Safety, Health and Enviromental Charter

For all technical questions please contact the appointed contractor:

ABS Concept s.p.r.l.
Freddy Michielsen
Rue de la Chanterelle,22
B-1020 Brussels

Tel +32 3 353 35 93
Fax +32 3 353 35 93
E-mail freddy.michielsen@skynet.be

Electricity

These regulations have been established for the following reasons:

- To constitute guidelines for the exhibitor and the exhibitor's electrical contractor
- To guarantee quality and safety of electrical equipment on stands
- To reduce the risks of electrocution and fire.

They are by no means intended to replace regulatory provisions concerning electrical equipment.

General Provisions

• Electrical equipment shall be inspected by an authorised body before use and according to RGIE regulations concerning:
  
  1) risk of direct contact (Articles 30 through 40, 48 and 49)
  2) risk of indirect contact (Articles 69 through 95)
  3) risk of fire due to electrical equipment (Article 104).
  
  
• Electrical equipment shall be installed according to rules of good practice in the field (Article 5) by qualified and competent electricians
  (cf. EN 50110 Dec. 1996).
  
  
• Establishment of a connection, installation of a distribution box or provision of electric current to stands will be performed exclusively by the staff of the Brussels Exhibition Centre or by staff mandated by the Brussels Exhibition Centre.

Exhibitor’s Distribution Panel

The distribution panel (or box)

• The envelope should preferably be made of an insulating material. If the envelope is made of metal, it must be earthed by means of a PD connection.
  
  
• The distribution panel must be accessible at all times and may not be located on the floor; preferably, it should be located at a height of 1.50 m (and equipped with legs or supports).
  
  
• The degree of protection of the entire box must be at least IP 4X.
  
  
• Unused cable inlets to the distribution panel must be sealed.

The power cable and general circuit breaker

• Connection to the general distribution panel should be made by means of a flexible cable with a section of at least 3 x 2.5 mm², with a suitable plug.
  
  
• When a stand is first set up, an automatic type A differential circuit breaker with a maximum capacity of 100mA or less should be installed. This breaker must have cut-off power at least equal to the nominal power available as well as suitable amperage.

Protection of electrical circuits

• Each outgoing circuit must be protected by thermal fuses or automatic circuit breakers taking the following criteria into account:

• Placing a unipolar safety device on the neutral lead, on a triphase neutral distributed circuit or as a general protective device in the distribution panel is prohibited.
  
  
• The II circuits (F + N) must be protected on both leads, even if the second is neutral. The conditions of Article 128 of the RGIE could be applied on the condition that a person with BA4 or BA5 qualifications is present.
  
  
• The use of unipolar breakers is allowed in circuits for lighting fixtures as long as In is not greater than 16A. This switch must break the phase conductor. Unipolar breakers may not be used to control electrical outlets.

The earthing bar

• The distribution panel or box must be equipped with an earthing bar to which all PE conductors for the connector cable, all outgoing leads and all possible equipotential links are connected.

Choice of electrical cables

• Articles 198, 199 and 209 of the RGIE shall apply.
  
  
• Use of a yellow or green lead is prohibited.
  
  
• The protection lead must be yellow/green. (earth connection)
  
  
• Blue is reserved for the neutral wire in circuits where there is one.
  
  
• The use of VVB cables may be allowed on the condition that they are fixed in place along their entire length.
  
  
• The use of VGVB, VVB and VFVB cables is not allowed in non-fixed arrangements.
  
  
• Cables must be fixed by means of appropriate cable clamps.
  
  
• The use of non-standardised cables, for example VTLmb (side by side) is prohibited.
  
  
• For connections to stands, VTMB (HO5VV-F) or CTMB (HO-R-NF) cables (double-insulated flexible cables with a minimum supply voltage of 500 V or similar) are to be used exclusively.
  
  
• Minimum diameter required for electrical leads:
  - 1.5 mm² for lighting fixtures
  - 2.5 mm² for mains plugs
  
  
• Depending on their location, leads must be appropriately protected from any type of mechanical damage (for example, cables laid on the floor must be protected by skirting boards).
  
  
• The metal envelope of any class 1 appliance (without double insulation) must be earthed.
  
  
• Earthing and protection leads must be an integral part of power supply cables.

Electrical Appliances

Mains plugs

• The use of "domino"-type connecting blocks is prohibited (multi-outlet plugs must be used).
  
  
• Plugs must comply with standard NBN C61-112 and must be earthed and equipped with child safety mechanisms.
  
  
• Switches and visible outlets must be equipped with mounting plates.

Connection of electrical cables

• The use of unprotected insulating screw joints is prohibited. Insulating screw joints may be used only in splice boxes with the exception of lighting fixtures, as long as the insulating screw joint is completely insulated by an element provided in the lighting fixture.
  
  
• Splice and distribution boxes must be sealed (at cable inlets) using plugs or valve glands.

Low-voltage lighting fixtures

• No combustible material may be located within 50 cm of the beam produced by halogen spot lighting or low-voltage lighting fixtures (unless otherwise indicated on the fixture).
  
  
• If spotlights on rails are used:
  
  - The rail may not be placed lower than 2m20 from the floor.
  - The ends of the rails must be blocked.
  
  
• Very-low-voltage spot lighting may not be placed on or in combustible materials.
  
  
• The use of an auto-transformer (recovery transformer) as a very-low-voltage power supply is prohibited. A safety transformer must be used.
  Any transformer used must comply with NBN standards or harmonised standards (EN60-742 or NBN 52-742).
  
  
• The transformer must be equipped with a primary and secondary safety device to protect against overload. The secondary device is not required on transformers resistant to short-circuit.
  
  
• Transformers may not be mounted on any structure or used in an combustible environment (unless designed for this purpose).

Neon lighting
(high-voltage lamps)

• Transformers must comply with standard NBN 575 or NBN C 71-388 and/or bear the BNL label. Auto-transformers are prohibited.
  
  
• A "mortal danger" (triangle enclosing a lightning bolt) pictogram must be affixed to the transformer and to the lighting unit.
  
  
• The lighting unit must be powered by a separate circuit equipped with a bipolar breaker marked "NEON".
  
  
• Lamps and transformers must be mounted on non-combustible surfaces.
  
  
• Electrodes must be covered.
  
  
• The use of a metallic structure or earth wire as a lead is absolutely prohibited.

Very-low-voltage lighting fixtures incorporating exposed leads

• The use of very-low-voltage fixtures incorporating live parts or leads may be authorised under the following conditions:
  
  - This type of lighting may be used only in an environment where the risk of inflammability is low and at a minimum height of 2.5 m from the floor;
  
  - Any combustible material must be kept at least 0.5 m from leads and lighting fixtures;
  
  - The power transformer used must be a type-8 safety transformer that complies with NBN standards or harmonised standards (EN 60-742 or NBN 52-742);
  
  - The transformer must be equipped with a primary and secondary safety devise to protect against overload;
  
  - The transformer's secondary voltage must be limited to 25 V and 12 V respectively for BB1 and BB2 situations (BB1 dry skin, BB2 wet skin);
  
  - Sockets for halogen lamps incorporating bare wires must be connected by pressure screws or the equivalent. Sliding rail or alligator clip connections will not be allowed (due to the risk of sparking);
  
  - Bare wires (cables) must be designed to carry electric current. The use of cables with a fibre core is prohibited.
  
  - The section of supply leads must be such that the maximum current it conducts during normal use does not result in any dangerous increase in the temperature of the leads.

Various electrical appliances, machines and other equipment

• With the exception of very-low-voltage appliances, electrical equipment easily accessible to the public and not under the supervision of the person responsible for the stand must be provided with a minimum degree of protection of IP4X (meaning that there is no risk of touching "live" parts).

Exterior equipment

• Electrical equipment located outside the building must have a minimum protective rating of IP44.
  
  
• Temporary decorative exterior lighting may be plugged into normal outlets as long as they are located out of reach of the public.
  
  
• The installation needs to be protected by a differential circuit breaker of max. 30mA.

Miscellaneous Provisions

Distribution panels in stands

• Opening or modifying distribution boxes after approval by the recognised inspection body is prohibited.

Charging

• Charging may be carried out only by staff designated by the Brussels Exhibition Centre.

Inspection visit after charging

• A recognised and independent inspection body designated by the Brussels Exhibition Centre will carry out an inspection visit. The stand holder or a delegate must, in their own interest, be present during the inspection by the recognised body for the purpose of designating all elements of the equipment and to take note personally of any observations.

Provisional inspection report

• If any observations are made, a note listing all violations identified will be left at the stand. Observations and violations must be followed up.
  
  
• The independent inspection body, in cooperation with the Brussels Exhibition Centre, will conduct a second inspection of a stand where violations have been discovered and/or concerning which the inspection body made observations.
  
  
• Charging will not take place until a report free of violations has been submitted.

Shutdown

• Users formally pledge to extinguish the lights in their stands each evening and to unplug all electrical equipment except for refrigerators, computers and any other equipment that must be kept plugged in.

Quality of power circuit

• The user is personally responsible for installation of voltage stabilisers, no-break mechanisms or surge protectors for all applications requiring a "pure" electrical network, such as computer equipment.

General Fire Regulations concerning Construction
and Fitting-Out of Stands

• Materials used for construction and general fitting of stands in exhibition halls may not be easily inflammable and may not produce toxic emanations under the effects of heat.
  
  
• Construction of stands must comply with standard NBN S21-203, specifically:
  
  - A3 material for floor coverings on a stable sub-floor (concrete, sand, etc.)
  - A2 in other cases.
  - A2 material for partitions and decorative elements.
  - A1 material for false ceilings and awnings.
  (See also annex 1)
  
  
• A certificate of the fire resistance of these materials must be available for inspection by the relevant fire department or recognised body responsible for inspection of the facilities.
  
  
• All suspended fittings must be located at least 50 cm from any source of heat such as spot lighting, lighting equipment, lighted panels, equipment in operation, etc.

Fire-proofing of inflammable materials

• Fire-proofing may be performed only by competent firms.
  
  
• The certificate must provide the following information:
  
  - Description of the material (name, type, colour, etc.);
  - Date of treatment;
  - Process used and substances with which the material was impregnated;
  - Period of effectiveness of the treatment and any measures to be taken to maintain this effectiveness;
  - Stamp of the company, name and signature of the person performing the fire-proofing treatment.
  
  
• Some inflammable materials do not respond to treatment to improve fire resistance.
  
  They include:
  - Plastic sheets and panels;
  - Materials with plasticised surfaces;
  - Compacted or stretched synthetic substances;
  - Textiles made of 100% synthetic fibres;
  - Natural or synthetic rubber;
  - Plants;
  - Etc.
  
  
• Some materials may be treated during manufacture so as to meet the criteria for inclusion in a certain category of fire resistance.
  
  
• Even where a certificate has been provided, the relevant fire department shall have the right to require the builder of the stand or the exhibitor to provide materials samples for analysis. The builder or exhibitor is required to furnish such samples.

Use of paints and similar products

• Oil paints, lacquers and other coverings that constitute a fire hazard may be used only on type A1 materials.
  

Temporary structures

• All structures for temporary use such as grandstands and podiums must be constructed of type A2 materials, at minimum, in good condition.

Waste

• All participants shall be responsible for removing their waste in application of local regulations.
  
  
• Waste produced during the show, including solid waste such as paper, cardboard or plastic, as well as liquid waste, must be removed from the stands and their surroundings each day.
  
  
• Waste or other liquid products may in no case be disposed of in the sewerage system (or toilets).
  
  
• If participants fail to observe these rules, the Brussels Exhibition Centre reserves the right to have waste removed by a contractor designated by the Brussels Exhibition Centre, at the risk and expense of the exhibitor.