Installation & Maintenace

Carefully follow the assembly instructions included with your tent and the information described below. Never erect a tent without having it properly anchored. 

Check with your municipality to determine if a permit is required to install a tent on your property.

The installation of a tent can be done in a few hours. Only basic tools are required. After installation of an appropriate anchor system, the owner can easily dismantle the tent and re-install later as needed.

Tents are not subjected to the requirements of the Canada Building Code, nor engineered to meet specific wind and snow loads. Tents, as per Section A-3.1.6 of the Canada Building Code, are consider to be a temporary shelter when constructed of fabric, held up by poles and attached to the ground by ground ties, with no foundation.

Our tents use heavy duty galvanized steel tubing and coverings to better withstand harsh weather but tent durabilty will depend on how well the tent is installed, anchored and maintained. The ground anchors included with each tent must be supplemented with additional supports in high wind and snow areas.

For installation in areas with high winds, place the tent in a location that minimizes its exposure to the prevailing winds. To provide additiona support use large pre-cast concrete blocks or other anchors systems such as industrial in ground duck bill systems. Large pre-cast concrete blocks (atleast 2'x2'x4' blocks, with the block size dependent on the size of the tent and weather conditions) can be obtained from your local concrete supplier. The blocks should be placed on the sides of the tent every 10' to 15', with aircraft cable used to secure and laterally brace the tent frame to the blocks. Failure to do this can result in damage to the tent and other objects in the area.

We do not recommend the use of concrete blocks on surfaces such as concrete, paving stone or asphalt because the blocks and tent can slide in high wind. 

On asphalt or other flat surfaces, or where large pre-cast blocks are not available, it is recommended that "permanacre" in ground anchors or industrial duck bill anchor systems be considered. It is important to assess soil conditions to determine what type of anchor will be suitable to install. Wet, boggy or sandy soil provides has poor holding strength. Well drained, gravel provides much more holding power. The deeper an anchor can be buried and the larger the anchor, the greater the holding power.

The owner should regularly remove any snow that stays on the roof of the tent. This can be done from the inside by pushing up on the fabric using a blunt object (eg. wide broom) to lift the fabric to cause the snow to slide off. Snow should not be allowed to build up on the sides if it  causes strain on the cover or frame.

Do not modify the tent or install materials between the cover and frame. Any alteration made to the tent will void the manufacturer's warranty and potentially damage the frame and cover.

Never use cable ties or tie wraps to hold the cover to the structure. We recommend you use 3/16’’ rope. Do not install tents near one another or immediately next to other structures. We recommend providing at least 4 feet clearance on the sides to reduce the lateral force from snow that accumulates and to allow excessive snow to be removed from the sides. 

Never leave the doors open in wind. This creates a "parachute" effect and puts excessive strain on the tent. It is best to have all doors and any screen vents completely closed.

Never leave a vehicle running inside a tent.

For tents that are attached to a building, a junction flap should never be more than four feet. It should be attached to the building with a wire-lock type fastener. Always attach wire-lock type fasteners to the building above the shelter.

A manufacturer's warranty to cover premature wear of the cover is included with each tent. Tent NL, a division of MegaDome NL Inc does not provide a warranty as the customer must determine if a tent will suitable for their needs, the appropriate installation of the tent given conditions in the area, and ongoing tent maintenance.