Wind limits for stage roofs, screens and temporary structures
Stage roofs and screens are engineered structures, so their limits come from the designer. The figures below are examples from real plans, not universal rules. They show how an operating limit differs from a design figure and how action levels are written.
Design gust against operating limit
A wind management plan for Diynamic Festival London (2018), published by Merton Council, quotes IStructE guidance that temporary demountable structures should be designed to withstand wind gusts of 25 metres per second (55mph).
The same plan says that guidance allows for sheeting to be removed. It adds that many structures have a much lower tolerance when fully sheeted. Event organisers should be aware of this when writing wind management plans.
It adds that decisions about running an event need to be taken well in advance of reaching the operational wind loading capacity of the stage itself. Other structures may have much lower tolerances.
Source: Merton Council: Appendix N: Wind Management Plan, Diynamic Festival London, 2018
Example action levels
The Diynamic plan stops the use of access equipment and roof climbing if gusts become continuous above 12 metres per second (27mph). It sets three action levels, with a monitoring interval for each.
- 12 to 18 m/s (27 to 40mph): check every 30 minutes. Action level 1: prepare to halt erection until safe working conditions return.
- 18 to 22 m/s (40 to 49mph): check every 15 minutes. Action level 2: hold a site safety meeting and risk assessment. Prepare for full site evacuation.
- Over 22 m/s (49mph): monitor constantly. Action level 3: site evacuation procedure.
Source: Merton Council: Appendix N: Wind Management Plan, Diynamic Festival London, 2018
Roof sheets, screens and rigging
The plan records that HSE has strongly recommended removing roof sheets if gusting becomes hazardous. Screens, stage sets, drapes and lighting rigs inside the structure become dynamic loads in high winds and put extra strain on it.
It also says each structure should have its own wind action plan. An anemometer should be installed as soon as reasonably practicable.
Source: Merton Council: Appendix N: Wind Management Plan, Diynamic Festival London, 2018
Example from a venue: Bute Park, Cardiff
The Bute Park event guide says all events should have a wind management plan listing the maximum wind speed for each structure and the action to be taken at 60% and 80% of the maximum wind load capacity.
It says a competent person must monitor the plan against the operating limits of each structure. Effective action must be taken before any operating limit is exceeded.
For smaller structures such as gazebos and covered stalls, it asks organisers to check the forecast average wind speed and the forecast gust speed for the event day.
Why gusts matter so much
The Diynamic plan notes that wind pressure is proportional to the square of wind speed. Between 12 and 24 metres per second the pressure on a structure approximately quadruples.
Source: Merton Council: Appendix N: Wind Management Plan, Diynamic Festival London, 2018
How Gustline helps
Add each roof, screen or stage as its own structure with the limit from its designer. If your wind management plan has action levels, set the limit to the first one you would act on. Gustline warns you when a forecast gust comes within 5mph, up to seven days ahead.
Gustline checks the Met Office site-specific forecast for the point you pin on the map, every six hours from a week out and every hour in the final three days. It compares the forecast gust with the rated limit you enter for each structure and checks the weather alerts you leave on for the event. When a level changes it emails and texts the people you choose. Every alert is logged with a timestamp.
Gustline is an early warning for planning. It does not replace checks on site on the day, the official warnings or your event's own plans.
Plans start at £19 for one event. A season pass is £99 a season and a year pass is £179 a year. It covers the UK only.
Set up alerts for your next eventCheck the next 7 days of gusts at your site against a stage roof limit, free
Sources
- Merton Council: Appendix N: Wind Management Plan, Diynamic Festival London, 2018
- Bute Park, Cardiff: Event guide: structures
Last updated 4 October 2026.
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