Star Hire (Event Services) Ltd has set an event industry precedent by gaining LANTAC approval for its SS11-09 (Mk2) mobile StarStage. LANTAC is the Local Authorities National Type Approvals Consortium, a scheme which over 90% of the 550 Local Authorities in the UK belong to. In essence, certification under the scheme means that Star Hire no longer has to have the complex engineering calculations checked by local authorities at every show. This saves the clients, licensing authorities and themselves significant time and work in the tight schedules of the live events industry. Local Authorities and clients can be sure that the stage is safe, merely by possession of the signing-off certificate. This guarantees that the stage has been erected in accordance with the LANTAC approval. To gain the certificate the stage and its documentation were examined in detail by one local authority, which included a full inspection of it being installed on site, so covering work practices as well. Their report was then checked by a second independent authority. Finally, an engineer independent of both authorities signed the documentation, having checked the work of the two authorities. This is the first time that a stage system that meets current guidance and regulations has won LANTAC approval in the UK. The SS 11-09 Mobile StarStage will feature prominently in the Queen’s Golden Jubilee celebrations, as it tours the UK fulfilling 48 shows in as many days as part of the Queen’s Jubilee Baton Relay.
(Ruth Rossington)
