Grandstands and Bleachers: Regulations in France (ERP and Outdoor)

Grandstand Standards: Categories

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Mobile or modular structures such as bleachers are divided into 3 categories. In terms of framework and flooring, the elements must be able to support a vertical load of 5 kN/m. In terms of horizontal operating loads (dynamic), the resistance must be 6%.

The standards for bleachers and grandstands in ERP and outdoor areas with seating (clearance, passage)

The regulations for bleachers and grandstands with seatings require adhering to minimum distances between 2 clearances:

Outdoor: 

• 20 meters between 2 clearances 
• 10 meters between a clearance and a wall or a guardrail 
• 1 passage unit per 150 persons

Indoor: 

• 10 meters between 2 clearances 
• 5 meters between a clearance and a wall or a guardrail 
• 1 passage unit per 100 persons

Passage Units (UP) to comply with: 

The widths of bleacher exits, platforms, and vomitories must comprise 2 to 8 passage units (UP). However, the passage width of a clearance allows for a negative tolerance of 5%. Finally, in the case of a capacity of 20 persons or more, the demountable stand must have at least 2 clearances.

Standards for vomitories, circulation beneath stands, and beneath demountable assemblies

Vomitories: Standards 

The width of stadium vomitories is calculated taking into account the cumulative widths of the clearances allocated to them.

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Clearances beneath demountable stands 

Regulations regarding clearances beneath demountable grandstands allow them under 3 conditions:

• In the presence of nets, coverings, or lateral fences.
• If the risk of object falls on these pathways is prevented by the structure’s design or the addition of suitable devices.
• If the free height is equal to or greater than 2 meters.

Regulation on the underside of demountable assemblies 

Areas beneath demountable assemblies must be inaccessible to the public. They cannot accommodate items with heat potential, except for technical equipment necessary for operation.

Fall Protection Devices: Guardrails 

Guardrails are mandatory on a demountable grandstand when there is a separation of one meter or more between the floor and the impact zone below. For the first row, however, the guardrail becomes mandatory from 50 cm onwards. 

Below these limits, a fall protection or warning device is required from a height difference of 25 cm. However, a guardrail is not required for a stage or stairs leading to it.

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When the guardrail of a demountable stand is mandatory, its height must be at least 1 m. Its resistance must comply with the regulations of Article 10, which stipulates that every stand guardrail must be able to withstand a horizontal load of 1.7 kN/m. 

The legal height of the safety barrier may, however, need to be higher than 1 m if one of the following provisions applies: 

• At the back of a stand, if the distance between the seat and the rear guardrail is less than 30 cm, the height of the guardrail is measured from the seat. And it must be at least 1.1 m. 
• At the back of a stand, if the distance between the seat and the rear guardrail is equal to or greater than 30 cm, the height of the barrier is measured from the last floor.

Standards for Mobile Stands: Fire Reaction Requirements

The elements of a demountable stand must meet safety requirements in case of fire.

Fire reaction requirements for demountable grandstand floors:

• Floors inside buildings or outdoors: standard Cfl-s1 or M3
• Possible covering of the upper surface: standard Dfl-s1 or M4
• Framework of the floors: standard C-s3 or M3

Requirements concerning seats:

• Unpadded seats and structures of padded seats: standard D-s2, d0, or M3
• Padded seats: they must comply with the provisions of the decree of March 6, 2006
• Unpadded wooden seats or wood derivatives with a thickness less than 9 mm are prohibited

As a reminder, here is the French classification of fire class standards:

• M0: non-combustible material
• M1: non-flammable material
• M2: hardly flammable material
• M3: moderately flammable material
• M4: easily flammable material
• M5: highly flammable material

Other classifications mentioned, for example D-s2, are of European type. This EU classification refines the type of combustion, particularly in terms of debris and emitted smoke (opacity, emission rate).

Control, verification, and inspection of modular structures

The manufacturing, assembly, and use of a modular structure are subject to numerous checks and inspections to ensure their safety. The manufacturer, installer, and organizer are required, according to their prerogatives, to ensure that the demountable assembly is designed, installed, and maintained in compliance with the provisions of the decree of July 25, 2022. To this end, they carry out the necessary checks, verifications, and inspections.

Here is a summary table of the regulations and standards in this regard:

• AF : Manufacturer’s attestation 
• ABM : Attestation of proper assembly 
• CT : Technical controller approved by the ministry in charge of construction on sections A1 and D mentioned in Annex 1 of the decree of November 26, 2009 setting out the practical arrangements for access to the exercise of the activity of technical controller 
• OA : Accredited organization for the control of the design of demountable assemblies or for the verification of assembly and inspection in operation of demountable assemblies 
• TC : Competent technician, certificate issued by SYNPASE

The technical manual of a modular grandstand 

Manufacturers of demountable grandstands such as Alcor are required to provide a technical manual in French. It must mention:

1. All parts of the structure
2. The different possible configurations of the stand
3. The assembly process
4. The disassembly process 
5. All parts must be cold marked before galvanization or painting.

It must mention the following information:

• Manufacturer
• Type of material
• Reference to the standard
• Class
• Year and batch of manufacture