SAFETY

We discover a lot of misunderstand and non-compliance around outdoor portable marquee/tent structures.

This safety note shows how to 'make safe'.

All portable marquee/tent structures are at high risk of becoming airborne and striking students or staff unless PROPERLY weighted. INCORRECT WEIGHTING produces greater risk, as combined mass is greater.

An event environment is high risk due to density of cohort.

Portable marquee/tent structures MUST be weighted as soon as they are erected, so a weight system must be in place PRIOR. Which is the greater danger? An unsecured structure, or a structure with inadequate ballast/weight? Answer: The latter, with inadequate weights could kill people.

A 6m x 3m portable marquee/tent structure requires 310kg of weight according to guidelines from The Hire and Rental Association. These are commonly used by events professionals.

The simplest solution is to deploy 4 x 120 litre green ‘Otto’ bins on wheels. Filled with water, each bin weighs 124kg for a total of 496kg – 1.5 times the recommended.

FITTING INSTRUCTIONS

Use a 350-kg rated ratchet strap in good condition. Thread the eyelets of both ends through the top two rails at a corner. Wind the strap twice around the leg, then through the bin handle. Note the bin handle is NOT the final securing position.

Pass the strap through the steel axle at the bottom of the bin.

Ratchet the line taught.

Cable tie the ratchet shut to avoid tampering.

Fill the bin to the top.

Secure the bin bid with a screw so it can only open sufficient for a 

hose and for emptying.

The final marquee, secured, is pictured.