Tents, Temporary Special Event Structures, or Temporary Membrane Structures (hereinafter referred to as "Tent Structure") having an area in excess of 400 square feet (37 m²) shall not be erected, operated or maintained for any purpose without first obtaining a permit and approval from the fire code official.

Application Requirements

  1. A completed Tent, Temporary Special Event Structure, or Temporary Membrane Structure Permit Application is submitted to scfdpermits@sedgwick.gov for each Tent Structure being used on the property at least 10 days prior to the date of the event
  2. $75.00 permit fee for each Tent Structure is included
  3. A site plan indicating compliance with the site requirements is provided
  4. A certificate of flame-retardant treatment is provided for each structure (serial number on the Tent Structure must match the number on the certificate)

Site Requirements

  1. The site plan will need to be legible showing the location of the Tent Structure, in feet, from other structures, access roads, streets, vehicle parking, and property lines.
  2. No flammable or combustible liquids are to be stored within 50 feet of any of Tent Structure.
  3. Generators and other internal combustion power sources shall be separated from any Tent Structure by a minimum of 20 feet (6096 mm) and be isolated from contact with the public by fencing, enclosure or other approved means.
  4. Combustible vegetation shall be removed from the area occupied by any Tent Structure and from areas within 30 feet (9144 mm) of such structures.
  5. Hay, straw and similar combustible materials shall not be stored inside or within 30 feet (9144 mm) of a Tent Structure being used for cooking or public assembly.
    EXCEPTION: Hay, straw and similar combustible materials treated with a flame retardant in an approved manner (documentation must be on site as the material will be subject to testing by the fire department at the owners expense)
  6. Tent Structures shall not be located within 20 feet (6096 mm) of property lines, buildings, other Tent Structures, parked vehicles or internal combustion engines. For the purpose of determining required distances, support ropes and guy wires shall be considered as part of the Tent Structure.
    EXCEPTION: Separation distance between Tent Structures not used for cooking, is not required when the aggregate floor area does not exceed 15,000 square feet.
  7. Balloons and other similar devices that contain or are filled with toxic, explosive or other flammable gasses are not permitted in or adjacent to any Tent Structure.
  8. The floor surface inside a Tent Structure and the grounds outside within a 30 feet perimeter shall be kept clear of combustible waste. Such waste shall be stored in approved containers until removed from the premises

Structure Requirements

  1. A certificate of flame-retardant treatment is to be provided for each Tent Structure being permitted. This certificate shall include:
    1. Identification of size and fabric type
    2. Date the fabric was last treated with a flame retardant solution
    3. Trade name and type of solution utilized in the flame retardant treatment
    4. Name of persons and firm treating the material
    5. Make and manufacturer of the Tent Structure
  2. Exits shall be space at approximately equal intervals around the perimeter of the Tent Structure so that no point within the Tent Structure is more than 100 feet from an exit. The numbers of exits required are as follows:
    1. up to 199 persons 2 exits minimum 6 feet minimum exit width of each exit
    2. 200 – 499 persons 3 exits minimum 6 feet minimum exit width of each exit
    3. 500 – 999 persons 4 exits minimum 8 feet minimum exit width of each exit
    4. 1000 – 1999 persons 5 exits minimum 10 feet minimum exit width of each exit
    5. 2000 – 2999 persons 6 exits minimum 10 feet minimum exit width of each exit
    6. over 3000 persons 7 exits minimum 10 feet minimum exit width of each exit
  3. Exits signs are to be placed over each required exit doorway. Self-luminous signs are required when the occupant load exceeds 100 persons.
  4. Exit openings within Tent Structures shall remain open unless covered by a flame-resistant curtain, provided:
    1. Curtains shall be free sliding on a metal support.
    2. The support shall be a minimum of 7 feet above the floor level at the exit.
    3. The curtains shall be so arranged that, when open, no part of the curtains obstructs the exit.
    4. The curtains shall be of a color, or colors, which contrast with the color of the Tent Structure.
  5. Guy wires, guy ropes and other support members shall not cross a means of egress at a height of less than 7 feet
  6. Tent Structures and their attachments shall be adequately braced and anchored to withstand the elements of the weather against collapsing.

Interior Requirements

  1. If required, an interior floor plan shall be provided to the fire department for review and approval.
  2. Fire extinguishers and other fire protection appliances are to be provided in every Tent Structure as follows:
    1. 200 up to and including 500 square feet: one 2A-10BC
    2. 501 up to and including 1000 square feet: two 2A-10BC
    3. 1001 up to and including 3000 square feet: three 2A-10BC
    4. 3001 up to and including 5000 square feet: four 2A-10BC
    5. 5001 up to and including 7000 square feet: five 2A-10BC
  3. An occupant load shall be established based upon 1 person for every 15 square feet when tables and chairs are used and one person for every 7 square feet when only chairs are used. Only the usable floor space needs to be calculated when determining the occupant load.
  4. Smoking is prohibited by any persons in any Tent Structure. “No Smoking Signs” are required to be posted in conspicuous locations
  5. Combustible vegetation shall be removed from the area occupied by a Tent Structure and from areas within 30 feet (9144 mm) of such structures.
  6. Hay, straw and similar combustible materials shall not be stored inside or within 30 feet (9144 mm) of a Tent Structure being used for cooking or public assembly.
    EXCEPTION: Hay, straw and similar combustible materials treated with a flame retardant in an approved manner

Permit Application Procedure

Submit a completed Tent, Temporary Special Event Structure, or temporary membrane structure Permit Application 10 business days prior to the event date. The permit application must include a detailed site plan, certificate of flammability (obtained from your Tent Structure supplier), and a fee payment of $75.00 per tent.

  1. The completed permit application is reviewed. The application is reviewed for completion; the site plan is reviewed for legibility, distance of the tent in feet from other structures, access roads and streets, vehicle parking distances, distance from property lines, location of generators and other internal combustion power sources, storage of flammable or combustible liquids, and the storage of other combustible items. The certificate of flammability is verified for compliance with the information stated in item #1 of the structure requirements and verification of fee payment. A completed application includes the permit application, site plan, certificate of flammability and fee payment. Sorry, we can no longer accept faxed applications. An incomplete application will be returned – no exceptions!
  2. When approved, a permit to erect the tent is issued to the permit applicant. This permit will authorize your tent supplier to erect the tent. NO TENT STAKES OR POLES SHALL BE PLACED IN THE GROUND NOR SHALL THE TENT BE ERECTED, unless the tent supplier has a copy of the permit approval letter in their possession. If the tent is found to have been erected without the permit approval notice, citations will be issued to the tent supplier. If the tent is discovered in the process of being erected without the permit approval notice, an immediate work stoppage order shall be issued and the tent installation shall cease whether or not the tent is completely erected.
  3. Inspection is requested from the permit applicant. The inspection must be requested at least 24 hours in advance. At the time of the inspection, all fire extinguishers, exit signs, lighting, and any other equipment will need to be installed. All fire extinguishers shall be fully charged and tagged by an authorized state of Kansas fire extinguishing company and placed at accessible locations near the exits. NO extinguisher is to be obstructed in anyway which will prevent it from being easy accessed in the event of a fire. Fire Extinguisher number and type will need to comply with item #3 of the Interior Requirements. Exits are to be provided in accordance with item #2 with exit signs being provided in accordance with item #3 of the Structure Requirements.
  4. When occupancy is approved (based upon the results of the site inspection) a permit to occupy the tent is issued from the fire department. The permit to occupy the tent is issued by a fire department inspector after compliance with the tent permit requirements has been verified. These requirements are stated on the Tent or Temporary Membrane Structure Permit Requirement sheet.