If your stand exceeds 4 m in height it will be deemed as a complex stand. Check more information on complex stands below.

Inside the halls, the maximum stand height is 6m tall, you are permitted to have rigging in addition, however, the height of the stand + rigging should not exceed 8m tall. This is measured from the venue floor to the top of the banner / truss. 

Stands which meet any of the following will be deemed Complex, these require additional sign off by an independent certified engineer and payment of the Complex Stand Plan Submission Fee. 

• Stands with a height greater than 4 metres. 

• Double decker and multi-storey stands with two levels that people can access (Only Permitted on island stands and inside halls 1, 2, 3, and 4)

• Stages with a height equal to or higher than 500mm. Check more information in Platforms/Ramps. 

• Tiered Seating, lighting towers and rigs, suspended structures, marquees and tents, pedestrian and crowd barriers, inflatables, stands subject to external wind forces.

• Rigged banners: Bespoke metal/timber banner require supporting structural calculations (Lightweight aluminium/fabric style are not complex).

• Stands located outdoors—those in FIL Square or between halls 1&2 , 2&3 and 3&4—are exposed to external elements like wind and will be subject to inspection by a structural engineer and associated complex stand fees.

• All the above require supporting technical scale drawings, calculations including all dimensions, weight loads, heights, materials to be used etc. 

SBC reserves the right to deem a structure ‘complex’ where this has not correctly been determined by the designer. The venue/SBC may authorise the construction of a complex structure in accordance with the regulations established by the venue where the ceiling height and the hall structure allow it.

If using an independent contractor be sure to highlight the maximum loading capacity and plan ahead of the exhibition.

The regulations must be adhered to when designing and building a space only stand, please pass this information onto your contractor: 

• All mains electrical power works must be carried out by the official event contractor: 4foreverything. Please order power or electrical items via virtual shop. 

• No hot works and no cutting permitted onsite. 

• All stands are to be constructed so as to pose no danger to public safety and order.

• No part of the stand construction, including rotating signs, or any exhibits may protrude into the gangways or over neighbouring stands.

• All gangways at the show must be kept clear at all times

• Doors cannot not open onto gangways.

• Exhibits, furniture and other items belonging to your stand must not encroach beyond the boundary of your stand space. This is to ensure that escape routes are unobstructed in case of emergency evacuation.   

• Maximum capacity for enclosed rooms is 60 people with one door. Thereafter, a minimum of two doors are required, sited remotely from each other.

• All stand construction must be completely self-supporting and no fittings or painting may be made to any part of the venue structure. 

• All cladding of columns must be self-supporting and access must be made available to columns at all times

• All ground based constructions must be completely free standing. It is not permitted to have any ground based walling supported via the venues rigging points.

• Do not attach anything to the fabric of the building and take care when constructing your stand, as any damage caused by paint, stickers, nails, screws, etc, will be charged to you.

• Platforms must be of a strength and stability sufficient to carry and distribute the weight of stand fittings and exhibits with regard to the loading limits of the venue floor.

• The maximum height of raised platforms is 100mm.

• Any platform over 40mm will require to have a ramp incorporated with a minimum 900mm width.

• Any stage areas of 500mm and over will be deemed complex and will require structural calculations to be submitted. Area/platform of 500mm and over must have an access ramp within the booth area with a minimum width of 90cm.

• Stages under 500mm are not deemed complex but will be reviewed

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

• Any items left in the gangways after 8pm on Sunday 27th September, will be treated as waste and disposed of. Any items that need to be kept in the halls must be stored on your stand plot.

• All stand construction and displays must be made from fireproof materials and installed to the satisfaction of the authorities.

• Only fire resistant carpet, reference M3, can be utilised.

• On the roof inside the halls there is a metallic grid allowing the assembly of suspensions and the floor has duly equipped technical gutters.

• It is the responsibility of the stand owner to complete walling and not the neighbouring companies responsibility. 

• Dividing walls must be built between your stand and adjoining stands, extending to the boundaries of your stand. 

• Walls above 2.5m which overlook adjoining stands must be finished neatly to the satisfaction of the organiser, in a plain and neutral white/black colour with no advertising or branding, so that this does not impose on neighbouring stands.

• Open Side Walling. Any open side of a stand space must remain at least 50% unobstructed by solid walls or structures. This requirement ensures clear sightlines across the show floor and supports fair visibility for all exhibitors. Where a larger wall does not adversely impact neighbouring stands or overall visibility, concessions may be granted at SBC's discretion. 

• All Space Only stands must provide their own solid back wall and/or side wall if they want walling. Use of existing venue wall or neighbouring stand wall will not be permitted.

• Wall panels that face open gangways must be decorated with display graphics and not be left plain.

• No materials may be fixed to a neighbouring shell scheme stand.

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

• When installing open corners - of stand floors and platforms - these should be splayed, rounded and angled, if not protected by heavy exhibits, to avoid sharp corners and tripping hazards.

• Professional scale drawings showing all proposed constructional details must be submitted and approved prior to the build-up of the show.

• The use of EPT (Electric Pallet Trucks/Electric Stackers) is strictly prohibited anywhere at the venue. 

• A method statement, risk assessment and health and safety declaration must be submitted with your stand drawings. 

• Construction heights are subject to event rules and regulations.

• Exhibitors are responsible for any damage caused by the builders.

• You are responsible for the actions of any contractor you employ to work for you and will be held responsible for misconduct by them. Any damage caused by your contractors will be charged directly back to you.

• SBC reserves the right to cancel any stand construction if plans do not align with venue and/or exhibition regulations. New plans will need to be submitted and approved for construction to resume. 

For any questions please contact: sbcgaming@abraxys.com 

• Double deckers and multi-storey stands are only permitted inside the halls and on island stands.

• Sony square - Affiliate Leaders, FIL Square, Between Halls 1&2, 2&3 and 3&4 zones are not permitted double deckers due to height and floor loading restrictions.

• Assembly of stands that include the construction of a second floor must have detailed technical drawings and structural calculations. 

• This should include justification of the vertical and horizontal loading, primary framing members, access staircase, handrails, baseplates and overall stability.

• Construction drawing of the structural framing of the stand including the primary stability system, access staircase, handrails, baseplates.

Side Pillars

• Side pillars impose a 3 metre height restriction on the stand.

• Check the floor plan to see if your stand has pillars next or directly on top. If your stand is directly on top of one of the side pillars in the Halls, please let your stand builder know. It is important to avoid last minute design changes.

• Side Pillar Dimensions

• Photo

Central Pillars and Fire Extinguishers

• Stand building next to the central pillars is possible as long as the access to the fire extinguisher is always visible and accessible and the circulation corridors with 3m are also kept.

• All central Pillars have fire extinguishers directly next to them. 

• All fire extinguishers need to be accessible and visible during the build, live and breakdown of the event, in case of a fire emergency. 

• All stand plans adjacent to central pillars must indicate a clear area in front of the fire extinguisher. A minimum space of 700mm must be left unobstructed. Plans will be rejected if access to the fire extinguisher is blocked. 

• Central Pillar and Fire Extinguishers Dimensions

• Photo

The contents of this section act as a guide only and are not intended to be a complete statement of law or other regulations. 

SBC Events are committed to providing, maintaining and promoting the highest standards of Health, Safety & Welfare at all of our events. All exhibitors and contractors at the event are expected to ensure that they provide a safe place and system of work. Successful safety management requires the commitment, involvement and cooperation of all those on-site at an event.

Following Portuguese law everyone must follow the regulations imposed by Código do Trabalho (Portuguese Working Code). This Regulation contains the provisions by which the government regulates health and safety for workers, time regulation, contracts, labour regulations and employment conditions. 

All exhibitors and contractors working onsite during build and breakdown up are required to wear appropriate footwear and a high visibility vest. Please note that those who do not conform with these rules may be refused entry into the venue. Anyone not adhering to these guidelines will be asked to leave the exhibition. 

Your Health & Safety Obligations 

As an exhibitor, you have a legal duty of care for the safety of anyone who may be affected by your activities. You are ultimately responsible for all aspects of safety on your stand during the buildup, open period of the show and during the breakdown. Where you contract out the building and finishing of your stand you are still vicariously responsible for the activities of your contractors.

Machines and Tools Onsite 

The exhibitor shall equip the installations that must function during the event with the protective devices necessary for the work and accident prevention required by the technical regulations defined for the said installations. The work areas or parts of the machines that may generate a risk of entrapment, cutting, abrasion or projection must be marked with the appropriate warnings and danger signs and must be equipped with protective devices suitable for eliminating the risk. All machines or tools must be equipped with emergency stop devices that allow their operation to be stopped under safety conditions. It is entirely prohibited that the safety devices of the machines are stopped or disconnected to prevent the use thereof during the demonstrations.

The Construction Design Management Regulation

There are many risks associated with the construction and deconstruction of events, there are now enforced controls to ensure that all employees, contractors and visitors are provided with a healthy and safe working environment while onsite. 

• Everyone on site is responsible for preventing personal injury and damage to property, and to protect everyone from foreseeable work hazards at all locations.

• Co-operation and participation of all employees, exhibitors, contractors and subcontractors is essential to obtain high standards of safety practices.

The Health & Safety at Work Act 1974

This is the legislative foundation for all workplace Health & Safety Regulations. There are a number of areas of the Act which are of particular importance to the management of contract work:

• Provision and maintenance of safe plant and safe systems of work

• Safe handling, storage, maintenance and transport of work articles and substances

• Provision of information, instruction, training and supervision

• Provision of a safe place of work with safe access and egress

• A safe working environment with adequate welfare facilities

These must be maintained for exhibitors, contractors and employees of any company working within any premises hired by SBC Events.

The Act places a general duty on employers to ensure the health and safety of people who may be affected by work activities but who are not employees; this includes contractors, temporary workers and visitors on site. General duties of persons concerned with premises to persons other than their employees.

The Management of Health & Safety at Work Regulations 1999

These require additional action to be taken in order to ensure compliance. Namely:

• Requires suitable and sufficient risk assessments to be completed, all significant risks must be identified with suitable and sufficient control measures put in place.

• Appointment of competent persons in health and safety

• Establish and implement emergency procedures

• Co-operation and coordination in shared workplaces

• Provision and sharing of information

Working at Height

A person is considered to be working ‘at height’ if there is a possibility of being injured from falling, even if they are working at or below ground level.

The Working at Height Regulations refers to 'duty holders': employers, self-employed and employees. This includes all contractors and exhibitors (for example, when accessing areas above floor level to dress stands). 

Duty holders’ responsibilities are to ensure that:

• No work is done at height if it is safe and reasonably practicable to do it other than at height

• Ensure that the work is properly planned and organised, appropriately supervised and carried out in as safe a way as is reasonably practicable

• Plans are in place for emergencies and rescue

• A suitable and sufficient risk assessment is carried out and the significant findings recorded and acted upon

• They do all that is reasonably practicable to prevent anyone falling

• All work at height takes account of conditions that could endanger health and safety

• Those involved in work at height are trained and competent

• The place where work at height is done is safe

• Equipment for work at height is appropriately inspected

• The risks from fragile surfaces are properly controlled

• The risks from falling objects are properly controlled

Suitable pieces of equipment must be used for work at height. Hard hats must be worn at all times. A ladder of industrial quality must be used (domestic quality ladders are not permitted).