Short answer: A double-deck (two-storey) stand adds meeting space without renting more floor, but every venue treats it as a special structure. It needs a separate application, structural calculations and often an external inspection, filed weeks before the show: 12 weeks at Bella Center Copenhagen and 4 weeks at Stockholmsmässan, for example. Typical published limits are a total height of about 5 m and an upper deck covering at most 50% of the ground floor, as at Stockholmsmässan and Svenska Mässan.
Updated 26 September 2026. Rules are quoted from the venues’ own regulations, linked below. Your show’s exhibitor manual always takes precedence.
When a double-deck stand makes sense
- You need private meeting rooms and cannot give up ground-floor space for product display.
- Floor space is expensive. Space rent at large European fairs costs roughly €300 per m² or more in the organisers’ 2026 price lists (see our exhibition stand cost guide). Building up adds usable area without adding rented m².
- You want visibility across the hall. A second level lets you raise branding higher than a single-storey stand is allowed to.
It is usually not worth it for small stands, for halls with low ceilings, or when the deadline is too close for approvals.
Published venue rules for two-storey stands
| Venue | Key rules | Deadline |
|---|---|---|
| Stockholmsmässan (Stockholm) | Max 5 m high; upper level max 50% of ground level; at least 10 m between two-storey stands; walls and ceilings B-s1,d0 or flame-retardant | Written application with drawing 4 weeks before the event |
| Svenska Mässan (Gothenburg) | Written approval; max 5 m; upper deck max 50% of ground floor; 2.3–2.5 m free height underneath | Standard height exceptions notified 6 weeks ahead |
| Bella Center Copenhagen | Stairs at least 1.3 m wide; max 49 persons on the upper level; replacement sprinkler cover required | Technical drawings and material details 12 weeks before |
| Brussels Expo | Mandatory inspection by an external body (SECT); design loads 500 kg/m² (public areas) or 350 kg/m² (private); railing at least 110 cm | Per organiser |
| NOVA Spektrum (Lillestrøm, Norway) | Written application; calculations by a RIF-approved consultancy; sprinklers under the upper deck | 5 weeks before, for anything above the standard 2.5 m |
| Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre | Detailed scale drawings with 3D design plus written confirmation from a structural engineer; max build height 6 m in Halls 1, 2, 4 and 5 | Per organiser |
Common threads across these venues:
- Structural sign-off. An engineer’s calculation or an external inspection is standard, and the upper floor must be designed for crowd loads.
- Fire safety. Covered areas often need sprinklers or a fire guard. Stockholmsmässan requires this for covered structures over 30 m².
- Upper-deck size cap. The upper deck is usually limited to half of the footprint, so the second floor sits partly over the stand, not wall to wall.
- Early deadlines. Two-storey stands are approved long before normal stand drawings are due.
Planning timeline for a double-deck stand
- 16+ weeks before: Check the exhibitor manual for the height limit, double-deck rules and the stand’s position under the hall roof (rigging points, sprinklers). Agree the brief: number of meeting rooms, storage and bar.
- 14–12 weeks before: Concept design and structural concept. Book the engineer or inspection body the venue requires.
- 12–4 weeks before (the venue’s deadline): Submit the application, drawings and calculations, and order electricity, sprinkler cover and rigging from the venue.
- 4–2 weeks before: Production and trial assembly in the workshop, then transport.
- Build-up: Installation, then inspection or sign-off where required, before the upper deck is used.
How we build double-deck stands
VAV Grup designs double-deck stands in Istanbul and pre-assembles them in our own workshop, so the structure is checked before it travels. We prepare the drawing and calculation package in the format the venue asks for. On site we work with the services the venue reserves for itself, such as mains power, rigging and sprinklers. See our double-deck booths service or send your stand number and size for a project-specific proposal.
Frequently asked questions
How high can a double-deck exhibition stand be?
It depends on the venue and show. Stockholmsmässan and Svenska Mässan allow up to 5 m for two-storey stands. The Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre allows builds up to 6 m in its main halls. Always check your show’s manual.
How big can the upper floor be?
At Stockholmsmässan and Svenska Mässan, the upper level may cover at most 50% of the ground floor.
How early do I need to apply for a double-deck stand?
Bella Center Copenhagen asks for technical drawings 12 weeks before the event, and Stockholmsmässan 4 weeks before. Plan for the earliest deadline in your show’s manual.
Does a double-deck stand need an engineer?
Usually, yes. Brussels Expo requires an external SECT inspection, NOVA Spektrum requires calculations from a RIF-approved consultancy, and the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre requires written confirmation from a structural engineer.
Sources
- Stockholmsmässan – Generella regler (2024): https://stockholmsmassan.se/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/Generella-regler-2024-04-08.pdf
- Svenska Mässan – Safety and Technical Regulations: https://svenskamassan.se/uploads/sites/46/2025/04/Safety-and-Technical-regulations-ST_202501E.pdf
- Bella Center – exhibitor terms: https://bellacenter.dk/media/xl0lmqrq/udstillervilkaar.pdf
- Brussels Expo – Prescriptions générales de sécurité: https://www.brussels-expo.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Prescriptions-de-securite-FR.pdf
- NOVA Spektrum – regulations: https://novaspektrum.no/en/regulations/
- Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre – floor plan and stand design guidelines: https://www.klccconventioncentre.com/clients/asset_1D27A8C6-DE8C-4066-B3D8-0593D73C0267/contentms/img/pdf/exhibition-floorplan-standdesign.pdf