Stand Build Regulations

Below you will find stand build regulations which must be applied to your space only stand design. We have highlighted various general regulations which you may find helpful when designing your stand however please note that this is not a definitive list of regulations. It is the responsibility of the exhibitor and their contractor to ensure their stand design complies with all applicable stand build regulations detailed in the venue technical regulations.

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It is the exhibitors responsibility to remove all barriers to service and make their stand accessible to wheelchair users. Where exhibitors have a platform on a stand over 35mm a reasonable adjustment is to incorporate a ramp into the platform within the stand area. Whatever the content of the stand is it needs to be accessible to all. Please note the following when designing your stand:

• Stands with platforms that exceed 35mm should incorporate a ramp into their stand design.
• Ensure that your stand incorporates enough space. 
• The gradient of any ramp should be no greater than 1:12
• If a stand is a double-decker, then it is probably not practical to offer lifts. Therefore please ensure that any services such as refreshments can be brought downstairs on a tray for those that need it
• Serving counters should have a low access point no higher than 760mm or a lap tray should be provided for the convenience of disabled people

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All aisles inside the exhibition hall will be carpeted.

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In certain parts of the venue, there are additional build height restrictions. It is the exhibitor's responsibility to check if their stand is affected. Please contact the Operations Team for a detailed stand plot of your location.

Ceiling height in Halls 1 to 3 is 10 meters from floor to bottom of the roof structure.

Please note that there are certain areas within the venue where the ceiling height is less than 10 meters. All stands affected by these height restrictions will be duly informed by the Organiser.

Any construction over 4m is classified as a complex stand so requires structural calculations for structural approval.

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The exhibition will close at 22:00hrs, 5 November 2023, Sunday.

Exhibitors should not start dismantling their stands and exhibits at this time.

Dismantling can be started ONLY on: 

Items or materials remaining in the halls after this time will be removed at the cost of the Exhibitor.

The Official on-site Freight Handler will bring the empty packing cases into the halls when all the visitors have left the halls.

Exhibitors should pack and secure any small valuable exhibits, remove wall-mounted graphics from the standard wood stand walls, and empty rented cupboards immediately after the show closes.

DO NOT LEAVE ANY ITEMS IN THE CUPBOARDS OVERNIGHT. All hand carried items should be removed from the halls after closing.

The Organisers and the Venue will not be held responsible for any items left in the halls at any time.

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• The ceiling height in Halls 1 to 3 is 10 meters from floor to bottom of the roof structure.
• Please note that there are certain areas within the venue where the ceiling height is less than 10 meters. All stands affected by these height restrictions will be duly informed by the Organiser.

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Please note that chipboard, particleboard and low-density fibreboard (LDF) is not suitable for construction and in particular of weight bearing structures. The H&S Manager and Structural Engineer will identify stands which do not comply during the build process and all necessary remedial work must be completed before the stand will be permitted to open.

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A complex structure is any form of construction of any height, which would normally be designed by an engineer and/or has, through a risk assessment, been found to provide significant risk.

Structures over 4 meters in height, double-storey stands, raised platforms and certain suspended items are generally considered to be complex structures.

The exhibitor or their appointed contractor must submit Complex Structure Submission Form along with all the mandatory requirements and information no later than 6th October 2023 and the Certificate of Integrity Form upon completion of the stand.

• Complex structures including double-storey stands may be built up to a height of 6 meters.
• Foundations may not be drilled into the floor and suitable anchorage must be installed.
• Stand designs must receive approval from the structural engineer appointed by the venue prior to the commencement of construction.
• Exhibitors must provide proof of suitable insurance to the Organisers before construction can commence.

PLEASE NOTE: PERMISSION TO ENTER THE EXHIBITION PREMISES AND COMMENCE CONSTRUCTION WILL NOT BE PERMITTED WITHOUT THE FULL PERMISSION OF THE ADNEC STRUCTURAL ENGINEER.

Mezzanine Level stand design regulations:

• Maximum height 6 metres
• Mezzanine level stands are NOT permitted on a stand space less than 50 square metres
• Glass panels may not be used for structural strength.
• Maximum travel distance from any part of the stand to the nearest exit should not be more than 10 metres.
• Totally enclosed ceilings are strictly prohibited. Exhibition stand ceilings must not obstruct the sprinklers and shall have an open space of over 50% of the total stand area to ensure fire prevention safety.
• You will need to use 1 metre x 1metre spreader plates underneath each steel column in contact with the venue floor
• Spiral staircases are NOT permitted
• A single staircase shall not exceed 1.8 metres in width.
• Each step forming the staircase must be of uniform dimensions, having a regular rise and tread. The riser and going of each step must be consistent throughout a flight.
• Staircases and landings should have a clear headroom of not less than 2.06m measured vertically from the nosing of the treads or the floor of landings

Handrails

• A continuous handrail must be provided where there are stairs with three or more risers.
• Every flight of stairs must be provided with a handrail on each side. The handrail should be non-climbable and have a solid infill.
• Double width staircases shall have a central handrail.
• The height of a handrail shall be measured vertically from the centre of the steps and landings to its upper surface and shall be a minimum of 900 mm and a maximum of 1 meter. The balustrade should be 1.1 m high minimum.
• Handrails shall be continued as necessary around landings.
• Handrails shall not project more than 100 mm on to the required width of the staircase.
• Additional handrails dividing a flight into channels shall not be less than 1 m wide and not more than 1.8 m wide where the overall width is more than 1.8 m.
• Handrails must extend horizontally beyond the top and bottom of a ramped access, or the top and bottom nosing of a flight or flights of steps, while not projecting into an access route. The ends must be designed to avoid injury to persons ascending and descending the staircase and must terminate in a way that reduces the risk of clothing being caught.

Balustrades/Barriers

• Balustrades or barriers must be provided to protect exposed edges of staircases, landings, balconies, galleries, and other changes of level. They shall:
• Provide guarding to all exposed edges (balustrades), stairs and ramps. The  balustrade should be 1.1 high minimum.
• Be non-climbable, i.e., with solid infills or vertical guard rails a maximum of 100 mm apart and without horizontal members between verticals.
• A toe board or solid infill must be installed at the floor level of the storey to a height of 150 mm. This is to prevent any objects from falling or being kicked from the edge of the platform floor.
• Where the balustrade or barrier to the upper deck is formed from full height glazing a horizontal bar (a "bump bar") must be installed to prevent people leaning on the glass. This must be at a height between 1m and 1.2m from the floor of the upper deck and be able withstand a suitable load.

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Where a stand joins another and where the wall is higher than the neighboring wall (no more than 4m), the visible area must be painted in a neutral color to present a neat appearance on the neighbor’s side. Branding and advertising is not permitted on this part of the wall.

On divided sites, space only exhibitors are required to construct freestanding partition walls between their own and adjoining stands.  The back wall of a neighboring stand may not be used.

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Where doors are present on your stand they must follow the below guidance;

• The required minimum effective clear width of a door is 800mm.
• Doors must have a vision panel with a zone of visibility spanning from 500mm to 1500mm above the floor. The exception to this is doors to small storerooms, where a small panel may suffice.
• Emergency exit doors must open outwards in the direction of escape.
• Doors must be recessed where they open on to public circulation areas, e.g. they must not open directly on to a gangway.
• Sliding doors are not acceptable as emergency exit doors.

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There is zero tolerance on dust-creating activities in the halls to avoid additional hazards from coughing and reducing cleaning requirements. All dust must be extracted at source by mechanical means. MDF and chipboard must not be machined on site, as the dust produced is hazardous to health. 

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There will be no early access or late working permitted at the Jewellery & Watch Show 2023. 

All stand construction and exhibit set up must be completed by 20:00hrs on Tuesday, 31st October 2023. Failure to meet this deadline may result in a penalty fee.

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Mains supply to space only sites is not included and must be ordered through Main Water, Waste Form. Please note that orders will not be processed unless fully paid.

Orders received after 9th October 2023 or placed onsite will be subject to a 20% surcharge.

The standard supplies of electrical current available in the exhibition halls are:

• single phase 220 volts 50Hz
• three phase 380 volts 50Hz

Exhibitors installing their own power connections to their displays must ensure such installations conform to the IEE Regulations and will be subject to inspection and approval by the Official Electrical Contractor before connections to the mains supply.

The Organisers reserve the right to disconnect any installation that, in their opinion, is dangerous or likely to cause annoyance to visitors or other exhibitors.

Three phase supplies and 24-hour connection will be an extra charge. The position of the cable and distribution box should be clearly marked on the grid plan.

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Alternative escape must be available from any point within a stand or structure leading to a place of safety. Escape routes should have a minimum, unobstructed height of 2.1m, other than within doorways, which should have a clear height of not less than 2.06m.

The minimum permitted gangway width is 2 metres, except within stands of less than 100m2, where gangways must be no less than 1m wide.

There should be no obstruction that could impede the free flow of people using the escape route.

All floors should be even and have a firm, smooth and slip-resistant finish. Trip hazards should be avoided.

The maximum travel distance from any part of a stand to a gangway shall not exceed 50 metres. Where there is only one means of escape from the stand, this must be reduced to 20 metres. In either case, the maximum travel distance should be reduced by 25% where alcohol is being served.

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Perimeter hard walls must be avoided and is restricted to a maximum 30% closed for any of the perimeter sides. These walls must be recessed 1m and must not be left plain. 

For stands of over 50sqm, wall length of the stands can be extended up to 50% of any side and must be recessed by 1m from the edge of the stand. 

Stand walls must be no higher than 4 meters.

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All materials used in the construction of stand fitting and displays must be fireproof and must conform in all respects with local regulations.

All Fire exits and Fire hose cabinets from the venue must be considered into the design should you have a Hall perimeter stand these are clearly marked on the floor plan.

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The floor loading capacity on Halls 1 to 3 is 1,000kg per square meter. Exhibitors wishing to display vehicles or heavy machinery should send details to the Organisers prior to arrival on-site.

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Space only sites are not carpeted by the Organiser. It is the exhibitors’ responsibility to provide their own floor covering on the stand. It is recommended that Exhibitors place a platform on the floor to disguise cables. The platform should be no less than 18mm thick and the corners should be rounded off.

Where raised flooring or platforms are provided, the corners of stands at gangway junctions shall be rounded off or splayed or otherwise protected to ensure clear passage.

A 1m x 1m wide ramp must be incorporated in the platform, if the platform is higher that 35mm and the stand space is larger than 9 square meters for disabled access.

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If you a hazardous substance on your stand please confirm the details in writing to the Organisers so that written approval can be given.

Hazardous substances are not be brought into the halls unless essential. The use of hazardous substances must be subject to a COSHH assessment. Exhibitors must declare the use or display of hazardous substances as a special risk. 

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All welding, gas burning, brazing, grinding and other operations generating heat and sparks are not allowed to be carried out inside the halls. No such activity will be permitted within ADNEC premises without securing a Hot Work Permit from the venue. For further information on this process, please contact the Organisers.

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Exhibitors are fully responsible for obtaining insurance protection for all their exhibits, property, and personnel. The policy should be against all risks and the cover period should include the transit and the entire period when on-site.

Insurance cover should include:

• Personal injury
• Third party claims
• Expenses incurred and/or losses of any kind, including losses resulting from the abandonment or the postponement of the exhibition
• Medical expenses and baggage cover
• Value of the stand including the fittings

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At this time exhibitors should only provide packaged food. This is available from the official catering provider and can be delivered to stands. As a result cooking on stands and food preparation is not required and therefore kitchens are not permitted. 

Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre has sole catering rights for food and beverage services within the venue. All food and beverage items consumed in the halls should be supplied by ADNEC appointed outlets only.

Food outlets serving light refreshments and snacks are located along the exhibition concourse areas while more options can be found in ADNEC Grandstand Food Court.

Exhibitors requiring stand catering should complete and return the Stand Catering Form.

The use of external caterers is not permitted within the venue. However if a 3^rd party caterer is bought on site to provide catering a corkage fee will be charged by ADNEC and will need to be paid before service can begin or continue – this is calculated by the catering manager. Please contact ADNEC Catering at +971 (0)2 406 4210 or email [email protected].

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As per UAE law, it is the responsibility of the exhibitor/contractor to ensure that all personnel working onsite, during build-up / show days and breakdown carry their Labour Card or relevant documentation, as proof of position in your company.

UAE labour law prohibits the hire or contract of any illegal labourers. Violation of this law may result in a jail sentence or up to AED 10,000/- + fine. It is essential that all labourers employed either by exhibitors, contractors or sub-contractors are made aware of this law. ADNEC’s surveillance section will be always present to ensure that those working onsite and within the halls comply with the employment laws of the UAE.

UAE Labour Card

To gain access into ADNEC exhibition halls you must be able to present UAE Labour Card.

• Any other cards will NOT permit access (driving license, medical card, Emirates ID etc.)
• International guests will be required to supply a copy of their temporary visa and passport
• Please ensure that all relevant contractors are made aware of this fact to avoid delays and disappointment.

Sub-contracting

Any contractors who hire subcontractors must have an official agreement in writing between the two parties. An official “Subcontract Agreement” form (available in any UAE bookshop) showing company stamp from both parties must be used to be accepted by ADNEC access control areas.

All labourers must provide a labour card that endorses their employment with either the contractor and or sub-contractor to gain access to the halls.

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DB Schenker the official goods & freight handling contractor and ADNEC Services the official rigging contractor are the only contractors permitted to operate lifting equipment and forklift trucks within the exhibition centre. Stand build contractors and exhibitors will not be permitted to operate any lifting equipment under any circumstances.

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A Live Edge Working Procedure will be enforced for the construction and dismantling phases where applicable. Live Edge Working will be permitted onsite by the Safety Officer once the control measures described in the risk assessment and method statement and been verified with the construction team when they arrive onsite. Work will be stopped if the construction team are working without permission or if the construction team are found working unsafely and not following the procedures identified in the risk assessment and method statement. Any additional working hours required to make up lost time will be charged at the exhibitors / contractors own expense.

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Full specifications of large exhibits and machines to be displayed including the weight and dimensions should be sent to the Organisers prior to going on-site and a plan showing the exhibits location on the stand.

Large exhibits requiring a forklift should be delivered to the halls early on the first day of build-up.

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The maintenance works of all exhibits must be undertaken outside the exhibition hours. 

Exhibitors who wish to perform maintenance works on their stands should submit Maintenance of Exhibits Form to the Organisers' office onsite at least four hours before the show closes on the same day for authorisation.

The use of trolleys and the movement of exhibits during exhibition opening hours are strictly forbidden.

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Exhibitors are permitted to have an open meeting space that is partially screened to give some level of privacy. Meeting rooms are available in ADNEC’s Capital  Suites located on the Mezzanine level and are subject to availability,  please contact the Organisers.

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In the interests of the exhibition, it may be necessary to remove or alter anything in - or forming part of - any stand. If we feel this action must be taken this would have to be at the expense of the exhibitor concerned.

The exhibition floor plan is subject to change at the discretion of the Organisers. Please contact the Organisers to obtain the latest version of the exhibition floor plan.

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Visitors will have got comfortable being in spaces like offices, shops and public transport before coming to exhibitions. They will have developed new behaviours and expectations of the design and cleanliness of any new space they enter and that includes exhibitors’ stands. All of us need to make sensible adjustments to the space we are responsible for managing at exhibitions to ensure we maintain a safe environment. 

The new measures highlighted below are temporary and we expect to remove them as soon as the current situation has passed. We also do not want to impose additional cost on exhibitors by asking them to make substantial changes to their usual stand design. Therefore the aim of these changes is to:

• Simplify your design and create more open space for people to physically distance. Simply leave elements out for this year rather than a complete redesign.
• Add cleaning and sanitisation measures for staff and customer use

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Contractors using climbing boom lifts, gantries and mobile scaffold platforms must be wearing appropriate safety harnesses and helmets.

The following are Health and Safety mandatory requirements at the ADNEC during build up, break down and any other construction areas or loading bays.

Mandatory Foot Protection

It is now mandatory to wear SAFETY Footwear (Safety shoes with toe and puncture protection) to work in the halls and loading bays during build-up and break down periods.

Mandatory Head Protection (Hard Hat)

It is mandatory to wear a hard-hat if you are working on or around any double decker stands, scaffolding, or any structure where there is a risk of falling objects or head injury.

Mandatory High Visibility Clothing (High Visibility Vest)

It is now a mandatory requirement to wear high visibility jackets/vests (any colour) in the halls during build-up and breakdown, and at ALL TIMES in the loading bays or areas where there is movement of vehicles.

High visibility jackets/vests will not be provided by the Organiser, therefore, Exhibitors are kindly requested to bring their own upon accessing the halls during build- up and break- down period.

Please contact your contractor’s supervisor or manager to consult with HSE team to order your PPE. Alternatively, for emergency purposes or unexpected visitor access, you can purchase the above PPE from the grocery in the grandstand.

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It is recommended that all stands with a platform that exceeds 13mm in height should incorporate a ramp for disable access with a minimum unobstructed width of 1m.

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All rigging within ADNEC must be carried out by ADNEC Services - Rigging. Exhibitors wishing to rig banners/hanging signs or lighting above their stands must complete this form. Adequate drawings showing the design, dimensions, and location of the suspended item must be attached to this order to ensure that the order is suitable for the item which requires rigging.

All rigging must be an integral part of the stand design and should be confined within the limits of your stand area. Please note that banners and hanging signs must not project onto the aisles or a neighbouring stand and they must be within the perimeter of your stand.

All stand-fitting equipment must be supported from the ground. Stand fitting is not permitted to be rigged from the ceiling under any circumstances.

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All space only stands, or shell scheme stands with construction are required to submit a full risk assessment and method statement for the design, construction and arrangement of their stand with both documents being submitted along with stand plans.

For further information please contact the Operations Team.

Exhibitiors are also required to have a risk assessment for any stand activities taking place on their stand during show open and may also be required to produce a method statement for certain activites at the organisers discretion. These do not need to be submitted to the organisers unless requested, but a copy of these documents must be available onsite should they be required. 

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Signage and graphics are not permitted to overlook other stands where there is a dividing wall. Where illuminated fascia boards are used on stands, the lighting of them must be of sufficient power to light the fascia board only, and must not cause any spill of light onto neighbouring stands. No flashing lights will be permitted. We reserve the right to disconnect the electrical supply to any illuminated fascia which, in our opinion, is causing a nuisance to any other Exhibitor.

Signage should be used to help communicate and explain to attendees how you are managing your stand space e.g.  one-way flow, entrance / exit etc.

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The walkways around stand areas are not display space and must not be used for the display of signage and wares as it will prevent reasonable access for visitors and staff and may constitute a hazard under emergency conditions.

Stand construction extending through the aisles is strictly prohibited. No features of the stand should encroach beyond the rented space area.

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A stand number panel must be displayed on every open side of the stand to aid visitor navigation. This is the responsibility of the Stand Space/Exhibitors.

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Perimeter hard walls must be avoided and is restricted to a maximum length of 4m of any side of the stand and a natural break of 1.8m wide.

For stands of over 50sqm, wall length of the stands can be extended up to 50% of any side but should have a 1m set back from the edge of the stand.

Stand walls must be no higher than 4 meters sharp.

Where a stand joins another and where the wall is higher than the neighbouring wall (no more than 4m), the visible area must be painted in a neutral colour to present a neat appearance on the neighbour’s side. Branding and advertising is not permitted on this part of the wall.

On divided sites, space only exhibitors are required to construct freestanding partition walls between their own and adjoining stands. The back wall of a neighbouring stand may not be used.

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Excess stock, literature and packing cases may not be stored on, around or behind stands, unless contained within a lockable storeroom (the doors to which must have a vision panel).

The rears of the stands are designated utility areas and do not form part of the exhibition or sold space. In accordance with ADNEC- EHSMS-RCoP a 1.5m wide unobstructed utilities access route shall be maintained to the front and rear face perimeter walls of the exhibition halls.

Direct arrangements for storage of empties and show consumables should be made with the Official Freight Forwarder. Otherwise, Exhibitors must arrange for their cartons and cases to be transported back to their own premises.

Organiser reserves the right to remove/dispose of any cartons, cases and / or packing material left in the exhibition Halls / behind stands. Any cost incurred will be borne by the Exhibitor.

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Small storage areas are allowed on stands. Exhibitors need to ensure that they have measures in place to control access.

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Exhibitors wishing to display vehicles should complete and submit Vehicle Display and Arrival Schedule Form to the Organisers no later than 6th October 2023. The Full specifications of the vehicles including weight and dimensions should be forwarded to the Organisers.

All vehicles and other exhibits must comply with the following, prior to being left unattended on the stand:

• The vehicle must be static and have its engine switched off for the duration of the event.
• Fuels must be reduced to a quarter level
• Have a lockable fuel cap.
• Have a drip tray placed under the engine.
• Battery to be disconnected, where the Vehicle is NOT driven by Battery power.
• Keys to be left with Organisers in case removal is required.
• 24hr Contact Name and Number to be given to the Organisers.
• Organiser and the Venue accept no responsibility for any vehicle that is damaged when being bought into or out of the Hall or once in its final position.
• Organiser and the venue will also not clean any such vehicle. This is the responsibility of the exhibitor.
• Any damage caused to the venue because of vehicle movement will be charged against the exhibitor.

Exhibitors must work closely with the Organiser when arranging to bring the vehicle into the exhibition, often it may be required to enter the halls before the build due to the logistics of building the exhibition around the vehicle.

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All work must be carried out in compliance with the regulations of the Venue and Local Authority. If an exhibitor erects a stand which does not conform fully and in all respects to the requirements of the organiser, Venue and Local Authorities, the organisers reserve the right to alter, demolish or reconstruct the stand at the exhibitors expense and to make it conform to the regulations and requirements. Local Authority decisions are final.

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Exhibitors should contact the Organisers to check the nearest location for water and waste supply. See this form to order.

Exhibitors may not have generators or compressed air units on their stands. If compressed air is required, please inform the Organiser to arrange it with the venue at a cost.

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Exhibitors and contractors have duties under the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations (PUWER) to ensure that all tools are fit for purpose and safe to use. All dangerous moving parts such as circular saws must be guarded with controls to prevent unauthorised use. The use of battery-powered tools is strongly encouraged to reduce trailing cables and risk of electrical hazards. Power tools are to take power from the 110v centre tapped earths provided and not from cleaner’s sockets which are 240v. Those using mains powered tools must ensure that cables are not trailed across aisles. All portable electrical equipment must be subject to a suitable portable equipment testing regime.

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Working at Height is a high risk activity and close attention will be taken on working practices during the build and dismantling of stands. Where possible working at height should be avoided and if unavoidable should use work equipment or other measures to minimise the distance and consequences of a fall should one occur. Working at height is to be in accordance with LOLER and the Working at Heights Regulations. As such, all working at height is subject to risk assessment.

General Guidance:

• All rigging is to be carried out by the official Rigging Contractor.
• All working platforms are to have a guardrail, mid rail and toe board. Tools are to be kept on lanyards so far as is reasonably practicable.
• Static and mobile access working platforms must be fit for purpose (see Working Platforms)
• A Live Edge Working Policy will be enforced for the construction and dismantling phases where live edges are present.
• Separate risk assessments are required for working on a live edge (before rails are in place). In such cases fall arrest equipment must always be used.
• Operatives working at height other than on a static working platform designed for that purpose (e.g. Scaffold) must be clipped on.
• Operatives working at height must have suitable head protection e.g. bump caps.
• Ground access to areas in the vicinity must be controlled to prevent persons accidentally walking directly under high works. Ground workers in the vicinity must not work directly under high works and wear suitable head protection e.g. hard hats.

For further advice on working at height safety, please contact the Operations Team.

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