TENT QUALITY/GRADING GUIDE
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Tents
and sidewalls are graded from a scale of A to C. The most commonly used
commercial grade is B or C, with A, BA or B used in higher end events. Cost increases as you increase from C to A, because
the canvas is newer and |
and
additional preparation and handling is needed. BA and A grade tents are limited availability
and size. The interior of any tent
can be upgraded to A by the installation of a linen tent liner. This
will add $0.75-$1.00 a SF to the cost of the tent depending upon type of
liner.
Tents and sidewalls are priced as
standard "B"
quality. "BA" ("B+") rating is often also available at
about a 25% upcharge. |
LINEN TENT LINER |
Do not expect a "select" grade A tent if a B or C grade is rented. "A"
and "A SELECT" grade tents are almost new, have limited availability and
are 35-75% more expensive than B grade. As grade decreases, tears, punctures, seam
separation and stains may occur and in grade B or above, will be
repaired with tent vinyl seam tape as they found or reported. "A
SELECT" quality (highest formal grade)
tents will have few imperfections but must be specified on the Event
Order by line item and requires the "SELECT SERVICE" option is included
and its additional costs paid.
---Tent
sections come in sunblock and sunlit vinyl. This allows light into the
insides of the tent, while limiting excessive heat. Sunblock and sunlit
vinyl differences is generally not visible in the evening or at night.
Sunlit vinyl will look lighter and more translucent than sunblock in
sunlight. This is not a defect.
The USER
must always review inventory before being loaded at the warehouse to
assure the quality they desire has been ordered. After loading the
quality can not be changed. UNLESS SELECT SERVICE IS INCLUDED ONSITE
REPAIR AND CLEANING WILL OFTEN BE REQUIRED. Tents often come from one
event location immediately to another without the 15-days required to
separately clean and dry sections. EXPECT SPOTS, STAINS,
PARTICLES, OFF ODORS AND TEARS AS EQUIPMENT IS DELIVERED TO SITE. All of
these are handled by the installation crew before the scheduled turnover
time of your equipment. Our crews have installed thousands of tents and
know what to expect. But, you also must know what to expect.
Event
Orders confirmed on a "BEST EFFORTS" basis (tents, tent types,
sidewalls, window walls, or clear walls) depend upon inventory and may
be grade C or above. BEST
EFFORTS events have no quality or availability guarantee unless SELECT
SERVICE is included and its additional costs are paid.
---Tent use is subject to the
Standard Operating Policy
[POLICY-SOP], Tent Quality
Standards and Wind Ratings. These may change from time to time and
POLICY-SOP dominates over any other information or publication.
---UPTIME. Tents, tent lighting, tent
HVAC, tent flooring and all tent accessories and contents have a 90%
uptime warranty except for weather related issue, human related issues
and acts of God which have no warranty. Downtime is necessary for
maintenance and repairs from use and may occur at any time. There is no
adjustment for the 10% downtime.
---Disputes concerning the grade of a
tent used may be resolved in USER’s favor if photographic evidence
supports the claim and the excessive percentage of defect. In any such
instance, the resolution shall be the lowering of the paid tent grade by
one level and the issuing to USER of an ECREDIT for the difference. A
cash refund of the difference shall not be available unless the grade
change was required due to known inventory unavailability.
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A
SELECT |
"A SELECT" grade is
the top of the
line or "near new" quality which means the tent is bright,
crisp, clean and free of spots or stains. Few pinholes, tears or
discolorations, all repaired when found. Under 2% of the surface
(inner and outer)
will have noticeable discoloration or defect.* Generally a top
with under 5 uses. A 50-75% upcharge is incurred. "A SELECT"
grade tents may have small leaks around edges and seams. "A
SELECT" grade items are limited availability. |
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A |
"A" grade tents are nearly new
quality which means the tent will have few spots or stains. Few
pinholes, tears or discolorations, all repaired when found.
Under 3% of the surface (inner and outer) will have
noticeable discoloration or defect.* Generally a top with under
10 uses. A 40-50% upcharge is incurred. "A" grade tents may have
small leaks around edges and seams. "A SELECT" grade items are
limited availability. |
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LINER |
The interior of almost any
tent can be upgraded to "A" using a linen tent liner. Standard
liners, fly liners and swag liners are available. These add
$0.75 to $1.00 a square foot to the cost of a tent but
significantly increase the formal appearance. Because grade "A"
and "BA" tents are limited availability, if you want a truly
formal tent, a liner is often the best means of obtaining it. |
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BA |
"BA" (or "B+") tents are of nice
quality, still bright and clean but may have cleanly patched
repairs from previous use damage. Minor spots, holes or scuffing
that are sealed. Under 4% of the surface (inner and
outer) will have
noticeable discoloration or defect.*
Typically used in weddings. A 25% upcharge is incurred if
available. "B" grade tents may have small leaks around
edges and seams. |
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BB |
"BB" (or "B") tents
are commercial
grade, nice but with some
color fading and minor scuffing, stains, and repairs may be
present. Some "pole burn" may be seen, dark marking where metal
has touched the tent vinyl. This does not impact the
functionality, but does leave a dark mark. Pin-holes are mostly sealed with filler, repairs with some
permanent and a few patches. Up to 10% of the
surface (inner and outer) will have noticeable discoloration or defect.*
"BB" grade tents may have leaks around edges and seams
that the USER will need to avoid or contain. Typically used for
basic weddings, events, business and tent
sales. Keep in mind most "defects" can not even be seen
in evening light or at night, when most tent receptions occur.
Do not be overly concerned about flaws your guests will not see
unless perfection is your goal and cost no object. |
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BC |
"BC" is similar to
"BB" grade but typically a bit older with some additional
discolorations or spots. May have a number of pin-holes
and repairs, some with temporary patching. "BC" grade
tents may have leaks around edges and seams
that the USER will need to avoid or contain. Typically used for
storage, workspace, festivals and tent sales where appearance is
less of a consideration. |
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C |
"C" is festival grade. These
tents are structurally sound but will be faded or have
discolorations or spots on them. May have a number of pin-holes
and repairs, some with temporary patching. These tents are most
commonly used for fairs, animal or equipment storage, auctions
or weather protection when appearance is not a consideration. A
10% savings is deducted. |
*DEFECTS may be faded, discolored,
dirty, stained, or spotted areas and includes tears, rips,
pin-holes, patches, repairs and any other factor that makes a tent
not new in quality. Locations where poles, pipes or fittings touch
tent tops and sidewalls may be discolored or show a darkened streak.
This is standard and is usually covered when in use by the pole,
pipe or fitting involved and such markings are not DEFECTS and do
not count towards discoloration or defect percentages.
The recommendations, requirements, terms or conditions given in this
document apply to any use of AEG equipment, rentals or services and are
part of POLICY-SOP. These
requirements are in addition to and not exclusive of other terms,
conditions and policies in the AGREEMENT. AEG is the "PROVIDER"; the
equipment renter or services user is the "USER". The definition of words
herein is as given in
POLICY-DEFINITIONS. |