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How to heat your marquee
During Spring and summer months heating is generally only required to take the chill off later in the evening. During autumn and especially winter you should heat the marquee for a reasonable time before guests arrive to ensure a successful event.
Do:
- Use a heater with a powerful fan (Indirect Heaters are best)
- Test the heating several days before the event (at the same time of day) to make sure it works and is sufficient for the space
- In the winter have the heating on for at least an hour before people arrive. On arrival guests should walk in to a wall of warmth, if they walk in to a cold marquee they will not warm up for the whole function
- Aim your heaters ducting towards the entrance, think of a high street shop - they have a heater above the door to ensure the temperature inside stays at a constant level
- Fit carbon monoxide testers (one for every heater)
Don't:
- Use a halogen heater, cabinet heater or any other kind of infra-red heater without a fan. They are not powerful enough for larger marquees
- Have anything close to or touching a heater (sounds obvious but still worth mentioning)
LPG Blower/Space Heaters (photograph c/o HSS Hire)
Blower or Space heaters require gas bottles and will heat large areas very quickly. They can be purchased or hired for very reasonable prices.
Although tempting to use due to their low price we do not recommend using space heaters because:
- space heaters are designed to be used in well ventilated areas. In (good quality) marquees that are sealed against drafts there is a risk or 're-burning' air which can lead to carbon monoxide being produced
- there is a naked flame inside with only a grill protecting it, we do not view this as safe for small children
Ducted Heaters (photograph c/o HSS Hire)
Ducted heaters also require gas bottles and sit outside the marquee with the warm air ducted in to the side of the marquee. These heaters generally include thermostats for ease of use, simply set the desired temperature and the heater will maintain the temperature in the marquee.
Ducted heaters can be prohibitively expensive to buy so hiring is usually recommended.
Indirect Heaters (photograph c/o HSS Hire)
Indirect heaters are the most effective at heating up large spaces quickly and for a sustained period of time. Usually powered by oil/diesel and are similar to ducted heaters in that they sit outside the marquee and the warm air is ducted in to the side of the marquee.
Indirect heaters can be expensive to hire so if you are planning to use the heater more than three times it is reccomended to buy one.
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The best way to heat a marquee is using an indirect marquee heater, this is the heater nearly all marquee hire companies use.
All ignition is done outside of the marquee with ducting feeding (just) warm air in to the marquee. All controlled on a thermostat for complete control simply set the thermostat at the desired temperature and the heater will keep kicking in to maintain the same temperature throughout the event.
All connections, extensions and RCD's should usually be 16A / 240V Blue 3 pole plugs rated to IP44 and fully PAT tested.
HO7 RN-F Black Rubber Cable is suitable for use at temperatures between -30 to +60 degrees C. This is a professional grade rubber cable often used for stage, outdoor events, workshops, underwater pumps, and harsh industial locations.
We are always happy to offer more customised advice for your event, please contact us giving a few details of the event you are planning (type of event, space available, number of guests and diagrams/photographs of the site if possible) and we will be more than happy to advise on your options.
If you would like to use or quote any part of this article please contact us for permission or licencing.
Marquee heaters for sale
Medium marquee heating package
