Site/Event Planning


Through the years, Pacific Audio Works has seen its share of great and unfortunate site plans and designs. With our knowledgeable staff and extensive vendor contacts we provide skilled, practical advice in site design and event planning with occupant safety being our number one concern. Let Pacific Audio Works help in all aspects of your next site design and implementation, together we can make your next event a memorable experience.

Where to start

The general principle behind site planning is to provide an arena in which the audience can enjoy the entertainment in a safe and comfortable atmosphere. The requirement for certain safety provisions, the type, number and specification of facilities and services will depend on the type of event and the outcome of a risk assessment.

The final design of a site will be dependent on the nature of the entertainment, location, size and duration of the event. For outdoor events it will also need to take account of the existing geographical, topographical and environmental infrastructure.

There are essentially four stages to planning your site:

Site suitability assessment

It is important to visit the venue or site to carry out a preliminary assessment to determine suitability. The main areas for consideration are:

    • available space for audience
    • temporary structures
    • backstage facilities
    • parking
    • camping, and
    • rendezvous points.

You may already have a proposed capacity in mind, together with some ideas of the concept of the entertainment. Rough calculations of the available space are useful at this stage.

Pre-design data collection and appraisal

The next step in site design is to collect all the available data together and appraise it. The site design should be based on the site suitability and risk assessments.
This information can then be used to determine the provisions and facilities needed within the site, for example stages, tents, barriers, toilets, first aid, concessions, exits, entrances, hospitality area, sight lines, power, water, sewerage, gas, delay towers, perimeter fencing, backstage requirements, viewing platforms and waste disposal requirements. Once all the information is collated, detailed site design can begin.

Site plans

Once the basic outline has been determined, detailed scaled site plans should be produced. Often, many versions may be produced as amendments are made, and as further information is obtained. Ensure, however, that your site plans are kept up to date and are given to members of your event safety team.

Final site design

Once all the necessary details and requirements have been finalized, each should be drawn to scale on a site plan in relation to spacing requirements etc. The final plan should then be reassessed to check the occupant capacity (in relation to sight lines and circulation space) and emergency services, worker and audience entry and exit. Power generation and distribution positions can now be finalized.

Through the years, Pacific Audio Works has seen its share of great and unfortunate site plans and designs. With our knowledgeable staff and extensive vendor contacts we can provide skilled, practical advice in site design and planning with occupant safety being our number one concern.
Let Pacific Audio Works help in all aspects of your next site design and implementation.