be equipped with approved spark arresters where required. Where vents or flues are used, all portions of the tent or membrane structure shall be not less than 12 inches (305 mm) from the flue or vent.

3108.12.3 Location. Cooking and heating equipment shall not be located within 10 feet (3048 mm) of exits or combustible materials.

The storage of flammable and combustible liquids and the use of flammable-liquidfueled equipment shall be in accordance with Sections 3108.13.1 through 3108.13.3.

3108.13.1 Use. Flammable-liquid-fueled equipment shall not be used in tents or membrane structures.

3108.13.2 Flammable and combustible liquid storage. Flammable and combustible liquids shall be stored outside in an approved manner not less than 50 feet (15 240 mm) from tents or membrane structures. Storage shall be in accordance with Chapter 57.

[California Code of Regulations, Title 19, Division 1, §324.(a) and (b)] Flammable and Combustible Liquids.

(a) Liquids having a flash point below 200°F shall not be stored in any tent nor less than 50 feet from any tent.

(b) Flammable or combustible liquids shall be stored and dispensed in accordance with the provisions of the California Fire Code. The enforcing authority may permit limited quantities of flammable or combustible liquids required for display and normal merchandising.

3108.13.3 Refueling. Refueling shall be performed in an approved location not less than 20 feet (6096 mm) from tents or membrane structures.

Liquid- and gas-fueled vehicles and equipment used for display within tents or membrane structures shall be in accordance with Sections 3108.14.1 through 3108.14.5.3.

3108.14.1 Batteries. Batteries shall be disconnected except where the fire code official requires that the batteries remain connected to maintain safety features.

3108.14.2 Fuel. Vehicles or equipment shall not be fueled or defueled within the tent or membrane structure.

3108.14.2.1 Quantity limit. Fuel in the fuel tank shall not exceed one-quarter of the tank capacity or 5 gallons (19 L), whichever is less.

3108.14.2.2 Inspection. Fuel systems shall be inspected for leaks.

3108.14.2.3 Closure. Fuel tank openings shall be locked and sealed to prevent the escape of vapors.

3108.14.3 Location. The location of vehicles or equipment shall not obstruct means of egress.

3108.14.4 Places of assembly. When a compressed natural gas (CNG) or liquefied petroleum gas (LP-gas) powered vehicle is parked inside a place of assembly, all of the following conditions shall be met:

1. The quarter-turn shutoff valve or other shutoff valve on the outlet of the CNG or LP-gas container shall be closed and the engine shall be operated until it stops. Valves shall remain closed while the vehicle is indoors.
2. The hot lead of the battery shall be disconnected.
3. Dual-fuel vehicles equipped to operate on gasoline and CNG or LP-gas shall comply with this section and Sections 3108.14.1 through 3108.14.3 for gasoline-powered vehicles.

3108.14.5 Competitions and demonstrations. Liquid- and gas-fueled vehicles and equipment used for competition or demonstration within a tent or membrane structure shall comply with Sections 3108.14.5.1 through 3108.14.5.3.

3108.14.5.1 Fuel storage. Fuel for vehicles or equipment shall be stored in approved containers in an approved location outside of the structure in accordance with Section 3108.13.2.

3108.14.5.2 Fueling. Refueling shall be performed outside of the structure in accordance with Section 3108.13.3.

3108.14.5.3 Spills. Fuel spills shall be cleaned up immediately.

Generators and other internal combustion power sources shall be separated from tents or membrane structures by not less than 20 feet (6096 mm) and shall be isolated from contact with the public by fencing, enclosure or other approved means.

TENTS, TEMPORARY SPECIAL EVENT STRUCTURES AND OTHER MEMBRANE STRUCTURES

Where, in the opinion of the fire code official, it is essential for public safety in a tent or membrane structure used as a place of assembly or any other use where people congregate, because of the number of persons, or the nature of the performance, exhibition, display, contest or activity, the owner, agent or lessee shall employ one or more qualified persons, as required and approved, to remain on duty during the times such places are open to the public, or when such activity is being conducted.

[California Code of Regulations, Title 19, Division 1, §320] Fire Safety Personnel.

The owners or operators of any tent used as a place of assemblage shall provide at least one qualified fire safety person in every tent having a capacity of 500 persons and one additional qualified person for each 1,000 additional persons or fraction thereof. Such persons shall be on duty in the tent at all times when the tent is open to the public. They shall be proficient in the handling of fire extinguishers and equipment and shall be familiar with the fire and panic safety regulations. The individual designated under this section shall meet the approval of the fire authority having jurisdiction.

Exception: The enforcing authority may waive or modify the provisions of this section if, in his opinion, public safety will not be jeopardized.

3108.16.1 Duties. Before each performance or the start of such activity, standby personnel shall keep diligent watch for fires during the time such place is open to the public or such activity is being conducted and take prompt measures for extinguishment of fires that occur and assist in the evacuation of the public from the structure.

3108.16.2 Crowd managers. There shall be trained crowd managers or trained crowd supervisors at a ratio of one crowd manager or supervisor for every 250 occupants, as approved.

Combustible vegetation that could create a fire hazard shall be removed from the area occupied by a tent or membrane structure, and from areas within 30 feet (9144 mm) of such structures.

[California Code of Regulations, Title 19, Division 1, §326.(a)] Hazard Abatement.

(a) All flammable vegetation within 50 feet of any tent shall be removed.

The floor surface inside tents or membrane structures and the grounds outside and within a 30-foot (9144 mm) perimeter shall be kept free from combustible waste and other combustible materials that could create a fire hazard. Such waste shall be stored in approved containers and removed from the premises not less than once a day during the period the structure is occupied by the public.

[California Code of Regulations, Title 19, Division 1, §326.(c)] Hazard Abatement.

(c) Combustible waste shall not be permitted to accumulate on the grounds either inside or outside of tents. Such waste shall be stored in approved containers until removed from the premises.

Exits, aisles and passageways shall not be blocked or have their minimum clear width obstructed in any manner by ticket offices, turnstiles, concessions, chairs, equipment, animal chutes, poles or guy ropes, or anything whatsoever, nor shall they be blocked by persons for whom no seats are available.

In occupancies having fixed seating, and on request of the owner or manager, the enforcing agency may permit modifications from the provisions of this code to accommodate seating for handicapped persons using mechanical aids such as, but not limited to, walkers and wheelchairs.

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CALIFORNIA FIRE CODE – MATRIX ADOPTION TABLE

CHAPTER 32 – HIGH-PILED COMBUSTIBLE STORAGE

(Matrix Adoption Tables are nonregulatory, intended only as an aid to the code user. See Chapter 1 for state agency authority and building applications.)

• The California Code of Regulations (CCR), Title 19, Division 1 provisions that are found in the California Fire Code are a reprint from the current CCR, Title 19, Division 1 text for the code user’s convenience only. The scope, applicability and appeals procedures of CCR, Title 19, Division I remain the same. The state agency does not adopt sections identified by the following symbol: The Office of the State Fire Marshal’s adoption of this chapter or individual sections is applicable to structures regulated by other state agencies pursuant to Section 1.11.

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