Navigating DWTC Rigging Rules for Intersec 2026

January 12, 2026

DWTC rigging rules for Intersec 2026 are non-negotiable and determine whether your flown AV, lighting and double-storey structures are signed off before public opening. Intersec runs 12–14 January 2026 at the Dubai World Trade Centre (Za’abeel, Sheikh Saeed and Trade Centre Arena), and DWTC controls all primary rigging via the EventPlus portal. Understanding grid spacing, safe working loads and submission windows is the difference between a smooth install and expensive on-site rework.

The DWTC Rigging Rules Reality at Intersec 2026

Key venue constraints exhibitors must plan for:

Event dates: 12–14 January 2026 (build-up and breakdown windows set by DWTC).
Halls: Za’abeel, Sheikh Saeed and Trade Centre Arena — concentrated rigging demand across core halls.
Grid spacing: typical roof grid is 5–6 m between primary points.
Safe working load (SWL): primary roof points generally rated ~250–300 kg. Small drop wires (<20 kg) are treated differently.
Primary points must be booked via EventPlus — DWTC will not accept ad-hoc attachments to roof without an approved point allocation.

Quick table of key deadlines

Item	When	Notes
EventPlus rigging booking window	Open on contract — secure early	Primary points become scarce quickly
Structural drawings & submissions	45–60 days before build-up	UAE‑registered engineer required for complex stands
Late/subject-to-availability cut-off	~15–20 days before build-up	After this, rigging is "subject to availability" and surcharges apply
Rigging early-bird vs late surcharge bands	Early bookings = standard fees; late = steep surcharges	Expect 10–30%+ upcharges for third-party/urgent rigging

Top 6 Rigging & Double-Storey Failures We See On-Site

These are the recurring failure modes at DWTC that drive costs and delays.

Mis‑aligned trusses — truss layout doesn’t match roof grid. Example: a flown LED wall designed for 4m spacing fails to align to 5.5m grid. Cost impact: extra crane hours, truss modification, overtime (AED 2,000–6,000/hour depending on crew).
Bridling bans or incorrect bridling — DWTC bans certain bridling to neighbouring points. Example: attempted bridging across aisles refused onsite. Cost impact: emergency external rigging contractors +10–30% upcharge, lost demo-hours.
Late engineering approvals — structural calc submitted late or by non‑UAE engineer. Example: engineering returned with revisions on show day. Cost impact: re-submission fees, rework, potential stand lockout.
Lost/oversold rigging slots — EventPlus allocations exhausted. Example: booked points reallocated; team must buy third-party bridging. Cost impact: 10–30% premium, delay to fit‑up.
Inadequate spreader plates — insufficient load distribution on temporary roofs. Example: single small plate used for heavy loads causing local deformation. Cost impact: plate fabrication, additional hardware, possible venue penalties.
Untested load/inrush issues — electrical inrush or dynamic loads not assessed. Example: motorised hoists cause unexpected peak loads. Cost impact: replacement hoists, additional load tests, down‑time.

A 5-Point Pre-Show Checklist to Guarantee Rigging Sign-Off

Follow these steps early to convert risk into a signed-off deliverable.

Book primary points via EventPlus early. Secure and log point IDs. Save confirmation as: EventPlus_Points_Confirmation.pdf.
Appoint a UAE-registered structural engineer & submit 45–60 days out. Deliverables: structural drawings and certified calculations. File names: structural_calculations_CompanyName.pdf, engineer_stamp.pdf.
Produce site-specific RAMS and DWTC fire/venue documents. Templates: RAMS_Intersec2026.docx, DCD_Fireplan.pdf. Include crane and hoist method statements.
Factory full-scale mock-up & load-test. Create a 1:1 mock-up for flown elements and record load-tests (video + signed report). Files: mockup_photos.zip, loadtest_report.pdf.
Sequence & label crates for marshalling. Produce a marshalling spreadsheet: staging_sequence.xlsx and tag crates with sequence numbers matching DWTC marshalling slots.

How Burdak Solves Rigging Scarcity End-to-End

We turn DWTC risk into a predictable outcome by combining workshop precision with show-floor discipline.

In‑house fabrication & CNC joinery: precise jigs and labelled modular frames that match engineered drawings exactly.
Certified engineered drawings: UAE‑stamped structural calculations ready for submission at 45–60 days.
Full‑scale 3D mock‑ups & load‑testing: we factory-assemble flown modules, perform load-tests and supply video evidence and signed reports.
Pre‑wiring & AV integration: cabins and flown AV come pre-wired and labelled for plug-and-play on-site.
Staged, labelled delivery aligned to marshalling slots: sequenced crate lists that match DWTC gate times to avoid demurrage.

Case example

Client: 9x9m double‑storey with flown LED and motorised trusses. Typical last-minute route: source third‑party rigging, rush engineering — on‑site rework added ~48 hours, emergency rigging upcharges +20% and overtime costs ~AED 18,000. Burdak route: in‑house mock-up, UAE‑stamped drawings at 50 days, pre-assembled modules delivered in three marshalling slots. Result: on‑site fit-up reduced by 55%, avoided emergency rigging fees, saved estimated AED 40,000 versus the rushed route.

Timeline & Cost Comparison + Next Steps

Realistic timeline from contract to show:

Contract signed: T‑90 days — initiate EventPlus booking and appoint engineer.
T‑60 to T‑45 days — submit structural drawings, RAMS and fire docs to DWTC.
T‑45 to T‑14 days — factory mock-up, load-testing, pre-wiring and pack sequencing.
Build-up week — staged delivery aligned to marshalling; on-site assembly window reduced by 40–60%.

Cost comparison (example):

Pre‑assembly package (Burdak): engineering, mock-up, pre-wiring, staged delivery — typical saving vs last-minute: AED 30,000–50,000 depending on scale.
Emergency/late rigging route: third‑party bridging + late surcharges + overtime — 10–30% higher direct costs plus the intangible cost of lost demo hours.

Next steps — book Burdak support:

Contact: email projects@burdak.com or phone +971 4 XXX XXXX.
Provide required documents checklist: contract, floorplan, exhibitor brief, preliminary truss/layout, power schedule.
Request: DWTC_Rigging_Package_Request.pdf and we will return a tailored scope with timelines and cost estimates.

FAQ

Q: When must I book rigging points via EventPlus?
A: Book as early as possible on contract. After ~15–20 days before build-up allocations become subject-to-availability and surcharges apply.
Q: What loads are allowed on DWTC roof points?
A: Typical SWL is ~250–300 kg per primary point. Drop wires for small fixtures (<20 kg) are assessed differently but still require approvals.
Q: Do complex stands need UAE engineering?
A: Yes — double‑storey stands, >4 m height or heavy flown AV require UAE‑registered structural calculations and submission 45–60 days prior.
Q: How much can pre‑assembly save me?
A: Industry data shows factory pre‑assembly and mock‑ups cut on‑site build time by ~40–60% and materially reduce venue rework; typical cost savings in our examples range AED 30k–50k versus emergency fixes.
Q: What files should I prepare for Burdak/DWTC submission?
A: Minimum: floorplan, preliminary truss/layout, power schedule, exhibitor brief, contract. Burdak templates: structural_calculations_CompanyName.pdf, RAMS_Intersec2026.docx, mockup_photos.zip.

For Intersec 2026, the single most reliable mitigation against DWTC rigging scarcity is early booking plus a tested, engineered modular approach. We at Burdak Technical Services provide the engineering, in‑house fabrication, 3D mockups and staged delivery to eliminate risk — contact us to reserve your mock‑up and DWTC submission support today.

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