BS 17206-Compliant Stage Automation Systems

At AVW Controls Ltd, we supply and integrate stage automation solutions that meet the safety requirements of BS 17206:2020 – Safe Use of Machinery for Stages and Other Production Areas.

Our systems are engineered for reliability, precision, and full compliance, helping venues, theatres, and touring productions operate safely and confidently.

Our Solutions Include:

Motion control and safety PLCs
Load and position monitoring
Emergency stop and interlock systems
Certified safety components and documentation

Why Choose Us

Expert knowledge of BS 17206 compliance
Custom-designed automation systems
Complete documentation and support

Create safely. Perform confidently.
Contact us today to discuss your BS 17206 compliance needs.

BS EN 17206 — Overview & Use-Case Classifications

BS EN 17206 defines safety requirements and inspection principles for stage and production machinery. It replaces BS 7905-1 and BS 7906-1 and introduces six Use Cases (UC1–UC6) to match control-system and safety-function integrity to the risk level.

Scope

Applies to machinery such as fly-bar and point-hoist systems, lifts, wagons, revolving stages, and performer-flying rigs used in theatres, studios, and live-event venues.

Why Use Cases? The risk varies with how machinery is used (whether people are near or lifted).
Each Use Case drives the required safety-function integrity.

Use-Case Classifications (UC1–UC6)

Use Case	Description	Typical Examples	Safety Emphasis
UC1 No people in hazard zone	Single-axis motion, statically determinate load, slow speed < 0.2 m/s; no access during motion.	Rigging hoists moving scenery during setup.	Emergency stop; dead-man control; overload protection; limit switches.
UC2 No people in hazard zone	As UC1 but statically indeterminate loads (grouped hoists sharing load).	Grouped fly-bar sets / coupled hoists.	UC1 functions plus group synchronisation or load monitoring.
UC3 People in hazard zone	People below or near load; single-axis motion.	Scenery flying over performers.	Speed / position monitoring; slack and brake-failure detection.
UC4 People in hazard zone	People present; multi-axis motion or multi-hoist sync.	Tracked elements; complex scenic moves over cast.	Loss-of-sync and load-profile monitoring.
UC5 People lifted	Suspending and moving a person on a single axis.	Performer on single-point hoist; rider platform.	Highest integrity for stops, speed/position, slack/overload monitoring.
UC6 People lifted	Suspended person with multi-axis or multi-hoist motion (3D flying).	Multi-point performer flying; synchronised platform lifts.	All UC5 measures plus group-sync and dynamic axis monitoring.

Mapping to Safety Functions (EN 17206 Annex B): Emergency stop category, dead-man, speed/position deviation, overload/underload, slack rope, loss-of-group sync — implemented per Use Case and risk assessment.

Compliance Tips

Assign the correct UC for each operation (setup vs show may differ).
Design control systems to the required safety integrity level (PL / SIL).
Maintain exclusion zones and train operators in dead-man procedures.
Plan inspections per EN 17206 and local rules (e.g., LOLER in the UK).

References

BS EN 17206:2020 — Entertainment technology – Machinery for stages and other production areas – Safety requirements and inspections.
Hoist UK overview and TÜV SÜD summary of UC1–UC6 applications.

Always consult the official standard for definitive requirements.