Approved Code of Practice - Big Tops
The Guild Of Tentmasters
The Guild Of TentMasters was formed in 1992 to formalise the standing of the time-honoured profession of TentMaster. In an increasingly complex and ‘high tech’ world, the TentMaster performs a task carried out since the dawn of history. With the advent of new regulations, working practices, and types of equipment, there is a real need for a cohesive approach to the acquisition of new knowledge. In addition to this, permanently installed fabric membranes are being used in ever greater quantities. The Guild is establishing verified qualifications for TentMasters.
Code of Practice – BigTops – draft 1
Erection of BigTop membrane structures. August 2025
Now with general principles and a generic erection method statement.
Introduction
This Code of Practice provides guidance for the safe installation of tents, big tops, stretch tents, and tipis in the United Kingdom. It is intended for use by event organizers, hirers, installers, and all those responsible for the health and safety of temporary structures. This document is a best-practice guide and not a substitute for legal advice. All work must comply with relevant UK legislation, including the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974.
General Principles
Code of Practice for Temporary Structures - Safety • Construction • Events
1.1 Competence: All personnel involved in the installation must be competent and appropriately trained for the specific type of structure they are working on. This includes an understanding of the manufacturer's instructions, risk assessments, and safe working practices.
1.2 Risk Assessment: A site-specific risk assessment must be completed before any work begins. This should identify potential hazards, such as ground conditions, overhead power lines, underground services, and weather conditions. The risk assessment should also consider the safety of the public and other site users.
1.3 Documentation: All relevant documentation must be available on site, including:
* A copy of this Code of Practice.
* The manufacturer's instructions for the structure.
* The site-specific risk assessment.
* A plan of the site, showing the location of the structure.
* Details of any temporary anchorage systems used.
2.0 Site Selection and Preparation
2.1 Site Suitability: The chosen site must be suitable for the structure. The ground must be level and stable, and free from obstructions. Consideration must be given to:
* Underground services: A cable avoidance tool (CAT) or similar device should be used to locate any buried services before stakes or anchors are driven.
* Overhead services: The structure must not be installed directly under or near overhead power lines. A safe working distance must be maintained.
* Access: The site must have suitable access for vehicles and equipment.
2.2 Ground Conditions: The ground must be capable of withstanding the loads imposed by the structure. If in doubt, a structural engineer should be consulted. If the ground is soft or unstable, alternative anchorage methods, such as water ballast or concrete blocks, must be used.
3.0 Installation
3.1 Supervision: The installation must be supervised by a competent person who has a thorough understanding of the manufacturer's instructions and the specific risks associated with the site.
3.2 Manual Handling: All manual handling operations must be risk-assessed and carried out in accordance with the Manual Handling Operations Regulations 1992. Mechanical aids should be used wherever possible.
3.3 Working at Height: All work at height must be carried out in accordance with the Work at Height Regulations 2005. This includes the use of a suitable and safe working platform, such as a scaffold tower or a mobile elevating work platform (MEWP).
3.4 Anchorage: All structures must be adequately anchored to resist wind loads. The anchorage system must be designed to withstand the maximum expected wind speeds for the location. This may include:
* Stakes: Stakes must be of a suitable length and diameter for the ground conditions. They must be driven in at an angle to the ground.
* Ballast: Water ballast or concrete blocks must be of sufficient weight to provide the required resistance.
3.5 Erection: The structure must be erected in a safe and controlled manner, following the manufacturer's instructions. Care must be taken to ensure that all ropes, tensioning systems, and structural components are correctly installed and secured.
4.0 Inspection and Maintenance
4.1 Pre-Installation Inspection: All components of the structure must be inspected before installation to ensure they are in good condition and free from damage.
4.2 Post-Installation Inspection: The structure must be inspected after installation to ensure it has been erected correctly and all safety checks have been completed. This should include a check of all anchorages, guy ropes, and tensioning systems.
4.3 During Use: The structure should be regularly inspected during its use, particularly after periods of high wind or adverse weather.
5.0 Dismantling
5.1 Supervision: The dismantling of the structure must be supervised by a competent person.
5.2 Method Statement: A method statement for the dismantling of the structure should be prepared in advance. This should identify potential hazards and outline the safe sequence of work.
5.3 Working at Height: All work at height during dismantling must be carried out in accordance with the Work at Height Regulations 2005.
5.4 Manual Handling: All manual handling operations must be carried out in accordance with the Manual Handling Operations Regulations 1992.
6.0 Emergency Procedures
6.1 Emergency Plan: A site-specific emergency plan must be in place. This should include procedures for:
* Severe weather: An evacuation plan for the structure in the event of severe weather, such as high winds or lightning storms.
* Fire: A fire safety plan, including the location of fire extinguishers and emergency exits.
* First Aid: The location of first aid facilities and the names of trained first aiders.
6.2 Evacuation: The structure must have clearly marked emergency exits, and an evacuation procedure should be communicated to all occupants.
7.0 Sustainability
7.1 Eco-Conscious Materials
Use FSC-certified timber, recycled metals, low-VOC finishes.
Prioritize environmentally responsible suppliers.
7.2 Waste Management
Segregate waste, dispose hazardous materials safely.
Minimize single-use plastics.
7.3 Energy Use
Use energy-efficient equipment.
Prefer solar-powered systems.
Monitor and report energy consumption.
8.0 Digital Tools
8.1 Documentation Platforms
Use cloud tools (Dropbox, OneDrive) for storing and sharing documents.
8.2 Inspection Apps
Use mobile apps (e.g. iAuditor) for real-time safety checks and reporting.
8.3 Alerts & Updates
Use platforms for weather alerts, site access logs, emergency notifications.
9.0 Case Studies
9.1 Incident Prevention
Example: 2023 festival avoided collapse via digital inspection tools.
9.2 Efficiency Gains
Example: 2024 modular build reduced setup time by 40% using digital planning.
10.0 Compliance & Accessibility
10.1 Hyperlinked Regulations
Work at Height Regulations 2005
Manual Handling Regulations 1992
CDM Regulations 2015
10.2 Plain Language Summary
Provide simplified version for volunteers and non-specialists.
Include key safety rules, emergency procedures, supervisor contacts.
11.0 Cultural Shift
11.1 Safety Ownership
Encourage personal responsibility.
Promote speaking up, toolbox talks, and improvement suggestions.
11.2 Feedback Mechanisms
Use anonymous channels (suggestion boxes, digital forms) for:
Near misses
Unsafe conditions
Ideas for improvement
12.0 Wind Management Plan
The compliance with these standards, guidelines and historical data all underpin the TentMasters commitment to providing a safe and well installed structure for their clients. However, once they have handed over the structure to the client, they become their partner in handling the potential for bad weather as they will no longer be on site. Here are simple guidelines and an action plan.
1.) Wind – It is current practice for the event industry to vacate a site when wind speeds reach 28 metres per second or 60 miles per hour. This means that neither the public, the tent crew, other contractors nor the clients are allowed to enter the structure unless to prevent harm to people. At lower wind speeds it is possible to stabilise the structure by providing additional bracing using tension ratchets and additional anchors. The client needs to be aware of the changing wind conditions and provide reasonable warning to us if emergency work is required. Things to look for include flapping canvas, loose tensioning ropes or straps and poles moving severely in the wind. In high winds, the sides of temporary structures must be completely open or completely shut, preferably the latter. The client should discuss with the TentMaster about the expertise of their crew to take this action. Wind monitoring devices such as an anemometer are cheap and easily sourced, and we encourage their use. Regular reference should be made by the client to weather forecasting services such as the Met Office or xcweather.co.uk to provide accurate current forecasts. If there is any obvious structural damage, we are to be informed immediately.
2.) Most structures are designed to be used with the walls completely on or completely off. If part of the structure is walled, there is a danger of creating a wind trap which can increase internal wind pressures to a dangerous level. If the client intends to use the structure in this manner, they should ensure that procedures are in place to re-instate the walls when bad weather threatens. Consult the structural engineering consultant.
3.) Ground Conditions – If ground and soil conditions change drastically from the time when our crew leave site, or if the area around ground anchors becomes waterlogged or very soft, we need to be informed. Frame tents and tension structures can sink into the ground when flooded, even lightly, and under severe water logging, soil becomes fluid, reducing the effectiveness of the structures anchors and temporary foundations.
Do not be afraid to discuss any of these points with the TentMaster. He will have a full Health and Safety Policy document available upon request and will always be willing to help to make your event as safe as is possible.
Disclaimer: This Code of Practice is for guidance only. It is not a substitute for professional advice or compliance with all relevant legislation and regulations. It is the responsibility of the installer and hirer to ensure the safety of the structure and all those who may be affected by it. E&OE
Big Top Circus Tent Erection Manual & Safety ACOP (Generic)
IMPORTANT: This is a generic guide for traditional Big Top tents. The official manufacturer's manual and the site-specific structural engineer's report are the primary sources of instruction and MUST be followed at all times. This document is for guidance and training purposes only.
Phase 1: Pre-Installation & Safety Management
1.1 Component Checklist
[ ] King Poles & Base Plates
[ ] Side Poles & Quarter Poles (if used)
[ ] Bale Rings / Lifting Collars
[ ] Central Dome / Cupola (if used)
[ ] Main Canvas Membrane Sections
[ ] Side Wall Sections
[ ] Guy Ropes, Stakes, and Anchors
[ ] Lacing Ropes and Fasteners
[ ] Pulleys, Shackles, and Rigging Hardware
[ ] Electric Winches / Crane
1.2 Site Assessment, Security & Vehicle Management
The erection site is a major construction zone. It must be secured with fencing and clear signage to prevent access by any non-essential personnel or members of the public.
Ground Conditions: The ground must be assessed for stability. Soft or uneven ground can compromise the entire structure.
Vehicle Management: The site must have a clear traffic management plan to accommodate the movement of large articulated vehicles, cranes, and forklifts.
Use a CAT scanner to check for and mark all underground services before any staking begins.
Check for overhead obstructions like power lines or tree branches that could interfere with the lift.
1.3 Structural Engineering & Load Planning
Structural Engineer's Report: A site-specific structural calculation from a qualified structural engineer is mandatory before any work begins. This report will verify the design and specify the required staking plan, wind speed limits, and capacity for suspended loads.
Suspended Loads: All plans to suspend trussing, lighting, or any other equipment from the king poles, bale rings, or cupola must be included in the structural engineer's report. No additional loads may be added without verification.
High Side Walls: The use of large, high side walls significantly increases the wind load on the structure. This "vertical wind profile" must be accounted for in the structural calculations and the anchorage plan. Large areas of structure without walls or partial walls must have specific calculations, and emergency procedures in place
1.4 Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
During Erection & Dismantling: The entire site is a mandatory hard hat area. All personnel must wear appropriate PPE, including hard hats, steel-toed boots, and high-visibility clothing.
Post-Erection: Once the structure is fully tensioned and signed off by the Tentmaster, it is treated as a building. Hard hats are only mandatory for those working at height or where overhead work is occurring (e.g., during rigging).
1.5 Relevant Health & Safety Regulations
CDM 2015: This is a major construction project and must be managed accordingly.
LOLER 1998: Critical for all lifting operations, including the crane/winches, rigging, and shackles. All lifting equipment must be certified, and all lifts must be planned and supervised.
PUWER 1998: Applies to all work equipment, from hand tools to the electric winches.
Work at Height Regulations 2005: Applies to any work required on the king poles or rigging.
Phase 2: Erection Procedure
Step 1: Mark Out and Staking
Using the engineer's report, accurately mark out the positions for the king poles and all anchor points for the guy ropes.
Anchor Load Tests: Before the main installation, representative sample anchors must be installed and subjected to a load test to verify the ground's holding capacity. This is a critical safety check.
Drive in all stakes as specified in the report.
Step 2: Raise King Poles
Assemble the king poles on the ground.
Position the crane or winch system for the lift.
Under the direct supervision of the Tentmaster, perform a planned lift to raise each king pole to its vertical position on its base plate.
Temporarily secure the king poles with guy ropes to ensure they are stable.
Step 3: Lay Out and Lace Canvas
Bring the large, heavy sections of the canvas membrane into the area around the base of the king poles.
Carefully lay out the sections in the correct order. If a central dome or cupola is used, position it first between the king poles.
Systematically lace all the fabric sections together on the ground to form a single, continuous membrane.
Securely attach the central point of the canvas to the bale rings on the king poles.
Step 4: Insert Side Poles
With the canvas still on the ground, insert the shorter side/perimeter poles around the edge of the tent, attaching them to the fabric.
This provides initial shape to the perimeter before the main lift.
Step 5: The Main Lift
Connect the electric winches or crane to the bale rings.
In a slow, coordinated, and supervised operation, begin hoisting the canvas up the king poles. Teams must be positioned around the perimeter to manage the fabric and prevent snagging.
Raise the membrane to its full height.
Step 6: Tensioning and Final Poles
Attach the main guy ropes to the canvas and pull them out to the pre-installed anchor points.
Begin tensioning the entire structure, working systematically around the tent to ensure even pressure.
If quarter poles are used, insert them now under the canvas to create the final shape and tension in the roof.
Step 7: Install Walls and Rigging
Attach the side wall panels around the perimeter of the tent.
Once the structure is fully stable and signed off by the Tentmaster, internal rigging for lighting and other production elements can be installed as per the approved plan.
Phase 3: Final Inspection
Before signing off, the Tentmaster must perform a final, thorough check:
[ ] Anchors: Are all stakes and guy ropes installed and tensioned as per the engineer's report?
[ ] Poles: Are all king, side, and quarter poles correctly positioned and stable?
[ ] Fabric: Is the canvas under correct, even tension with no signs of stress?
[ ] Rigging: Is all lifting gear secure? Are suspended loads installed correctly?
[ ] Site: Is the perimeter clear of hazards and are fire exits established?