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Quality
& Safety
Introduction
GL events
Owen Brown provides a complete and professional service. We are fully
committed to the MUTA code of practice and we are fully conversant with
the demands of the current industry guidelines - Temporary Demountable
Structures Guidance on Design, Procurement and Use (March 1999). Copies
of this publication are available from The Institution of Structural
Engineers, 11 Upper Belgrave St, London SW1X 8BH. The Guide to Fire
Precautions in existing places of Entertainment (1997) and the Guide
to Safety at Sports Grounds (1997). We have provided below a synopsis
of the key considerations for anyone planning to use temporary structures.
Responsibility
Primary responsibility for the safety of persons attending an event
and of the users of temporary demountable structures lies with the event
organiser. He should therefore ensure that a competent contractor is
employed to design, supply and erect the structure. Once the structure
has been erected, a competent person who may be an employee of the supplier
of the structure or a person nominated by him must carry out an independent
erection check. Where a number of the erection team carries out the
check, evidence of competence should be made available.
Definition
Large marquees are defined as pole marquees with a span greater than
12m (40ft) or frame with a span greater than 9m. Large marquees should
be designed to remain stable for the design wind load specified by CP3:Chapter
V:Part 2: 1972 (manufactures before Aug 1995) or BS6399:Part "
1995 or 199 (manufacture after June 1997)
The safety points above are examples only. GL events Owen Brown is a member of MUTA and conforms with its code of practice which is enforced through
its inspectorate. MUTA's self regulatory status is recognised in the
Institute of Structural Engineers Guidelines - Temporary Demountable
Structures.
Minimisations of Risk
All temporary structures must be of sound material and good construction,
i.e. properly put together and properly founded and supported. By selecting
a reputable supplier, risks associated with poor practice, non-compliance
with documentation, overloading, power or equipment failure can be minimised.
Contingency plans can be prepared to deal with unexpected hazards, e.g.
vehicle impact, extreme weather conditions, fire or explosion.
Safety Guidelines
Practice
(1) To ensure safety in wind, having chosen the site, select a suitable
marquee and manage the risks whilst it is in service.
(2) Supply your chosen contractor with detailed plans/instructions
(3)
Fire safety order 2005.
(4) Tents holding more than 50 persons should have at least two exits.
(5) Maximum distance of travel to an exit from any point should not
exceed 24m. In structures over 50m consultation will be required with
the local licensing authorities.
(6) All doors should open outwards and, where they have to be secured,
they should be fitted with panic bolts or latches to BS5725.
(7) All fabrics should be flame retardant and certified as conforming
to test 2 of BS5438 or Annex A of BS7 837
(8) Sufficient anchors are required to resist uplift forces. These
may be ground anchors, ballast or weights. Regular checks should be
made for ground movement.
(9) Where scaffold structures are used they should comply with BS5973
and BS5975.
(10) Avoid last minute changes to plans
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