Most events need security measures in place to deter unauthorized guests from entering the venue. From large music and cultural festivals to small, local food events, you can organize your venue with temporary fencing to create a safe environment for staff and attendees. Learn how to set up proper crowd control barricades at your entrances and throughout the event space.

The Importance of Crowd Control Barricades

Crowd control barricades are essential tools for organizing events and providing security for everyone present. By setting the boundaries of your event space and guiding attendees along designated paths, barricades boost safety and improve the overall flow of foot traffic.

At entrances, barricades establish order by creating clear entry points for ticketing and security checks. Inside the venue, they serve as temporary walls to guide guest movement and prevent bottlenecks. At exits, barricades disperse crowds in an orderly fashion and mitigate potential congestion during peak departure times.

Improperly placed barricades can lead to safety hazards, such as overcrowding or blocked emergency exits. By properly setting up barricades, event organizers reduce risks, improve the attendee experience, and adhere to local safety regulations. You can mitigate any safety concerns by creating a blueprint of your event ahead of time.

Planning Your Crowd Control Layout

Before you can set up any barricades, you’ll need to understand the perimeter and conditions of your venue. This involves measuring the square footage of the event space, estimating attendance, and pinpointing high-traffic areas.

Assessing Your Venue

Start by conducting a walkthrough of your event location. Evaluate where barricades will provide the most benefit. This will likely include crowded areas such as entrances, exits, and food stalls. Also, map out emergency evacuation routes, and install your barriers so that nothing blocks these areas. Once you determine what kind of layout works best for your venue, plan out other structures to create an organized and safe environment for your event.

Predicting Crowd Movement

Try to predict how people will move through the event space. Consider the times when traffic might increase, such as during opening hours or when a headline act performs. With this information, position your barricades strategically to manage and direct the crowd effectively.

How To Set Up Proper Crowd Control Barricades

Choosing the Right Type of Barricades

Based on the size of your event, you may need additional fencing structures to keep your venue safe. This could include using a variety of temporary fencing options and installing extra accessories for an added layer of security. Assess your venue space and your budget to see if these additional structures could benefit your festivities.

Types of Crowd Control Barricades

While there are many different types of temporary fencing you can use, crowd control barriers work well for events because they are typically lower to the ground and don’t obstruct views. Unlike a chain-link fence, for instance, these barriers are easy to maneuver and change if you need to adjust your layout. Use a sturdy post-driven chain-link fence for the perimeter of your event and crowd control barriers for entrances and the interior for better organization.

Additional Accessories

Enhance your crowd control setup by adding fencing accessories. Sandbags, for example, improve stability on windy days, so your fencing structures will stand up even in harsh weather. Privacy screens can also block the venue from passersby for extra security and make your event look more aesthetically pleasing.

Setting Up Barricades at Event Entrances

When guests arrive at your event, they should be able to easily find and access your entrances. With crowd control barriers, you can create visible and structured entryways your staff and guests can safely navigate through.

Make sure to give your entrances enough room for attendees to line up without blocking pedestrian pathways. Designate separate lanes for ticket holders, VIP guests, and those without passes. Use barricades to create clear lines and prevent merging. For extra security, place signage on each lane to guide attendees efficiently.

Within the barricade setups, leave extra space where security personnel can perform bag checks or scan tickets. With these well-organized checkpoints, you’ll be able to invite guests into your venue without hassle.

Creating Controlled Spaces Within the Venue

Once your guests enter the venue, set up proper crowd control barricades to guide them through the event. From queue lines to VIP sections, these barriers act as walls to divide and manage congestion within your venue.

Food vendors, merchandise stands, and restrooms are common high-traffic spots that require dividers to guide guests safely. Barricades help segregate these areas from walkways to prevent congestion. As you design your event, consider forming lanes that facilitate an orderly flow of people.

If your event has a stage or VIP zone, use barricades to block these areas from general access. This keeps guests and performers safe from uninvited people attempting to enter these areas.

How To Set Up Proper Crowd Control Barricades

Ensuring Emergency Access and Exits

Emergency exits are necessary to safely escort guests during unexpected circumstances. Safety must be a top priority in all event planning, and strategically located crowd control barricades help accommodate emergency protocols.

Never place barricades directly in front of emergency exits. For easy guidance, you can add signage to your barriers to point out emergency exits in case of unexpected circumstances. Arrange barricades to naturally guide attendee flow away from these routes during an emergency.

If you need direction with your emergency planning, coordinate with emergency responders to determine where they may need access points. These professionals can let you know if you need to create a larger area for your exits or relocate your barriers in case of an emergency.

Post-Event Barricade Management

Once an event concludes, remove barricades systematically, starting from the areas with the fewest attendees present. Place the barricades away from entrances and exits while people are leaving the event to prevent congestion. Avoid rushing, as hastily moved barricades can cause obstruction and accidents.

Check all barricades for damage before returning them to storage or the rental company. Identify any broken components for repair or replacement so that they’re ready for the next event.

If you’re looking for crowd control barricade rentals for your next event, get in touch with our team at Rentafence.com. We provide sturdy barriers that can withstand harsh weather conditions and stand tall after days of use. Create an ideal layout for your venue using a wide variety of temporary fencing by browsing our rental options today.