California State Fire Marshall Regulations
State Fire Marshall: www.fire.ca.gov or call 916-445-8550
Exit openings in your booth shall be a minimum of 3 ft. wide by 6 ft., 8 inches in height.
No open flame inside exhibit halls, patio or under tents.
No propane heaters. Electrical space heaters are allowed indoors but must have a 3' clearance around them.
BBQ's & fireplaces located outside:
-cannot be under canopy/tent/awning if being demonstrated, and must have a 2A10BC rated portable fire extinguisher.
-can be under canopy/tent/awning if NOT being demonstrated and must have a 2A10BC rated portable fire extinguisher.
Electrical extension cords must be heavy-duty three wire (grounded) type. Daisy Chaining or plugging of extensions chords/power strips together to increase the length of your cord will not be permitted. Prepare accordingly and purchase a cord with ample length for your needs.
Vehicles inside buildings: Battery terminals must be disconnected. Fuel tank shall be no more than 5 gallons or 1/4 filled, whichever is less. Locked or taped gas cap required.
Regulations for Pop-Ups and Tents
All Tents and Pop Ups must have a 2A10BC rated portable fire extinguisher or larger. Please double check the size (A kitchen size fire extinguisher is not large enough). Also, check the expiration date. The fire marshal will ask to see your fire extinguisher on Friday morning.
All booths with a canopy/tent/awning that have canopy covers, fabric or pliable side/back drops and decorative material must have a permanent label with certification that it is flame resistant. On Friday morning the fire marshal will inspect your tent/pop up for this label. If the label has been removed, you may contact the manufacturer of the tent and request a certificate verifying the materials in your product are fire resistant. The certificate, as well as your receipt of said tent/pop up can be used as verification and must be on site for inspection.
Alternatively, the tent may be treated by the owner with a SFM approved fire retardant chemical (empty can and dated sales receipt may serve as proof). Lastly, a licensed applicator may spray fire retardant on the tent material. Once done, they will attach a label/certificate proving the material is now fire retardant. See below for a company name of a licensed applicator:
Jones Cleaners Phone: 559-513-8978 / 7280 N. Remington Ave. Fresno, CA 93711
*The folllowing section is for tents 20x20 (400 sq. feet) or larger Tents 20x20 or larger must have the manufacturer's set up instructions at the event so the Fire Marshal can verify the tent has been properly constructed. Manufacturer's Instructions must include the correct weightper-pole and the proper way to attach the weight to the tent. You may print out your Manufacturer's Instructions from their website as long as you also have a receipt showing your tent is the one being referenced. If you do not have the receipt and/or the manufacturer's instructions, you will need to contact a local engineer who will write up a certified list of instructions. The engineer will need the tent's height, width, and depth as well as the number of poles, and the size and weight of the concrete blocks you plan on using. The engineer's instructions must be available on the Friday morning of the show when your tent will be inspected by the Fire Marshall. For your convenience we have found a local civil engineer for you to contact:
ASDI / Craig Hiett / 559-432-4151 / chiett@asdiengr.com
In addition, tents 20x20 or larger must use tent straps and concrete blocks to anchor the tents. Water barrels and tent stakes will not be permitted. Each tent strap must have a label showing the strap's capacity. Tents must follow the weight tie-down guidelines shown below:
The Fire Marshal requires having the tent inspected by an engineer or licensed inspector once it is set up at the show. This will allow an automatic pass on your tent inspection. Without this engineering certification, you run the risk of having your tent not pass the Fire Marshal inspection on Friday, and it will need to be immediately taken down. If you wish to rent a tent, Expo Events & Tents has been recommended by the Fire Marshall as they use the proper tie down weighted blocks:
Expo Events & Tents / (559) 495-3300 / 3714 N Valentine Ave., Fresno, CA 93722 Click Here To Order Tents/Tie-Down Blocks