2.02 A Useful Guide To Someone Hiring A Marquee

There are 5 basic types of marquee:

FRAMED MARQUEES (aluminium frame, keder track style):
Up to 50 metre spans in aluminium frame with keder tracks with PVC coated polyester base fabric. These generally have the highest wind loading capability.
There are no internal supports. They can have integral floors and hard ABS walling (with aluminium frames). These can be used for multi layer marquees.

FRAMED MARQUEES (aluminium/steel round or square tube):
Up to approximately 9 metre span (width) with PVC coated polyester base fabric. The covers are generally fixed to the frame by way of bungee cords and are more vulnerable when installing when compared to the aluminium framed keder track marquees. However, once installed they have wind loadings similar to that of the aluminium keder track marquees.

BIG TOP MARQUEES:
These do have very reasonable wind loadings and generally have a higher wall height. These do have internal supports. They use external guy ropes and ground stakes.

TRADITIONAL MARQUEES:
Generally up to 36 metre wide with wooden uprights and ridge beams and covers usually made from cotton. These have external guy ropes and ground stakes.

TENSION TENTS:
Generally up to 18 metre wide with aluminium uprights and tensioning points on the PVC coated polyester base fabric. They are tensioned with ratchet straps. They have external guy ropes and ground stakes.

There are some ?home-made? variants to the above that have not been proven by structural calculations or by long established use in bad weather.

When deciding the type of marquee you require the number of persons attending the event is very important. Use the following table as a guide to determine the optimum size of structure required:

Table: showing approximate size of marquee for guest numbers.

No. of Guests	Standing ‘party’	Seated (theatre)	Seated at long tables	Seated 10 at 5foot round tables	Seated 8 at 5foot round tables
25	4m x 4m	5m x 5m	6m x 6m	6m x 6m	6m x 9m
50	6m x 6m	6m x 9m	6m x 9m	6m x 9m	9m x 9m
100	6m x 9m	6m x 15m	9m x 12m	9m x 12m	9m x 15m
150	6m x 15m	9m x 15m	9m x 18m	9m x 18m	12m x 15m
200	9m x 24m	9m x 18m	12m x 20m	12m x 20m	12m x 20m
300	12m x 15m	12m x 20m	12m x 25m	12m x 25m	12m x 30m
500	12m x 25m	15m x 25m	15m x 35m	15m x 35m	15m x 45m
1000	15m x 35m	20m x 40m	20m x 50m	20m x 50m	20m x 60m
2000	20m x 50m	30m x 50m	30m x 60m	30m x 60m	30m x 75m

*These figures are a guide only.

Add space for stage, dance floor, catering, reception, cloaks, toilets etc.

For larger events speak to the contractor for advice.

All members of MHTO have proved the structural stability of their marquees. Speak to your MHTO marquee contractor to determine the most beneficial type of marquee for your event.