Sports ground regulation

The Building Control Service also control the erection of temporary platforms and structures used as grandstands for public entertainment.

If you are planning to use or erect a temporary platform or grandstand structure, whether or not it is located at a sports ground, contact: Building Control Services.

Mr Mike Terry, Building Control Manager, Building Control Services is the Council's nominated regulator.

Calderdale Council's Building Control Service (the Regulator) is responsible for the administration of the safety at sports ground legislation within the Borough. This role includes the issuing and enforcement of a General Safety Certificate for any designated grounds or regulated stands.

The General Safety Certificate requires the holder of the certificate to undertake certain specific actions and functions described within the General Safety Certificate to ensure the safety of spectators who visit and use the particular sports ground.

Designated grounds and regulated stands.

• A designated ground is one where association football matches are played, the ground has a spectator occupancy of 5,000 people or more and the ground is designated by the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport.
• A regulated stand is a stand providing covered accommodation (whether seated or standing) for 500 or more people.

The purpose of the legislation is to ensure the safety of spectators who visit large or complex sports grounds for sporting fixtures or other similar events.

Sports grounds that:

• are not designated by the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport;
• and stands that provide covered accommodation for less than 500 people.

However. the club that promotes the event is not exempt from the provisions of the safety at sports ground legislation to maintain a safe ground and safe events.

All promoters of sporting fixtures, whether sports clubs or other organisations, hold a duty to maintain a safe sporting event. Also, to ensure the safety of all spectators under a combination of:

• safety at sports ground legislation;
• and general health and safety law.

For more information, guidance or help to organise a safe sporting event or to apply for a General Safety Certificate, contact: Building Control Services.

For more advice on how to manage crowds safely and organise a public event, visit: Health and Safety Executive.

An application for a General Safety Certificate for a designated ground or regulated stand must include details and address of the stadium, together with details of the individual or organisation who will manage the stadium. In particular details are required of the person who is proposed to be the holder of the requested General Safety Certificate together with their competency for acting as the holder of a General Safety Certificate.

The issuing of a General Safety Certificate for a designated ground or regulated stand requires consideration of a broad number of issues to ensure the health, safety, welfare and comfort of the spectators. These include the management of the stand or stadium, the level of stewarding available, means of escape in case of fire, together with the location of steps, standing areas, barriers and guarding and the provision of toilets. Other important aspects of a General Safety Certificate are the need for scrutiny of safety systems and certification of elements, services and equipment.

Information on all the aspects that need to be considered under an application for a General Safety Certificate are discussed within the Guide to safety at sports grounds - green guide.

• Two months from the deposit of the application.

No.

It is in the public interest that the authority must process your application before it can be granted.

If you have not heard from the local authority within a reasonable period, contact: Building Control Services.

An incomplete application for a General Safety Certificate that does not address all the issues discussed in the current fifth edition of the Guide to safety at sports grounds, such as:

• drawings of the stadium or stand;
• management procedures;
• stewarding plans;
• event plans;
• safety documents;
• risk assessment documentation;
• means of escape plans or the lack of evidence to justify compliance with the guidance;
• or a lack of certification to prove that elements of the structure, safety barriers, services or equipment are safe effective and appropriate.