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Stretch Tents & Tipis added to Marquee Best Practice Guide

Over The Moon has been following the MUTAmarq guidelines since we started. The document codifies the best practice for the industry and is a requirement of our insurers that we follow it. For us, specialising in stretch tents, the previous guide was lacking in not having anything pertaining to these new fabric structures. The new version of the guide has now rectified that. Over The Moon is pleased to be at the forefront of developments in event fabric structures.

MUTA, the trade association for the marquee and fabric structure industry, has published a revised version of the MUTAmarq Code of Practice after a period of review over the 2010/11 low season. ‘Safe Use and Operation of Marquees and Temporary Structures’ \was last revised in spring 2008 and the new version reflects changes to the industry since then. The document recognises the growth of non-standard fabric structures in unusual shapes and configurations, and addresses health and safety issues including the need for a biannual StructureSafe on-site safety course and increased preventive measures to combat the hazard of hidden underground services.<

Venue owners and event organisers continue to carry the legal obligation to offer a safe place of work and in doing so to disclose the whereabouts of underground services. However where there is any doubt as to the location of underground cables and pipes, it is the responsibility of the contractor to establish their location. MUTA in its latest guidance recommends its MUTAmarq Accredited Contractors to scan the work site before driving stakes into it in order to prevent accidents, and avoid injury or damage to property.

Other changes to the Code of Practice include the following areas:
Scope – to include all temporary demountable fabric structures
Stability – to cover tipis and non-standard structures
Electrical installations – to clarify the need for a qualified electrician
Naked flames – importance of carrying out a thorough risk assessment
Client awareness – to clarify their responsibility to provide a safe site
Training – requirement for members to provide adequate safety training to crews
Personal Protection Equipment – to clarify when to use hard hats
Fire exits – to include good practice to provide an additional exit

There have also been minor changes to terminology – for instance to refer to all structures covered by the guidance as “fabric structures” to include a wider range than traditional pole and framed marquees.

Bunker Bash – Military Theme 16th Birthday Party

Over The Moon journeyed north to Glasgow for the 1st of April to produce a military theme party. The client’s brief was a military themed event and to cover a large 7mx4m pond right in the middle of the lawn. The pond span was too large for the vintage military tents to go over so we offered to camouflage a 19x15m Intent. We also used sides from our military tents to edge the Intent to add more olive green and the lived-in look of a military base.

We also added props like ammo crates, jerry cans, parachutes and lots more camo nets around the garden. The client had a large stage built over the pond that was suitably camouflaged and the look was completed with 180 combat ready 16-18 year olds. The night went off with a bang.

To view the full album of images go to our Picasa Gallery.

Click links for info on Intents and Military Tents.

Bunker Bash - Military Theme Party

US Military solar powered stretch tent

We were pleased to be sent a link, from one of our clients, to this article about the US military developing stretch tent looking solar powered canopies. These tents would be popular at many of the green minded festivals if the technology goes commercial. Like the internet, mobile phones and the myriad other products this would be another example of military technology having great benefit for non-military users.

See the article in full on the link below.

http://www.army.mil/-news/2010/12/08/49138-army-evaluating-transportable-solar-powered-tents/

Stretching out at Worthy Farm

2 weeks of fabulous weather made for a great time at Glastonbury Festival’s 40th birthday. Intents stretch look was a big part of the Glade area’s visual appeal with three chino stretchies creating a lovely space around the seating area. This made for a much better area than last years which, with no seating area, became a muddy walk through to the Other stage.

Glade Lounge with Intent 25x14m, Glastonbury 2010

On Thursday night only having a few areas open the Glade area was rammed with 3000 people in a football pitch sized area. It was madness , scarey and fun. The Intent survived one reveller climbing to the top of the main pole and swinging about til removed by security. People were keen to party and release the pent up emotion.