InTents April/May 2020 - 49

of regulations that come alongside that
potentially could be impacted."
While the code development process
is exacting, codes are never so thorough
that there is no room for interpretation
at the local level, Armstrong said.
"This is where a lot of our relationships
come into play," he said. "If officials are
reading these codes, and they don't
really understand our industry, they are
basically guessing. They are trying to use
their experience and apply it to tents."
The most significant code revision in
the 2018 I-codes for tents and temporary
structures requires site or engineering
documentation for tents with either
1,000-person occupancy and/or 7,500
square feet. Other changes relate to
umbrella structures, automatic sprinkler
systems in special amusement buildings,
and the location of propane cylinders in
relation to tents.

the ICC code development process
(see sidebar). This work can include
conducting research; identifying issues
with existing codes; developing and
submitting code revision proposals; and
working with other national industry
groups that submit proposals, such as
the National Propane Gas Association
and the California Fire Chiefs Association.
"Those are groups that are important to
what we do, and if they don't understand
what we do or have had a bad experience
with what we do, then they may be on the
opposite side of what we do," Armstrong
said. "You gain support when they believe
you are trying to be proactive and part of
the solution."

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Get involved

Armstrong, who will represent TRD
at upcoming ICC meetings, offered
tent professionals several suggestions
for building relationships with code
enforcement officials that will help
promote industry-friendly codes and
ease the permitting process.
On the local level: Get to know your
local building inspectors and fire officials
before you need a permit. Attend local
association meetings for these officials
and offer to present an educational
session on tent installations. If possible,
develop a "standard plan" for your
typical installations in jurisdictions
where you work frequently. "If they have
a comfort level with you and the way
you do business, then it's going to help
expedite things," Armstrong said.
On the state level: Reach out to your
state fire marshal and get to know the
staff in the state fire marshal's office.
On the national level: Join the TRD
Code Committee and get involved in

0420IT_Book.indb 49

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InTents April/May 2020

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of InTents April/May 2020

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