The Standing Committee on Structural Safety (SCOSS) has warned that stages may not always be built strongly enough to cope with all the heavy lighting equipment. Even if they are, draping banners across structures can increase wind loadings to an unexpected degree and risk catastrophic collapse.
SCOSS, part of the Institution of Structural Engineers, warns: “Contractors should be able to demonstrate to the complete satisfaction of the client, or the client’s engineers, that the proposed structure has been specifically designed to accommodate all vertical loads, including self weight, lights, and sound equipment and snow (if applicable).”
The warning was prompted by recent collapses of temporary stage structures in the USA and Europe during entertainment events, resulting in numerous fatalities and injuries. SCOSS says: “Reasons why the failures have taken place have not yet been published, although initially wind has been reported as a contributory cause. The temporary structures which have been involved in these collapses appear to be similar to those which may be used in the UK.”
The engineers also warn: “There is a lack of consistency amongst local authorities and some will not comment on temporary structures as they believe that the assessment of risk is the responsibility of the event organiser.”
The safety alert, which is available in full online here, provides best practice guidance for event promoters, contractors and local authorities.
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