INDIANAPOLIS —
Even before Indiana’s new emergency rules covering outdoor stage equipment went into effect, the small Lawrence County town of Orleans felt their impact.
On Tuesday, the Indiana Department of Homeland Security temporarily shut down a small stage at the annual Orleans Dogwood Festival after an inspector raised questions about how the overhead rigging was constructed.
The issue was resolved by Wednesday, clearing the way for local church gospel groups to perform at the festival, now in its 44th year. But the incident was an indication of how small town fairs and festivals may be effected by new rules spurred by the fatal stage collapse at last summer’s Indiana State Fair.
“We want people to have successful events,” said State Fire Marshal Jim Greeson, whose office is in charge of enforcing the new rules. “But it’s got to be safe and it’s got to comply with the rules.”
The emergency rules, unveiled Wednesday by the state Fire and Building Safety Commission, cover overhead rigging structures temporarily erected on stages to support sound and lighting systems.
It was that kind of structure that collapsed at the State Fair last August, killing seven people attending a Sugarland concert. Investigators later said the overhead stage structure that collapsed wasn’t designed to withstand the high wind gusts that blew through the fairgrounds.
The new emergency rules require many events that are open to the public to have engineer-approved plans for their stage rigging systems, along with emergency evacuation plans.
The rules also require event organizers to have the stage rigging inspected after it’s erected and to maintain it to ensure its safety. The stage rigging will have to meet standards for high winds, snow and seismic activity.
Officially, the emergency rules went into effect Thursday, but the Department of Homeland Security and the State Fire Marshal’s office began inspecting such structures in April, in anticipation of the new rules.
Tami Ehinger, chairwoman of the Orleans Dogwood Festival, said she was surprised when the state temporarily shut down her festival stage Tuesday after she couldn’t supply the state inspector with the detailed site plans that are now required under the new rules. At the time, the new rules hadn’t been published or even approved.
The State Fire Marshal’s office agreed to contact the engineering firm that worked with the contractor that put up the stage rigging. They got what they needed, then gave Ehinger the clearance she needed.
“We weren’t trying to avoid compliance,” she said. “We were not even aware of what needed to do.”
Her concern now is that the new rules that require engineer-approved plans and inspections will increase the festival’s costs in coming years. “We worried that our stage costs are going to go up,” she said. “We’re a small festival on a small budget.”
The temporary rules approved Wednesday are in effect until January 2014. The Indiana General Assembly is expected to adopt more permanent rules after a legislative study committee looks at the issue this summer.
David Hannum, a Terre Haute engineer and head of the Fire and Building Safety Commission charged with developing the emergency rules, said there are exemptions in the emergency rules that may help minimize the costs for some small fairs and festivals.
For example, a small stage with overhead rigging less than 20 feet tall may be exempt if there is a buffer zone around the stage that extends 8 feet beyond the height of the rigging to protect fans in case of a collapse.
Hannum said the new rules may need to modified after the legislative study committee looks at how they were enforced this summer. “The committee is going to look at it to see if this is Band-aid or a solution,” Hannum said.
Maureen Hayden is the Indiana Statehouse bureau chief for CNHI, the parent company of the Tribune-Star. She can be reached at maureen.hayden@indianamediagroup.com.
Local & Bistate
Indiana implements new outdoor stage rules
Codes in response to State Fair collapse
- Local & Bistate
-
-
Ill. House approves guns plan opposed by governor
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — Gun owners in the only state still banning concealed weapons would win that right under a plan approved by the Illinois House on Friday, but the governor and other powerful Democrats oppose the plan because it would wipe out local gun ordinances — including Chicago's ban on assault weapons.
-
Vigo County Jail Log: May 24, 2013
The following individuals were booked into the Vigo County Jail by area law enforcement on Thursday and Friday, based on jail records.
-
Vigo County Jail Log: May 23, 2013
The following individuals were booked into the Vigo County Jail by area law enforcement on Wednesday and Thursday, based on jail records.
-
Relic from another age: Massive find
A mastodon that lived in the Wabash Valley thousands of years ago is making big news today.
-
Game Over: Financial tightening causes VCSC to drop St. Patrick’s from athletic schedule
St. Patrick’s School athletic teams will not have an opportunity to compete against their Vigo County School Corp. middle school counterparts next year.
-
Katelyn Newell finally at home
After nearly five months, 8-year-old Katelyn Newell finally returned home Thursday evening — with a new heart.
-
Indiana State U. Police officer honored with Artz Award
Thursday was a special day for Indiana State University Police Officer Christopher Heleine in multiple ways.
-
City Council considering three for consultant
Three different tax professionals vied Thursday for a chance to become a “financial consultant” to the Terre Haute City Council.
-
Clay County sheriff warns of bank card scam
The Clay County Sheriff’s Department has received information regarding a scam targeting residents, according to a news release from the sheriff’s department.
-
State Police seek help with Sullivan County homicide
Indiana State Police detectives from the Putnamville Post are seeking help from the public with the nearly six-month investigation into the death of 85-year-old Lowell R. Badger, a rural Sullivan County farmer.
-
Man who attacked Vigo deputy arrested
A Terre Haute man accused of attacking a Vigo County sheriff’s deputy earlier this week is facing felony charges in the Vigo County jail.
-
INDOT to bid final 641 phase
The final construction phase of the 641 bypass is scheduled to let for bids on Dec. 11, according to the Indiana Department of Transportation.
-
District office moves north
The Southwest District office of the Purdue Extension service has been moved north from Vincennes to Terre Haute.
-
Day is done…
The sun sets Thursday evening as seen from south of Terre Haute.
-
Morning update: I-5 bridge collapse caused by truck hitting span
The Washington State Patrol chief says the Interstate 5 bridge collapse into the Skagit (SKA'-jiht) River at Mount Vernon was caused by an oversize truck.
-
UPDATE: I-70 lanes in Putnam County now open
The west-bound lanes of Interstate 70 re-opened Thursday evening after being temporarily closed due to a crash near the Greencastle/Cloverdale exit.
-
22-hospital St. Vincent Health cutting jobs
INDIANAPOLIS — One of Indiana’s largest health systems says it’s cutting an undisclosed number of jobs by June 30 because of increasing economic and competitive pressure on the health care industry.
-
Update: Cleanup from overturned truck in Greene County continues
Fuel spillage from the dump truck hauling gravel that overturned this morning in Greene County at Indiana 54 and County Road 725 East near Ridgeport continues to restrict traffic to one lane.
-
17-pound bone found during Vigo flood cleanup
TERRE HAUTE — Crews cleaning up from Wabash River flooding in Vigo County came across a 17-pound bone that they believe might have come from an ancient mastodon.
-
Duke Energy gives $10K to Wabash Valley Red Cross for Vigo flood relief
Duke Energy is giving $10,000 to the Wabash Valley Red Cross chapter for flood relief from this spring’s heavy rains.
-
I-70 Frye Road overpass contract awarded; construction to begin May 28
The Indiana Department of Transportation has announced the Interstate-70 Frye Road overpass contract was awarded to Halverson Construction Co. Inc. from Springfield, Ill., for $317,166.
-
Banks of the Wabash Festival is more than just yearly entertainment
Pioneers think counterintuitively. Where others see widespread apathy, they focus on the possibility for progress. In a way, the 2013 Year of the River celebration began in the 1970s.
-
Planning session aims to better Terre Haute
It’s not yet clear what will come of it, but dozens of community leaders spent the whole day Wednesday trying to develop a plan – or collection of plans – to make Terre Haute “a better community.”
-
Education funding boost won’t benefit all schools
In the budget bill passed by the General Assembly last month, there is more money allocated for K-12 education over the next two years, but that doesn’t mean every school will get more dollars.
- Day of Action job options open
-
Park Board renames land around Memorial Stadium
Land surrounding Indiana State University’s Memorial Stadium on Terre Haute’s east side has been designated as Veterans Memorial Park, following a unanimous vote Wednesday from the Terre Haute Park Board.
-
Deputy suffers minor injury during incident
A Vigo County Sheriff’s deputy received a minor injury to his hand Tuesday night while subduing a drunken driving suspect who fled behind a North Terre Haute business.
-
Man accused of child neglect gets new trial date
An Oct. 15 trial date has been set for a Terre Haute man arrested in November for child neglect after he and his wife allegedly tied up and confined their adopted children in the family home.
-
Police find meth labs, arrest Pierson Township man
Police uncovered two active methamphetamine labs in southeastern Vigo County on Monday, leading to the arrest of a Pierson Township man.
-
New date set for attempted murder trial
A new trial date has been set for a Terre Haute woman charged with attempted murder.
- More Local & Bistate Headlines
-
Bridge Collapse Survivor: 'Rough Day'
Raw Video: Washington State Bridge Collapse
Officials: Truck Hit Bridge Before Collapse
Jersey Shore Open for Business
Officials: Tsarnaev Friend Linked to Slaying
First Person: Mom Discusses Famous Tornado Photo
Sheriff: No Sign Killing of 2 Kids Was Planned
Boy Scouts Approve Plan to Accept Gay Boys
Two Suspects in Murder Known to London Police
Raw: Scuffles in London After Hacking Death
American Held in Grisly Czech Murders
Raw: Memorial Day Flags Placed at Arlington
Obama:Sexual Assault Threatens Trust in Military
Raw: Utah Teen Arrested in Death of His Brothers
Johnson: Don't Blame Islam or UK Policy
UK-bound Pakistan Plane Diverted, 2 Men Arrested
Raw: Jersey Shore Reopens for Summer
Today in History May 24
Obama Defends Drone Strikes, With Limits
Raw: Jurors Deadlock on Jodi Arias Penalty
AK-47-wielding thug may be the most bumbling crook ever
Oklahoma Survivors, Heroes Survey Damage
Trout's cycle a boost for Angels
Raw: New Video of Deadly Oklahoma Tornado
Kim Kardashian Flaunts Pregnant Bikini Body in Greece
NBA star pledges $1M to help tornado recovery
Shakira's Shocking Talent
Morgan Freeman falls asleep on air
GRAPHIC: Blood-Soaked Machete Killer Caught on Tape
Elin Nordegren Furious With Lindsey Vonn For Parading Kids in Public
Camera Captures Climber As He Loses Grip And Falls
Helen Mirren Meets with Dying Boy in Queen Elizabeth's Place
Crowd Chants '¡Si, Se Puede!' After Passage of Immigration Bill
DWTS Crowns a Winner
Police Ram House to End Hostage Standoff
Demi Moore a Rocks Bikini at Harry Morton's Family House
Anthony Weiner: I'm running for New York City mayor
Kate Middleton's Dress Flies Up
VIRAL: Baby makes epic soccer goal
The Hangover Baby All Grown Up
