Jump to: How to Choose & Install Event Fencing | FAQs
Across the UK, a wide range of day-to-day events depend on temporary fencing to manage visitors safely. This guide covers entertainment venues, community events, food markets, sports fixtures, charity events, pop-up attractions and small–to-mid-size music and theatre venues. We’re not focusing on major festivals here - those are dealt with separately in our festival fencing guide.
If you’ve ever run an event, you’ll know fencing does far more than mark out the boundary. It shapes crowd movement, controls queues, stops back-of-house areas being accessed, and separates vehicles from pedestrians - all under real-world pressures like uneven ground, wind, and last-minute layout changes. Get it right, and the site flows smoothly. Get it wrong, and bottlenecks appear the moment footfall picks up.
With the incoming Protect Duty (Martyn’s Law), smaller venues - including those with capacities of around 100 — will face stricter expectations for crowd management and secure access. Temporary fencing is one of the quickest and most flexible ways to meet those obligations.
Why Temporary Fencing Matters at Events
The Health & Safety Executive notes that effective crowd management begins with clear movement routes and protected zones (HSE Crowd Management Guidance). Temporary fencing gives organisers a way to create controlled flow paths without committing to permanent structures.
For operational teams, the priorities are usually:
- keeping queues orderly and safe
- separating vehicles from pedestrians
- protecting staff-only and backstage areas
- maintaining a secure perimeter to prevent unauthorised entry
- providing emergency access where required
The Purple Guide - widely used across the UK events industry — reinforces the importance of physical crowd-control measures, particularly for queueing systems and ingress/egress points.
Where Fencing is Typically Used Onsite
1. Entrances, Exits & Queue Lanes
Queues tend to be the first pressure point at any event. Without proper lanes, people naturally drift, lean, and try to squeeze forward - which causes collapses in the line. Crowd control barriers form clean, predictable routes and stop queue-jumping.
Trade tip: On sloping ground, barriers slowly “walk” downhill as people lean on them. Brace the first and last barrier in each run to keep the lines square.
2. Site Access Routes (Vehicle & Pedestrian)
Deliveries, waste teams, performers and caterers move through events all day. To prevent pedestrians mixing with vehicles, use:
- Vehicle gates for controlled deliveries
- Digital-lock pedestrian gates for staff or ticketed zones
- Standard pedestrian gates for general flow
Check gate alignment after installation. A frame that drags on uneven ground often fails once visitor numbers increase.
3. Backstage, Technician & Staff-Only Areas
Backstage areas in smaller venues are often improvised - marquees, pop-up canopies, or fenced-off courtyards. These still require controlled access. The National Counter Terrorism Security Office (NaCTSO) recommends restricting unauthorised movement near performance or operational areas.
Secure fencing with a lockable gate is essential, especially when equipment or cash handling is involved.
4. Perimeter Security
A clear perimeter keeps the site safe, ensures ticket integrity, and satisfies most local authority requirements. Anti-climb panels stop opportunistic breaches, especially where the site borders footpaths or unlit areas.
Suitable panel options:
Accessories That Make a Bigger Difference Than You Think
Most fencing failures aren’t the panels - it’s missing accessories. A reliable setup includes:
- Fence clamps to stop mesh spreading under pressure
- Ballast blocks for wind resistance
- Stabilisers / braces for long or exposed runs
- Hi-vis trip covers on fence feet for low-light conditions
Real-world note: Exposed corners are always your weak point in windy conditions. Brace them first, even if you're short on time.
How to Choose & Install Event Fencing (Quick Practical Guide)
1. Pick the Right Fence Type
- Anti-climb panels: security-focused events, ticketed venues, roadside perimeters.
- Standard panels: community fairs, school events, light-duty boundaries.
- Crowd control barriers: queueing, walkways, food vendors, pinch points.
2. Assess the Ground
Grass, gravel and block paving all behave differently. Soft grass needs heavier blocks; gravel often hides dips that cause panel rocking. Check stability by leaning on the run — if the first push wobbles, brace it.
3. Create Safe Flow Routes
Walk the layout like a visitor, not an organiser. Remove blind corners, widen pinch points, and use barriers instead of panels for bends in queue lanes.
4. Brace for Wind & Weather
Any run over 10m in clear exposure is at risk of “sailing”. Install braces every 3–4 panels and double-block the end posts.
5. Manage Entry Points Properly
Never rely on lifting panels for access - it damages the mesh and isn’t safe under load. Use proper vehicle and pedestrian gates.
Event Fencing FAQs
Do I need anti-climb fencing for a small event?
Not always, but it’s recommended for ticketed events, roadside boundaries, or anywhere unauthorised access is likely.
How much fencing does a typical event need?
Most community events use 50–150m. Mid-size venues often require 200–500m to cover perimeters, access routes and queue lanes.
Can I buy or hire fencing?
Yes — we offer both. Buying is ideal for repeat use; hiring is cost-effective for one-off or seasonal events. See our hire services.
Is temporary fencing sustainable?
Most steel panels use high recycled content and last for years. At end of life, steel is fully recyclable, helping organisers meet sustainability goals.
