Tent Safety 101

Catherine is planning an event for a high school graduation. Thinking about the number of people who will attend the event and its family nature, her mind keeps turning to the issue of safety. Catherine wants to do everything in her power to protect her client’s guests.

Here are a few common questions and answers related to the issue of safety:

What do I need to know about holding the tent in place?

The tent needs to be anchored if you want it to be sturdy and withstand the wind. The best option is stakes. However, the event may be held on concrete – in which case cement block is typically used to keep the tent in place.

How much wind will the tent be able to handle?

A tent can be expertly built to withstand winds of 100 mph or more. Note that knowing the speed of wind that the tent is certified to withstand does not tell you whether it will achieve that degree of resistance given the specific setup and environmental factors.

What’s the evacuation plan?

Make sure you know exactly what to do if extreme weather hits. Also be aware of the amount of time necessary to take down the tent and move elsewhere if you decide to switch to another location.

What do you need to be thinking about at purchase time?

Two tent components that are often recommended for better weather-resistance are ratchet buckles (instead of ropes), and galvanized center and side poles (in place of wood poles).

You also want to be aware of the general quality of craftsmanship; design is crucial. One helpful aspect is that tent manufacturers have increasingly adopted better safety mechanisms. A typical frame tent system is now much safer than it was twenty years ago, for instance.

Don’t be afraid to ask detailed questions about how the tent is constructed, since the vinyl and seams must be durable enough to withstand a spectrum of weather scenarios. The hardware should be strong enough to support the anchoring process described by the manufacturer; you should also be able to replace components.

Finally, you want to be certain that the material used for the test is mildew-resistant and abrasive. If it is more durable, you are less likely to experience a failure.

Have any questions? Give us a call!

Safety is a critical concern of anyone who is setting up an event. Hopefully the above information is helpful. One point has to do with the quality of craftsmanship. At Tent Renters Supply, our commitment to quality and customer service makes us a leader in the tent manufacturing and vinyl creation industry. View our catalog.