Manchester

Building Control and the Commonwealth Games 2002: 

Building Control and the Commonwealth Games 2002 Presentation by Bill Challenger MRICS MBEng and Rodney Burrows MBEng

Presentation - Key Objectives: 

Presentation - Key Objectives To show the contribution Building Control made to the delivery of a safe and successful Commonwealth Games To highlight the knowledge and skills necessary to secure public safety at major sporting and entertainment events To identify the main lessons learnt from the experience

Introduction: 

Introduction The City of Manchester was chosen to stage the 17th Commonwealth Games in 1995 Building Control would play an active role in the delivery of the new venues/facilities needed Building Control’s Licensing and Public Safety Group would play a lead role in securing effective safety management arrangements at all venues A multi-disciplined Building Control team would ensure seamless service delivery from the early planning stage to final delivery of the event

The Games: 

The Games Largest Multi-Sport event held in the UK First fully integrated games for elite athletes with disabilities 19 Different Sports 17 Sports Venues 27 Non Sporting Venues 17 live entertainment sites throughout the city

The New Venues: 

The New Venues 1 Athletics Stadium Capacity 38000 3 Indoor Sports Venues (Table Tennis, Swimming & Squash) 2 International Outdoor Sports Venues (Bowling & Hockey) 400 metre warm up track 4 Venues for outdoor events & road races Athletes Games Village upgrading of University Campus

The Existing Venues: 

The Existing Venues MEN Indoor Arena (max capacity 21,000 spectators) Velodrome (max capacity 5,400 spectators) G-Mex (max capacity 10,400 spectators) Manchester International Conference Centre (800) Bolton Arena (max capacity 6,500 spectators) Wythenshawe Forum (Max capacity 2,200 spectators)

Temporary Structures: 

Temporary Structures 31,000 Temporary seats installed across all venues, the largest in the stadium seating 14,300 187 Marquees erected, the largest had a capacity 2500

The People : 

The People Manchester 2002 (the event production organisation) employed over 500 people Over 2000 stewards and volunteers Around 4,700 athletes, 2750 officials and 2500 Journalists and TV reporters from around the world

The 2002 Event Production Organisation: 

The 2002 Event Production Organisation Sport Venues Fitout Transport Protocol Security and Stewarding Marketing and Hospitality Press and Media Television Host Broadcaster Opening and Closing Ceremonies Look

Impact on the City: 

Impact on the City 980,000 paying spectators watched the games Estimated 1.6 million spectators overall Estimated T.V. audience of 1.5 billion Watched in 67 Countries Visits by the Royal Family and 60 Heads of State from around the world 2 large viewing screens erected in the city Live entertainment sites active throughout the city for the duration of the games

Building Control Responsibilities: 

Building Control Responsibilities To ensure that all the key components necessary to secure public safety at major sporting and entertainment events would be in place Other responsibilities as a result of the games being promoted by the City Council The key components – what are they and how do you secure the safety of visitors to the games?

Its Not Rocket Science?: 

Its Not Rocket Science? The Greeks and the Romans first promoted games as entertainment for the masses The coliseum AD 80

Safety in Public Entertainment: 

Safety in Public Entertainment Whether in Rome in 80 AD; in Manchester 2002 or London in 2012 safety in public entertainment relies on the same basic needs : - A competent event production organisation with the necessary commitment and resources to deliver a safe event Safe facilities and the surrounding built environment Effective safety management, planning & control

The Task for Building Control: 

The Task for Building Control To ensure the new facilities met standards required by the Building Regulations, licensing and sports grounds legislation and associated guidance Assess the suitability of temporary structures and adaptations made to all facilities To ensure there would be a competent and effective safety management operation at all venues To contribute to the safety management planning for the games, the opening and closing ceremonies and the numerous events and festivals to be held in the city in the run up to the games

Facilities: 

Facilities The design of the facilities and Building Regulation approvals should take account of the permanent use of the building. The event is only for a short period of time in the life of the building Conflict may occur with the temporary fit-out for the games and the life safety systems required for building regulations approval. Close working relationships have to be in place with Building Control Officers and officers responsible for Safety at Sports Grounds legislation

The Challenge of the Games: 

The Challenge of the Games Local Authority Promoted Event New event production organisation New stadium and other facilities New safety management organisation Financial Constraints Effect of September 11th on security Absolute Deadline – Failure not an Option

Meeting the Challenge: 

Meeting the Challenge Success would depended upon : - Engaging a professional management organisation for the stadium and meeting the criteria for certification (P&S factors) Securing adequate resources to ensure all completion certificates can be issued Effective multi-agency teamwork Everyone meeting tight deadlines for construction and event planning activities, full and detailed records kept of all meetings.

Safety Management Assessment CriteriaThe S Factor: 

Safety Management Assessment Criteria The S Factor Organisational structure Roles & responsibilities Qualifications / Experience Paths of communication (internal & external) Risk assessments Safety management plans Contingency planning Staff training Desk top exercises Documentation Event operational plans Audience profile Arrival profile (peak flow) Event day communications Briefings / Debriefs Control room operations Pre & Post event checks Incident management Security and Stewarding Traffic management Records

Venue Assessment Criteria The P Factor: 

Venue Assessment Criteria The P Factor Construction standards Fire safety Life safety systems Ingress, egress & circulation Arrival / departure profiles Entry capacity Temporary structures Facilities for peoples needs Seating arrangements Disabled access Emergency Services Access Waste management First aid & medical provision Transportation

The Stadium & Sports City: 

Design & Construction Crowd dynamics modelling Ramps Fire Engineering Dynamic response Disabled access Emergency power Commissioning Certification Designation ‘P factor’ assessment Consultation Safety Advisory Group Safety Management Test Events Documentation Advertisement The Stadium & Sports City

Test Events: 

Test Events Strategy 4 events progressive increase in capacities Planned and unplanned incidents Competency assessment Various criteria established inc: - Event operational plans Briefing & debrief process Stadium opening procedure Pre & post event checks Incident response Stewards competency Records and audit trails

The Mag & Bag Security Operation: 

The Mag & Bag Security Operation Full body and bag search Flow rates Equipment and Trained operators 68 Lanes – Arrival profile Crowd Changeovers

Temporary Structures: 

Temporary Structures Plans & specifications Structural details Electrical installations Inspections

Road Events: 

Road Events Linear Routes Risk assessments Crowd estimates Crowd management Crowd barriers Crush Barriers Access for Emergency Services Communications

Main Lessons: 

Main Lessons Early involvement of Building Control in design and planning activity Integration of Building Regulations & Licensing activity Joined up working by all stakeholders (teamwork) Fast track process for decision making involving relevant parts of the organisation and other agencies and authorities Planning deadlines for completion of facilities and grant of licenses and certificates Timely appointments of safety management organisation Records of meetings and agreement from the earliest stage

And Finally: 

And Finally The Commonwealth Games may have been a unique experience for Building Control but a systematic approach to safety management at major entertainment events follows fundamental principles which when rigorously applied minimise the possibility of crowd disasters occurring Congratulations to London in winning the bid to stage the Olympic Games in 2012