Safety at Sports Grounds

Safety at Sporting Events and Stadia

The Safety at Sports Grounds Act 1975 and the subsequent Fire Safety and Safety of Places of Sport Act 1987 are two pieces of legislation few people are aware of.

Building Control are responsible for enforcing the recommendations contained in the "Guide to Safety at Sports Grounds" published by the Home Office and often known as the Green Guide. The Guide lays down detailed advice related to such matters as adequate structure, provisions of gangways, fire escapes, crash barrier design and engineering services, all necessary to comply with the Acts. When all matters related to Safety are in place a Safety Certificate can be issued.

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The Building Control section is responsible for providing advice and guidance on Safety at Sports Grounds, in relation to:

• Crowd control
• Means of escape
• Structural stability
• Access for disabled people

To ensure compliance with any conditions of the Certificate regular inspections are carried out on match days.

Haringey Building Control works to protect public safety, and co-ordinates the Safety Advisory Group which includes other agencies:

• the Police Service
• the Fire Service,
• the Ambulance Service,
• St John's Ambulance Association
• Safety officers from the sports ground

The Safety Advisory Group must ensure public safety is maintained and that defective infrastructure does not place crowd safety at risk.

Sports grounds can be divided into three categories which can be outlined as:

1. Designated sports stadia with a capacity for 10,000 spectators.
2. Sports grounds with one or more regulated stands, with a capacity of 500 spectators.
3. Sports grounds which do not have regulated stands.

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Haringey Building Control review the following items during an inspection and comment on:

• Safe capacity
• Safety management
• Stewarding
• Structures and components
• Circulation general
• Exit routes unobstructed
• Controlled ingress
• Stairs / ramps
• Concourses and vomitories
• Emergency procedures
• Barriers
• Seating accommodation
• Standing accommodation
• Disabled facilities / areas
• Fire safety
• Communications
• Electrical / mechanical
• Medical provision, first aid
• Media provision
• Tidiness

Address
Building Control
Level 6
River Park House
225 High Road
Wood Green
London
N22 8HQ

Tel 020 8489 1000
Fax 020 8489 5229
Email building.control@haringey.gov.uk