How to Heat a Tent Safely:
The Ultimate Guide for Cold-Weather Events

As winter approaches, many event planners face the challenge of keeping tented venues warm and comfortable for guests. Winter tent heating requires thoughtful planning—checking guy lines and anchors, avoiding wind whip, and installing walls and climate controls—to ensure a cozy, safe environment. In this guide, we’ll cover essential tent heating tips, debunk myths about fire safety in tents, and share safe heating alternatives for cold-weather tent events.

Myth #1: “My Tent Has a Flame Certificate—It Can’t Burn!”

Flame certificates often create a false sense of security. A flame certificate ensures the tent fabric is flame-retardant, meaning it’s designed to resist catching fire quickly, but it is not fireproof. Flame-retardant fabrics are treated to prevent rapid spread if ignited, but prolonged exposure to high heat or direct flames will still cause them to burn. Until we have economically viable, non-flammable tents, it’s crucial to follow safe heating practices without relying solely on flame certification.

Watch our fire certification explanation video here for more details.

Myth #2: “I’ve Camped with a Fire in My Tent—It’s Safe.”

Winter camping often involves controlled fire use in tents designed for it, but large-scale tent events have different considerations. Hosting an event means monitoring many guests, making it difficult to ensure everyone follows safe practices around an open flame. Moreover, using fire inside a tent for events can void your warranty, adding a financial risk to the safety hazard.

Myth #3: “I’ve Never Had an Issue with Fires in Tents.”

Past success with fire use in tents doesn’t guarantee future safety. Just as wearing a seatbelt is standard practice on the road, following safe heating methods should be standard for tented events. Fires in tents can lead to accidents and even void warranties. Avoid open flames to prevent the risk of fire spreading to the tent fabric, anchors, or surrounding event materials.

Safe Heating Alternatives for Tent Events

Luckily, there are many safe and effective ways to heat tents for events in cold weather. Here are some recommended options:

1. Wall Panels and Insulation
   Tents can retain heat more effectively by using insulated wall panels, which reduce drafts and help keep the interior warm. Double-layered or insulated panels provide extra warmth without the risk of open flames.
   
   
2. Electric Heaters and Forced Air Heaters
   Electric heaters, especially those with adjustable thermostats, offer safe, controlled heating for tents. Forced air heaters can distribute warmth evenly and are easy to duct into specific areas. Remember to use heaters that are rated for outdoor or tented use.
   
   
3. Ducting Systems for Consistent Heat Distribution
   Ducting systems connect heaters outside the tent to ductwork that channels warm air inside. This setup minimizes direct heat sources within the tent, reducing fire risks.
   
   
4. Infrared Heaters for Targeted Warmth
   Infrared heaters warm surfaces rather than air, making them efficient for targeted heating without causing drafts. These heaters are usually portable and can be placed in areas with high guest activity for added comfort.