Snowdens Marquees: marquee and tent hire, and temporary storage

Quality & Safety

Introduction

Snowdens 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 Snowdens 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/Good Practice

To ensure safety in wind, having chosen the site, select a suitable marquee and manage the risks whilst it is in service.

Supply your chosen contractor with detailed plans/instructions

Familiarise yourself with regulations (e.g. licensing laws, Safety of Sports Grounds Act, Fire Precautions (workplace) Regulations 1997) where these apply.

Tents holding more than 50 persons should have at least two emergency exits and the minimum distance to travel from any part of the marquee to a fire exit should be not more than 24 meters.
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.

All doors should open outwards and, where they have to be secured, they should be fitted with panic bolts or latches to BS5725.

All fabrics should be flame retardant and certified as conforming to test 2 of BS5438 or Annex A of BS7 837

Sufficient anchors are required to resist uplift forces. These may be ground anchors, ballast or weights. Regular checks should be made for ground movement.

Where scaffold structures are used they should comply with BS5973 and BS5975.

Avoid last minute changes to plans.

A Reputation Built on Excellence

Links: Owen Brown : GL events : Eventia

quality and safety