Section 675IAC22-2.5-24. Chapter 31; tents and other membrane structures

   Chapter 31 is amended as follows: (a) Amend Section 3101.1 to delete the text and insert the following: Except as otherwise provided in Sections 3104.7, 3104.15.5, and 3104.15.6, tents and membrane structures having an area in excess of 400 square feet shall be in accordance with Chapter 31.

Exception: Tents and membrane structures used exclusively for recreational camping purposes.

  (b) Amend Section 3102.1 to add the following definitions:

(1) COMMERCIAL FOOD HEAT PROCESSING APPLIANCES. See the Indiana Mechanical Code.

(2) COOKING. Cooking means to prepare food using processes such as: boiling, roasting, baking, broiling, and frying by a method of exposure to flame or heat that prepares food suitable for consumption.

(3) OPEN OR EXPOSED FLAME EQUIPMENT. Open or exposed flame equipment means equipment with flame that is visible during the ordinary use of the equipment or device.

  (c) Amend Section 3103.2 to delete the title and text and insert to read as follows: Notification required. The fire department having jurisdiction shall be notified when tents and membrane structures having an area in excess of 400 sq. ft. (37 m²) are erected, operated, or maintained for any purpose.

  (d) Amend Section 3103.3 to insert, at the end of the paragraph, the following: A tent, temporary membrane structure, air-supported or air-inflated structure with an occupant load of 50 or more shall be considered a place of assembly. Open or exposed flame equipment shall not be permitted in a place of assembly.

  (e) Delete Section 3103.4 without substitution.

  (f) Amend Section 3103.5 to delete "180" and insert "thirty (30)".

  (g) Amend Section 3103.6 to delete "with each application for approval" and insert "to the fire department having jurisdiction".

  (h) Amend Section 3103.7 to delete the text and insert to read as follows: The entire tent, air-supported, air-inflated or tensioned membrane structure system shall be inspected at regular intervals, but not less than one time per use period, by the owner or agent to determine that the installation is maintained in accordance with this chapter.

  (i) Amend Section 3103.7.1 to delete the text and insert to read as follows: An inspection report shall be made available to the fire department having jurisdiction and shall consist of maintenance, anchors, and fabric inspections.

  (j) Amend Section 3103.8.1 to delete the text and insert to read as follows: Fire apparatus access roads shall be provided in accordance with Section 503 and shall extend to within 150 feet of all portions of the structure.

  (k) Amend Section 3103.8.2 to delete the text and insert to read as follows: Temporary membrane structures, tents, air-supported or air-inflated structures shall not be located within twenty (20) feet of lot lines, buildings, other temporary membrane structures, other tents, parked vehicles, or internal combustion engines. For purposes of determining required distances, support ropes and guy wires shall be considered as part of the temporary membrane structure or tent.

Exceptions:

1. When the aggregate floor area does not exceed 15,000 square feet, separation distance between temporary membrane structures, and tents, in which open or exposed flame equipment is not used, and lot lines, buildings, other temporary membrane structures, other tents, parked vehicles, or internal combustion engines is not required.

2. Temporary membrane structures and tents need not be separated from buildings when all of the following conditions are met:

2.1 The aggregate floor area of the temporary membrane structure or tent shall not exceed 10,000 square feet.

2.2 The aggregate floor area of the building and temporary membrane structure or tent shall not exceed the allowable floor area including increases in the Indiana Building Code.

2.3 All required exiting provisions for the building and the temporary membrane structure, or tent, including travel distance.

2.4 Fire apparatus access roads are provided in accordance with Section 503.

3. Membrane structures and tents with an aggregate area of 400 sq. ft. or less, used for open or exposed flame cooking shall be separated from buildings, tents, parked vehicles or internal combustion engines by a minimum distance of ten (10) feet.

  (l) Amend Section 3103.8.3 to delete the text and insert to read as follows: Tents, air-supported, air-inflated, or tensioned membrane structures having a single structure area in excess of 15,000 square feet shall be located not less than fifty (50) feet from other tents or structures as measured from the side wall of the tent unless joined by a corridor.

  (m) Amends Section 3103.8.5 to delete the text and insert to read as follows: Tents, air-supported, air-inflated, or tensioned membrane structures having a single structure area in excess of 15,000 square feet are allowed to be joined by means of a corridor. Exits shall be provided at each end of such corridor. On each side of such corridor and approximately opposite each other, there shall be provided openings not less than twelve (12) feet wide.

  (n) Amend Section 3103.8.6 to delete the text and insert to read as follows: Temporary membrane structures, tents, air-inflated and air-supported structures where the aggregate floor area is in excess of 15,000 square feet shall have an unobstructed fire break passageway or fire road not less than twelve (12) feet wide and free from guy ropes or other obstructions and shall be maintained on all sides of all tents, air-supported, air-inflated, or tensioned membrane structures.

  (o) Amend Section 3103.12.5.1 to delete the text and insert to read as follows: The arrangement of aisles shall be maintained clear at all times during occupancy. A plan indicating the exit ways, aisles, and seating shall be provided to the fire department having jurisdiction, and a copy shall be maintained on the premises.

  (p) Amend Section 3103.12.7 to delete the text and insert to read as follows: Means of egress illumination shall be installed at required exit doorways and where otherwise necessary to indicate clearly the direction of egress when the exit serves an occupant load of fifty (50) or more. Means of egress shall be illuminated with light having an intensity of not less than one foot-candle (11 lux) at floor level while the structure is occupied. Fixtures required for means of egress illumination shall be supplied from a separate circuit or source of power.

  (q) Amend Section 3104.2 to delete "before a permit is granted" and "by the permit" without substitution.

  (r) Delete Section 3104.4 in its entirety without substitution.

  (s) Amend Section 3104.7 to delete the text and insert to read as follows: Open flame or other devices emitting flame, fire or heat or any flammable or combustible liquids, gas, charcoal or other cooking device or any other unapproved devices shall not be permitted inside or located within 10 feet of the tent or membrane structures while open to the public.

Exception: Open or exposed flame equipment emitting flame that is visible during the ordinary use of the equipment shall be permitted in temporary membrane structures or tents having an aggregate floor area of 400 square feet or less. Surfaces subject to oil or grease deposits shall be cleaned at intervals frequently enough to prevent oil or grease deposits from exceeding a thickness of twenty-five thousandths (0.025) inch.

  (t) Delete Section 3104.13 without substitution.

  (u) Amend Section 3104.15.1 to delete "and shall be approved by the code official" and insert "in effect at the time the equipment is installed".

  (v) Amend Section 3104.15.2 as follows:

(1) At the end of the first sentence, insert ", in effect at the time the equipment is installed".

(2) Delete, in the second sentence, "when required" and insert "having openings not exceeding one-fourth (¼) inch (six and four-tenths (6.4) mm) wire mesh".

  (w) Amend Section 3104.15.5 to delete "sidewalks" and insert "sidewalls" and delete "20 feet (6096 mm)" and insert "ten (10) feet (3048 mm)".

  (x) Amend Section 3104.15.6 to delete "20 feet (6096 mm)" and insert "ten (10) feet (3048 mm)".

  (y) Amend Section 3104.16.2.1 to delete the text in its entirety and insert the following: Portable LP-gas containers of 500 gallons or less capacity shall have a minimum separation between the container and any fuel-operated device, including, without limitation, LP-gas, gasoline, electric, wood, coal, or charcoal-fueled equipment of not less than ten (10) feet, but in no event shall the container be located within or under the tent, or temporary membrane structure.

  (z) Delete Section 3104.16.2.2 without substitution. (Fire Prevention and Building Safety Commission; 675 IAC 22-2.5-24; filed Aug 1, 2014, 11:01 a.m.: 20140827-IR-675130341FRA, eff Dec 1, 2014; errata filed Aug 7, 2014, 8:56 a.m.: 20140827-IR-675130341ACA; errata filed Nov 19, 2014, 3:00 p.m.: 20141217-IR-675140471ACA)