Dot the I’s and cross the T’s as we find out about the ins and outs of the legal and safety requirements surrounding using marquees or temporary structures for an event.
While temporary structures allow you to create the exact space you need for your event, customisability does give way to a number of logistical and legal concerns to be considered. Here are some to consider.
Planning permission
For most events you won’t need to acquire planning permission to erect a marquee or any other kind of structure. However, there are some exceptions. If the structure you’re planning to use is more than 100 metres squared or more than 25% of the total floor area of your site, planning permission is required. You will also need to get planning permission if you plan to keep the structure around for longer than 28 days, so if you’re putting on a longer exhibition or festival, don’t get caught out! The last thing you want is to get slapped with an Enforcement Notice.
Listed venues
If you’re hoping to erect a marquee on the grounds of a listed building, this is only permitted for 120 days within a year, subject to prior approval by the local council. While this won’t make much difference to most events, for event profs putting out a recurring or seasonal event, it’s something to consider.
Fire safety
All structures are required to be in compliance with the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, meaning there are some spacing and safety requirements you have to follow. Primarily, all marquees must have a minimum of two exits which must be evenly spaced throughout the area, and the distance from any point in the space to the nearest exit shouldn’t be more than 18 metres. Escape routes should be designed to avoid trip hazards or uneven surfaces, and all fire exits should be marked using quick- release wall flaps. There’s also a requirement that a responsible person ensure there is safe access, which is where professional temporary structure providers can really come in handy.
Spacing
If your space will contain seating, this must be arranged so that people can easily access the exits. There should be at least 30 cm between rows of seats, and no more than seven seats between a seat and a gangway. Aisles and walkthroughs must be at least 1.05 metres wide for any marquee accommodating up to 160 people, 1.65 metres for up to 240 people, and 1.95 metres for up to 320. As for the placement of any temporary structure: at least six metres must be clear all around. Sadly, you can’t attach a tent or marquee to a building, but you can use a covered walkway between the two, provided it ends at least one metre away from the building.
Here at H&E North we work with many capable and knowledgeable temporary structure providers who are able to wade through the red tape for you and suggest the best solutions for your event. Read on!