1. FLORHAM PARK LOCAL ENFORCING AGENCY
NJ Fire Code
Tent/Canopy
Briefing
August 1, 2011

2. Disclaimer
This briefing applies to the Florham Park Fire Prevention Bureau’s area of jurisdiction
Other enforcement agencies may have additional regulations or requirements
This information is intended to be an overview and does not cover all areas of the NJ Uniform Fire Safety Code
You are responsible to meet the requirements.

3. OPEN WITHOUT SIDEWALLS OR DROPS ON MORE THAN 75% OF PERIMETER
CANOPY
OPEN WITHOUT SIDEWALLS OR DROPS ON MORE THAN 75% OF PERIMETER

4. SIDEWALLS OR DROPS ON MORE THAN 25% OF THE PERIMETER
TENT
SIDEWALLS OR DROPS ON MORE THAN 25% OF THE PERIMETER

5. Permit Application Tent and Cooking Assessment Checklist
Cooking and Tent Fire Permit Application

6. PERMIT REQUIRED Tent or Canopy is 900 sq.ft.or greater.
Tent or Canopy 30' or greater in any dimension.
Cooking or heating under any canopy, tent, pavilion, or
shelter.
Use of any open flame, high heat appliance fueled by
combustible gases, liquids, or solids ( including charcoal
and LP Gas) under any canopy tent, pavilion, or shelter.
If the proposed activity meets any of the above criteria, a Fire Safety Permit must be issued prior to occupying the tent/canopy or commencing cooking activities. You must file a permit application form.

7. NO PERMIT REQUIRED Tent or Canopy is less than 900 sq.ft.
Tent or Canopy is less than 30' in all dimensions.
Cooking or heating outside of any of any
canopy, tent, pavilion, or shelter.
The above activities do not require a fire safety permit from this office.
You are responsible to conduct a self-inspection of the cooking appliances.
* Inspect all hoses and fittings for leaks
* Repair any leaks prior to lighting grill
* Grill and open flames must be a minimum of 20 feet from any structure
*Propane tank must be secured to prevent tip-over

8. PERMIT APPLICATION
Permit application can be obtained by logging onto
Once there click drop down box
“FIRE PREVENTION”
Go to forms
Then to “FIRE SAFETY PERMIT APPLICATION”

11. Permit Application Tent and Cooking Assessment Checklist
If a Permit is required - Submit Cooking/Tent Fire Permit Application at least 7 Days in advance.
Cooking / Tent Fire Permit Application
Must submit complete diagram with application
Must submit Flame Resistance Certification
Application must be legible and complete

12. Flame Resistance Certification submitted with application
Labels must be affixed in Tent/Canopies

13. DIAGRAM REQUIRED
Detailed site and floor plan must be submitted with the permit application when occupancy will exceed 50 persons
Square footage of tent
Detail Means of Egress
Seating Capacity & Arrangement
Location of any heating or electrical equipment
Location and size of Dance Floor
Location and size of Bar and Food Stations

14. SAMPLE 60’ DJ 30’ 40’ BARN Bar 20’ 120 people in tent 20’
72” Exit Width DJ
Dance Floor
15’ x 15’
40’
30’
BARN
Bar
20’
72” Exit Width
120 people in tent
Cook Tent
20’
DJ Table – 3’x4’
Bar – 3’x4’
20’
***Special Restriction Willow Wood

15. Occupant Load / Tent Size
Tables and Chairs
15 sq. ft. per person net
The square footage of dance floor removed
The square footage of Food Stations and or Bars removed
The remaining floor space is then calculated to determine the Allowable Occupant Load

16. CALCULATING OCCUPANCY LOAD
40x60= 2400
Dance Floor -225
Bar
DJ -50
2075 Sq. Ft
2075/15 = 138 persons
Dance Floor
15’ x 15’ DJ
60’
Sq Ft per Person Net
Tables and Chairs 15
Chairs Only 7
Standing Only 5
Bar
40’

17. Tent/Canopy Location
Tents/Canopies shall not be located within 5 feet of the following:
Lot lines
Buildings *
Vehicles
Cooking Tents/Canopies
20’ separation required if tent
Allowable Occupant Load >=50
* Tents may be permitted closer than 5’ with special conditions

18. MEANS OF EGRESS Equal intervals around perimeter
All points must be within 100 feet of an exit
Occupant Load
Minimum #
Of Exits
Minimum
Egress Width
10-199 2 72 3 4 96 5
120 6
3000+ 7

19. CONNECTING CORRIDORS Tents may be joined by corridors.
Exit Doors shall be provided at each end of the corridor.
Exit Width equals required Means of Egress Width
Exit
Tent
Tent

20. EXIT OPENINGS MUST REMAIN OPEN UNLESS COVERED BY A RATED CURTAIN
CURTAIN MUST BE FREE SLIDING ON METAL SUPPORT MOUNTED AT LEAST 80” FROM FLOOR
WHEN OPEN MUST NOT OBSTRUCT EXIT
CURTAIN MUST BE A COLOR THAT CONTRASTS WITH THE TENT

21. EXIT SIGNS/LIGHTING MAKE SURE THEY WORK
Required when Occupant Load exceeds 49 persons
Signs must be illuminated with battery backup
Emergency Lighting may be required.
MAKE SURE THEY WORK

22. COMBUSTIBLES No – Hay, Straw, Shavings
No vegetation or combustible materials within 20 feet of tent perimeter
No Smoking in Tents – Signs must be posted
No fireworks within 100 feet of Tents
Fire Extinguishers required in all Tents

23. NO OPEN OR EXPOSED FLAMES WITHIN 20 FEET OF TENTS
PROHIBITED
Open Flames
Flame Emitting Devices
Cooking Equipment
Charcoal
Gas/Propane
Flammable or Combustible Liquids

24. DEVICES WHICH MAY BE PERMISSIBLE IN TENTS
Solid Fuel for Fuel Warming (Sterno)
Candles on tables if…
Flame is completely enclosed
Table covering is not easily combustible
Candle holder and base not easily knocked over.
STERNOS AND CANDLES ARE SUBJECT TO APPROVAL DURING INSPECTION

25. Generators Shall not be located within 20 feet of the tent
Exhaust must be directed away from the tent and other structures
Shall be isolated from contact with the public by fencing, enclosure, or other approved means
Extension cords/wiring must not create a trip hazard and must be of sufficient size for the anticipated electrical load
May require Electrical Permit from local building dept.

26. COOKING TENTS SEPARATIONS
5 Feet minimum separation from tents when Occupant Load < 50
20 Feet minimum separation from tents when Occupant Load >=50

27. LP Gas No LP Gas allowed on any roof or balcony
Gas Must be located Outside the Tent/Canopy
Relief Valve Pointing Away from Tent
Must be a minimum of 5 feet from any heat producing appliance
Tanks should be downhill from tent when possible
Must be securely fastened in place to prevent unauthorized movement or tip-over
Leak Tested – Soap Solution

28. Cooking Equipment All equipment must be listed for the intended use
No Residential Grills or cooking equipment are permitted
No Open Flame Cooking or Cooking Equipment under or within 20 feet of any structure

29. Tent Heaters (Gas)
Flame Producing Device must be at least 20 feet from Tent.
Propane Tank must be at least 5 feet from Device ( unless part of a listed device) away from structure.
Heat should be supplied with duck work piped into tent
Duct Work must not impede Exits or Aisles
LP Radiant Heaters are prohibited inside of tents

30. Fire Extinguishers Cooking Tents Occupied Tents
At least 1 – Multi-Purpose Dry Chemical Extinguisher (2A-10BC) within 30 feet.
If Deep Fryer is used an additional Wet Chemical Class K Extinguisher is required. (Minimum 1.5 gallon capacity )
Occupied Tents
At least 1 Multi-Purpose (2A) Extinguisher mounted in proximity to each exit.

31. You are responsible to…
Submit a Tent or Cooking Application at least 7 days in advance of the event.
Submit a complete diagram & certificate(s) with your application
Schedule the inspection so you have enough time to correct violations.
Make sure Cooking Equipment and Tents are ready for inspection at the scheduled time
Exit and Emergency Lighting are in-place and operational. Battery Backups must be charged.

32. Now the Bad News No Permit – No Event…… Proposed Fees
Permit and Initial Inspection
Permit Application submission <7 days
$ per tent. Less than 7 days $75.00 l
Inspection required set up with Fire Inspector
Re- Inspection or Special Inspections additional fee $25.00
Failure to correct violation or failure to obtain a permit – up to $5,000 per violation.

33. Contact Information
Office
Fax –
Mailing Address –
Florham Park Fire Prevention
315 Brooklake Road
Florham Park, NJ 07932

34. Contact Information
James Fonzino – Fire Official
mobile
Allban Kellogg – Fire Inspector
mobile
Sheryl Edwards- Adminsitrative Assistant

35. Borough of Florham Park
I have received this guild book on tents from the Bureau of Fire Prevention.
It is my responsibility to become familiar with its contents and to abide by the N.J. UFC Regulations.
Business Received:_________________________________
Date:______________ Signed by:_____________________
Delivered by:_____________________________________