GUIDEBOOK
HANGING POINTS AT TRADE FAIRS
Order suspension points at Messe Berlin – planning, structural analysis, and rigging from a single source
If trusses, lighting, LED walls, banners, or special structures are to be installed overhead at a trade fair stand, correctly planned and approved suspension points are essential. At trade fairs such as Messe Berlin, Hamburg Messe, Koelnmesse, or Deutsche Messe AG Hannover, suspension points may only be ordered through the trade fair's approved rigging partners – based on verified structural data and clearly defined loads.
FINE&BRIGHT not only provides you with technical support, but also takes care of the entire process on request: from static preliminary planning and load calculation to ordering and coordination with the trade fair company and the official rigging service providers. This ensures you receive safe, approvable, and economically optimized suspension points for your exhibition stand.
What are suspension points or suspensions?
Suspension points are defined attachment points in the hall ceiling to which loads such as trusses, lighting, video walls, loudspeakers, banners, or complete ceiling structures are attached. At the trade fair, these points are subject to strict specifications regarding:
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maximum point load, total load of the planned suspensions
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permissible load combinations (e.g., prohibition of standing/hanging structures)
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suspension heights
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safety factors
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static documentation
Each suspension must be calculated, approved, and installed in advance by the official rigging partner.
We are happy to assist with planning and implementation.
Advice on ordering
from ceiling suspensions
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Ordering suspension points correctly at the trade fair
When ordering suspension points, trade fair companies such as Messe Berlin usually require the following information:
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Exact position of the suspension points in the hall grid
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Load per point (including safety margins)
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Type of load (static, dynamic, motors, chain hoists)
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Installation height and suspension lengths
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System sketches or rigging plans
- Information on trusses, LED walls, spotlights, banners, etc.
Professional planning of suspension points is crucial, especially for short-term trade fair projects, in order to avoid expensive corrections on site.
Suspension points for trade fairs – basic knowledge Static fundamentals
The correct planning of suspension points at trade fairs is crucial for safety, load-bearing capacity, and approval by the trade fair company. Depending on the number of suspension points, the load is distributed differently:
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2 suspension points: With a simple two-point suspension, the load is usually distributed evenly between both points (approx. 50% each). This is a statically simple system and easily predictable.
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3 suspension points: With three points, things become more complex. The system is statically indeterminate, and the load is not automatically distributed evenly. In practice, the middle point bears most of the load (approx. 62%), while the outer points each bear less load (approx. 19%). Small differences in rope lengths or suspension heights can significantly change the load distribution.
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4 suspension points: With four suspension points—for example, with rectangular trusses—the inner points bear about 37% of the load, while the outer points bear only about 12–13%. Here, too, even small deviations lead to uneven loads.
Important: These rule-of-thumb values only apply to true distributed loads, i.e., when the load is evenly distributed across the entire truss. As soon as individual spotlights, loudspeakers, or other point loads are added, the load distribution changes immediately. A reliable calculation is then only possible with a structural analysis program.
Static indeterminate system
A rectangle, more complex systems, or a route with additional point loads are always static indeterminate systems that cannot be reliably calculated without a structural analysis program; simply dividing the total weight by the number of suspension points is incorrect and can lead to overloading of individual points and major safety risks.
Always consult a professional service provider who can calculate the loads correctly.
Our suspension point service
FINE&BRIGHT takes care of the entire suspension point planning for you, including:
Calculation and coordination of loads
Ordering and approval at Messe Berlin, Koelnmesse, Messe Essen, Hamburg Messe & Congress Center, etc.
On-site setup inspection and technical support
Safe operation throughout the entire trade fair
This way, you are on the safe side when it comes to professionally hanging trusses, LED walls, lighting, sound equipment, or banners.
Suspension points Trade fair companies such as Messe Berlin | Full service from FINE&BRIGHT
FINE&BRIGHT takes care of all the planning and ordering of your suspension points at Messe Berlin:
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Static preliminary planning and load calculation
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Optimal positioning of suspension points
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Creation of rigging plans that are ready for approval
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Communication with Messe Berlin and the official rigging partners
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Ordering and coordination of suspension points
- Technical acceptance and documentation
This gives you a safe, standard-compliant, and economically optimized solution for trusses, lighting, LED walls, and special constructions at your trade fair booth.
We are happy to assist with planning and implementation.
Contact us for a no-obligation consultation and a personalized quote!
