Marquee In the Rain

[marting]

I have a wedding this weekend in a marquee, have had a look at the suppliers webpage and i have no major concerns other than how weather proof they really are.

Given that were supposed to have a months rain in the next few days has any one done a gig in a marquee in filthy weather and if so how did it go should i take any extra precautions.

[Excalibur]

I did one after rain, not during it. Place looked like the Somme. It was the only time I've ben frightened, because I was actually standing in water for most of the night. :eek:
The obvious advice is to raise mains cables off the ground where possible, and use RCDs.

[Jiggles]

Any power cable connections make sure they are 16A cee forms. A 13A wrapped in a carrier bag won't cut it! anything on the deck stand will be fine.

[Chris1984]

In theory you shouldn't need to worry about anything as inside a marquee is classed as indoors.

I would however be sure to be careful and on the look out of any water ingress.
It will depend what kind of flooring is installed into the marquee - if it is the tarpaulin with carpet stretched onto it then i would make sure all you equipment is on stands or off the floor by means of something (maybe some black paint wood under subs) to avoid your kit becoming damp as the water sits on the tarp and the carpet soaked it up!
if its a wooden floor then make sure your not in a pond and you will be fine.
If you running uplighting around the edge then it would make sense to use a connector rated at least IP44 which not all cforms are or somethining else that is rated suitably for water ingress. Although on a proper correctly erected marquee you shouldn't need to worry.

your power feed would be the concern as it would need to meet the later BS reqs with no doubt the marquee company if supplying your power will not be following but its worth checking where its coming from and what its rated to and that once it leaves the tent is using rater ceeform connectors. this is something the provider should be able to answer as its not your job to be poking around playing with other peoples work.

[weekender45]

I would however be sure to be careful and on the look out of any water ingress.
It will depend what kind of flooring is installed into the marquee - .

I would echo previous comments ,
One that i did last year I found myself standing in a pool of water and then there is the transfer of your kit afterwards, if you are unable to get your vehicle close enough to the marquee. I had to get everything up a 50ft bank.

[SoundONE]

Done loads of marquees never had a problem with water on the ground, only problem is a few drips from above and it can be a bit scary if dripping on to your mixer or keyboard. We always insist on some type of flooring, even the home diy hired marquees even manage to find a couple of of 8x4 sheets or something from somewhere and if you can get a couple of inches off the ground you will be well sorted.

I very much doubt your going to have a problem with water on the ground because if there is any where near over half an inch trust me everyone would have left without a doubt.

But we have done dozens of them and a quit a few in very heavy rain, all have been well dry except for the drips from above.

[mark@pegasus]

I was in a marquee two weeks ago arrived to find no power supply at the entertainment end despite the fact the same company laid the dance floor rain was so bad both myself and the guys running the bar slept in our vans and had to walk to the nearest village the next morning to find a friendly farmer with a tractor to tow us out :Censored: :Censored:

[Silver]

I did one that was 'secured' onto a pub near Corfe Mullen, it was a nightmare.

Water got in everywhere, windy and most uncomfortable. The biggest problem was the dancefloor, it was so slippery it was dangerous, girls in heels went over while dancing and the whole party was nearly called off.

So my experience was not good.

[marting]

so hoping the rain clears away by tomorrow night

[Andy Collins]

I'm in a marquee in Somerset tomorrow night, and I've just learned that the met office have issued a red warning for the area!

[Silver]

so hoping the rain clears away by tomorrow night

Weather not looking good I'm afraid at the mo, persistently raining here. Maybe mine was a 'one off' but really was not fun.

There's not a lot you can do but to protect you kit. If it gets as bad as mine and I pray it won't watch out for people slipping and grabbing your stand to steady themselves, happened to me twice with near disastrous consequences.

I'm sure you'll be fine and you'll have fun.

[DazzyD]

Weather not looking good I'm afraid at the mo, persistently raining here. Maybe mine was a 'one off' but really was not fun.

There's not a lot you can do but to protect you kit. If it gets as bad as mine and I pray it won't watch out for people slipping and grabbing your stand to steady themselves, happened to me twice with near disastrous consequences.

I'm sure you'll be fine and you'll have fun.

It's been "persisting" it down here through the night, too!

About 8 or 9 years ago, I did a gig in a marque in wet weather and I remember the power guys taking extra precautions by feeding the cabling through some plastic ducting which was hung, from loops attached to the roof, about 7ft off the ground. I was set up on a platform and the cabling came down behind me so nothing ever touched the ground.

Mind you, the platform I was didn't feel too strong (it was sturdy enough - it didn't wobble about at all) so I certainly didn't feel safe jumping up and down on it! Oh, and the rain was nowhere near as bad as we're getting at the moment.

[spin mobile disco]

Im running the show in the beer tent at silverstone this weekend for the grand prix. Its pretty muddy in and out as none of the marques have flooring in bought my own tarps with me and some wood to rest stand on to spread weight and help isolate from ground water.
All running on 3 phase waterproof boxes here from a truck 35kva generator.
Certainly wacking out the volume competing with funfair only 100 yards away.

[marting]

im getting very concerned set up at 7pm for 8.30start and its still raining, forcast is for it to start easing off as the night goes on watch this space.

[theoloyla]

Echo all the previous advice. I have done loads of marquee jobs. Just take sensible precautions and dont do anything stupid. One thing to watch for is that the marquee is erected properly and that water runs off it completely and doesnt collect anywhere. I remember one many years ago where it had collected at an edge and suddenly poured through and over my records. Had to replace all the record covers.

[electricnite]

i did a marquee friday when the rain hit a river was running down the side of it by about 9pm we were bricking it . worst part getting gear out especially when pa is on wheels mmmm need a chiropractor this morning ha ha

[paull]

RCD's and keeping everything off the floor.

Dancefloors will cause more issues, or is that the footwear used on it??