Add a gutter system to your tent. Click on the image to download this handy TechTip PDF.
Or if you need other technical information click here.
The Right Size Tent Heater
You have the tent, you have the tables, you have the chairs and the catering people are on board. Now you look at the forecast and see that the weather is going to be on the cool side. You decide that a heated tent is needed for the upcoming event to be comfortable for the guests. So what do you need to know to correctly heat the tent?
- Determine how much heat (in BTU’s) is needed for your tent and size the heater(s) accordingly
- Identify the fuel source and the quantity of fuel needed
- Calculate how many fuel tanks are needed
- Place the heaters near the tent and get the heat inside the tent
- Research and comply with any local codes as they relate to heat sources for your tent
To determine the amount of heat needed for your tented event, follow this simple formula:
BTU’s of Heat needed/hour = Cubic Volume of Tent x Temperature Rise Required x .25 (Insulation Factor of a Tent)
Example:
- A tent size of 40’ x 80’ x 15’ (average ceiling height) = 48,000 cubic feet
- The forecast is 40° for the low that night and you want to maintain 70° inside of the tent = 30° temperature rise
- 48,000 x 30 x .25 = 360,000 BTU/hour
What happens if you are using one large unit and something fails? Disaster! So ideally you would use two heaters. Using two heaters gives you a chance to get back up and running so that no one may even notice. And two sources also help to distribute the heat more evenly within the tent. So for this example, we recommend using quantity (2) 175,000 BTU/hour heaters. (Which closely approximates the calculated heat needed.)
(Another way to look up, instead of calculating the BTU’s needed for your tented event is to contact a Rainier Tent representative and request your own Heater Sizing Guide. We would be happy mail one to you!)
The next thing to determine is what fuel source is available to you, propane, or natural gas? Most box style tent heaters can be operated on propane or natural gas. Some cities will make you pull a permit for propane, which is by far the most common fuel used for temporary events. Does this apply to you? Check with your local fire marshal to find out!
So how much propane is needed for an event? This is easily calculated if you know that a gallon of propane can produce 91,600 BTU/hour. The formula is:
- Gallons of Propane/Hour = BTU’s of Heat needed/hour ÷ 91,600
Using the same example as above where you needed 360,000 BTU/hr to heat the tent:
- 360,000 ÷ 91,600 = 3.9 gallons per hour (GPH)
We know that the heaters should cycle on and off, but why not figure worst case scenario? If the heaters run nonstop for the entire event, and the event is 5 hours, you will need:
- 3.9 gallons per hour x 5 hours = 19.5 gallons total
When using propane, how do you know if you have a large enough tank? An under-sized tank is the number one service issue when using propane heaters. Most people think that a 100 pound cylinder is enough, but often times it is not. The amount of propane vapor available for the heater varies depending on the outside temperature and how much propane is in the tank. For example, at 40° a single 100 pound cylinder can only produce 214,000 BTU/hour when full and 125,000 BTU/hour when half full. (Our Heater Sizing Guide also shows the rates of evaporation for 100lb tanks!) Connecting multiple tanks together with a two or three bottle manifold will resolve that issue.
So how many propane tanks are needed? There are about 25 gallons of propane in a 100 pound cylinder, but remember you may not have enough enough vapor to keep the heater running at full fire as temperatures drop, or more often, as tanks start to empty. The safe way to determine how many tanks you need is this simple formula:
- Tanks Needed (Rounded Up) = BTU/hour needed per heater ÷ BTU/hr in tank at 50%
Continuing with the example:
- 180,000 BTU/hour needed per heater ÷ 125,000 BTU/hour = 1.44, or 2 tanks per heater.
By using this formula you will never run into an issue. Will there be extra propane left over? Yes. But will the customer be happy? YES! It’s cheap insurance if the event runs long or if the tanks weren’t as full as you thought. Using this formula, you can just about guarantee a successful heat job.
The final consideration for a heated tent is placement of the heaters and availability of electrical power. Most of the time the heater can be set behind the tent, where there is no traffic, and ducted under the tent wall with a heater diffuser. Sometimes local codes require the heater be set away from the tent, in which case the warm arm is ducted to the tent and under the tent wall with a duct diffuser. Also be aware of the terrain as most heaters should sit as level as possible. Finally, the propane tanks must be secured so there is no way for them to tip or get knocked over.
Most tent heaters will also require a dedicated and grounded 15 amp service. You should confirm prior to the event that there is an accessible power outlet or if the generator you are using has enough circuits.
By following these simple guidelines everyone will be warm and happy!
Tent Systems vs. Tents – Knowing the Difference Will Put Money in Your Pocket
We call our Maximizer Frame Tents a “System,” but what does that really mean, and why is it important to someone in the tent rental business?
What is a Tent System?
A dictionary defines the word system as “a group of interacting, interrelated, or interdependent elements forming a unitary whole.” A tent system then is more than just a collection of parts that can be assembled to make a particular tent.
It is a group of components that are designed and manufactured to a common set of standards that allows the whole system, in any size or configuration, to be as flexible and user friendly as possible.
Think of the biggest and strongest erector set you can imagine, and you start to get an idea of how the Maximizer tent system functions.
Common Parts across All Sizes & Configurations
Maximizer Tents are designed to reduce the inventory investment needed to operate the system in a variety of configurations.
Most basic frame components are interchangeable in multiple positions and across different sizes and configurations within the system.
For example, a standard 14’ 4” eave /ridge tube common to a 15’ bay in all sizes is also used as the hip rafter in our 40’ system. Or the hip rafter in a 30’ wide system is also used as the intermediate hip rafter in the 40’ system. The list goes on and on.
30’ to 40’ or 40’ to 50’ Expandable
Did your event suddenly outgrow your tent?
With the Maximizer Tent system, simple rafter extensions and a few other parts allows your frame to easily expand to meet the needed space, without purchasing an entirely new tent.
Custom Shapes with Standard Parts
Once the basic components of the Maximizer System are in your inventory, you can configure your tent to create a unique look or function that fits your market or event with just a few specialty parts.
Fastest Installing
Industry studies have shown again and again that the Maximizer Tent System installs faster and easier than other comparably sized systems available in the market – sometimes more than twice as fast. This saves you labor costs and adds profit – on every job.
Lasting Quality
Plated connectors, reinforced seams, the highest quality materials, consistency that comes only from computer-aided design and manufacturing and a craftsman’s approach means your tent will look better, out-perform and last longer than other tents in your market.
Is it a Pole? Is it a Frame?
The accompanying photo shows how the swooping tops we associate with pole tents can be achieved using a standard frame with a few custom parts.
Corners with Ease
The Maximizer Tent System can also go around any corner with our special articulated crowns and eave connectors.
Flexibility, Adaptability
Stage ends, hex ends, gable transitions, challenging surfaces, etc. … there are so many way to configure your Maximizer Tent System to meet the needs of your event. It is by far the most adaptable and flexible frame tent system available on the market today.
In Stock and Ready to Ship to YOU
All of us on the Rainier Tent team have spent decades in the rental industry, actually installing tents. Our goal is to help you say yes to as many projects as possible, even the last minute and custom projects, by having inventory on the shelves, ready to ship, or by helping you design and manufacture a custom part for that interesting installation.
Always Improving, Always Compatible
We update and improve the Maximizer tent system every chance we get, sometimes to meet a customer need or suggestion, sometime to make the system install faster or last longer, and sometimes to meet an new industry requirement for engineering strength.
Regardless of the innovation, we always keep in mind that any improvement needs to work with the existing inventory that is already on our customers’ shelves. You never have to worry about your tent system becoming obsolete. Instead it just gets better and better!
Engineered Strength
All the Maximizer Tent Systems are designed to meet national engineering codes. The standard engineering package is available to all customers to facilitate permitting in your local jurisdiction. And for those highly scrutinized jobs, site-specific engineering can be completed for a fee in a timely manner.
Even if tent engineering is not yet an issue in your area, that could change very quickly. We constantly hear of new areas that are starting to adopt the use of codes for tented events.
Regulations aside, knowing that your tent system will stand up to most unexpected weather provides a piece of mind that will help you sleep at night.
Lowest Cost of Ownership
The Cost of Ownership for a tent system includes not only the initial purchase price, but also the cost to own and operate the system over its useful life.
When all the factors of owning and renting tents are considered – flexibility, expandability, innovation, structural strength, labor costs to install, durability, etc., – it becomes clear that the Maximizer Tent System provides the lowest overall cost of ownership and puts money in your pocket.
The Right Size Tent Heater
You have the tent, you have the tables, you have the chairs and the catering people are on board. Now you look at the forecast and see that the weather is going to be on the cool side. You decide that a heated tent is needed for the upcoming event to be comfortable for the guests. So what do you need to know to correctly heat the tent?
- Determine how much heat (in BTU’s) is needed for your tent and size the heater(s) accordingly
- Identify the fuel source and the quantity of fuel needed
- Calculate how many fuel tanks are needed
- Place the heaters near the tent and get the heat inside the tent
- Research and comply with any local codes as they relate to heat sources for your tent
Rain got you down?
Add a gutter system to your tent. Click on the image to download this handy TechTip PDF.
Or if you need other technical information click here.
Winter Tent Top Savings
Considering Equipment Financing?
The Right Size Tent Heater
You have the tent, you have the tables, you have the chairs and the catering people are on board. Now you look at the forecast and see that the weather is going to be on the cool side. You decide that a heated tent is needed for the upcoming event to be comfortable for the guests. So what do you need to know to correctly heat the tent?
- Determine how much heat (in BTU’s) is needed for your tent and size the heater(s) accordingly
- Identify the fuel source and the quantity of fuel needed
- Calculate how many fuel tanks are needed
- Place the heaters near the tent and get the heat inside the tent
- Research and comply with any local codes as they relate to heat sources for your tent
To determine the amount of heat needed for your tented event, follow this simple formula:
BTU’s of Heat needed/hour = Cubic Volume of Tent x Temperature Rise Required x .25 (Insulation Factor of a Tent)
Example:
- A tent size of 40’ x 80’ x 15’ (average ceiling height) = 48,000 cubic feet
- The forecast is 40° for the low that night and you want to maintain 70° inside of the tent = 30° temperature rise
- 48,000 x 30 x .25 = 360,000 BTU/hour
What happens if you are using one large unit and something fails? Disaster! So ideally you would use two heaters. Using two heaters gives you a chance to get back up and running so that no one may even notice. And two sources also help to distribute the heat more evenly within the tent. So for this example, we recommend using quantity (2) 175,000 BTU/hour heaters. (Which closely approximates the calculated heat needed.)
(Another way to look up, instead of calculating the BTU’s needed for your tented event is to contact a Rainier Tent representative and request your own Heater Sizing Guide. We would be happy mail one to you!)
The next thing to determine is what fuel source is available to you, propane, or natural gas? Most box style tent heaters can be operated on propane or natural gas. Some cities will make you pull a permit for propane, which is by far the most common fuel used for temporary events. Does this apply to you? Check with your local fire marshal to find out!
So how much propane is needed for an event? This is easily calculated if you know that a gallon of propane can produce 91,600 BTU/hour. The formula is:
Gallons of Propane/Hour = BTU’s of Heat needed/hour ÷ 91,600
Using the same example as above where you needed 360,000 BTU/hr to heat the tent:
- 360,000 ÷ 91,600 = 3.9 gallons per hour (GPH)
We know that the heaters should cycle on and off, but why not figure worst case scenario? If the heaters run nonstop for the entire event, and the event is 5 hours, you will need:
- 3.9 gallons per hour x 5 hours = 19.5 gallons total
When using propane, how do you know if you have a large enough tank? An under-sized tank is the number one service issue when using propane heaters. Most people think that a 100 pound cylinder is enough, but often times it is not. The amount of propane vapor available for the heater varies depending on the outside temperature and how much propane is in the tank. For example, at 40° a single 100 pound cylinder can only produce 214,000 BTU/hour when full and 125,000 BTU/hour when half full. (Our Heater Sizing Guide also shows the rates of evaporation for 100lb tanks!) Connecting multiple tanks together with a two or three bottle manifold will resolve that issue.
So how many propane tanks are needed? There are about 25 gallons of propane in a 100 pound cylinder, but remember you may not have enough enough vapor to keep the heater running at full fire as temperatures drop, or more often, as tanks start to empty. The safe way to determine how many tanks you need is this simple formula:
Tanks Needed (Rounded Up) = BTU/hour needed per heater ÷ BTU/hr in tank at 50%
Continuing with the example:
- 180,000 BTU/hour needed per heater ÷ 125,000 BTU/hour = 1.44, or 2 tanks per heater.
By using this formula you will never run into an issue. Will there be extra propane left over? Yes. But will the customer be happy? YES! It’s cheap insurance if the event runs long or if the tanks weren’t as full as you thought. Using this formula, you can just about guarantee a successful heat job.
The final consideration for a heated tent is placement of the heaters and availability of electrical power. Most of the time the heater can be set behind the tent, where there is no traffic, and ducted under the tent wall with a heater diffuser. Sometimes local codes require the heater be set away from the tent, in which case the warm arm is ducted to the tent and under the tent wall with a duct diffuser. Also be aware of the terrain as most heaters should sit as level as possible. Finally, the propane tanks must be secured so there is no way for them to tip or get knocked over.
Most tent heaters will also require a dedicated and grounded 15 amp service. You should confirm prior to the event that there is an accessible power outlet or if the generator you are using has enough circuits.
By following these simple guidelines everyone will be warm and happy!
Ten ways to get killed or injured on the job
Safety starts a long time before you show up on the job site. Safety begins before the job is even sold. There are steps along the way that can make a difference between you and having a long and satisfying career or you ending up injured, crippled for life, or dead.
Before you get to the job site:
1) Bad Planning:
a. Inadequate site survey: This happens when hazards go unrecognized or unreported.
b. Not assigning enough… Time, Personnel, or Resources to do the job. Forcing crews to improvise.
2) Inadequate training of employees or crew chiefs: This is not just in safety matters. This includes all the necessary skills and information. Including the right to refuse to put themselves in harms way.
3) Bad Instructions or inadequate communications: Asking or telling the crews to accomplish something that is unsafe or dangerous. This includes language barriers and not calling 911.
4) Bad, inadequate or unsafe equipment: If it is broken, chipped, dull, worn out, under-sized or otherwise inadequate,
it does not get loaded on the truck. LADDERS!
5) Working under the influence: Of drugs (legal or otherwise) or alcohol, or knowingly working with someone who is. These things don’t happen on the spur of the moment.
On the job site:
6) Not using Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): You have the equipment for a reason. Use it. Depending on the state you work in, if you’re injured and you chose not to use the PPE, your insurance claim may be rejected.
7) Not being physically capable of doing the task: This includes over estimating your strength or misjudging your fatigue. This also goes for equipment. By using undersized equipment, you can be creating accidents by tipping over forklifts, dropping beams, etc. By stressing your back you can be setting yourself up for a lifetime of disability. Get help, get the right equipment, or don’t try it.
8) No task planning on site or improvising the task: Rushing in when you should take a minute to think. Using your brain to determine what your options are and doing a good common sense plan can save you a lot of grief. For every one way in, make sure you have two ways out, in case something falls or fails.
9) Bad positioning: Do not put yourself in harm’s way. Always know what is in front, behind, above and below you.
10) Not focusing: On your job or being distracted by your personal problems. Any problem you mentally bring to work with you will only be made worse by you dwelling on it and getting hurt or killed.
Introducing the Maximizer Earth Anchor
Maximizer Earth Anchor
The Maximizer Earth Anchor is the revolutionary new ‘anchoring’ product developed specifically for the ‘holding’ requirements of tents and temporary or semi-permanent structures in the Rental Industry.
This ‘game-changing’ product boast significant benefits over conventional staking methods…
• Holding Power – Superior holding power to conventional stakes
• Lightweight – The aluminum advantage: Shipping cost, on-site handling
• Durability – Cast aluminum 356 alloy aircraft-quality, heat treated to T6 specification (NO CORROSION)
• Ease of use, Reuse-ability – Screw in, screw out. No more sledge hammering!
• Increased Productivity – Quicker installation than conventional staking