Temporary fencing isn't usually the first thing thought about when planning an event. Typically it’s the other details that guests will actually notice like entertainment, catering and décor that take priority.
Then you walk onto the site and realise you need to keep people away from the loading area, create a queue for the entrance and stop curious guests wandering behind the stage. That's where event fencing becomes valuable.
Here's what to consider when arranging fence hire for your next event.
Before you work out how many fence panels you need, walk the venue.
Look at where people will enter, where vehicles will be moving and which areas need to stay off-limits. You might need fencing around a stage, storage area or the event's outer boundary.
Measure where possible. A quick estimate of can turn into a frustrating problem when you discover you actually need a whole lot more.
Pay attention to things that won't show up on a basic site plan, too. Trees, uneven ground, drainage grates, slopes and narrow access points can all affect where fencing can go.
Think about what the crowd will actually do.
An event site can look perfectly spacious when it's empty but add hundreds or even thousands of people and the picture changes.
Where will people queue? Where will they enter? What happens when everyone leaves at the same time? Are food trucks going to create a queue that spills into a walkway?
This is where fencing becomes part of your event planning, rather than simply something you hire at the last minute.
Use it to guide people naturally through the site. You don't want to create a narrow corridor where a large crowd is trying to squeeze through, and you don't want a fence positioned in a way that forces people to walk halfway around the venue to find an entrance.
There's a difference between putting up a simple boundary and managing a busy event site.
Lightweight crowd control barriers can work well for queues and pedestrian areas. More substantial temporary fencing may be appropriate around restricted areas, equipment or sections of the site that need stronger separation.
Tell your event hire company what the fencing is for and give them an idea of the event size, expected crowd numbers, site layout and any areas that need to remain secure.
A fence is only useful if you can still get through it when you need to.
Think about every person and vehicle that needs access. Staff may need a separate entry point, while suppliers could require a larger gate for deliveries and bump-in.
Work out these access points before the fence goes in. Moving panels around after everything has been installed is possible, but it's not ideal.
Confirm what's included in the hire.
This is one of those details worth sorting out early. Ask when the fencing will be delivered, whether installation is included and when it will be collected. Find out who is responsible for setting it up and what happens if the event layout changes during bump-in.
Event sites can become chaotic when multiple suppliers arrive at once, so you'll want your fencing delivery and installation to fit around the rest of the setup.
Get your event fencing sorted early.
Fencing might not be the most exciting part of your event, but you'll notice it very quickly if it's missing or in the wrong place.
Barlens Event Hire can help with the practical side of fence hiring, from working out what you need for the site through to delivery and installation. Reach out to us today for more information.
