Rented tents are essential for many outdoor events. Many outdoor activities simply wouldn't be possible without the wide selection and availability of rental tents.

The public takes for granted that tents at these events are safe. However, people in the rental industry know that for tents to become safe temporary structures product knowledge, experience, attention to detail and hard work are needed.

Collapse of an improperly erected tent can spoil an event and may result in property damage and serious personal injury. Tent safety depends on correctly installing the tent and then taking the necessary steps to ensure it is used in a safe manner.

Tent installation and safety

Tent safety begins with proper installation. Small canopies and frame tents can be put up and taken down by most rental customers. Experts at manufacturers and experienced rental companies say larger tents are best installed and dismantled by trained and experienced personnel from the company providing the tent. Many tent-rental specialists will not permit customers to do installations unless they have employees who are qualified to do the work.

No setup is exactly the same, so a successful tent installation begins with a careful site survey followed by detailed planning.

"Two of the most common problems encountered with rental tents are improper anchorage and inadequate tensioning," said Victor Odoom of Warner Shelter Systems, Calgary, Alberta, Canada. "Another is setting the tent up in good, quiet weather, believing it will remain that way throughout the event. When bad weather comes, it often is too late to make necessary changes."

Identify any overhead obstacles and have underground utilities located and marked (call the utility company at least 48 hours before the tent is scheduled to be erected). Be aware of how a tent's location may be affected by its surroundings and activities of the planned event.

Identify all tools and equipment that will be needed to safely load and unload tent materials, move them into position at the job site and complete the installation. Provide all crew members with belts to reduce the risk of back injuries and other appropriate safety gear.

Setup steps vary with tent design. Follow the procedures described in the owner's manual including all safety guidelines - provided by the maker of the tent.

"With the variety of tent products available, general tent knowledge is not enough," said J.D. Howell, Anchor Industries, Evansville, Ind. "Follow individual manufacturer's in-stallation and safety instructions. Tent manufacturers today provide detailed instructions with safety a prime concern."

Windy weather brings potential danger - high winds make tents difficult to handle, making blowing fabric hazardous. Warn personnel about overhead wires. Touching an overhead electrical cable with a tent pole can kill.

Tents must be securely anchored. Failure to follow anchoring instructions can affect the stability of a tent. Use caution during the anchoring process. Buried utilities present a serious danger during anchoring. Driving a stake or auger into a buried electrical cable can be deadly. Puncturing a natural gas line can result in an explosion. Cutting a telephone cable interrupts service - sometimes over a wide area - and may result in a substantial financial liability.

"We constantly see frame tents with inadequate staking - sand bags, water barrels, buckets of cement, lead weights, or in many cases, nothing at all," Howell said. "In the case of pole tents, customers often loosen ropes to facilitate moving in or out and fail to reattach them. The chance of failure increases as structural integrity is compromised."

In addition to anchoring, proper fabric tensioning is fundamental to the stability of a tent. Sagging tent tops look sloppy, and can be unsafe when rain water or snow collects, placing extra weight on the structure.

Using tents safely

Once properly set up, a tent structure must not be altered. Advise customers never to remove anchoring stakes or attempt to move an erected tent.

"Provide written instructions explaining hazards of improper or unsafe activities," said Bernard Armbruster, Armbruster Manufacturing Co., Springfield, Ill. "Keep ropes tight, jumpers tied, cover metal stakes and monitor weather during the rental."

Tents provide shade on hot summer days and permit outdoor events to continue if rain arrives. Indeed, the need for temporary shelter is the primary reason most customers rent tents. However, tents are not safe during severe storms and in high winds. Advise customers that tents should be evacuated immediately if bad weather approaches.

"Tents should never be used in dangerous situations," said Tom Shapiro, Academy Tent and Canvas, Los Angeles. "If poles start to 'jump' or the top begins flapping, the tent should be evacuated. Do not use poles and hardware that cannot meet engineering loads and local code requirements."

In cold weather, heaters warm tent interiors. Heaters have the potential for starting fires and some heater fuels produce dangerous exhaust. Advise customers what type of heating equipment is safe for use in their tent, and explain how to install and operate it. Even better - rent the proper heating equipment.

Accessories and equipment used inside tents also can be dangerous. Never overload extension cords. Do not use gasoline equipment or store fuel containers inside any tent.

Overloading a tent with decorations can reduce its stability. When attached to tent poles or tent fabric, signs and banners can make the tent unstable. Advise customers how to safely decorate their tent. This often provides an opportunity for profitable add-on rentals and sales.

Tent personnel training

"For training, have an apprenticeship program led by experienced supervisors," Odoom said. "Start with smaller tents and progress to bigger ones. Use videos and training aids available from manufacturers."

Tent manufacturers provide easy-to-read manuals containing illustrations and describe step-by-step procedures for installing individual tent models. In addition, many offer video training programs and seminars. A.R.A. also has excellent tent training materials that cover safety.

"Any rental operation exploring adding tent rentals to its operation needs to hire at least one experienced person and make sure its other personnel are trained by the tent supplier," Armbruster said.