TEXTILES.ORG 
Code & Fire Info
The Tent Rental Division’s (TRD) #1 focus is SAFETY.
Because of that TRD has created several resources to better the tent industry and assist Fire Marshals and Code Officials to ensure the tents they are inspecting are the safest they can be for the event and the community in the surrounding areas.
Fire Marshals, Code Officials and Municipalities can access TRD resources with a COMPLIMENTARY membership to the Tent Rental Division (TRD). Helpful Resources Include:
| Engineered and Non-Engineered Ballasting Tools | |
| Staking Study and Pocket Guide | |
| Procedural Handbook for the Safe Installation and Maintenance of Tents and Fabric Structures | |
| Opportunity to attend or request in-person Fire Marshal/Code Official Training to learn what to look for at a jobsite to ensure the safest possible tent set up. | |
| Access to annual tent industry events: Tent Expo / Tent Conference | |
| Opportunity to attend TRD Boot Camps: Training for the Tent Professional to gain access to local tent rental companies for discussions of safety in the industry and what to look for. |
Tent Specific Engineering
In the tent rental industry, we occasionally encounter situations that require engineering support for site-specific drawings. Below is a list of certified engineers and engineering firms that can provide the necessary assistance.
Please download and complete the fillable form, then email it to one of the contacts listed below.
For urgent requests, we recommend calling the engineer directly.
For inquiries: Download the Fillable Form and email to an engineer contact below.
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Lightweight DesignLicensed: 50 States Specializes in: Lightweight Design offers design services and engineering reviews for all types of tensioned fabric structures and rental tents. Providing certifications for rental tents, clearspan tents, tensile tents, and frame tents. Contact: |
Wayne Rendely PELicensed: 49 States + DC Specializes in: Wayne Rendely has over 25 years of practice as a licensed Professional Engineer. Provided services to over 300 unique companies/clients worldwide. Contact: |
* The firms listed here have been recommended by ATA members. ATA is not affiliated with any of these firms and does not endorse or guarantee their services. Engineering costs and quotes are provided directly by each firm. ATA assumes no legal responsibility for any disputes that may arise. The use by any individual or entity of any information obtained from the engineers listed is an acknowledgement and agreement by such individual or entity that ATA has made no representation or warranty with respect to the suitability, applicability or accuracy of such information, designs, standards or products.
Paul Armstrong, P.E., CBO
With more than 30 years of building safety management experience, Paul teaches regularly for California Building Officials (CALBO) and has developed several CALBO training courses. As a Chief Building Official, he managed building plan review, counter assistance, and inspection for Southern California agencies. Additionally, Paul was responsible for development of new business for inspection and plan review services for jurisdictions across the United States. His previous experience at International Code Council (ICC) included leading the Architectural and Engineering Services Department, International Conference of Building Officials (ICBO) Technical Services Department, and he was also the original drafting secretariat for development of the 2000 International Residential Code.
Paul earned his BS in Civil Engineering from California State University, Long Beach and has received numerous awards including CALBO Instructor of the Year and CALBO Course Developer Merit Award. Paul has participated on various local, state-wide and national committees including the ICC Residential Energy Code Development Committee, the ICC Building Official Membership Council, Governing Committee, the CALBO State Code Committee, and the CALBO Building/Fire Advisory Committee. Paul Armstrong is the definitive expert for your residential, building, and fire code consulting needs.
Working with ATA’s Code Committee and Title 19 of the California State Fire Marshal Task Force; International Building Code Council
ATA’s Code Committee is the industry voice in identifying and implementing changes in the International Building Codes (IBC) and the national fire codes/specifications applicable to the specialty fabrics industry to ensure the safety of the general public. Further, the committee supports code compliance as an important part of protecting the tent industry, our association and its members. We actively encourage the common sense interpretation and application of codes and regulations.
Tent Rental Division is an active part of the committee to help identify existing codes applicable to the industry and forwarding information to members. To that end we will be proactive in the gathering and disseminating of information; increasing education and training throughout our industry, and being active participants in the development, interpretation and application of codes and regulations at the local, national and international level.
Stay up to date on code guidelines with information from Tent Rental Division and with your state’s building code association. Links to State Building Code Associations can be found on the United States Environmental Protection Agency website.
Code Organization Reference Guide
| Abbreviation | Organization Name | Code/Standard Currently Monitoring | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| ICC | International Code Council | IBC and IFC | IBC is the International Building Code and IFC is the International Fire Code. ICC is an organization that writes, accredits, publishes and maintains codes and standards and holds an annual Code Hearings. |
| ASCE | American Society of Civil Engineers | ASCE 7 and ASCE 55 | ASCE is an organization of civil engineers that publishes standards for structural loads on buildings and other structures. ASCE 7 is the Minimum Design Loads and Associated Criteria for Buildings and Other Structures. ASCE55 is the design standard for Tensile Membrane Structures. |
| ASI | Air Structure Institute | ASI 77 and ICC 550 | ASI 77 is an Air Structure Design and Standards Manual that includes air structure design criteria and guidelines for product design and performance. The manual was revised by an FSA committee in 2024. FSA is currently going through a process to have the manual accredited by ICC. The manual will become known as ICC 550. |
| OSFM | Office of State Fire Marshal—California Code of Regulations | Title 19 | The Office of the California State Fire Marshal monitors and writes codes and regulations and has specific committees set up for that purpose. Title 19 is in CA regulations for fabric used in building and other projects. |
| NFPA | National Fire Protection Association | NFPA – 701 NFPA – 705 |
The National Fire Protection Association is an organization that writes, accredits, publishes and maintains codes and standards. NFPA-701 is the Standard Methods of Fire Test for Flame Propagation of Textiles and Films. NFPA-705 is the Recommended Practice for a Field Flame Test for Textiles and Films. |
| ANSI | American National Standards Institute | ANSI provides the guidelines for consensus standards development. They also do maintain certain standards. |
Become a Member
Become a member of Advanced Textiles Association.
Gain access to our member group specifically focused on the commercial tent rental industry.
Be informed, get recognized, stay connected, and much more.
