Dear Exhibitors,
Restriction on Raw Space Stand Height, Hanging Structure & Exhibitions Safety Policy
As a responsible Fair Organiser, Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) advocates stringent occupational health and safety standards during the stand construction and dismantling periods. This is a cause generally accepted by the players within the exhibition industry world-wide, including the venue operators, fair organisers, contractors and exhibitors alike.
At the HKTDC fairs, we notice that the complexity and number of raw space stands are getting higher and higher. There is also a trend to build taller and taller stands, without realizing the latent threat to occupational health and safety. We believe that there is a genuine needs to regulate the raw space stand height limit now before the situation gets worse. In fact, many reputable fair organisers in Hong Kong have already regulated the raw space stand height, ranging from 5.5m to as low as 3.5m
After careful deliberation, we decide that the maximum stand height (inclusive of lighting trusses for lighting purpose) should be 5.5m, tall enough to build a double-deck stand and yet not too tall to compromise the occupational health and safety standards. This height restriction will be universally applied to all raw space stands (other than those reused stands with same design of 2007) at HKTDC fairs starting April 2008. The detailed arrangements are as follows:
- Starting April 2008, all new raw space designs (inclusive of lighting trusses) shall not exceed the height of 5.5m.(note: any stand structures directly below the smoke curtain shall not exceed 2.5m at HKCEC phase 1 and 3m at HKCEC phase 2.
- New raw space designs are defined literally, i.e. all raw space stands are regarded as new except those reused stands with same design of 2007.
- Reused stands have to be the same design as approved by HKTDC in 2007. No modifications can be made; otherwise, the revised stands will be regarded as new and be subject to the height restriction of 5.5m.
- All structures built from ground must be able to stand alone without the absolute use of hanging points.
- Hanging structures, except lighting trusses, are not allowed.
- All lighting trusses shall be for lighting purpose, with maximum height of 1m.
- By 2010, all stands will be subject to the height restriction of 5.5m
We believe that you and your appointed contractor(s) will support us in this initiative in creating a safer working environment. To ensure a full compliance on the above rules, we will penalize offenders by refusing their participation in our future fairs, and forfeiting totally the site work deposits lodged with us.
Thank you for your kind understanding and cooperation in advance.
Hong Kong Trade Development Council
