SCOSS reports on danger from strong winds to outdoor video screens

A recent CROSS report from structural safety organisation SCOSS draws attention to the safety of large outdoor screens and the risk of collapse, especially in strong winds.

SCOSS (Standing Committee on Structural Safety), having received a number of reports of collapsed screens, said "Covid-19 restrictions mean that there are many pop-up temporary structures for outdoor events such as showing films. The entertainment industry has few defined qualifications and there is a propensity to rely on experience and 'using a product' rather than designing a temporary structure. This is of concern as it can lead to operating outside of competence, either deliberately or in ignorance, hence leading to public safety risks."

The concerns raised in the report include:

• The weight of screen systems exceeding the load their supports were designed for.
• The use of screens in strong winds despite manufacturers' warnings not to.
• Screens that aren't designed to allow "blow-through."
• Lack of stability.
• Lack of suitability.

SCOSS recommends adherence to guidance issued by the IStructE AGOTS (Advisory Group on Temporary Structures) publication Temporary demountable structures: Guidance on procurement, design and use (Fourth edition).

It says there should be:

• an independent design check carried out by a Chartered Engineer having adequate skill and experience; and
• an independent erection check on the structure once it has been erected should be carried out by a competent person, who may be an employee of the supplier of the structure or a person nominated to carry out such checking by the Contractor.

Download the full CROSS report here