The Government’s “Guide to Safety at Sports Grounds”, commonly referred to as the “Green Guide”, published following the disasters at Bradford City and Hillsborough, specifies the dynamic properties of stadium structures under crowd loading. It also makes provision for access and egress to terrace areas which is fundamental to the safe design of a stadium. Precast concrete is the natural choice of material to satisfy the requirements of the Guide providing the necessary fire resistance and stiffness together with a high quality finish. The same principles used in the design and construction of sports stadia can also be used in cinemas, lecture theatres and other auditoria. Ebor Concretes can design and supply all the precast elements required in the construction of terrace structures. These include:-

• Terracing units generally span between raker beams at up to 7or 8m span.
• Raker beams can be of steel or concrete but must have a suitable bearing seat for the terrace unit.
• Typically terrace units are ‘L’ or ‘T’ shaped in section with varying rise heights and goings.
• Proprietary lifting anchors are cast into the units for quick and safe handling and erection.

• Vomitories which provide for safe movement of spectators between seating and concourse areas beneath terraces are formed from concrete walls which are supported either on the frame or concourse floor.
• Wall sections are usually jointed to allow easy handling and transportation of the units.
• The vomitory walls themselves can provide support to adjacent terrace and walkway units usually by steel brackets fixed to the walls.

• Stairs for access and egress to the terrace and concourse areas are a fundamental part of any stadium structure. More details of what Ebor Concretes can provide can be found on our ‘Stairs’ page.
• Typically, the rise between terrace units will be about 350mm. For safe movement of spectators up and down the terrace, the rise needs to be about 175mm and step blocks are provided which sit on the terrace units to achieve this.

• Where concrete raker beams are specified, Ebor can design and supply these with the requisite bearing for terracing units.

• A typical terrace will include walkways for spectator movement, balcony walls and variety of other ‘special’ units for areas such as disabled access and seating. As a specialist in bespoke structural precast, Ebor can develop solutions, design and manufacture these elements to your requirements.