13VAC5-52-360. IFC Chapter 31 Tents, Temporary Special Event Structures, and Other Membrane Structures.

A. The following change shall be made to Section 3101, General:

Change Section 3101.1 to read:

3101.1 Scope. Tents, temporary special event structures, and membrane structures shall comply with this chapter. The provisions of Section 3103 are applicable only to temporary tents and membrane structures. The provisions of Section 3104 are applicable to temporary and permanent tents and membrane structures.

B. The following changes shall be made to Section 3103, Temporary Tents and Membrane Structures:

1. Change Section 3103.1 to read:

3103.1 General. All temporary tents and membrane structures shall comply with this section.

2. Change Section 3103.2 to read:

3103.2 Approval required. Tents and membrane structures having an area in excess of 900 square feet (84 m²) shall not be erected, operated, or maintained for any purpose without first obtaining a permit and approval from the fire code official in accordance with Table 107.2.

3. Add Section 3103.2.1 and delete Section 3103.3.1.

Section 3103.2.1 to read:

3103.2.1 Multiple tents. The aggregate area of multiple tents separated by less than 12 feet (3658 mm) shall not exceed 900 square feet unless approved in accordance with Section 3103.2.

4. Change Section 3103.4 to read:

3103.4 Permits. Permits shall be required as set forth in Section 107.2.

5. Change Sections 3103.9.1 through 3103.9.3 to read:

3103.9.1 Tents and membrane structures exceeding one story. Tents and membrane structures exceeding one story shall be designed and constructed to comply with the applicable building code.

3103.9.2 Tents and membrane structures greater than 7,500 square feet. Tents and membrane structures greater than 7,500 square feet shall be designed and constructed to comply with the applicable building code.

3103.9.3 Tents and membrane structures with an occupant load greater than 1,000. Tents and membrane structures with an occupant load greater than 1,000 shall be designed and constructed to comply with the applicable building code.

C. The following changes shall be made to Section 3104, Temporary and Permanent Tents and Membrane Structures:

1. Change Section 3104.1 to read:

3104.1 General. Tents and membrane structures, both temporary and permanent, shall be in accordance with this section. Permanent tents and membrane structures shall also comply with the applicable building code.

2. Change Section 3104.2 to read:

3104.2 Flame propagation performance treatment. Before a permit is granted, the owner or agent shall file a certificate executed by an approved testing laboratory certifying that the tents and membrane structures and their appurtenances; sidewalls, drops, and tarpaulins; floor coverings, bunting, and combustible decorative materials and effects, including sawdust where used on floors or passageways, are composed of material meeting the flame propagation performance criteria of Test Method 1 or Test Method 2, as appropriate, of NFPA 701 or shall be treated with a flame retardant in an approved manner and meet the flame propagation performance criteria of Test Method 1 or Test Method 2, as appropriate, of NFPA 701, and that such flame propagation performance criteria are effective for the period specified by the permit.

3. Change Section 3104.4 to read:

3104.4 Certification. An affidavit or affirmation shall be submitted to the fire code official and a copy retained on the premises on which the tent or air-supported structure is located. The affidavit shall attest to all of the following information relative to the flame propagation performance criteria of the fabric:

1. Names and address of the owners of the tent or air-supported structure.

2. Date the fabric was last treated with flame-retardant solution.

3. Trade name or kind of chemical used in treatment.

4. Name of person or firm treating the material.

5. Name of testing agency and test standard by which the fabric was tested.

D. The following changes shall be made to Section 3105, Temporary Special Event Structures:

1. Change Section 3105.1 to read:

3105.1 General. Operation and maintenance of temporary stage canopies shall be in accordance with Section 3104, Sections 3105.2 through 3105.7, and ANSI E1.21.

2. Change Sections 3105.2 and 3105.3 to read:

3105.2 Approval. Temporary stage canopies in excess of 400 square feet (37 m²) shall not be erected for any purpose without first obtaining approval and a permit from the building official.

3105.3 Permits. Permits shall be required as set forth in Section 107.2.

3. Change Section 3105.5 to read:

3105.5 Required documents. Documents shall be submitted to the building official where required by the USBC.

4. Change Sections 3105.6 through 3105.6.2 to read:

3105.6 Inspections. Inspections shall comply with Section 106 and Sections 3105.6.1 and 3105.6.2.

3105.6.1 Independent inspector. The owner of a temporary stage canopy shall employ a qualified, independent approved agency or individual to inspect the installation of a temporary stage canopy.

3105.6.2 Inspection report. The inspecting agency or individual shall furnish an inspection report to the building official and fire code official. The inspection report shall indicate that the temporary stage canopy was inspected and was or was not installed in accordance with the approved construction documents. Discrepancies shall be brought to the immediate attention of the installer for correction. Where any discrepancy is not corrected, the discrepancy shall be brought to the attention of the building official and fire code official and the designated responsible party.

5. Change Section 3105.7 to read:

3105.7 Means of egress. The means of egress for temporary stage canopies shall comply with Chapter 10 and the applicable building code.

6. Delete Section 3105.8.

7. Change Section 3106.2.2 to read:

3106.2.2 Permits. An operational permit shall be required as set forth in Section 107.2.

8. Change Section 3107.10 to read:

3107.10 Fire protection equipment. 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.

9. Change Section 3107.11 to read:

3107.11 Occupant load factors. The occupant load allowed in an assembly structure or portion thereof erected for a period of 180 days or less shall be determined in accordance with Chapter 10 of the IFC.

10. Change Section 3107.12.1 to read:

3107.12.1 Installation. Heating or cooking equipment tanks, piping, hoses, fittings, valves, tubing, and other related components in assembly structures or portions thereof erected for 180 days or fewer shall be operated and maintained in accordance with manufacturer specifications and other provisions of this code.

11. Change Section 3107.12.2 to read:

3107.12.2 Venting. Gas, liquid, and solid fuel-burning equipment designed to be vented shall be vented to the outside air as specified by the applicable building code and shall be approved. 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.

12. Change Section 3107.12.5 to read:

3107.12.5 Cooking tents. Cooking tents shall be separated from other tents or membrane structures by not less than 20 feet (6096 mm).

13. Change Section 3107.13.1 to read:

3107.13.1 General. LP-gas equipment such as tanks, piping, hoses, fittings, valves, tubing, and other related components shall be approved and in accordance with Chapter 61 and with the applicable building code.

14. Change Section 3107.13.2 and add Table 3107.13.2 to read:

3107.13.2 Location of containers. LP-gas containers and tanks shall be located outside in accordance with Table 3107.13.2. Pressure relief devices shall be pointed away from the tent or membrane structure.

TABLE 3107.13.2 LOCATION OF LP-GAS CONTAINERS
LP-Gas Container Capacity (water gallons)	Minimum Separation between LP-Gas Containers and Buildings, Public Ways,^g or Lot Lines of Adjoining Property that Can be Built on		Minimum Separation between LP-Gas Containers^{b, c}(feet)
LP-Gas Container Capacity (water gallons)	Mounded or underground LP-gas containers^a (feet)	Aboveground LP-gas containers^b (feet)	Minimum Separation between LP-Gas Containers^{b, c}(feet)
Less than 125^c,d	10	5^e	None
125 to 250	10	10	None
251 to 500	10	10	3
501 to 2,000	10	25^e,f	3
2,001 to 30,000	50	50	5
30,001 to 70,000	50	75	(0.25 of sum of diameters of adjacent LP-gas containers)
70,001 to 90,000	50	100
90,001 to 120,000	50	125
For SI: one foot = 304.8 mm, one gallon = 3.785 L. a. Minimum distance for underground LP-gas containers shall be measured from the pressure relief device and the filling or liquid-level gauge vent connection at the container, except that all parts of an underground LP-gas container shall be not less than 10 feet from a building or lot line of adjoining property that can be built on. b. For other than installations in which the overhanging structure is 50 feet or more above the relief-valve discharge outlet. In applying the distance between buildings and ASME LP-gas containers with a water capacity of 125 gallons or more, not less than 50% of this horizontal distance shall also apply to all portions of the building that project more than five feet from the building wall and that are higher than the relief valve discharge outlet. This horizontal distance shall be measured from a point determined by projecting the outside edge of such overhanging structure vertically downward to grade or other level on which the LP-gas container is installed. Distances to the building wall shall be not less than those prescribed in this table. c. Where underground multicontainer installations are composed of individual LP-gas containers having a water capacity of 125 gallons or more, such containers shall be installed so as to provide access at their ends or sides to facilitate working with cranes or hoists. d. At a consumer site, if the aggregate water capacity of a multiple-container installation, comprised of individual LP-gas containers having a water capacity of less than 125 gallons, is 500 gallons or more, the minimum distance shall comply with the appropriate portion of this table, applying the aggregate capacity rather than the capacity per LP-gas container. If more than one such installation is made, each installation shall be separated from other installations by not less than 25 feet. Minimum distances between LP-gas containers need not be applied. e. The following shall apply to aboveground containers installed alongside buildings: 1. LP-gas containers of less than a 125-gallon water capacity are allowed without a separation distance where in compliance with Items 2, 3, and 4. 2. Department of Transportation (DOTn) specification LP-gas containers shall be located and installed so that the discharge from the container pressure relief device is not less than three feet horizontally from building openings below the level of such discharge and shall not be beneath buildings unless the space is well ventilated to the outside and is not enclosed for more than 50% of its perimeter. The discharge from LP-gas container pressure relief devices shall be located not less than five feet from exterior sources of ignition, openings into direct-vent (sealed combustion system) appliances or mechanical ventilation air intakes. 3. ASME LP-gas containers of less than a 125-gallon water capacity shall be located and installed such that the discharge from pressure relief devices shall not terminate in or beneath buildings and shall be located not less than five feet horizontally from building openings below the level of such discharge and not less than five feet from exterior sources of ignition, openings into direct vent (sealed combustion system) appliances, or mechanical ventilation air intakes. 4. The filling connection and the vent from liquid-level gauges on either DOTn or ASME LP-gas containers filled at the point of installation shall be not less than 10 feet from exterior sources of ignition, openings into direct vent (sealed combustion system) appliances or mechanical ventilation air intakes. f. This distance is allowed to be reduced to not less than 10 feet for a single LP-gas container of 1,200-gallon water capacity or less, provided that such container is not less than 25 feet from other LP-gas containers of more than 125-gallon water capacity. g. Aboveground LP-gas containers with a water capacity of 2,000 gallons or less shall be separated from public ways by a distance of not less than five feet. Containers with a water capacity greater than 2,000 gallons shall be separated from public ways in accordance with this table.

Statutory Authority

§ 27-97 of the Code of Virginia.

Historical Notes

Derived from Virginia Register Volume 40, Issue 9, eff. January 18, 2024.

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