State gets first stage rigging rules

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) - New safety regulations will keep you from getting up close and personal with your favorite band at some concerts.

For the first time, the state of Indiana is regulating temporary outdoor stage rigging structures. The new regulations are designed to protect the public.

Under new guidelines drawn up by the Indiana Fire Prevention and Building Safety Commission, rigging not attached to a stage must now be inspected.

ONLINE EXTRA | Read the emergency rules.

The new regulations also require fans to stand a safe distance back from the stage, so should there be a collapse, no one would be hurt. The owner of the rigging must create and implement an emergency response plan for each event where the equipment is used.

"In my opinion it goes as far as we can from preventing anything like the State Fair tragedy from ever happening again" said David Hannum, chairman of the Indiana Fire Prevention and Building Safety Commission.

State Rep. Ed Delaney supports the new regulations but wonders if the state is prepared to make them work.

"We're learning. I'm giving the administration a B or better. We're trying, but the real proof will be, will they put up the bodies and money to make this system work?" Delaney said.

State Fire Marshal Jim Greeson told 24-Hour News 8 he has the inspectors he needs to make the new guidelines work.

The new regulations were added in light of the August Indiana State Fair collapse in which seven people died.

A state law required the commission to adopt the rules because of the collapse ahead of a Sugarland concert.