Advisory Group on Temporary Structures

Chairman - Peter Hind
Secretary - Dr John Littler

The Advisory Group on Temporary Structures (AGOTS) was formed in 1999 to provide an ongoing focus related to temporary structures in the leisure industry.

A third edition of Temporary Demountable Structures: guidance on procurement, design and use was published in May 2007. This guide is being issued to all local authorities in England and Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland with an endorsement from Communities and Local Government, the Scottish Building Standards Agency or the Department of Finance and Personnel in Northern Ireland as appropriate.

The terms of reference of the Group are:

• To keep Temporary demountable structures: guidance on procurement, design and use (3rd Edition) under review and advise the Institution of any future need for additional or revised guidance related to temporary structures for leisure events.
• To collate information about experience in applying the guidance and, where appropriate, disseminate it to the industry.
• To consider how the guidance might be promoted in Europe and elsewhere.
• To promote best practice in relation to the design and use of temporary structures for leisure events.
• Fairground structures are excluded from the AGOTS remit even though they are temporary structures erected for leisure events.
• To consider whether any specific guidance is required for retractable seating with regard to aspects of these structures where none is currently available.

Membership of the group includes representatives of:

• Core Cities Group
• Communities and Local Government (CLG)
• Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE)
• Institution of Structural Engineers (IStructE)
• Professional Lighting and Sound Association (PLASA)
• The Event Suppliers Association (TESA)
• The Performance Textiles Association
• The Production Services Association (PSA)

For further information please contact Dr John Littler