Safety and Crowd Management - Essay Example

Safety and Crowd Management Project study of stadiums Project submitted by 1. Sport Safety Requirements & Legislation The safety features and requirement in UK is governed by the Safety at Sports Grounds Act 1975 and the subsequent Fire Safety and Safety of Places of Sport Act 1987. It is also governed by the Safety guide called the Green Book issued by building control authorities. No license will be issued for stadiums and public buildings if they do not satisfy the law as laid down in the act. To comply with the provisions of the act, authorities will scan the structure for the following issues, in the design of a stadium. Certain counties have ordered pulling down of structures that do not comply with the regulation and modification of structures in many cases. The act focuses attention on the following issues, which ought to be considered in design of a stadium. For the safety analysis, we take the following points to consideration: Crowd control, Circulation General, Access, Barriers, Structural stability, Disabled Facilities / Areas, Safety, and services. These are insisted upon by the authorities as a compulsory need in stadiums. Comparative Study For this study we specify that stadiums are classified as – A) Designated sports stadium with a capacity for 10,000 spectators. B) Sports grounds with one or more regulated stands, with a capacity of 500 spectators. c) Sports grounds which do not have regulated stands. For the purpose of our comparative study we have looked at the Stadiums in the London Borough of Richmond. For this report and study we chose two stadiums, Beveree Stadium Beveree Stadium Postal Address: Beveree Stadium Station Road HAMPTON TW12 2BX Location: Richmond upon Thames (London: Outer London), and Twickenham Stoop Stadium. Richmond London. The visit was intended to check the features of the subject stadium for the following heads: Crowd control Paul Wertheimer, authority on crowd management has spelled out the methods of crowd control in mass gatherings like concerts and sports. Some of Crowd Management has been incorporated in legislations in UK with respect to stadiums and sports centers. Crowd control takes two issues, the arrangements for spectators, their movements and the restraint needed, Provision for emergencies, law and order and movement of people in side the venue, and accessibility to the venue. The second issue relates to the circulation of persons inside the stadium, and restraint from entering prohibited areas like the ground, pitch etc. Beveree Stadium has both indoor and outdoor facilities. The ground is oval in shape with tracks laid out. It is fenced all around by wire mesh, and has strands all around. Seating capacity is estimated to be about a thousand. Outside entry is regulated at the gate by a functioning front office, and is walled all around. Two exit points and a car park with communication facility and an adjoining café were noted. Crowd control for local sports and school sports are adequate, but will not stand the pressure of national matches. The flow of people is restricted on account of narrowness of the passageways. It can accommodate 5000 spectators. Twickenham Stoop Stadium, which we studied is suited for tennis, athletics and small game for clubs. There are seating arrangement for 5000 and strands which are partitioned. It allows for ingress which can be restricted and egress at three places. It has fire escape ways, and the passages are wide and crowds can collect safely because of the floor, the positioning of furniture and strands allow for comfortable seating. Circulation General What we have to look up here is if the architecture is such that people can move around without getting injured, crushed, toppled, or cause harm to other persons. Is it free for all to move around? In both the cases, circulation is easy, but the Twickenham Stoop Stadium has more space and design to achieve better results. Access We have to examine if access to the place is provided in the form of good roads, parking space, public conveyance, halting places, and comfort stations, eateries and requirements. Beveree Stadium has parking areas and provision to bring in huge equipment right in. It is next to the A316 and the Main-line station which provide Rail and Tube links into London and out to the West and South of England. It is 20 minutes from London Heathrow airport by car. The Twickenham Stoop Stadium is accessible both by the Highway and rail. It is 20 minutes from Airport. Both provide for public parking, and have ample space for vehicle parking and access for heavy vehicles that may be used to bring equipments and necessities. For emergencies, ambulance and fire vehicles can easily enter. Barriers There must be proper barriers related to safety. We must look and see if dangerous places like power installations, Players lock rooms, Tool rooms and so on are given proper barriers. Similarly is the play ground fenced, and spectators contained in a ring separating them from the players? Is intrusion prevented? These are the points we have to consider. In case of fire or hazards, we have to see if the building has proper unobstructed exit routes, and provision for the authorities to control entry. The building must include fire escapes, and other means of calamity prevention including stampedes. Both the stadiums have proper fencing enclosures, both for public which regulates the crowd flow. Equipments and installations are protected by either fences (Electrical) or by guard rails, and certain fabrications using light materials. Cabins, change rooms and rest rooms are clearly indicated and constructed in the optimum place. Structures and Components Structural stability What is the maximum number of people including spectators, personnel and others that can be contained safely without hazard determines the structure of the ground. If there are seating arrangements, does it provide seating to capacity or will it have regulated strands or unregulated strands ought to be considered. Seating Accommodation and Standing Accommodation are vital and ought to be researched often. How are the seating arrangements and is it comfortable for movement, and will people enjoy seats free from pushes and injuries? Are the passages wide enough? Such questions ought to be answered. Beveree has a 25-acre ground which is divided into in door and out door grounds. It also has a mini - Sports Bar with a capacity of 100 for an informal small sport. The stadium has a capacity of over 5000 spectators, and facility for indoor use to 800. It is a structure of solid concrete with the grounds fenced on all sides by wire gauze. The ground can accommodate players and spectators both in the strand and as well has a stadium with step formed seating system. The oval stadium is criss-crossed with parallel passages. Is also maintained by the Council of the county and therefore follows the total guidelines. It is built on the premise of safety and ease of access. It has both indoor conference and outdoor stadiums. Both are constructed with permanent materials and have seating arrangements with provision for ease of movement between four groups of persons. The indoor area has climate control. Lighting facilities are provided for both the areas in such a manner that events can be conducted in flood light. The grounds are designed for simple games like tennis, and also can accommodate a cricket match. Disabled Facilities / Areas The access for disabled persons ought to be made clear with special provisions being made adhering to the Disability Discrimination Act. Minimum levels of accessibility ought to be provided, especially in the case of Stairs / Ramps, and toilets. Concourses & Toilets. It was observed that both provide 2- 6 toilets in the change rooms, and has 12 at least for public use. There are no special installations for disabled persons. No special provisions have been made by both for disabled persons, which is to be noted in the negative. Safety & emergencies The building ought to have specific methods and architecture for Fire Safety, and must be accessible for ease of response for The Fire Service, The Ambulance Service, Medical Provision, First Aid and other emergencies. Means of Ingress and Egress a door that is an escape route shall not be locked or fastened and must be staffed at all times while the regulated stand is used by the public. The doors ought to be fire resisting doors sited within the regulated stand shall be maintained. The gangway, exit route, stairway, ramp, stepping and means of access for emergency vehicles should be kept free of stored goods, litter, ice and snow whilst the sports ground is in use for any specified activity. The treads of steps and stairways should be maintained with non-slip and even surfaces, and shall be adequately drained. In the Beveree Stadium We noted that fire hydrants and a fire attendant were available 24 hours even when there was no event. The escape hatches and ramps had sufficient markings and indicators. The main free way was without clutter. In Twickenham Stoop Stadium the building has inbuilt fire safety valves, hydrants and special access for ambulance and fire personnel. It also has 3 major escape routes, specific fitted with smoke free systems and is attended during events. Services Spectator Information and Signposting All signposting for spectators both outside and inside the ground must be eye-catching, simple and clear, and should be made to facilitate rapid movement of spectators to their appropriate viewing area. Displays and markings ought to be in universal signs and language, and scoreboards and other display with public address systems form an important part of the safety requirement. The sign posts for routes, entry and marking of pavilions and passages, directions to rooms and facilities at the Beveree Stadium is done in reflective paint that can be seen at night too. At Twickenham Stoop Stadium it is back lit and tubes are switched on at dusk. General lighting is enough for day time. Other services include Communications facilities, public phones, and crowd address systems both electrical & Mechanical. Service Facilities will include: Provision for galleries to the media, special access for disabled, and the Police. The grounds must have provision to clear litter, environmental tidiness. Beveree Stadium provides round the clock security and has access to police, hospitals and other medium on short request. The Twickenham Stoop Stadium has its own environment friendly waste disposal unit, has a sports injury clinic inside the stadium, and all help can be availed in short notice. The Study We have studied the safety factors by analyzing the two stadium as models. Both are at the London Borough of Richmond. Similarities Noted Both have indoor & out door facilities which has a set of safety norms. It is noted that both the stadiums are constructed with the indoor conference user more than the public sport events. The structure has been constructed with the idea in mind that indoor use will be more than open sports. Therefore the grounds and strands and pavilions are constructed with weather protection and overhead shades. In the 25-acre ground of Beveree Stadium is divided into in door and out door grounds. It has a weather proof spectator gallery with jousting provided overhead, it also has a mini - Sports Bar with a capacity of 100 for an informal small sport. The stadium has a capacity of over 5000 spectators, and facility for indoor use to 800. There is no separate clinic or injury management facility noted here, which is present at Twickenham Stoop Stadium. Both have players change rooms, phone and access facilities. Both have inadequate facilities for the disabled. In terms of public safety, both have provided emergency exits, and are accessible. Dissimilarities Noted Twickenham Stoop Stadium has the grounds landscaped, and is environmentally clean. The grounds have dedicated pavilions with kitchens installed. Changing rooms and showers are provided. It has the Harlequins Sports Injuries Clinic. Modern flood light facilities and indoor conference and communication rooms with public address systems with galleries for media are provided. Veolia Sports Bookings in Twickenham maintain and run 17 sports grounds and stadium in Richmond borough. The one considered has sport injury clinics, and the stadium is licensed by the council. It hosts Cricket, Tennis, Netball and Athletics events. Beveree Stadium has indoor facilities, it is more concentrated and is built around the gym and indoor facilities and halls for public use. On the other hand its strands and seating arrangements are more spacious and safety conscious. It has ample Parking and loading facilities It hosts the London Richmond and London Scottish Rugby Football Clubs. It provides for comforts, eateries and communication facilities. Observations and report In both the stadium we observed that the seating capacity, ease of movement and the regard for safety is met with. Easy accessibility is also provided. Both are equipped with emergency solutions, have wide path ways and provision for injuries, first aid and calamities. Crowd control has been made effective by proper use of ramps, pathways watch posts and gates. Both stadium have received the final sanction and license from the authorities as per the new norms as laid down in the act. Both are modern, have all the necessary featured recommended by the safety act, and the only difference being the sports they cater to, and the style of the stadium. Beveree Stadium is modern in outlook, while Twickenham Stoop Stadium retains its classic uniform style. Conclusion In comparison with the stadiums of old prior to the legislation, we have to conclude and submit that the laws of England regarding sports have been effective in making the event safe. The legal requirements spelt out in the act have now either modified all stadiums or regulated the creation of new. We report that for different sports, there are basic requirements that are common, and if these, as enumerated in the sections of this essay are fulfilled, Any stadium can become safe, and pleasure for the public. References 1. http://www.richmond.gov.uk/home/environment/building_control/safety_at_sports_grounds_and_sporting_events.htm 2. http://www.crowdsafe.com/home.shtml 3 The Green Guide (Third Edition). Guide to Safety at Sports Grounds. HMSO London.1990. (ISBN 0113410018) 4. e Green Guide (Fourth Edition). Guide to Safety at Sports Grounds. HMSO London. 1997 (ISBN 0113000952) Read More