KPG_TPR
Registered User
Hello everyone. I'm planning a small haunted house to debut at fairs in New Jersey. It will consist of two 30x10 tents with a pallet structure in-between. The pallet would be covered with a tarp. The total square footage would be about 30x30.
Under International Building Code 2015, we would be classified as a “Special Amusement Building,” and would therefore have to install an automatic smoke detection system. According to the code, if a single smoke detector were to go off, it would have to be audible in a constantly attended location where someone would be able to intervene, activate the emergency lighting, turn off any confusing sounds/lights, etc. This seems reasonable to accomplish.
Our issue is that the code also specifies that if two or more smoke detectors were to go off, all of those things would have to happen automatically.
After some research, I can’t seem to find any type of device that actually can do that (the closest thing I could find was a smoke detector stove shut-off). I assume that mean we would have to hire a company to install such a system for our project. Given our budget, I'm not sure this would be possible. Also, I’m not even sure it is even feasible if these temporary tents have the infrastructure for such a system?
Regarding sprinklers, I do believe we would meet the exemption requirements (see page 39).
The only qualification which we might have trouble with is the 20 ft. perimeter, but I’ve also seen some documents which only include the square footage and exit travel distance, not the other qualifications. Does anyone know more about that?
Is it possible for us to operate with a person at a constantly attended location, and bypass the need for the system’s automatic functions?
If not, are there any temporary or low budget fire detection systems and/or sprinkler systems that could work for our project?
Also given that we’re constructing this primarily out of tents, not a building structure, could we be classified as an A-3, tent/membrane structure instead of a Special Amusement Building?
Let me make it clear that safety is our first priority. We’re not interested in putting anyone in danger or to hide from any laws. But it is hard for me to imagine a 30x30 ft. tent structure really needs such an intense fire system.
I’ve already reached out to some of the local municipalities, but the way things are right now could it mean it takes a while before I hear anything back.
Thanks for any and all help in advance.
Under International Building Code 2015, we would be classified as a “Special Amusement Building,” and would therefore have to install an automatic smoke detection system. According to the code, if a single smoke detector were to go off, it would have to be audible in a constantly attended location where someone would be able to intervene, activate the emergency lighting, turn off any confusing sounds/lights, etc. This seems reasonable to accomplish.
Our issue is that the code also specifies that if two or more smoke detectors were to go off, all of those things would have to happen automatically.
After some research, I can’t seem to find any type of device that actually can do that (the closest thing I could find was a smoke detector stove shut-off). I assume that mean we would have to hire a company to install such a system for our project. Given our budget, I'm not sure this would be possible. Also, I’m not even sure it is even feasible if these temporary tents have the infrastructure for such a system?
Regarding sprinklers, I do believe we would meet the exemption requirements (see page 39).
The only qualification which we might have trouble with is the 20 ft. perimeter, but I’ve also seen some documents which only include the square footage and exit travel distance, not the other qualifications. Does anyone know more about that?
Is it possible for us to operate with a person at a constantly attended location, and bypass the need for the system’s automatic functions?
If not, are there any temporary or low budget fire detection systems and/or sprinkler systems that could work for our project?
Also given that we’re constructing this primarily out of tents, not a building structure, could we be classified as an A-3, tent/membrane structure instead of a Special Amusement Building?
Let me make it clear that safety is our first priority. We’re not interested in putting anyone in danger or to hide from any laws. But it is hard for me to imagine a 30x30 ft. tent structure really needs such an intense fire system.
I’ve already reached out to some of the local municipalities, but the way things are right now could it mean it takes a while before I hear anything back.
Thanks for any and all help in advance.