Space Only

All Space only stands must supply their own floor covering.

All carpet and carpet tape must be removed at the end of the show, and you must ensure your contractor is aware of this ruling. Please note that it is the exhibitors’ responsibility to ensure the carpet tape is removed at the end of the exhibition. Any charges for the removal of carpet tape left on the floor at the end of breakdown will be passed direct to exhibitors.

Other forms of fixing to the hall floor, such as cable clips, nails and bolts are strictly prohibited. Any charges for damage to the floor caused by these fixings, or by unsuitable carpet will be passed direct to exhibitors.

Exhibitors with adjoining blocks of stands will not be permitted to place their own carpet in the Gangways.

A complex structure is any form of construction of any height, which may require input from a structural engineer. It is the responsibility of the stand designer to determine whether the construction is complex or not.

Examples of Complex Structures:

• Any structure, regardless of its height, which requires structural calculations.

• Multi-story stands. Please note – any two-story structure needs to be sent to Essential Events & Messe Berlin no later than Monday 25th March 2024. Failure to submit will result in penalty surcharges from the Messe Berlin or permission may be denied.

• Any part of a stand or exhibit which exceeds 4m in height.

• Custom-built/bespoke suspended structures.

• Sound/lighting towers.

• Temporary tiered seating.

• Platforms and stages over 600mm in height and all platforms and stages for public use (not including stand floor flats and platforms).

If your stand design falls into any of the above categories, then it will require approval from Messe Berlin six weeks prior to construction. Please note there is a charge directly to the exhibitor and/or contractor for two-story stands. The cost is calculated dependent on the stand size (area). Documents received with less than 6 weeks to the official start of construction will have a surcharge. 

All space only stands require written approval to build.

In order to obtain approval for the stand construction, the following documents must be submitted with a full Risk Assessment and Method Statement.

Proof of structural stability for:

•    Platform, imposed load 3.0 KN/m² or 5.0 KN/m² - Decks, boards, infill also 
•    Staircase, imposed load 5.0 KN/m² - decks, planks, infill also
•    Parapets and balustrades, 1KN/m for a parapet height of 1.1m - for glass parapets see this additional information
•    Sections, layout plans, detailed plans
•    Signature of client and structural engineer

Form "Test for construction requiring official approval" must be completed and signed before submission.

Form "Load Distribution Measures - Timber Packing/Underpinning" must be completed and signed before submission. This applies to columns transferring more than 35kN into the hall floor:

For 2-storey structures > 30m² (including stairs), the ground floor must be provided with a sprinkler system. If the upper floor is enclosed, a sprinkler system must also be provided.

An additional fire extinguisher complying with DIN EN 3 for fire category ABC with at least 10 extinguishing units (LE) must be installed in the upper floor at the top of each stairway leading down from that floor, in a clearly visible and easily accessible location. 

All of the above can be found on the Venue Webshop (under permissions).
 

For enclosed stand areas exceeding 30 m² (with closed ceiling area) a temporary sprinkler system complying with the VdS standard must be installed.

Please contact the Messe Berlin to order.

The walking distance between any point within the stand area to an aisle in the hall must not exceed 20m.

Exhibition or stand areas with a floor area in excess of 100 m² must have at least two exits to escape and rescue routes.

These exits must be as far apart as possible and lead in opposite directions.

Doors and gates should be provided with a clear vision panel at sight level and must be hung to open in the direction of escape, clear of any steps, landings or gangways. Where necessary doors must be recessed so as not to open onto or obstruct the required width of any gangway or other escape route.

• If you intend to lay a platform before laying carpet, it must be of natural timber with a minimum thickness of 25mm nominal.

• Wood, chipboard or block board used for a floor must be a minimum thickness of 18mm.

• Platforms must be of a strength and stability to carry and distribute the weight of stand fitting, stand personnel and visitors and exhibits having regard to the loading limits of the floors.

• The general height of platforms should be 100mm. We advise that any platform should not exceed 170mm in height (one step) and consideration must be given to accessibility for people with disabilities.

• Platforms higher than 600mm are regarded as a complex structure and must be submitted with proof of structural integrity.

• Traps must be cut into platforms to provide access to the electricity and other service boxes in the building floor.

• Open corners of stand floors and platforms should be splayed, rounded or angled, if not protected by heavy exhibits, to avoid sharp corners and tripping hazards.

• Any raised platform on your stand should have a clearly outlined edge. The edge needs to be a contrast from the main floor covering so the edge can be clearly seen.

• Accessible walkways and other areas immediately adjacent to areas that are more than 0.20 m lower must be surrounded by parapets or balustrades. These shall be at least 1.10 m high.

• Balustrades and parapets on areas accessible to trade fair visitors must be equipped with a firm, non-slip handrail

• In order to prevent visitors from climbing over the balustrades and parapets, only unbroken infills or vertical bars.

• Spaced no more than 0.12 m apart in any one direction are permitted in such areas.

• As a minimum requirement, balustrades/parapets in areas with restricted visitor access must be equipped with a continuous, firm, non-slip handrail, as well as centre and lower braces.

• Verifiable proof of stability must be presented for platforms and the balustrades/parapets required for these.

• Depending on the intended use, the floor load must be designed to bear at least 3.0 kN/m2 in accordance with the Venue Technical Guidelines.

• Platforms that are accessible using a single step may not exceed a height of 0.20 m. Ladders, ramps, raised walkways and stairs must comply with the accident prevention regulations.

• The surface of any ramp should be imperforate and non-slip in texture. Any ramp must have minimum clear headroom of 2m throughout.

Please note – the cost of rigging is always increasing and we want to ensure that all exhibitors and contractors are aware of this. There are a number of ways to reduce the cost of rigging including (but not limited to), looking at the material used to create the piece, reducing the weight of the rig or looking at the positioning on the stand to eliminate the pre-rigging required.

GES are on hand to advise on your rigging within your stand and they liaise directly with the Messe Berlin to receive a quotation for you. Please contact [email protected] with your rigging plans to gain advise on this.

Lighting rigs, structural rigging and banners are permitted provided the uppermost point is within 6m from the venue floor and the lowest point is above 2.3m.

All rigging is subject to approval by the Organiser and must be contained within the confines of the stand and may not overhang any gangways or neighbouring stands.

Rigging may not be attached to built/stand structures or be used for structural support.

Banners should be rigged no higher than 6m and must sit 0.5m in from the edge of the stand and 0.5m in from any party walling.

Traffic Booking System

Exhibitors and suppliers can only enter the trade fair grounds for assembly and disassembly work after registering with the system and pre-booking a loading zone.

Loading zones can be booked via the following link: https://visifair-bookings.messe-berlin.de

The first step on this portal is to “Sign up” with the system. You can then to “Log in”. To book a loading zone, you must first register for the respective event in the “Upcoming events” menu. To do this, you need the Event code „UcvdX ”.

After registering for the respective event, you can book a time slot for the loading zone in the “Registered events” menu.

To ensure smooth traffic flows during assembly and dismantling, it is essential that you observe the entry regulations set out in the Traffic Guide.

Loading zones

• Vehicle access during assembly and disassembly procedures are only permitted if a loading zone has been booked in advance
• A fixed service fee of € 15.00is charged per hour

Questions on loading zone bookings:
T.: +49 30 3038 4334
E-mail: [email protected]

General traffic service hotline:
T.: +49 30 3038 4888

Please note further information and booking information will be sent to all exhibitors in March.