Temporary internal car park

[mariner]

have a large event next year where the organisers would like to use an old building (with asbestos) as an internal car park. Size of building 60mts x 30mts two large front facing exits single floor.
The event is for 10 days with only manual call points and currently used for storage.
 

[nearlythere]

have a large event next year where the organisers would like to use an old building (with asbestos) as an internal car park. Size of building 60mts x 30mts two large front facing exits single floor.
The event is for 10 days with only manual call points and currently used for storage.
 

What's your question Mariner?

[mariner]

Apologies for not been clear, just some [recommendations[] regarding using the building as an internal car park for an event for approx 60-70 cars/vans (non public)
The building will be approx 5mts away from a large marquee which will be used to exhibit goods and trade wears- open to general public. This is for a large general commercial event next year, any help appreciated
Concerns about asbestos (sealed and isolated)
Close proximity to the marquee which is 1500m2.Public space available 877m2
 

[nearlythere]

Apologies for not been clear, just some [recommendations[] regarding using the building as an internal car park for an event for approx 60-70 cars/vans (non public)
The building will be approx 5mts away from a large marquee which will be used to exhibit goods and trade wears- open to general public. This is for a large general commercial event next year, any help appreciated
Concerns about asbestos (sealed and isolated)
Close proximity to the marquee which is 1500m2.Public space available 877m2 

What is is at present is a store and what you want to use it for is also a store albeit 60 - 70 large tin cans each containing combustible plastics and foam and in some cases highly flammable liquids.

Firstly you will obviously need to have your asbestos survey carried out if not already done so.

What is the construction of the building?
What height is it?
Is there the potential for a fire in the building to pose a threat to other structures particularly the marquee in close proximity?
Does the building have ventilation or can it be provided?
What is the travel distances in the building taking into consideration the location of the doors?

I'm sure you realise that car fires can develop quite rapidly producing intense heat and quickly involve adjacent vehicles. Then you have the added risk of petrol and derv tanks, toxic gases from burning plastics and foam and an additional risk of projectiles from a burning vehicle.

[AnthonyB]

Make sure the organisers remember the marquee will need including on the FRA process too as it is covered by the reg's!

Is the car park going to be 'staffed' or left without a continuous presence?

[mariner]

The car park will be staff during the event , no public access only available to traders or emplyees, the building will be empty of storage its the proximity near the marquee which is a worry to me, At the moment they have indicated 5mts from the building to marquee.
  The building is concrete frame with concrete block glazing and  metal panels. The roof is corrugated asbestos.
Ventilation is provided by to large doors only, no mechanical aids are available height of building is approx 5-6mts

[Golden]

Mariner as others have said its difficult to advise properly from the details you've given but my feeling is that you have little to worry about. I'd imagine the roof of the building is quite high so you shouldn't get hot gases coming out of the doors too early, and the roof should fail fairly quickly if its corrugated cement-asbestos. Make sure you have proper means of escape (alternative exits) from the storage building, signed and with emergency lighting. The same would go for the marquee but ensure your final exits don't face the storage building just to make sure.

Finally don't make the schoolboy error of using an old hay barn for car parking with lots of tinder dry hay left around the floor - no smoking is a must. 'Quick and dirty' advice given above - you'll need a proper RA especially if the event is subject to any LA license.

[Phoenix]

Apart from the fire safety issues the organisers should pay particular attention to ventilation.  Approved Document F gives recommendations, they're very simple.  The organisers should check with the local authority to see if they need Building Regs approval for the change of use.

Stu

[CivvyFSO]

I don't think it qualifies as a temporary structure and I can't find anything else in Building Regs which would exempt it from the requirements related to a change of use. Then again, shopping centres often turn themselves into other uses with no building regs approval. (That Gok Wan fella being one of the worst culprits I think)

However, it is possible that Building Control will pass the buck to the fire service and say that if we are happy with it then they are. I would certainly ask first though.