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Expert Q&A

• Analyzing power lines during tent installation

  August 1, 2010

  Electrical accidents rank sixth among all causes of work-related deaths in the U.S.

• Ballasting guidelines

  June 1, 2010

  How will ballasting guidelines impact the tent rental industry?

• Anchoring in sandy soil

  April 1, 2010

  What to consider when anchoring in sandy soil.

• The benefits of attending trade shows

  December 1, 2009

  Education about safety awareness, new tenting and rental items, and the business trends that can be identified and discussed at a trade show are vital to our growth and sustainability long term.

• Working with variations in building codes

  October 1, 2009

  The International Building Code (IBC) is a model building code, meaning that even in states that have adopted it, variations can occur.

• Considerations for safely wiring a tent

  August 1, 2009

  In the United States, requirements for providing electricity are covered by the National Electric Code (NEC) 2008, also known as Article 70 of the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), and adopted by states and local governments.

• Anchoring in wet soil

  June 1, 2009

  What you should consider when anchoring in wet soil.

• The holding power of stakes

  April 1, 2009

  Soil conditions, water table variations, surface variations, manmade disturbances and paved sites all have an effect on a stake’s performance.

• Why staking is critical

  December 1, 2008

  Proper anchoring is the most important part of ensuring your tent installation is safe.

• Conducting a site survey

  October 1, 2008

  Site surveys allow you to organize the information into an effective means of clear communication for all parties involved.

• Tent repair tricks

  August 1, 2008

  A few things to consider before repairing your own tent.

• How to square a tent

  June 1, 2008

  A tent that’s properly laid-out or squared is structurally sound and aesthetically pleasing.

• Comparing barrel weight and strength

  April 1, 2008

  Comparing these two types of anchoring methods.

• Treating tough stains

  December 1, 2007

  There are some unique cleaning tips that help in removing tough stains.

• Staking basics

  Sponsored by Tent Rental Division of IFAI

  IFAI’s Tent Rental Division asked the University of Illinois School of Engineering to generate a 600-page report on maximizing the strength of tent stakes. Nearly all key factors in smart staking are summarized in what the engineers referred to as “baseline conditions.” The engineers used 1-inch-diameter, smooth stakes in their work. They vertically drove stakes 36 inches into the ground, fastened a load 2 inches above the ground surface and pulled it at a 45-degree angle.

  Soil consistency is the first factor to consider in staking. The more resistant the soil, the greater the pull-out capacity, or strength, of an individual stake. The pull-out capacity of a stake driven at baseline conditions into hard soil is 2,500 pounds; a baseline stake driven into very soft ground is 100 pounds; stakes driven into saturated ground is about one-half the capacity of stakes driven into the same ground under dry conditions. Remember that soil conditions and pull-out capacity can change for the worse after installation.

  The angle, depth, fastening height and load angle of the stake also affect its pull-out capacity. Stake angles 30 degrees or more decrease pull-out capacity. Angles between 0 and 15 degrees optimized a stake’s strength. A fastening height of 2 inches above the ground maximized a stake’s pull-out capacity-the higher the fastening height, the weaker the stake. A stake driven 36 inches deep had significantly more pull-out capacity than one at 24 inches. The angle of pull from horizontal should be 45 degrees. Even a 53-degree load angle could diminish a stake’s pull-out capacity.

  Group configurations of stakes can multiply the pull-out capacity. The strongest grouping is a line of six stakes perpendicular to the direction of pull. Almost as effective is six stakes in two columns and three rows connected with a gang plate. Although less effective, double staking provides some added support, especially if the stakes are positioned about one-third as far as they are driven into the ground. More effective is placing four stakes in two columns and two rows. All stakes in group configurations must conform to the specifications previously listed.

  Learn more…