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.
Launching Online Order Processing
We are proud to launch our new online order processing system! You’ll be able to use RainierTent.com to place new orders, check on the status and tracking of existing orders, print order confirmations, and view your order history.
The new online catalog is connected to Rainier’s Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP), so orders placed go directly into production without any additional order entry. This saves time in order processing, accelerates delivery, and minimizes errors.
Visit the new online store at: www.rainiertent.com. The site features the industry’s first dynamic product configurator, where complete custom-built tents can be ordered online, with a visual of the tent being configured. The store includes complete tent kits, parts and accessories, as well as Baytex Liners, which we are the exclusive distributor of in North America.
We’ve launched similar order processing systems for some of our other business units, to great success. “Our customers enjoy the ease of ordering online and receive their orders more quickly. Since we don’t have to transpose their orders into our operations system, errors are down and customers are happier. It’s a win-win!” said COO David Traub.
The tent configurator will be demonstrated at The Rental Show in New Orleans at booth #317, on February 19th, 20th, and 21st. In addition, we’ll host two 30 minute webinars on February 13th and February 27th at 1:00pm EST/10:00am PST. Contact marketing@rainier.com to register.
Introducing the Rainier Cloud
Bring ethereal beauty, form, and functionality to your space by adding a Rainier Cloud, new architectural fabric sculptures from Rainier Tent. Available in six different shapes to evoke cumulus, cirrus, and stratus clouds, these graceful silhouettes add style, dimension, and beauty to any space.
Clouds are constructed out of 1 1/2” lightweight aluminum tubing, shaped using Rainier’s in-house 3D freeform tube bending machine, the most advanced bending technology in use in North America. Frames are easily assembled and arrive with mounting hardware kit which allows you to suspend your cloud at any degree or angle. The fitted Class A fire-resistant stretch fabric cover is available in your choice of natural or one of 7 unique full-color graphic patterns.
Reduce ambient noise levels in your space by selecting the acoustical option for your cloud. The acoustical element is a special fabric layer to enhance your cloud’s noise dampening qualities.
Rainier Clouds are crafted in the U.S.A. and available for purchase online at: www.rainiertent.com. Stop by booth #317 at The Rental Show in New Orleans to see the cloud sculptures in person.
Visit Us at The Rental Show
The Rental Show opens on February 19th – stop by booth #317 to take advantage of these show only specials!
The Rental Show Specials:
- 2% off orders up to $9,999
- 3% off orders of $10,000 to $24,999
- 4% off orders of $25,000 to $34,999
- 5% off orders of $35,000 or more
(Discounts offered are in addition to standard volume discount)
Confirm by March 15, 2018 with 50% deposit & delivery by May 1
We’ll also be demonstrating our new online ordering system, featuring the industry’s first dynamic configurator, and our new Rainier Clouds! We’ll see you in New Orleans!
Meet Our New East Coast Tent Customer Service Rep
To bolster our commitment to providing outstanding customer service, we are very happy to welcome Ashley Durant to our team! Ashley works out of our location in Statesville, NC, supporting our tent dealers on the east coast.
Ashley brings with her experience in technical and manufacturing industries. She is eager to learn the tent business and provide the complete customer satisfaction you have come to expect from us. She shares Rainier’s dedication to safety, and will be a great asset to our dealers on the east coast as you grow your business.
We’ve also added a dedicated line for customer service on the east coast – that number is (844) 731-8096. Feel free to reach out to Ashley with questions!
New Additions to the Sales Team
Rainier Tents is happy to welcome Chris Whitesell to our sales team, covering the southeast portion of the US. Chris is a graduate of Wingate University with a degree in Business Management. He attended Wingate under the Presidential Scholarship along with the American Rental Association’s (ARA) National Scholarship and the ARA of North Carolina Scholarship program for individuals working in the rental industry.
In addition, Rainier has added B & S Sales into the fold as our first independent sales rep. Bridget Baresel, of B & S, brings an extensive experience in the rental industry. Bridget’s focus will be in Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Rhode Island, Connecticut, and Massachusetts.
Contact us to schedule a meeting or call with Chris or Bridget. We’re so happy to have these new additions to our tent team, to continue to provide you the same great quality service you’ve come to expect from Rainier.
Barbara Friesen Retires
Rainier Tents recently bid farewell to Barbara Friesen, and wished her a happy retirement!
Barbara has been an integral part of Rainier’s tent division since 2012, when the company acquired the Portland-based SEC Group. She met Spencer Etzel, founder of the SEC Group, in the early 1990s, when the bank where she worked sponsored a hot air balloon event and he was there as a Balloonmeister.
She and her husband were running a marketing company called TEAM Inc. (for Training, Events, Advertising, and Marketing), creating industry specific tradeshows, small business advertising programs, and OSHA safety compliance confined space training. She began providing sales support to Etzel’s company and eventually became a full time employee, fully immersed in the special events industry.
In her time at Rainier, she was a champion for the implementation of the ERP management system, a valued representative at tradeshows, and her dedication to customer satisfaction made her a respected member of the team. Her colleagues and clients in the industry will miss her great, “get it done” attitude.
Congratulations, Barbara, and enjoy your retirement!
Michael Tharpe Takes New Position as Sales Manager, Shelter Division
Michael Tharpe recently stepped into a new position as sales manager of Rainier Industries’ shelter division. In his new role, Michael is charged with expanding the availability of Rainier tent and tent liner products across the U.S. He will continue to provide support to existing dealers with installation training, tradeshow assistance, and coaching as needed.
Michael has more than 20 years of experience in the tent industry. He joined the Rainier team in 2015, tasked with growing sales on the East coast. In his new position, Michael will leverage his extensive knowledge and experience to make Rainier the go-to for technical and difficult tent projects, and set the standard for safe tent installation.
Rainier’s tent division manufactures quality tent products, and is the exclusive distributor of Baytex tent liners in North America.
Founded in 1896, Rainier Industries began providing tents and supplies to prospectors in the Alaskan Gold Rush. Today, it has evolved into a diverse manufacturer of a variety of products including yurts, tents, awning & screen systems, industrial fabric products as well as sports, retail and trade show graphics to regional, national and Fortune 500 companies.
