Development of an Innovative, High-Load Bearing, Lightweight, and Compact Modular Staging System, with Positive Event Safety and Environmental Impacts: “Network Stage”

Constructing temporary staging currently relies on scaffolding and prebuilt decking modules, which have significant disadvantages: scaffolding-based staging is time-consuming to construct, and large or heavy-duty stages require expensive bespoke scaffolding plans. On the other hand, prebuilt decking modules take up significant space in storage and transportation, can be labour-intensive to assemble, and can hold lower loads than scaffolding staging. To resolve these issues, we are developing the first off-the-shelf heavy-duty modular system to build temporary staging quicker, easier, and more effectively than existing scaffolding and decking systems. On average, the _Network Stage_ will assemble in half the time, take up half the storage and transportation space, and weigh up to 75% less than competing staging solutions, including steel and aluminium decking, and the latest scaffolding systems. The _Network Stage_ system will also include specialist step and ramp components, safety-rated to the same load-bearing capacity as the main stage decking, as well as a modular handrail that can be placed at any connecting point on the stage. The modular nature of the system will also enable a greater range of stage configurations for exhibitions and festivals. We are also developing a set of adaptors to enable integration with existing scaffolding-based staging systems while retaining the technical benefits of the _Network Stage_ system.