Construction Guidelines
All exhibitors must submit their plans for booth layout approval by December 6.
Please review the guidelines below and submit your booth layout for approval.
Booth types & height limits overview
Please pay careful attention to the descriptions below to be sure you follow the correct guidelines for your booth space and note the following:
Height restrictions are strictly enforced but do not apply to an exhibitor’s equipment displayed “as sold”.
Bulky equipment should be placed in the booth in such a way that does not cause visual obstruction to neighboring displays.
Any product that exceeds the maximum height for the space may not display a company name or logo above the stated height limit.
No variances: Under no circumstances will variances be granted for a display to exceed the maximum height for constructed display or for a suspended sign to exceed the stated height limit for hanging signs.
Rules for each booth type:
How to determine your booth type
Inline Booth
Any space that is back-to-back with another space, regardless of size or location.
Constructed display = 8’ height limit and any display or side walls over 42” must be kept in the back half of the space.
Hanging signs (from the ceiling) = not permitted.
Perimeter Booth
Any space that is along the outer edges of the exhibit floor, with no exhibits behind them. Shaded yellow on the original sales plan.
Constructed display = 20’ height limit and any display or side walls over 42” must be kept in the back half of the space.
Hanging signs (from the ceiling) = permitted with the top of the sign at a maximum height of 24’.
Island Space
Any one single space with aisles on all four sides. Shaded blue on the original sales plan.
Constructed display = 16’ height limit.
Hanging signs (from the ceiling) = permitted with the top of the sign at a maximum height of 20’.
Peninsula Space
Any space that is created by the purchase of two back-to-back corner inline booths and is a minimum of 400 square feet.
The following are NOT considered peninsula booths and must follow the guidelines for standard inline booths: the combination of two 10’x10’ spaces; an island that has been split into two or more separate spaces or displays; an inline space (or combination of spaces) that runs a span between cross aisles.
See examples of peninsula spaces on a floorplan
Constructed display = 12’ height limit with unique setback rules. In the 10’ of the booth closest to the neighboring exhibits, any part of the exhibit over 42” tall must be in the back half of the original inline space as it is laid out on the original sales floor plan. In the remainder of the space, display over 42” must be at least 5’ off the main aisles.
Hanging signs (from the ceiling) = permitted with the top of the sign at a maximum height of 12’.
Multi-Level & Covered Exhibits
Construction will be halted on-site for any multi-level or covered display that does not have the required approval.
Multi-level Exhibit
A multi-level exhibit is a booth that has two levels, where the second level is designed to hold people. Multi-level exhibits are permitted but must adhere to the construction guidelines for the booth, including all height limits and setbacks.
In addition to Show Management approval, all multi-level exhibits must also be approved by the Orange County Convention Center (OCCC) and the Orange County Fire Rescue Service Department. Plans can be submitted online using the Booth Layout Approval link below and will be passed on to the OCCC and fire safety for review and approval. Be sure that plans show dimensions and a graphic rendering of the exhibit, and comply with the following guidelines:
Scaled, signed and dated by a registered architect or engineer
Include the show name & dates
Exhibitor name and booth #
Directional information (for example, aisle #s or neighboring booth #s)
Also note:
All materials used in the construction of multi-level and/or covered exhibits and all decorative materials within the exhibit must be non-combustible or limited combustible (flame-retardant) materials.
Booths with upper decks larger than 300 square feet have special safety requirements and should email boothreview@ahrexpo.com as soon as possible for more information.
Covered Exhibit
A covered exhibit is any booth with a portion of exhibit space that is covered by a material that prevents the building’s fire sprinkler system from discharging water unobstructed to the floor. Covered exhibits must have a battery-operated smoke detector installed in the covered area and at least one 2-A, 10-BC portable, dry chemical fire extinguisher. Smoke detector must sound an audible alarm and fire extinguishers must be mounted in a visible location and accessible at all times.
In addition to Show Management approval, exhibits with 300 or more square feet of covered area must also be approved by the Orange County Convention Center (OCCC) and the Orange County Fire Rescue Service Department. Plans can be submitted online using the Booth Layout Approval link below and will be passed on to the OCCC and fire safety for review and approval. Be sure that plans show dimensions and a graphic rendering of the exhibit, and comply with the following guidelines:
Scaled, signed and dated by a registered architect or engineer
Include the show name & dates
Exhibitor name and booth #
Directional information (for example, aisle #s or neighboring booth #s)
Also note:
All materials used in the construction of multi-level and/or covered exhibits and all decorative materials within the exhibit must be non-combustible or limited combustible (flame-retardant) materials.
Booths with a covered area larger than 300 square feet have special safety requirements and should email boothreview@ahrexpo.com as soon as possible for more information.
Aerial Rigging of Hanging Signs and Equipment
The height of any hanging sign or product must be approved by show management before aerial rigging may be ordered.
Signs and equipment displays that are suspended from the ceiling require aerial rigging and must be pre-approved by show management to ensure they are within the appropriate height limit as described above. To be added to the list of exhibitors approved to order aerial rigging, please indicate the details when you fill out the booth layout approval form.
An exhibitor’s product may be hung from the ceiling if it is sold to be installed overhead, e.g. a ceiling fan. Email a special request with details to boothreview@ahrexpo.com, subject “suspended equipment”. Product displays must adhere to the hanging sign height limits unless otherwise approved by show management for safety reasons.
Open Flame/Hot Works Demonstrations
Any open flame, hot works, or gas product demonstration at the show without special advanced approval will be halted and prohibited from continuing. Demonstrations must be submitted by December 6.
Exhibitors with demonstrations involving an open flame, hot works of any kind, or the use of gas, including gas heaters or fireplaces, must submit the demonstration for review and approval using the link below. This includes, but is not limited to, demonstrations that involve the use of equipment such as brazing torches, welding equipment, plasma cutters, fireplaces, and any heat-producing device. Show management will review and then submit requests to the convention center and/or fire marshal’s office for the necessary approval. Approved demonstrations may be subject to an on-site inspection before the opening of the show.
Required Safety Precautions
Must be contained inside a non-combustible enclosure that totally encapsulates the flame or behind a non-combustible shield providing a measure of safety to the public.
Must be positioned on a non-combustible surface with 24-inch clearance for the flame device from any combustibles and booth back wall.
Must have a mechanism available to quickly and safely extinguish the flame.
Must have at least one multipurpose fire extinguisher rated minimum 2–A: 10–BC strategically located within the booth.
Booth personnel should be familiar with the operation of the fire extinguisher.
Booth personnel must be in attendance whenever the device is in use.
Maximum one day supply of the replacement fuel is allowed in the booth.
Flame must be extinguished ½ hour prior to show closing.
Use of Propane Gas
The use of propane is permitted at the OCCC with a maximum canister size of 5lb. OCCC Exhibitor Services is the exclusive provider of propane and LP gas at the convention center. Refer to their website for ordering information.
Note: booth carpet & flooring is recommended but not required for booth layout approval
Exhibitors are not required to have flooring in their booths but it is recommended. Booths and exhibit areas will not be carpeted with the single exception of Hall F (aisles 9000-9500). In Hall F, exhibitors may place carpet over the existing building carpet in their booth provided they do not damage the existing carpet.
Aisles will be carpeted as follows:
Hall F (aisles 9000-9500) - no additional aisle carpet
Building Automation & Control - Midnight Blue
Software Center - Black
All other areas - Red Pepper
Questions? email boothreview@ahrexpo.com or call 203-221-9232