What Is A Clearspan Marquee?

A clearspan marquee is constructed from an aluminium frame and pvc covers. As the name suggests the specified span is totally clear so you get the full use of the space it is covering. The frame is fixed directly to the ground at each leg, without the requirement for guy ropes, keeping the foot print of the marquee to the specified size.

These features make clearspan opposite to traditional structures where you would expect to find interior center poles as well as guys ropes around the external perimeter. Making them a less versitile structure.

Due to the way they are constructed, all commercial grade clearspan marquees are modular and can be joined together with a guttering system, enabling a wide variety of interlinking shapes and sizes.

Throughout this article we will give a solid overview from a hirers perspective on a range of topics relating to the clearspan marquee, and where a more in-depth article is warranted, you will find the relevant links if you wish to read more. Keep in mind this whole site is aimed towards small and medium sized marquee businesses so everything we speak about is aimed at them.

Table Of Contents:

• Popular Clearspan Marquee Manufacturers
• Marquee Sizes and Options
• Storage and Transport
• Clearspan Installation Process
• PVC Options
• Interior Options
• Cleaning and Maintenance
• Clearspan FAQS

Clearspan Marquee Manufacturers

Here is a list of the main companies that manufacture clearspan marquees for the UK market. There are many more and these are covered in the suppliers directory found here.

Custom Covers

Southampton based, Custom Covers are market leaders and innovators within the industry. They have been around since 1984 and offer clearspan marquees from 3m wide upto 15m wide and other clearspan compatible products such as their tri-cone and pagodas. They call their version of clearspan, ‘Cover Span’.

Tectonics UK

Established in 1986 and based in Hampshire, Tectonics ‘Multi Span’ range is their version of clearspan. Available in 3m bays on the width and length and offering other related products.

Roder HTS

These guys orginate in Germany and supply their Part Tent range in a vriety of widths including alternatives others do not.

Clearspan Marquee Sizes and Options

Standard Sizes

Clearspan marquees are typically available in 3m increments on the width and length until you reach 12m wide. At this point you can get a 15m wide option which is available on both a 3m and 5m bay and the widths tend to then increase by 5m also. So 3m, 6m, 9m and 12m. Then 15m, 20m and 25m wide. This isn’t set in stone as some manufacturers offer 4m and 10m wide alternatives although I see these less often within the hire industry.

The profile size of the frames are the same on the smaller widths (3m – 9m) then increase to a larger profile on the 12m upwards which then share that profile upto the huge stuff where it increases again. The exception to this is that many manufacturers offer a 12m conversion option. This allows you to use the smaller profile 9m wide frame and convert it to 12m using an addtional 3m roof beam inserted at the apex point. This makes this version of the 12m alot lighter than the large profile alternative. An attractive option for small to mid size company who run out vans not lorries.

Custom Sizes

Most esablished companies will also have 1/2 bays available for further flexiblilty. This means you can add the half bay at any length to give a whole new range of options. This is great for maximizing a potential space and could win you a job over a competitor.

For example you could have a half bay made up for the 6m frame, this would comprise of just 3 purlins and 2 eave rails and could be used to go from a 6m wide by 6m long to 6m wide and 7.5m long. Likewise any length could increase by 1.5m instead of 3m. The pvc for this would be 1 half bay roof and 2 half walls.

I personally have this option available for all of my width options. Its a small amount of product to stock to give you many more options.

Cross Compatability

All components on any single profile can be interchanged across the different sizes, as it is just the length of the roof beams that dictate the width. A leg is the same leg no matter what width you are working with. The same applies for all components apart from the roof beams.

Most of the leading manufacturers are also cross compatible with each other, which is great if you find yourself needing to dry hire equipment from a neighbouring company. If you do this you will come across to odd quirk such as the toggles may not marry up with a roof from one manufacturer and a wall from another. Generally nothing that can’t be worked around when you are in a jam.

Storage and Transport

Storing Clearspan

Clearspan frames break down into very managable components and the majority being aluminium makes it relatively light. The smaller profile can be hand balled into vehicles and trailers easily and the larger profile would generally be forked onto lorries and stored on stillages.

The PVC roofs are where the weight is, especially 12m and 15m if lifting by hand. PVC walls and gables are easy to shift about.

Depending on how much space you have at your storage facility, you will either keep the frame upright, (talking about the smaller profile) saving as much space as possible, or have it stored horizontally on a racking system.

PVC roofs are normally folded in a concertina fashion and rolled to condense them down and make them easy to carry. Storing in bags is sometimes preferred to help keep them in good condition. Walls and gable ends are folded to make them managable when carrying and stored on a shelf or trolley.

Transporting Clearspan

If you are on the larger profile then you will be using lorrys, stillages and fork lifts. For the smaller profile you have a few options and everyone will find what works for them.

Personally I like to run long wheel base panel vans, trailers and a 4×4 pickups. With the long wheelbase vans get the biggest option they come in. You can get all components of the smaller profile widths in a van which means if you are starting a new company there is no need to have anything other than a van to begin with.

As you grow or as soon as you can afford, in my opinion a trailer is a must. Loading and unloading a trailer is so much quicker and easier then a van. The van can then be used for either your pvc canvas, and/or your marquee furniture and interiors.

Optimising and systemizing how you load will make you life alot easier and definiltey more productive. I love getting systems in place for as much of my business as possible, and it also makes it easier to train staff and maintain standards.

I will be doing a seperate article on opitmising trailer loading and van loading for frames, which will be linked here when ready.

Clearspan Installation Process: Overview

There is a lot of detail which can be covered here so I have chosen an overview and then links to related articles to keep things tidy.

Installing a framed marquee is like building a lego set, it’s easy once you know the components and where they go, because its the same everytime.

On the smaller profile stock, everything can be done with 2 people and therefore to speed things up it’s best to have a team in mutiples of. Generally 4 people is a good number for effieciency unless you have more than the frame and covers going on where you might increase to 6 or 8. This would be weddings where you would expect things like, interior linings, furniture, flooring etc. Bigger companies could see bigger teams than that if they are doing alot of external work like outisde lighting, generators, multiple marquees etc. There is definitley a point where to many people just get in the way.

The Process

• Site assessment
• Measure out and square up
• Base plates and stakes positioned and installed
• Frame laid out and assembled
• Frame lifted ad secured
• Roof covers pulled over
• Walls and windows installed
• Check off installation

Having a system for the install is going to make you more efficient and productive, which in turn is going to equal more profit.

I regularly get comments from both clients who have used marquee companies for years, such as festivals and coporate clients, and other marquee company staff who we either collaborate with or bump into of big sites, saying how quick and efficient we are when installing. I’m not saying that to blow my own trumpet but my point is life bcomes easier and proft goes up. Your standard of work is also maintained which in turn secures future work. So do it from the off.

Site Assessment:

I have a site assessment check sheet, along with a load of other handy docs available in the members section. But basically you need to check the site for access , hazards and size. This should be done prior to install and preferably in person.

Measuring and Squaring:

I still see people not spending enough time doing this step, if at all. You can tell a marquee that has been probably mapped out just by looking at it. It will take an extra 10mins but save you time later down the line by having the roofs go one without a hitch, no need to adjust legs to get walls to fit and the end result looks better.

Base Plates ansd Stakes:

You can choose what order you will do certain parts of the build but for me, during the squaring process I use the base plates and then stake them so they cant move or get knocked. This is the logical next step.

Frame Laid out:

Next up you will start laying out frame in sequence, generally building from one side across to the other, pinning the structure as you go. At this point you are only using the components that get lifted. (legs, roof beams, eave rails and apex) The rails that hang walls are not needed and will clutter the site. Making sure you are loaded in the correct way will mean you can systematically get to each component as and when it is required, without the need to double handle everything.

Frame Lifted and Secured:

A self explanatory step. You should get everything built on the floor prior to lifting without the need for ladders until you get to the gable legs. Even then there is a ladder free option.

Roof Covers Pulled Over:

With a properly squared up frame, pulling the covers over will be easy and quick. If you dont sqaure up then you will more than likely have a tough time with roofs snagging everytime and them coming down misaligned.

Walls and Windows:

This is left until after the roofs are pulled because you if you do it prior, the curtain rail that holds the wall inplace will be in the way whena roof gets tensioned using the bungee system.

Final Marquee Install Check:

Always get a team member to do a final check. (another doc available in the member area) You need to make sure everything has been completed and done so correctly. This method of self certifying will not only get workers into good habbits, it also gives you evidence that the install was done correctly should and incident occur and it gets questioned. 5 mins of your time well spent.

PVC Options

In modern times and with evolving technologies and materials, new options become available. The standard clearspan install would see an aluminium frame cladded in white pvc with windows installed down one length.

This doesn’t have to be your only offering. Completely clear roofs and large panoramic windows lends itself to doing a completely clear marquee which looks very cool. You can also do a combo and use clear roofs over say a dance floor section.

Just coming to market now is coloured frame, like the black option available from Custom Covers on their new Orangery designed structure.

Different designs of frame like the tri cone, and hex end give different shapes with pvc to match.

Roofs:

Available in white as standard, coloured by request and clear as a common option, roofs are available to have in both a bungee system and bar tension system. Also straight cut edge or scalloped edge.

Related article: Whats the difference between Bar tenion and Bungee Tension Marquee Roofs

Walls:

White is standard but you can get them in different options:

• Dutch Laced – gets installed like a pair of curtains and laced up down the middle to close.
• Solid – No opening available
• Solid Zipped – Has a zip intalled at either side so it can be rolled up to open.
• Door wall – Similar to solid zipped but the zips are positioned close together to give a narrower opening which can be rolled up and used as a door.

Windows always used to be in a traditional georgian style but now you can get them as a panoramic which I use as my standard option. These can also be dutch laced or zipped.

Coloured and branded walls can be made on request from most of the top manufacturers. This option is good if you work with corporate clients who want to have their own branding or colour scheme used.

Interior Options: Linings

Options for interiors are vast but here we will focus on linings as they are often sold with the marquee frame from the same manufacturer and 99% of marquee hirers will offer them.

Ivory pleated linings are the most common, and they come in the same widths and lengths as the marquee. So 3m, 6m, 9m wide etc and then in bays of 3m or whatever bay length you have.

An alternative to the pleated option is flat linings, and in my opinion give a more corporate feel compared to the pleated version, which are the main stay for wedding installations.

In addition to the roof linings you will have:

• Wall Linings, which cover any white pvc wall you install
• Window Wall Linings which go either side of any window
• Swags – which run on the edge of the roof, tidying the gap between the top of the wall and bottom of the roof. Available in a wide range of colours with ivory is standard.

Roof overlays are another option, and look like a mini roof lining that typically comes 1.5m wide. They can be used to run over an exisiting roof lining as an option to inject some colour into the design. They can also be used on an unlined marquee as an independant product. Again using them in a colour if needed or just the plain ivory. The main thing I use them for is an overlay to cover a roof beam inbetween 2 clear roofs.

Other interior products would include flooring systems, lighting and furniture, all of which I will be covering in independant articles.

Cleaning and Maintenance

Frame:

Cleaning and maintaining the frame of a clearspan is simple and low key. The frame can be wiped clean with warm soapy water and towel dried. I do this at the end of every season and during the season only when needed. If you get a really muddy takedown then it can be pressure washed.

Sometimes you will get brackets that brake or fracture and these are usually replaced by simply drilling out the old fixing and replacing with a new component which are often riveted into the frame. Manufacturers should offer these replacement parts and once established, you will probably carry a stock of the various different types.

PVC:

Personally I am precious about my pvc. From what I can tell you will generally fall into 1 of 2 categories when it comes to maintaining and replenishing pvc products.

1. Buy new pvc and run it to an inch of its life, not being to worried about taking care of it knowing you are replacing it once its had enough. Cleaning tends to be less particluar and storage is perhaps not as careful as it could be.
2. The method I use is to buy new, clean regularly and deep clean once a season ( unless an exceptionally muddy event means they require a deep clean). Make sure any running repairs are done as and when required , but these will be infrequent as the canvas is replaced on a 3 year cycle.

For me option 2 is the best for a few reasons. Running the pvc like this means cleaning is easy because te pvc is at it’s newest so comes up like new ith ease. Repairs are rare and the quality to the customer is always of a high standard. This is great for wedding industry jobs.

Companies that work for festival style events know that normally the quality is less of an issue and you can ‘get away’ with alot more. It will there for depend what markets you intend to go into.

Linings:

Linnigs require washing and drying correctly to keep them at their best and from my experience this is best done by a third party professional.

The manufacturers of linings will usually offer a laundry and repair service but you will pay a premium for this. I have found my local commercial cleaners to be a lot more cost effective in doing the washign and drying and then I send to the manufacturer for repairs if/when required.

Clearspan FAQ’s

How long does it take to erect a clearspan marquee?

Clearspan marquees can be installed quickly with an experienced team. To give an indication a 6m x 6m should typically take around 1 hour with 2 people. A 9m x 24m approximatley 2 hours with 4 people.

There are many different factors that will effect your install time, such as how close you can get to the pitch site, with the ideal position being right next to it. This is not always the case and working in the garden party marquee market for example, may mean walking gear from the front of a house around the back before the install can start.

Wind and rain can play a big part if delaying the install as it makes it more difficult. Especially pulling on larger roofs in a wind.

Some of these things you need to factor into your quotes so you dont loose money. I will be writing a seperate article on clearspan marquee prices and how to cost out quotes etc.

What is the best way to put up a clearspan marquee?

Using the manufacturers guide is a great starting point but in time you will develop your own way and whatever that is I highly recommend a systematic approach. This will make things easy, increase productivity and make teaching staff easier.

How Can I Secure A Clearspan On Concrete?

You have 2 options to secure the frame, either by bolting in or using a weight a ratchet system. The site may not allow certain methods so establishing this at the site assessment stage is crucial. See our article on The Different Methods To Secure A Clearspan Marquee.