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Examples of temporary raised structures
Section 89 of the Civic Government (Scotland) Act 1982 aims to ensure that temporary raised structures are
safe for the public on and around them. Temporary raised structures are often used at sports, musical, and
corporate events. Examples include:
• temporary grandstands providing seating or standing at golf, bowling, circus, pop concerts, hall staging,
or
boxing events,
• stages at concerts,
• video screens and media platforms for cameramen, and
• tent or marquee structures not in direct contact with the ground.
Any permission granted in respect of this application does not exempt the applicant from obtaining
any other
required statutory permissions, for example Town and Country Planning.
Timing of application and surcharge
The application must be submitted as far in advance of the event as is possible and no less than 14 working
d
ays prior to small scale events. Longer lead in time will be required for medium and large scal
e
a
pplications. Any application submitted less than 14 working days prior to the event will incur a surcharg
e
f
ee equal to the total fee paid for express processing and it is important to note that we do not guarantee
that such a late application will be processed in time.
Documentation accompanying an application
The documentation accompanying an application should enable the basis of the design to be clearly
understood and the design criteria to be verified. In general, the design should comply with the relevant
sections of the Building Standards (Scotland) Regulations 2004 and the Guide to Safety at Sports Ground
a) Structural requirements:
1) The documentation should include structural drawings, certificates, statements of loading and
specifications including the maximum wind speed that the temporary structure is designed to withstand.
2) The plans must specify the nature of the ground on which the structure is to be sited, how loading is to
b
e spread and, where appropriate, the bearing capacity of the surface.
3) The plans must be accompanied by a specification to show sizes and types of all materials used in the
structure.
4) The plans must be accompanied by structural certification (see form Design certificate for the erection
of a temporary raised structure) relating to the strength and stability of the structure
.
5) I
n the case of a proprietary system, manufacturer’s literature/details of the platform/staging is to be
submitted. Where the structure is a special or non-standard system, evidence should be provided that an
independent design check has been carried out by a Chartered Engineer having appropriate skill a
nd
ex
perience.
6) To demonstrate contingency planning will be in place prior to the event, evidence must be provided to
c
onfirm a wind management plan will be in place to safely respond to the eventuality of wind speeds
approaching design limits set out in appropriate codes.
b) General requirements:
A block plan, to a scale of not less than 1:200, showing or noting (where appropriate) the:
1) proposed use of the raised structure(s).
2) dimensions and location of the area to be occupied by the raised structure(s).
3) number of persons the structure(s) are designed to accommodate.
4) type of seating i.e. fixed or tip up.
5) rows of seating and spacing between the seating - the number of seats in each row should be noted.
6) means of escape to be shown, including location and width of all access/escape gangways and passages.
7) construction and height of all balustrades and handrails.
8) front of stage barrier provision (in the case of a music event).
9) rise and going of all stairs.
10) specification for surface finishes to gangway and access/exit paths.
11) position and width of any adjacent roads and/or buildings.
12) details of the rigging utilised for the lighting, PA system etc
.
13) number and position of wheelchair spaces -
access and means of escape provision to them should also be
noted.
14) access provisions for people with disabilities/special needs.
15) details of how unauthorised entry is to be permitted to the underside of the structure(s).
