AfrikaBurn 2024: 29 April to 5 May

Artworks Structural Safety

Guide to structural considerations:

When building art in Tankwa Town it is very important to consider the elements in the structural stability of your installation.
Our structural safety team can assist and guide you through many aspects of your construction, based on the plans that you present, so it is important that your construction is aligned with the plans, and that you let us know of significant changes.

The Artwork Registration Form is designed to help you plan your project and prepare for successful design and construction of art in Tankwa Town.

Lighting is an important aspect of your artwork safety. Please read about Lighting.

If you are planning to burn your piece, the choice of materials is of utmost importance and fire safety needs to be considered in the structural design of your piece. Please read our Fire Art Safety Policy.

Whether you are applying for a creative grant or self-funding your project the following
are types of information we require, depending on that scale of your project.

SMALL – if the height of the structure is between 0 and 1,5 meters:

  1. Provide a hand drawn diagram of the structure (and a 3D model if you want to)
  2. The materials
  3. Provide the installation plan
  4. Provide the deinstallation plan

MEDIUM – if the height of the structure is between 1,5 and 3 meters:

  1. Provide a hand drawn diagram of the structure (and a 3D model if you want to)
  2. Provide architectural drawings
  3. The materials
  4. Provide the installation plan
  5. Provide the deinstallation plan

LARGE – if the height of the structure is between 3 and 6 meters:

  1. Provide a hand drawn diagram of the structure AND a 3D model (compulsory)
  2. Provide construction drawings
  3. The project timeline (from fundraising activities till artwork removal from site)
  4. The materials
  5. Provide the installation plan
  6. Provide the deinstallation plan

VERY LARGE – if the height of the structure is above 6 meters:

  1. Provide a hand drawn diagram of the structure AND a 3D model (compulsory)
  2. Provide architectural drawings
  3. Provide construction drawings
  4. The project timeline (from fundraising activities till artwork removal from site)
  5. The materials
  6. Provide the installation plan
  7. Provide the deinstallation plan

IMPORTANT NOTE: In order for artists to assure the safety of the art structure (regardless of the size and application of the art structure), all the mentioned items should be followed. In addition, if the structure does not fall into any of the above categories, but it has a potential to put life in danger, we may request more information.

Definitions:

  • Architectural Drawings: Architectural drawings are drawings that show the design intent of the structure. They will include various views of the structure, including plan view (or bird’s-eye view), elevations, and/or sections. Dimensions with units should be included of the various spaces and what the spaces will be used for. (Please present all dimensions in meters.)
  • Structural Drawings: Structural drawings are drawings that show the structural requirements of the structure. They should include:
    ○ framing member sizes, location and orientation,
    ○ maximum or minimum span dimensions,
    ○ the framing members’ relationship to another
    ○ size and type of fasteners to be used and their locations
  • Construction Drawings: Construction drawings are the tools that a contractor (or the build team) will need to reference in order to build the structure. These include architectural drawings, structural drawings, any mechanical, electrical, and/or plumbing drawings as well as the material specifications.
  • Installation Plan: An installation plan explains how the structure will be built as well as the construction sequencing. This will help to flag any construction issues so they can be addressed early on; understand and plan for acquiring the required equipment that will be needed; and flag any safety concerns during the installation phase.
  • Rigging: Rigging is tensioned ropes, wires or cables that provide lateral stability to the structure. They typically extend from higher up on the structure down to the ground and are secured with an anchor.