The Big Event Infrastructure Series – Part 3
We’ve all seen it, the one moment every outdoor event organiser dreads. The wind picks up, the radios start crackling, and the safety officer raises an eyebrow. In that instant, it’s no longer about catering schedules, wristbands or VIP lists, it’s about infrastructure. More specifically, safety.
At Purvis Marquee Hire, we’ve been supplying large marquees and temporary event structures across Scotland and the north of England for decades. And one thing has never changed: health and safety is not an add-on. It’s the foundation of every build we deliver.
In this post, we’re sharing what every event professional, council officer, and corporate organiser needs to know when hiring a large marquee, because when the public are on-site, safety isn’t negotiable.
The Law Is Clear — So Are We
If you’re planning an event with a temporary structure, you have legal responsibilities. These fall under the Health and Safety at Work Act (1974) and the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations (CDM 2015), especially for complex builds or public-facing events.
As your marquee supplier, we don’t just hand you a structure. We provide:
- Method statements
- Risk assessments
- Wind load calculations
- Anchorage and ballast plans
- Structural compliance documentation
- Liaison with safety officers or licensing teams
All of this happens before your first guest arrives, often before the first stake is in the ground.
What Makes a Marquee Safe?
A safe temporary structure is one that has been:
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Designed for the site: including ground conditions, slope, and exposure
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Built to spec: using approved components, correct tensioning, and weather-rated anchorage
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Tested and monitored: especially if in place for multiple days
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Part of an integrated event plan: considering access, fire safety, emergency exits, and crowd movement
At Purvis, we use clearspan marquee systems with strong wind ratings and custom ballast options. We work with your layout team to make sure the structure works with your crowd flows, and we provide the documentation your licensing authority expects to see.
What Can Go Wrong and How We Prevent It
We’ve seen it all. Structures under-specc’ed for the wind. Walkways not considered in wet weather. Marquees placed where they block emergency access. It’s not that organisers didn’t care, it’s that their supplier didn’t advise them properly.
We prevent issues by:
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Conducting site visits early
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Recommending structure types based on actual site conditions
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Providing 24/7 contact during multi-day events
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Using modular build schedules to reduce on-site risk
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Building in weather contingency plans for every installation
When you work with us, you’re not just hiring a structure. You’re bringing in a team of professionals who understand the realities of event safety and compliance, not just on paper, but in practice.
Working with Councils and Licensing Authorities
Many of our clients are either:
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Local authorities running public events, or
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Private organisers who need council permission to use public land
In both cases, documentation is everything.
We’ll provide:
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Site-specific risk assessments
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Construction phase plans (CPP) under CDM regs
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Wind and weather action plans
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Proof of insurance and certification
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Method statements for build and de-rig
We can also attend pre-event safety briefings or multi-agency planning meetings, as required. We’ve done it dozens of times, and we know exactly what your licensing team will ask.
Your Responsibilities as the Organiser
While we handle the build, it’s important to remember that legal responsibility for the event rests with the organiser. That means:
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Selecting competent contractors (we’ll make that part easy)
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Ensuring a safe environment for the public and staff
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Keeping up-to-date documentation
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Planning for emergencies and bad weather
By choosing a supplier like Purvis, one with decades of experience and a proven compliance process, you’re making that responsibility easier to manage and much more secure.
Let’s Build Safe, Every Time
Whether you’re hosting a high-profile corporate activation, a rural county show, or a civic celebration with thousands of attendees, your structure needs to meet the highest standards of safety.
At Purvis Marquee Hire, we don’t see health and safety as a box to tick. We see it as the reason we’ve been trusted to build for some of Scotland’s most prestigious and high-stakes events, from Royal Garden Parties to multi-day public festivals.
Next in the Series:
Coming soon → What a Site Visit Tells Us Before We Build
