Separation Between Building and Tent

[texasbo]

I know I could have posted under Fire, but it gets more exposure here, and it DOES concern separation of BUILDING and tent.

Type IA convention center, 950,000 sf.

12,000 sf temporary tent adjacent to convention center, separated by 30 feet, and connected with a 30' wide, fully enclosed tent section.

Section 2403.8.2 requires a 20' separation between tent and building, but the exception says "Separation distance between membrane structures, tents, and canopies.... is not required when the aggregate floor area does not exceed 15,000 sf.

Question: Does this exception address separation between tents, membrane structures, and canopies from buildings, or just tents, membrane structures and canopies from themselves? And even if it does address separation from buildings, do you agree that the 950,000 sf convention center kills the "15,000 sf aggregate"?

As always, thanks in advance for your help.

 

[Coug Dad]

What code are you citing?

 

[texasbo]

I apologize; 2006 IFC

 

[Coug Dad]

Exception 1 addresses tents

Exception 2 addresses separation to buildings

2403.8.2 Location.

Tents, canopies or membrane structures shall not be located within 20 feet (6096 mm) of lot lines, buildings, other tents, canopies or membrane 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 temporary membrane structure, tent or canopy.

Exceptions:

1. Separation distance between membrane structures, tents and canopies not used for cooking, is not required when the aggregate floor area does not exceed 15,000 square feet (1394 m2).

2. Membrane structures, tents or canopies need not be separated from buildings when all of the following conditions are met:

2.1. The aggregate floor area of the membrane structure, tent or canopy shall not exceed 10,000 square feet (929 m2).

2.2. The aggregate floor area of the building and membrane structure, tent or canopy shall not exceed the allowable floor area including increases as indicated in the International Building Code.

2.3. Required means of egress provisions are provided for both the building and the membrane structure, tent or canopy, including travel distances.

2.4. Fire apparatus access roads are provided in accordance with Section 503.