Rules & regulations

RIGGING LIMITATIONS:

• The minimum distance permitted between rigging points for hanging elements is 1 meter
• The allowed maximum hanging weight of rigging elements is 15 kg/m2 calculated by the ratio between the total weight of the suspended elements and the contracted stand surface
• It is not permitted to lift up one truss grid with more than 6 manual chain hoists
• Exhibitors planning to use an electrical D8 plus chain hoist are required to submit documentation
• The maximum load weight of a rigging point in halls 1, 2, 5, 7, 8.0 and 8.1 of the  Gran Via venue is 150 kg (1.47 kN). Subject to a technical and structural feasibility study, high capacity rigging points (HCP) with a maximum weight of 250 kg (2.45 kN) can be installed in halls 1, 2, 5, 7 and 8.1. In all cases, the weight of the lift itself (motors, hoists, etc.) must be included.
• The maximum load weight of a rigging point in halls 3, 4 and 6 of the Gran Via venue is 250 kg (2.45 kN). The weight of the lift itself (motors, hoists, etc.) must be included.

Please note the rigging projects submission deadline is 16 December 2025.

COMPLEX SUSPENDED STRUCTURES:

All suspended structures are considered 'complex structures' requiring load distribution calculations and structural certification through the official stand plan inspection agencies, except:

• Lighting trusses (without cladding) that use less than 10 rigging points
• Aluminium and fabric light banners with a maximum weight of 100kg per rigging point (including weight of the lifting elements)
• Only in these two cases, a structural certification is not required. 

All rigged elements must be inspected onsite before being lifted (see further down this paragraph). For further details please see the Stand Plan submission section below or contact the official rigging company directly. Any additional costs are the responsibility of the Exhibitor.

GENERAL RULES:

• Rigging height restrictions for the stand space should always be checked first. These can be found in the rigging restriction floorplans in the Appendix of the Venue Rigging Regulations. All rigging requests and questions must be sent directly to the official rigging supplier.
• Rigging points are not always available, every request will be dealt with individually. 
• There may be rules specific to the stand space which must always be followed.
• Fixing points will only be provided when requests fall within the allowed parameters of the stand space. 

The following information to must be provided to the official rigging provider:

• A fully dimensioned drawing in .dwg format
• Weight loadings of each ordered rigging point, considering the load of points and distance between points
• The dimensions of structure to be hung

Orientation:

• All rigging and materials should be in accordance with the Rigging Guidelines and the material specifications. To download Rigging Guidelines please click here (updated regulation will be available soon)
• Hanging any element above the specified height limit. The build height restrictions section of this manual must be observed
• Rigging orders must be placed by the deadline. Any required rigging will be subject to sufficient time being available to carry out the work
• All rigging on stands must be finished by the Saturday before the Event as machinery is not allowed to enter the hall and no work at height is permitted after that day
• Rigging is not permitted above turnkey packages or above public gangways
• All rigging must be installed by the official rigging supplier. All suspended fittings and apparatus (e.g., lights, TVs sound clusters and speakers, display rigs etc.) must be fitted with secondary safety wires/chains and brackets
• It is strictly prohibited to tamper with any equipment installed by the official rigging supplier, including trusses, cables, shackles or slings
• Exhibitors own truss structures are only permitted they bear the CE mark (European Conformity) and is in perfect working condition. Roof trusses in each hall have different load bearing characteristics. Exhibitors and their contractors are not permitted to suspend from trusses themselves
• All rigging requests will be reviewed by the official structural technicians, Graó Tècnic

Hanging Connections:

• Before lifting any rigged elements, Exhibitors or their contractors must advise Graó Tècnic, or contact the hall manager, to have the hanging connections inspected, otherwise additional costs for inspecting connections at height will be charged to the Exhibitor.
• Rigging points are provided with a ring or a hook, modifying any part of these fittings is not allowed.

Graó Tècnic may ask for additional technical information. For complex rigging structures, a structural approval may be required, any costs incurred shall be charged to the Exhibitor.

Orders may be taken after the deadline but will be subject to a late order surcharge.

Considerations when designing your rigging order:

In order to design rigging points adequately, Exhibitors and their contractors should consider the following advice:

• All rigging requirements MUST include scaled plans and weights to be checked
• The position of the stand should be referenced with the position of the neighbouring stands and/or aisles and doors
• The position of the rigging points should be shown with 0X,Y-coordinates, taking one of the corners of the stand as the origin of the coordinates (0,0). This can be achieved by using an Excel spreadsheet or by indicating it directly on the CAD drawing with dimension lines
• Vivid colours should be used for the rigging point symbol. A legend should be created to clearly identify rigging points on the plan. Indicate if it is a simple point, point with safety steel, manual chain hoist or electrical chain hoist
• Indicate the rigging point’s heights (O-ring), in a table with the reference of the rigging point number. This is compulsory in case the hoists are not provided by the official rigging supplier
• The distance between the rigging points for lighting / branding trusses should not be further than 10 meters apart
• Location of rigging points normally are at the end of trusses / crossings, but in case of heavy weights, they can be designed by load distribution criteria
• Indicate the load per rigging point on the same drawing. Do not forget to include the hoist and the truss weight and distance between points
• Attach as much detail as possible in your AutoCAD drawings such as trusses (with a simple silhouette or a coloured thick line), lighting, branding, AV or any other hung element. Indicate final heights measured from the floor in a rough elevation drawing
• Heights of elements must be measured from the ground of the hall, not from the stand platform

All questions regarding rigging should be directed to the official rigging supplier.