Chapter 31 — TENTS, TEMPORARY SPECIAL EVENT STRUCTURES AND OTHER MEMBRANE STRUCTURES
Section 3101 — GENERAL
2025 California Fire Code (Title 24, Part 9) · 2025 edition · updated 2026-07-29 · California
Italicized text is a California amendment to the model code, as printed in the official publication.
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 Sections 3104 and 3108 are applicable to temporary and permanent tents and membrane structures. The provisions of Section 3105 are applicable to temporary special event structures. The provisions of Section 3106 are applicable to inflatable amusement devices. The provisions of Section 3106 are applicable to inflatable amusement devices. The provisions of Section 3107 are applicable to outdoor assembly events. Other temporary structures shall comply with the California Building Code . These building standards govern the use of tents, awnings or other fabric enclosures, including membrane (air-supported and air- inflated) structures and places of assemblage, in or under which 10 or more persons may gather for any lawful purpose. Exceptions: 1. Tents, awnings or other fabric enclosures used to cover or enclose private swimming pools and similar facilities on the premises of private one- and two-family dwellings. 2. Tents used to conduct committal services on the ground of a cemetery. 3. Tents, awnings or other fabric enclosures erected and used within a sound stage, or other similar structural enclosure which is equipped with an overhead automatic sprinkler system. 4. Tensioned membrane roof materials supported by rigid frames or installed on a mast and cable system provided such struc- tures conform to the requirements of one of the types of construction as described in these regulations. 5. Fabric structures which are part of mobile homes, recreational vehicles or commercial coaches governed by the provisions of Division 13, Part 2, Health and Safety Code (Department of Housing and Community Development).
[California Code of Regulations, Title 19, Division 1, §303.(a) and (b)] Scope. (a) The provisions of California Code of Regulations, Title 19, Division 1, Chapter 2 apply to the sale, offering for sale, manufacture for sale, rental and use of tents within this state.
(b) For building standards relating to tents and membrane structures, see California Code of Regulations, Title 24, Part 9.
3101.2 Alternate means of protection. ¶
When approved by the enforcing agency, exceptions to the provisions of these building stan- dards may be permitted, provided alternate means of protection which are at least equal to these regulations in quality, strength, effectiveness, fire resistance, durability and safety are provided.
3101.3 Labor camps. ¶
Tents used in labor camps for the housing of employees shall have tight wooden floors raised at least 4 inches (102 mm) above ground level having baseboards on all sides to a height of at least 6 inches (152 mm) or shall have concrete slabs with finished surface at least 4 inches (102 mm) above grade having baseboards on all sides to a height of at least 6 inches (152 mm). Electrical installations serving and installed within tents shall comply with the applicable requirements of the California Electrical Code. Tents shall not be considered suitable sleeping places when it is found necessary to provide heating facilities in order to maintain a minimum temperature of 60°F (33.3°C) within such tent during the period of occupancy. Note: See Section 17008 of the Health and Safety Code for definition of labor camp.
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Ask AI about this code▸ Contents — 2025 California Fire Code (Title 24, Part 9)
- Chapter 1 — ADMINISTRATION
- Chapter 2 — DEFINITIONS
- Chapter 3 — GENERAL REQUIREMENTS
- Chapter 4 — EMERGENCY PLANNING AND PREPAREDNESS
- Chapter 5 — FIRE SERVICE FEATURES
- Chapter 6 — BUILDING SERVICES AND SYSTEMS
- Chapter 7 — FIRE AND SMOKE PROTECTION FEATURES
- Chapter 8 — INTERIOR FINISH, DECORATIVE MATERIALS AND FURNISHI…
- Chapter 9 — FIRE PROTECTION AND LIFE SAFETY SYSTEMS
- Chapter 10 — MEANS OF EGRESS
- Chapter 11 — CONSTRUCTION REQUIREMENTS FOR EXISTING BUILDINGS
- Chapter 12 — ENERGY SYSTEMS
- Chapter 20 — AVIATION FACILITIES
- Chapter 21 — DRY CLEANING
- Chapter 22 — COMBUSTIBLE DUST-PRODUCING OPERATIONS
- Chapter 23 — MOTOR FUEL-DISPENSING FACILITIES AND REPAIR GARAGES
- Chapter 24 — FLAMMABLE FINISHES
- Chapter 25 — FRUIT AND CROP RIPENING
- Chapter 26 — FUMIGATION AND INSECTICIDAL FOGGING
- Chapter 27 — SEMICONDUCTOR FABRICATION FACILITIES
- Chapter 28 — LUMBER YARDS AND AGRO-INDUSTRIAL, SOLID BIOMASS A…
- Chapter 29 — MANUFACTURE OF ORGANIC COATINGS
- Chapter 30 — INDUSTRIAL OVENS
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▸ Chapter 31 — TENTS, TEMPORARY SPECIAL EVENT STRUCTURES AND OTH…
Overview- Section 3101 — GENERAL
- Section 3102 — DEFINITIONS
- Section 3103 — TEMPORARY TENTS AND MEMBRANE STRUCTURES
- Section 3104 — TEMPORARY AND PERMANENT TENTS AND MEMBRANE STRU…
- Section 3105 — TEMPORARY SPECIAL EVENT STRUCTURES
- Section 3106 — INFLATABLE AMUSEMENT DEVICES
- Section 3107 — OUTDOOR ASSEMBLY EVENTS
- Section 3108 — OPERATIONAL REQUIREMENTS
- Chapter 32 — HIGH-PILED COMBUSTIBLE STORAGE
- Chapter 33 — FIRE SAFETY DURING CONSTRUCTION AND DEMOLITION
- Chapter 34 — TIRE REBUILDING AND TIRE STORAGE
- Chapter 35 — WELDING AND OTHER HOT WORK
- Chapter 36 — MARINAS
- Chapter 37 — COMBUSTIBLE FIBERS
- Chapter 38 — RESERVED
- Chapter 39 — PROCESSING AND EXTRACTION FACILITIES
- Chapter 40 — STORAGE OF DISTILLED SPIRITS AND WINES
- Chapter 41 — TEMPORARY HEATING AND COOKING OPERATIONS
- Chapter 48 — MOTION PICTURE AND TELEVISION PRODUCTION STUDIO S…
- Chapter 49 — REQUIREMENTS FOR WILDLAND-URBAN INTERFACE FIRE AR…
- Chapter 50 — HAZARDOUS MATERIALS—GENERAL PROVISIONS
- Chapter 51 — AEROSOLS
- Chapter 52 — RESERVED
- Chapter 53 — COMPRESSED GASES
- Chapter 54 — CORROSIVE MATERIALS
- Chapter 55 — CRYOGENIC FLUIDS
- Chapter 56 — EXPLOSIVES AND FIREWORKS
- Chapter 57 — FLAMMABLE AND COMBUSTIBLE LIQUIDS
- Chapter 58 — FLAMMABLE GASES AND FLAMMABLE CRYOGENIC FLUIDS
- Chapter 59 — FLAMMABLE SOLIDS
- Chapter 60 — HIGHLY TOXIC AND TOXIC MATERIALS
- Chapter 61 — LIQUEFIED PETROLEUM GASES
- Chapter 62 — ORGANIC PEROXIDES
- Chapter 63 — OXIDIZERS, OXIDIZING GASES AND OXIDIZING CRYOGENI…
- Chapter 64 — PYROPHORIC MATERIALS
- Chapter 65 — PYROXYLIN (CELLULOSE NITRATE) PLASTICS
- Chapter 66 — UNSTABLE (REACTIVE) MATERIALS
- Chapter 67 — WATER-REACTIVE SOLIDS AND LIQUIDS
- Chapter 80 — REFERENCED STANDARDS
- Appendix Chapter 4 — SPECIAL DETAILED REQUIREMENTS BASED ON US…
- Appendix A — BOARD OF APPEALS
- Appendix B — FIRE-FLOW REQUIREMENTS FOR BUILDINGS
- Appendix BB — FIRE-FLOW REQUIREMENTS FOR BUILDINGS
- Appendix C — FIRE HYDRANT LOCATIONS AND DISTRIBUTION
- Appendix CC — FIRE HYDRANT LOCATIONS AND DISTRIBUTION
- Appendix D — FIRE APPARATUS ACCESS ROADS
- Appendix E — HAZARD CATEGORIES
- Appendix F — HAZARD RANKING
- Appendix G — CRYOGENIC FLUIDS—WEIGHT AND VOLUME EQUIVALENTS
- Appendix H — HAZARDOUS MATERIALS MANAGEMENT PLANS AND HAZARDOU…
- Appendix I — FIRE PROTECTION SYSTEMS—NONCOMPLIANT CONDITIONS
- Appendix J — BUILDING INFORMATION SIGN
- Appendix K — CONSTRUCTION REQUIREMENTS FOR EXISTING AMBULATORY…
- Appendix L — REQUIREMENTS FOR FIREFIGHTER AIR REPLENISHMENT SY…
- Appendix M — HIGH-RISE BUILDINGS—RETROACTIVE AUTOMATIC SPRINKL…
- Appendix N — INDOOR TRADE SHOWS AND EXHIBITIONS
- Appendix O — VALET TRASH AND RECYCLING COLLECTION IN GROUP R-2…
- Appendix P — TEMPORARY HAUNTED HOUSES, GHOST WALKS AND SIMILAR…
- Appendix Q — COMMUNITY WILDLAND-URBAN INTERFACE (WUI) FIRE HAZ…