IAAPA Expo Middle East Safety Guidelines

All dynamic devices will be inspected by Certis Global, the Official Safety Inspectors of IAAPA Expo Middle East, against EN 13814, ISO 17842 or ASTM F2974, and EN 14960 for inflatables, in line with DCT Abu Dhabi Circular 10/2025. The inspection includes a pre-show review of submitted documents and an on-site inspection after installation. No device may operate until it has been cleared by the Safety Inspectors.

Operators of dynamic devices must be trained in emergency response and first aid, with records submitted. Any accident or injury must be reported immediately to the IAAPA Safety Office, which will notify the authorities. Both are required by Circular 10/2025

No one aged 17 or under in the halls during build-up and breakdown; safety shoes, high-visibility vest and hard hat in loading and work areas; IPAF licence for anyone operating access equipment, as required by ADNEC; valid third-party inspection certificates for lifting and access equipment.

Situational awareness, being alert to your surroundings, is critical to personal safety during the Pre-show and floor set up. It is the responsibility of all exhibitors, their employees and contractors, to ensure their personnel safety during move-in, set-up, during the show and finally tear down.

Man lifts, forklifts, people movers, bicycles, heavy equipment and even tractor trailers are in constant movement and pose a risk for injury. Aisle congestion, and the accumulation of trash and debris also pose a potential trip hazard risk.

Ladder usage poses a potential risk. Unsafe ladder practices:

• NOT using a ladder; using chairs, crates, etc.
• Over-reaching
• “Walking” a ladder rather than moving it
• Working above the rated step. No more than 3 rungs from the top
• Undersized ladders
• Damaged ladders

If you are using a man lift or scaffolding system, the user MUST employ with ADNEC's requirement that operators "wear head protection and harnesses and be attached to the equipment by means of a safety harness" with equipment conforming to PUWER and LOLER.

It is always mandatory to use hard hats.

A spotter on the ground level should be used.

Under no circumstances, welding and/or grinding any structure, device, etc., will be allowed. 

Should welding or grinding be necessary, the object will have to be removed from the show floor to an approved outdoor area.

Any such welding will need to be done by a Certified Welder, and the house may require a separate fire watch while this is being done.

It is the responsibility of each exhibitor to be certain to remove trip hazards as soon as possible in and around your booth (including aisles).

• Packing materials and crates
• Trash
• Extension cords
• Debris
• If carpeting is loose or presents a trip hazard contact a GES representative immediately
• Wooden boards with protruding fasteners must be removed from traffic areas and stored securely

Under NO circumstances are bottled gases allowed on the floor by the exhibitor. 

Thatch type roofs and umbrellas must have a flammability certificate on file with the safety inspectors.

ADNEC Requirements: 

• Totally enclosed ceilings are strictly prohibited.
• Exhibition stand ceilings must not obstruct the sprinklers and shall have an open space of over 50%.
• For Double decker stand – provide adequate number of fire extinguishers on mezzanine / first floor.
• The construction materials shall be non-flammable or fire retardant.
• Timber under 25 mm and boards "must be rendered flame resistant by a recognized process to a Class 1 standard" (BS 476 Part 7).

• Textile fabric and other decorative material used for stand dressing must be flame proofed" to BS 476 Part 7 Class 1.

  The flammability certificate requirement should therefore cover all stand dressing materials, not only thatch and umbrellas.

Exhibitors with dynamic devices and static devices which may be demonstrated without riders, must have the proper fencing system surround the entirety of the device.

Rigid, freestanding barriers that cannot be easily climbed. Tape, rope or stanchion barriers are not acceptable for moving devices.

Minimum height 1.1 m , with openings no larger than 100 mm.

Clearance from the device based on the manufacturer's clearance envelope, with a minimum of 0.9 m from the furthest point of movement.

Controlled entry and exit gates.

Static and display only devices remain exempt, as currently stated.

Each dynamic device must have proper instructional signs. These signs should include but are not limited to:

• Entrance
• Exit
• Height and Health requirements
• Information about the ride
• Device name and individually numbered cars

Be aware of proper connections, the use of power strips, extension cords and cord ratings. No “daisy chaining” of strips or cords is allowed.

An extension cord may be connected to the power source with a multi strip adapter plugged into the extension cord.  

It is not permissible to connect multi strip adapters to another multi strip adapter.

The supply is 230 V / 50 Hz with BS-type 3-pin sockets, that installations are carried out by the approved electrical contractor and tested before energising, and that no cables may cross aisles during show hours.

All exhibitors must complete the Audience Participation Safety Form in advance of the show to indicate if there are any dynamic or static devices inside of the booth that would be considered Audience Participation.

Exhibitor staff, materials, and product are required to remain in their booth for the duration of the show. Exhibitors are not allowed to use the aisles for any reason, including demonstrations of their goods.

Every exhibitor’s space is evaluated each morning prior to the show opening. If there is a safety issue, a red “CORRECTION” card is placed with a description of the potential hazard. This must be corrected prior to the show opening. 

Dynamic devices are required to provide the Safety Inspectors with a daily checklist for their device, as well as attend a mandatory operator review session Monday, the day prior to show opening.

It is strongly recommended that each operator of a dynamic device employ a signed waiver from each participant on the dynamic device and retain these records until the end of the show, or if requested by the safety team or IAAPA staff.

Devices that are Dynamic will require proper insurance coverage, copies of all manuals on file with the safety team, a daily inspection checklist, a daily review by the safety team, and an identifying green Dynamic device permit. This permit sticker must be visible for the safety team and IAAPA staff and is numbered and registered in the Safety Office. 

The process is similar with the Static devices, however they receive a red Static permit, this permit sticker must also be readily visible for staff needs and is a clear indicator that there is NO ridership.

All inflatable devices, whether they are Dynamic or Static, MUST be deflated at the end of each day. 

All blowers must be clear of any obstructions to air flow. It is preferred that silencer boxes for the fans remain open or not used at all during the expo.

All dynamic inflatables must be tied down/weighted down in accordance with manufacturer requirements.

Exhibitors displaying inflatables that are for display only must block off all access points with netting, tape, and/or signage.

Each dynamic device must clearly post its age, height, weight and health restrictions at the entrance, in Arabic and English, based on the manufacturer's requirements. The exhibitor must enforce them at all times.

Is something unclear? Please ask. When it comes to show safety, there are no wrong questions. 

The Safety Inspectors are easily identifiable and want to help you have the best show possible! If you miss them at your booth on-site, visit the Operations Office.  

If you have any questions during the planning period, please contact IAAPA at [email protected]