Properties of aluminum stage barrier
The role of aluminum stage barrier
Properties of aluminum stage barrier
Aluminum stage barrier
Aluminum stage barriers have many uses and are now important equipment for event organizers. Although called "stage" barriers, they can be used in places where high crowd density is expected, such as licensed bars in outdoor events.
The aluminum stage barrier is designed around the basic "A" frame to bear the weight, so it is usually used in places where there is a risk of crowd pressure.
Design features of aluminum stage barrier
Most aluminum stage barriers:
Made of steel or aluminum, preferably all welded. Parts should not be riveted, and soft materials such as wood should not be used
There are separate parts about 1200 mm high and 1 meter wide
There is a pedal on which spectators can stand to stabilize the system
There is a top, horizontal rail, which should be smooth, round and flush with the front vertical panel (viewer side)
There should be steps at the back (on the side of the stage) that the staff can use, such as providing water to the audience or pulling people out of obstacles
In order to fully function, the stage barrier must be established in accordance with the correct procedures. Its strength depends on its weakest link, so once the system is built, the connection methods should be in place, namely location, pins, bolts, etc.
The appearance of aluminum stage barrier
Smooth lines
No rust or disfigurement
Fix all rivets in place, do not rotate
The weld seam is smooth, no fracture
Stable and correctly install all bolts or fixtures to prevent movement and possible finger/toe jamming
There is no access door in the pressurized part
Aluminum stage barrier shape
In addition to the overall strength and stability of the barrier, organizers also need to consider its shape. Obstacles are designed to maintain and resist the pressure of the audience, so it is important to ensure that the position and shape of the obstacle does not cause the "pocket" people are trapped in, or the pressure generated by their movement. Cannot disperse the crowd safely.
You should set up barriers for escape routes on the left and right sides of the stage so that people can leave safely. If the site space is limited, straight-line obstacles are suitable.
However, for large venues, especially outdoor venues, a convex barrier extending into the audience may be preferable. In this case, the barrier should be composed of short, straight sections installed at an angle to each other to form a curve in the main performance area, extending to the end of the side stage.
A curved barrier can provide other benefits:
The dispersed audience rushed from the center of the stage
Assist in escape
Provide a wider front line of sight
Improve the safety of the performers by placing a greater distance between the stage and the barrier in front of the stage, making it difficult for the audience to reach the stage
Provide a wider "pit" area in which administrators and first responders can operate-the design of this area should help the work of administrators, first responders and paramedics
Obstacles around thrust
The thrust is part of the stage, which is projected from the main body of the stage to the audience. Where the thrust extends to the audience, a barrier that meets the stage design standards and load factor is provided.
It is recommended to construct thrust in a way that does not create bad sight lines. Ensure that this type of stage design does not result in concave traps that the audience cannot escape.
Due to the less traditional venue layout with round stage, B stage and other satellite performance spaces, it is important to design a barrier system to avoid enclosing people and forming trap points.
Stage sidebar or fence
Building a high stage fence to form a visual barrier will ensure that the important exits on the left and right sides of the stage remain unblocked and can be used in emergency situations. Always provide this kind of fence for standing spectators.
Additional barrier arrangement
In large-scale outdoor activities, there may be additional barrier arrangements to reduce the possibility of crowd collapse. This can take the form of a finger barrier, extending into the audience, or a multi-barrier arrangement.
Finger disorders
If a finger barrier is used, it needs to be carefully designed to avoid trap points. The barrier should be able to withstand the same crowd load as the barrier in front of the stage, and allow the caretaker and first responders to reach the audience along its length.
Multiple barrier arrangement
For large-scale events, multiple barrier systems (ie double or triple barriers in front of the stage) can be used. If such a system is proposed, you should negotiate escape arrangements with local and firefighting authorities.
Multi-barrier systems are not suitable for all venues; for example, a controlled side escape may be difficult to incorporate into some venues. Enclosing the audience in a flat, open area by means other than the arrangements described in the following paragraphs is not safe and may cause difficulties in evacuation.
In the case of a double or triple barrier arrangement, the barrier should form a convex curve in the audience and escape from both ends. Providing a corridor or area behind each curved obstacle will give administrators and first responders ample opportunity to reach the audience along the length of the obstacle. The barrier used for this purpose should meet the minimum load required.
When the audience is very enthusiastic, it is possible that many of the problems that are usually encountered on the barrier in front of the stage will also be encountered on the barrier furthest from the stage. Therefore, you must provide a sufficient number of emergency personnel and administrators. However, due to wider sight line potential (75% in some cases) and increased distance from the stage, the incidence of audience influx and squeezing may decrease.
Where the barrier in front of the stage ends, they are usually connected to another type of fence or barrier, continuing to the safe area in the background. Such joints need to be properly secured and have no sharp or protruding edges. Taking into account the blank or sturdy fence section where the stage view is still good, this helps prevent audiences from gathering at the end of the pressure barrier and the beginning of the less sturdy fence type.
It is worth remembering that once this type of barrier is in place, it is difficult to quickly reposition it.
The role of aluminum stage barrier
Do you know the guardrails in front of the festival waiting stage? They are aluminum stage barriers. They are very important.
I recently participated in some activities, both as a safety officer and as a customer. Every time I was shocked for different reasons, because there are so many factors in the safety of activities that the vast majority of the public does not even know. Some of these elements are inherent elements of security incidents, so that those of us involved in incident management and incident security rarely consider running incidents without them.
So I thought I would write a series of blog posts outlining some of these security elements and trying to explain why they are so important.
Let's start with the aluminum stage barrier.
Aluminum stage barriers are used in most concerts/events that need to separate the crowd from the stage. These are specially developed for the pre-stage area.
The use of normal aluminum stage barrierls in front of the stage proved (obviously, in hindsight) to be very unsafe when crowds flock to the stage. These barriers should only be used as guide barriers for delimiting areas and queuing systems. When the crowd puts pressure on the stage, the normal cow gate guardrail will overturn or separate, so there is a safety hazard in itself. When the pressure is not enough to tilt or separate them, people will be crushed and suffocated.
The aluminum stage barrier is specially developed for use in front of the stage and has many basic functions suitable for this purpose.
The most important of these is that they have a bottom plate, and the audience actually stands on the bottom plate, using their own weight as a balance to ensure that moving forward does not cause the obstacle line to tip over.
Secondly, on the stage side of the barrier is what we call the "police step", which allows safety and security personnel to step forward to facilitate the evacuation of spectators in distress at the barrier.
As you can see, the product has evolved to include many useful functions, which have been incorporated after years of use in festivals and events. They are now more than just a balanced barrier with police steps. They now include "porous" bottom plates to avoid the accumulation of spilled liquid, which in itself poses a danger, and the rolled-up top to make people lean more comfortably.
Therefore, for your safety:
If you are attending a concert with a large group of people, the area in front of the stage may be very busy, and you have not encountered a suitable aluminum stage barrier there, I suggest you find other places to enjoy the concert.
Pay attention to your concert audience, and may tell others that this may not be the best place for them.
For reference only. Even if there is a proper aluminum stage barrier in front of the stage, I suggest that people at least need to be high enough so that they can lean on obstacles. I also always advise young children and the elderly not to stay in obstacles or the first few rows. A smile and a suggestion are worthless.
Many people are not aware of the potential discomfort and potential danger in front of the stage.
Aluminum stage barrier helps greatly reduce this danger.