Using Bamse Max & Bamse Mini fireplaces inside Tentipi tents
Context
Tentipi’s Event tipis are designed and manufactured in Lapland, taking inspiration from the kåta tents of the nomadic reindeer-herding Sami people. With winter temperatures regularly reaching -30°C and lower, a central fire in the kåta is essential for the Sami to stay alive, as well as providing somewhere to cook and creating a homely atmosphere.
Keeping that association with fire is important for people using Tentipi’s Event tipis.
Suitability
The Bamse Max and Bamse Mini fireplaces are suitable to provide a charming, aesthetically-pleasing focal point inside the Event tipi. They should not be considered as a means of heating. To heat the tipis, specialist tent heaters should be used.
The Bamse Max fireplace is suitable for use in the Stratus 72 and Cirrus 72 Nordic tipis made from fire retardant fabric.
The Bamse Mini fireplace is suitable for use in the Cirrus 40 Nordic tipi made from fire retardant fabric.
Bamse Max and Bamse Mini are not considered suitable for use in any of Tentipi’s other Nordic tipis.
The Bamse Max fireplace is 120cm x 150cm in size and 80cm tall, with a metal grate in the top in which the fire is built. In the Bamse Max, the wooden surround projects beyond the edge of the metal grate.
The Bamse Mini fireplace is 80cm x 80cm in size and 63cm tall, with a metal grate in the top in which the fire is built. In the Bamse Mini, the metal grate is the same size as the wooden surround. The Bamse Mini is not suitable for “high traffic” areas, where people are walking past; the lower height presents the possibility of someone falling into the fire, or of someone catching their leg on the corner of the metal grate.
Prior to Use
Set up the Bamse in the centre of the Nordic tipi under the apex, so that the smoke rises up into the apex and the flames are a long way from any canvas.
Place a metal tray under the fire grate and at least 30cm above the floor level to catch any embers falling through.
Place sand or gravel around the edge of the metal grate to force the logs into the centre of the fire box, and prevent the heat of the fire scorching, or setting fire to, the wooden surround.
Prepare a supply of low-smoke fuel that does not spit or produce glowing embers that rise up with the smoke.
Lay out furniture to respect the Escape Route recommendations in the informative Annex D.3 of EN 13782:2005 (or local equivalent if outside the EU).
Often fireplaces are used with the Nordic tipi “sides up”, meaning that there is typically a 10m+ wide exit in addition to a zippered door. For events where the sides are down, include at least one set of double doors with a quick release mechanism on the inside in addition to zippered door exits.
In all cases the occupancy of the structure, together with the number and width of fire exits should be calculated according to the rules stipulated in the local fire regulations.
Place suitable fire extinguishers inside the Nordic tipi.
Do not hang or place anything in the Nordic tipi that could fall onto the fire or be affected by the heat or smoke from the fire.
Appoint a Fire Marshall to be responsible for monitoring and fuelling the fire, for the entire time that the fire is lit. Ensure that the Fire Marshall is present at all times, in a fit state to discharge their responsibilities, and knows how to operate the fire extinguisher.
Create an emergency evacuation plan that can be put into place in the event of an incident.
During Use
Adjust the smoke hole of the Nordic tipi, keeping the part of the smoke hole in the lee of the wind open to draw out smoke.
If some of the sides of the tipi are “up” and the wind direction is such that the smoke plume or flames are being deflected by the wind making the fire unmanageable, then extinguish the fire.
The fire should be made of 4 or 5 logs no more than 30cm long. New logs should only be added once 50% of the logs have burned down. The idea is to create a small fire as a focal point, not a blazing inferno.
The Fire Marshall should ensure that no one sits on the fireplace, or places anything combustible on its surrounds.
The fire must never be left burning when unattended or when those present are asleep or otherwise unable to monitor it. If the fire needs to be left it must be extinguished.