Stand Design Guide / Technical Guidelines
Stand Plan Approval for Complex Stands
If a stand or event area occupies an entire hall or a large part of a hall through which public walkways/aisles must pass, the accessibility of emergency exits must be ensured. The corresponding stand or event area plans must be submitted to Messe Berlin for review and approval, even if it is a single-story structure.
Additionally, all other stand constructions, including multi-story or mobile stands, outdoor stand constructions (I.), and special constructions, are subject to inspection and approval. In every case, a certified structural safety certificate (static calculation) must be provided. The application must also include the necessary forms for the approval process, namely the "Construction Inspection" and "Load Distribution Measures" forms.
Stand constructions requiring approval include all temporary structures classified as flying structures according to Building Regulations § 76 (1) or M-FlBauR, or those referred to as such by type and construction, such as:
-Stages (≥ 100 m²), including stage coverings, awnings, and enclosures
-Grandstands
-Play/sport and amusement devices (e.g., rides, fairground attractions, inflatable playground equipment like bounce houses, etc.) where the height of the walkable area is > 5.0 m or where covered areas exceed 25 m², and where there is a risk of the roof collapsing.
-Show and stage trucks (II.+III.) with permanently installed or retractable trailers or walkable stage areas > 75 m², intended for access or use by general exhibition participants/visitors.
-Free-standing scaffolds and advertising structures/monitor and LED display walls
Other booth constructions that are walkable and/or covered or freestanding: platforms, catwalks, awnings and coverings, container systems with 2 or more floors.
-Facilities with a fully enclosed cinema or other types of spectator and visitor rooms.
Procedure for the inspection of temporary structures requiring approval and their use for the inspection and approval of:
- Two-story or multi-storyes stand constructions (IV.),
- Special constructions/parts, flying structures, components above public areas, grandstands, covered spectator/visitor areas (more than 200 people) (V.), catwalks, elevated walkways, platforms, stairs, railings, balustrades (VI.), buildings and structures outdoors (VII.), exhibits and special constructions set up outside the stand area.
- Changes in the use of entire halls or larger stand/event areas (≥ 1,500 m²) (VIII.), exhibition and action areas (≥ 200 m²) (IX.)
The following stand construction documents must be submitted to Messe Berlin. Please submit the documents digitally via the Stand Plan Approval Form.
The following documents must be submitted in German and/or English no later than 6 weeks before the first day of construction.
Static calculations* according to German DIN standards (DIN EN), Eurocodes (EC), or equivalent technical regulations for all mentioned booth constructions requiring approval.
- Construction description, site plan.
- Stand construction drawings (floor plans, elevations, sections) with construction details.
- Emergency exit plan indicating the lengths and widths of the emergency routes.
*Point 1 does not apply if a certified construction type approval or a valid inspection book is available according to the regulation on the construction and operation of flying structures (M-FIBauR). Messe Berlin will submit the valid inspection books to the responsible inspection body on behalf of the client/exhibitor, which will carry out an on-site inspection at the client's expense.
In addition to the construction type approval of specific technical equipment, such as sports and play equipment with mechanical or electrical functions, the following documents must be submitted for inspection in German:
- Construction/operation regulations with adjusted risk assessment.
- Construction drawings.
- Stability certificate.
- TÜV test certificates and/or approvals.
OR
EU declaration of conformity according to the Machinery Directive 2006/42/EC or a performance declaration according to the European Construction Products Regulation (BauPVO). If necessary, the above-mentioned documents may also be required.
A submitted booth concept/booth construction is considered approved only after written notification from Messe Berlin. Booth constructions that are not approved or do not comply with the technical guidelines or legal regulations may need to be modified or removed. The costs and fees incurred during the inspection/approval process will be invoiced to the exhibitor/ordering party according to the inspection approval form. If complete certified structural safety certificates, as described above, are not provided, Messe Berlin reserves the right to take further actions or impose additional conditions. The costs arising from this will be borne by the exhibitor/ordering party.
Costs arising from late submissions of documents may also be invoiced to the exhibitor/ordering party.
Vehicles and Containers
Vehicles (including show trucks, stage trucks, buses, etc.) and containers used as exhibition and presentation stands in halls, other enclosed event areas, and outdoor areas require approval. Show trucks/stage trucks with extendable, retractable trailer parts or stage elements, stationary show trucks or stage vehicles intended for use or access by the general public must submit the relevant inspection documents (X.) to Messe Berlin. The use permit can only be granted after a technical inspection of the completed vehicle structure on-site.
Building Heights
The maximum construction height for booth constructions is, unless otherwise stated in the event description, the clear height of the event hall minus 0.50 m. The maximum construction height in halls 8.1, 10.1, and 11.1 may not exceed 3.60 m.
Technical Guidelines
Technical Notes: Outdoor Stand Structures
Maximum Build Height in the Halls
Submission Process
1.Complex plans must be pre-approved via email by the Account Manager of IFA Management GmbH. Please fill out the stand plan approval- complex stand .
2.Complex plans must be submitted to Messe Berlin for review and approval. Email: messetechnik@messe-berlin.de
3.After approval, you will receive a building permit notice. Please note that construction cannot begin without this notice.
4.COMPLEX plans must also submit the TEST FOR CONSTRUCTION (EN) and LOAD DISTRIBUTION (EN) forms which will be sent to the Messe Berlin for review and approve and will be subject to the fees outlined below.
Deadline
COMPLEX STAND PLANS:
When submitting complex stand approval plans, it is essential to submit all required plans, documents, and paperwork no later than 6 weeks before the first day of construction. For exhibitors who will start their stand build during the official IFA build-up days from 25 August to 4 September, the submission deadline is 11 July 2025. There will be no exceptions to this deadline.
All information is to be submitted in English/German and include exhibiting company’s name and stand number.
Approval Fees
Review of Submitted Documents and Construction Supervision: Messe Berlin GmbH charges €10.00/m² for stand superstructures or upper floor areas, with a minimum fee of 440,00 EUR + VAT for the approval and review of submitted documents for accuracy and completeness, as well as for the on-site supervision of the load-bearing structure, including stairs and railings.
Structural Analysis Review: If the submitted structural calculation has not been reviewed by a certified structural engineer approved by Messe Berlin, Messe Berlin GmbH can be commissioned to perform the structural analysis. The cost for this is €10.00/m² of the stand superstructure or upper floor area, with a minimum fee of 600,00 EUR + VAT. Additional inspections will be charged based on the actual effort.
Late Submission:
All stand plans and accompanying documents must be submitted on time. A surcharge of 100% will be applied to plans submitted after the deadline.
Stand Plan Approval for Non-Complex Stands
All stand construction that do not meet criteria for complex stands, fall under non-complex stands.
Submission Process:
1.Complete the stand plan approval form - Non-Complex Stands and attach ALL required documents.
2.Plans for non-complex stands will be reviewed and approved by the EEP Safety Team Limited.
3.After approval, you will receive a building permit notice. Please note that construction cannot begin without this notice.
DEADLINE:
Non-Complex Plans: 14 July 2025. All information is to be submitted in English/German and include exhibiting company’s name and stand number.
Approval fees:
We will have a standard and a late fee.
- The standard fee will be 194,22 EUR + VAT.
- The late fee will be 377,65 EUR + VAT.
The late fee will be triggered when the 6-week deadline (14 July 2025) before build is over.
*A permission to build will not be issued without receiving this payment.
Technical Guidelines