Messe Frankfurt Exhibitor Guide

Set-Up and Dismantling Timelines

• You can start with the stand building and deliveries five days prior to the event’s opening.
• Installations and dismantling are allowed 24/7 during the allotted time periods.
• All exhibitors are granted 2 calendar days after the event to dismantle, clean, and vacate their booth space.

Stand Safety Guidelines

• Exhibitors are required to ensure the structural safety of their booth and may have to submit proof of the same.
• Using a neighbouring stand or building structures to brace your stand is strictly prohibited.
• Structural certifications have to be submitted for the following:
• Large Overhangs
• Unusual shapes/configurations,
• Constructions of over four metres in height

Stand Construction Permits

You’ll require a stand construction permit for the following:

• Stands larger than 100 m2 area
• Stands located in outdoor areas
• Mobile stands and temporary structures
• Two-storey stands
• Special structures and special constructions*

Special Constructions: These include exhibits over 4 meters in height, closed ceilings, platforms in booths higher than 0.20 meters, glass construction, moving components, and floor/ceiling connections.

However, you won’t need to get permission for:

• Single-storey stands without special constructions
• Single-storey stands occupying less than 100 m2 area
• Single-storey stands with heights less than 4 meters.

Approvals and Inspection

• You must submit a PDF containing your fully dimensioned stand plans in a suitable scale (e.g. 1:100) for approval.
• The last date to submit the aforementioned digital form is six weeks before the start of the set-up.
• Stand construction may not commence until you receive a stamped copy of your plans from the authorities.
• For special structures and special constructions, you’ll have to submit another documentation before the same deadline. This documentation must include:
• Structural calculations complying with German building standards
• A building description that highlights the materials used
• Ceiling plans with clear dimensions of the closed ceilings
• An escape route plan with appropriate lengths and widths.

Construction Heights

• The advertising media and logos on your exhibition stand should be at least one meter away from your neighbouring stand.
• The exact maximum construction height for stands and rigging is different for all the halls at Messe Frankfurt.
• 2.30 meters is the minimum height for the inside areas of your exhibition stand.

Fire Protection and Safety

• No exhibitor is allowed to use open fires and flames at the event.
• If your stand’s closed ceilings or special structures impede the halls’ technical system or fire protection, you will have to take additional measures with the guidance of Messe Frankfurt Venue GmbH’s Technical Event Management.
• The stand construction and ceiling material used should be a minimum flame-retardant class B1.
• Your stand should have the appropriate emergency escape route signage and fire extinguishers (2 for double-storey stands).
• A fire alarm system and an acoustic/visual alarm are mandatory for stands with a ceiling area of more than 30 m2.

Closed Ceilings and Two-Storey Structures

• Two-storey structures and closed ceilings require permission from Messe Frankfurt Venue GmbH’s Technical Event Management.
• Stands with an area of 1,000 m² or more require an individual fire protection concept based on the Messe Frankfurt Technical Guidelines. This would also require prior approval.
• If the ceiling of your stand covers more than 30% of your booth area, it will be considered a closed ceiling.
• Your booth’s ceiling will not be considered closed if it has sprinkler-compatible fabrics with at least 4 x 4 mm mesh width.
• Exhibitors can only use the fabrics without bracing for up to a 30 m² field size. The fabric should be a class B1 or above flame-retardant and made of a non-combustible, dripping material.
• You would need to install a sprinkler system beneath your booth’s ceiling if it exceeds 400 m² in area.
• The use of thermoplastics and materials that generate toxic gases or large amounts of smoke is strictly prohibited in stand construction.
• Any suspended decorations should be at least 2.5 metres above the floor and not impede the hall’s automatic fire extinguishing systems.
• Messe Frankfurt Venue GmbH’s Technical Event Management also prohibits the use of explosive materials, ammunition, and balloons with combustible gases.