outdoor structures

[DonkiDonki]

I have been reading several threads on this and other forums regarding the unfortunate stage/structure collapses at various events around the world. In some cases the failure seems to be associated with weather conditions exceeding the structures limits.(whether the specified limits were reasonably adequate may be a separate matter)

 

I would be very curious to know if anyone who submits such structural designs has recently (or indeed, has always) been over-engineering their structures to offer much higher load & weather capacity (or enforcing reduced load capacity if structure cannot be improved) and if so, what has been the response from your customers?

 

Certainly if I was the organiser for an event needing such a structure, baring in mind the recent tragedies, I would be asking for far greater tolerances than normal, and expect to have to raise the budget in that area to match. (As always, there will be those who expect the improved tolerance but not at THEIR cost)

 

 

 

In my own experience as a technician, and occasionally as a lighting designer I always attempt to over-engineer; which is often an eye opener to the client ("but the last lot did it with half the stuff..."). The argument I use is not just to consider the direct results of a rigging failure with the equipment damage/personal injury and legal consequences directed to the individual/technical company but to consider brand damage, especially if it involves a large commercial organisation.

For example, if an event held by a major automotive manufacturer had a structural failure resulting in death (and therefore receiving media attention) the cost in brand damage would far outweigh the more tangible costs.

 

This seems to work as an example where the production company & end client are able to see our suggestions in a relevant manner rather than something that means little to them.

 

Has anyone noticed a change in attitude?

 

(I am posting this question on multiple forums as I am after as broad a response as possible.)

[MGLX]

Being a very small company in a very big world, and having my main trade as a Civil Engineer, every aspect of our/my work is over engineered. From ensuring additional capacity in generators, cabling, slings, truss right through to designing outdoor stages made from Truss, Scaffold etc. I have always given my clients options that I would be happy with, for example; We can build this size stage to house this lighting, sound, band, at this wind speed which is typical of August, for £@@@@ but there is a chance the wind speed could be higher and we would have to de rig no matter what, or we could design it for this wind speed and weather condition but it would cost you this much more.

 

It seems to work with the clients, knowing that they have a say in how much it could cost and thus when we rock up and can't build the stage, they understand why. We have even had a company who have asked us to go for the higher spec'ed stage 2 weeks before the event as the weather was turning for the worse.

 

I think what is important no matter what we do, it is all about being honest with our clients, and ensuring they fully understand their responsibilities, along with the limitations of the structures that are provided to them.