Cooking Vendor, Tent & Canopy

Guidelines

(page 1 of 2)

NJ UNIFORM FIRE CODE: COOKING VENDOR GUIDELINES

• The following are minimum guidelines for each cooking vendor at festivals, carnivals, etc.

• A site plan may be required by the Fire Official prior to event.

FIRE SAFEY PERMIT:

N.J.A.C. 5:70-2.7(a); All cooking vendors shall be required to apply for a fire safety permit issued by the Plumsted Township Fire Marshal’s Office.

All permits shall be made available to the fire official upon inspection.

N.J.A.C. 5:70-2.9( c )1; 1E05/1L12 Type Permit Fee $42.00-NO CASH will be accepted-vendor shall provide a check or money order payable to

“Plumsted Township Fire District # 1”. Permits will not be issued unless payment is made in full.

N.J.A.C. 5:70-2.7(f); The fire official upon inspection may deny or revoke a permit at any time; this can be due to failure to meet the permit

conditions, unabated fire code violations or unsafe conditions.

FIRE EXTINGUISHER: All cooking vendors shall supply their own fire extinguishers.

N.J.A.C. 5:70-3, 906.2; All fire extinguishers shall comply with NFPA 10/2002. All fire extinguishers shall have a valid dated inspection tag, good

of one year.

N.J.A.C. 5:70-3, 904.11.5; Class K portable fire extinguishers are required for cooking with vegetable or animal oils and fats.

N.J.A.C. 5:70-3, 904.11.5.1; Class K portable fire extinguishers are required for cooking with solid fuel.

N.J.A.C. 5:70-3, 904.11.5.2; Class K portable fire extinguishers required for deep fat fryers. (See 2006 IFC-NJ for size and quantity)

PROPANE TANK:

N.J.A.C. 5:70-3, 3003.5.3; Propane tanks shall be secured, to prevent falling over.

N.J.A.C. 5:70-3, 3801.1; Propane tanks and equipment shall comply with NFPA 58/2004.

N.J.A.C. 5:70-3, 3803.2.1; Propane tanks shall not be taken into buildings/tents, (see 2006 IFC-NJ for exceptions)

Mobile Canteens & Cooking Trailers:

N.J.A.C. 5:70-4.7(g) All cooking operations that produce grease laden vapors shall be equipped with a ventilating hood, duct, and automatic fire

suppression system.

N.J.A.C. 5:70-3, 904.6; Dry chemical extinguishing systems shall be maintained and inspected semi-annually as per NFPA 17/2002.

N.J.A.C. 5:70-3, 904.5; Wet chemical extinguishing systems shall be maintained and inspected semi-annually as per NFPA 17A/2002.

N.J.A.C. 5:70-3, 609.2; Excessive grease and residue buildup on kitchen exhaust systems, cleaning required.

MISCELLANEOUS:

N.J.A.C. 5:70-3, 104.3; All appliances shall be listed and labeled and approved by the fire code official. (No home made appliances).

N.J.A.C. 5:70-3, 2403.8.2; No vehicles shall be parked within 5 feet of tents or canopies.

N.J.A.C. 5:70-3, 2404.15.3; Suitable barricades shall be provided to maintain a distance of 5 feet between the heat producing appliance and the

public.

• Propane tanks between 4 and 40 lbs shall have an Overfill Protection Device for filling in NJ.

• Propane tanks shall be hydro tested every 12 years, and not dented or badly rusted.

• Regulator shall be in good condition and the relief valve shall face away from the public areas.

• All plastic type protective caps shall be removed from all propane tanks before operating.

• Hoses shall not be frayed or cracked, and there shall not be any type of tape on the hose.

• Hoses shall not be covered with grease and shall not be swollen.

• Hoses shall not create a tripping hazard

• Only approved lighter fluid shall be used for charcoal grills.

• Sterno warmers may be used provided the fuel containers are properly protected from being knocked over and if the fuel containers are

properly enclosed within the warmer units.

Cooking Vendor, Tent & Canopy

Guidelines

(page 2 of 2)

NJ UNIFORM FIRE CODE: TENTS/CANOPIES

N.J.A.C. 5:70-2.7(a); All vendors shall be required to apply for a type 1O15 fire safety permit issued by the Plumsted Township Fire Marshal’s

Office. All permits shall be made available to the fire official upon inspection.

• All tents/canopies greater than 900 square feet with or without side panels will require a separate permit for each. (up to 16800 square feet)

• All tents/canopies greater than 30 feet in travel distance in any one direction will require a separate permit for each. (up to 140 feet)

• All tents/canopies that will remain in place for fewer that 180 days.

• All tents/canopies that are used or occupied between April 1 and November 30.

• All tents/canopies that do not have a permanent anchoring system or foundation.

• All tents/canopies that contain platforms and bleachers up to 11 feet in height.

N.J.A.C. 5:70-2.9( c )1; 1O15 Type Permit Fee $42.00-NO CASH will be accepted-vendor shall provide a check or money order payable to

“Plumsted Township Fire District # 1”. Permits will not be issued unless payment is made in full.

N.J.A.C. 5:70-2.7(f); The fire official upon inspection may deny or revoke a permit at any time; this can be due to failure to meet the permit

conditions, unabated fire code violations or unsafe conditions.

N.J.A.C. 5:70-3, 2404.12; Fire extinguishers - at least one portable fire extinguisher with a minimum 4-A rating, or two portable fire extinguishers

with a minimum 2-A rating each, shall be provided in/under all tents as required by section 906.

N.J.A.C. 5:70-3, 2404.2; Tents/canopies shall be constructed of fire retardant materials or be properly treated as per NFPA 701/1999. Proper

documentation shall be provided by the vendor upon inspection.

N.J.A.C. 5:70-3, 2404.5; Combustible materials and excessive trash shall not be located within any tent or canopy (min. 20 feet clearance).

N.J.A.C. 5:70-3, 2404.7; Exposed flames: Gasoline, gas, charcoal or other cooking device or any other unapproved open flame shall not be permitted

inside or located within 20 feet of the tent or canopy.

• NO cooking under tents, (See DFS Bulletin 2006-01 for exceptions).

• NO deep fryers shall be under tents, (See DFS Bulletin 2006-01 for exceptions).

• NO cooking with grease laden vapors under tents, (See DFS Bulletin 2006-01 for exceptions).

• See DFS Bulletin 2006-1 for further information and exceptions.

N.J.A.C. 5:70-3, 2403.12.6; Exit signs are required when the exit serves and occupant load of 50 or more.

N.J.A.C. 5:70-3, 2403.12.6.1; Exit signs shall be illuminated. 1. For occupant loads of 300 or less; or 2. An approved emergency system, for

occupant loads greater than 300.

N.J.A.C. 5:70-3, 2403.12.7; Means of egress shall be illuminated from a separate circuit or source of power. (Not less than 1 foot candle (11lux) at

floor level)

N.J.A.C. 5:70-3, 2403.12.8; Means of egress, width of exits, aisles and passageways shall be maintained at all times.

• Interior finish, decorative materials and furnishings shall comply with Chapter 8.

• Occupant Load and Number of Exits shall be approved by the Fire Official.

NJ UCC TENT PERMIT REQUIRED:

Larger than 16800 square feet in size, greater than 140 feet of travel distance in any one direction, bleachers or platforms higher than 11 feet, up for

more than 180 days and used between December 1 and March 31 or having a permanent anchoring system or foundation..