House Rules
House rules in accordance with Section 27 of the Vienna Events Act 2020, LGBl. No. 53/2020 (Wr. VG)
APPLICATION AREA:
These house rules apply to all events at the Wiener Konzerthaus and to all events organized by the Wiener Konzerthausgesellschaft (hereinafter referred to as "KHG") (hereinafter referred to as "event") at the Wiener Konzerthaus venue, Lothringerstraße 20, 1030 Vienna (hereinafter referred to as the "event venue"), organized by the Wiener Konzerthausgesellschaft (hereinafter referred to as the "organizer") and govern the rights and obligations of the persons participating (visitors, organizers and their employees or persons and companies commissioned by them). The house rules are clearly displayed at all entrances. Persons participating in the event must comply with the provisions of the approved and published house rules, otherwise they are not permitted to remain in the event venue.
SCOPE OF APPLICATION/EVENT TIME:
These house rules apply to the event venue for the duration of the event. An event venue includes all buildings, rooms, facilities, and open spaces used in the course of the event.
ACCESS CONTROLS AND STAY:
Persons participating in the event are obliged to submit to an identity check (if applicable) by the organizer's security personnel before entering the event venue.
The security personnel employed by the organizer is authorized to search the clothing, bags, and containers carried by participants for prohibited or dangerous items at any time before they enter the event venue.
Security personnel and the event organizer are entitled to refuse entry to the event venue to persons who may pose a safety risk (e.g., due to excessive alcohol consumption or carrying prohibited or dangerous items). The same applies to persons who refuse to allow their clothing, bags, or containers to be searched or to have their identification checked. In individual cases, security personnel and the organizer are also entitled to carry out such checks on persons participating in the event who are already present at the event venue. In case of violations of the house rules, the organizer, security personnel, and the Vienna Police Department are entitled to exclude the offenders from the event venue. At the end of each event day, all visitors must leave the event venue as quickly as possible.
YOUTH PROTECTION:
The Vienna Youth Protection Act, as amended, applies to the entire event venue.
PROHIBITED ITEMS:
It is prohibited to bring any type of objects or substances that could pose a threat to the interests listed in Section 18 (1) of the Vienna Events Act 2020 (in particular, threats to human life and health, threats to operational safety).
The following are prohibited in particular:
• Weapons of any kind (any object that is particularly dangerous and capable of threatening life or limb is considered a weapon) and objects that can be used as weapons or projectiles;
• Gas spray bottles or pressure vessels for highly flammable or harmful gases, except for commercially available pocket lighters;
• toxic, corrosive, or staining substances or objects;
• Glass containers, bottles, cans, plastic canisters, hard packaging, or other items made of glass or other fragile, splintering, or particularly hard materials;
• pyrotechnic articles and sets, such as: fireworks, smoke bombs, Bengal fires, etc.;
• mechanical or electrically operated noise-making devices (e.g., megaphones), laser pointers, whistles, or gas horns;
• Pepper sprays and tear gas;
• Large or bulky items such as ladders, stools, (folding) chairs, boxes, large bags, backpacks, hydration packs, suitcases;
• Bicycles, skateboards, inline skates, (electric) scooters, Segways, and similar vehicles;
• racist, xenophobic, Nazi, sexist, or political propaganda material;
In case of doubt, the classification of items as prohibited or permitted within the meaning of these house or venue rules is the responsibility of the security staff, the organizer, and the authorities of the City of Vienna and the Vienna Police Department. Persons carrying prohibited items within the meaning of these house or venue rules will be denied access to the event venue. If persons are found with prohibited items at the event venue, the organizer or security personnel are entitled to exclude the persons concerned from the event venue.
TRANSPORTING ANIMALS/PARKING VEHICLES:
Animals, with the exception of guide dogs and service dogs, must wear a muzzle and be kept on a leash. Guide dogs and service dogs must wear a harness.
Parking bicycles, electric scooters, Segways, or similar vehicles at the event venue or attaching them to structures is prohibited.
Fences, barriers, and similar structures pose a safety risk and are prohibited. In the event of non-compliance, the vehicles may be removed by security personnel and the organizer at the expense of the offender and stored by the organizer.
BEHAVIOR GUIDELINES DURING THE EVENT:
For safety reasons, flash photography of any kind is prohibited during the event.
All persons entering the event venue must behave in such a way that other persons are not harmed, endangered, or harassed. Furthermore, they must behave in such a way that no damage is caused to structures, facilities, equipment, or objects.
USE OF THE FACILITIES AT THE EVENT VENUE:
Outerwear, umbrellas, and other bulky items not required for attending the event must be left in the cloakrooms or designated areas. Walking sticks and other walking aids (e.g., rollators) may only be brought in by frail individuals as essential support.
Smoking/vaping (tobacco) products is prohibited throughout the entire venue.
Cigarettes must be disposed of exclusively in the ashtrays provided for this purpose in the outdoor area. Waste, packaging materials, and empty containers must be disposed of exclusively in the waste bins located at the event venue. Empty glasses/bottles must be returned to all food and beverage stands.
BEHAVIOR IN CASE OF DANGER:
In case of danger (fire, accidents, etc.), immediately inform the security personnel, the organizer, or the emergency services (fire department 122, police 133, ambulance 144). Stay calm and ensure your own safety.
POWERS OF ORDER:
Any instructions/ instructions (e.g., announcements made over the public address system or megaphones) issued by law enforcement, the fire department, other emergency services, security personnel, supervisors, stewards, and officials of the City of Vienna, as well as the organizer itself, must be followed immediately and without exception by all participants. Failure to comply may result in the person concerned being expelled from the event venue.
LEGAL CONSEQUENCES OF VIOLATIONS:
According to § 27 (5) of the Vienna Events Act 2020, LGBl. No. 53/2020, persons who do not comply with the provisions of these approved and published house rules are not permitted to remain on the event premises. Any violation of these house rules may be punished with expulsion from the event premises. In accordance with § 27 (6) of the Vienna Events Act 2020, LGBl. No. 53/2020, it is pointed out that failure to comply with the expulsion order issued by the supervisory bodies of the Vienna Provincial Police Directorate constitutes an administrative offense. Any behavior that is relevant under administrative or criminal law will be reported to the competent authorities without exception.
Addendum to the house rules in accordance with Section 27 of the Vienna Events Act 2020,
LGBl. No. 53/2020 (Wr. VG)
This addition to the house rules pursuant to Section 27 of the Vienna Events Act 2020 applies to all events held at the Wiener Konzerthaus and to all events organized by the Wiener Konzerthausgesellschaft outside the Wiener Konzerthaus.
I Visitors
1. Cloakroom or coat racks
Only clothing and items that are normally brought to a concert may be left at the cloakroom. Animals may not be left under any circumstances. Outerwear, hats, umbrellas, and other bulky items not required for the event, such as walking sticks, large bags, backpacks, strollers, walking aids, etc., belonging to persons attending the event must be left in the cloakrooms or designated areas. Outerwear brought along must be kept on. Wet or damp outerwear may not be taken into the hall under any circumstances. Walking sticks and other walking aids (e.g., rollators) may only be taken along by frail persons as indispensable support. They must be placed in the immediate vicinity of the seat, but not in the main traffic areas. Parking bicycles, electric scooters, Segways, or similar vehicles in the event venue or attaching them to structures, fences, barriers, etc. is not permitted. In the event of non-compliance, the vehicles may be removed by authorized persons at the expense of the offender and stored by the organizer. In case of doubt, the management of the audience service or the authorized representative of the KHG on duty (hereinafter referred to as "the person on duty") shall have the final say. No liability is accepted for valuables not expressly handed in for safekeeping in return for payment, in particular valuables in clothing, bags, or other items handed in (such as musical instruments, cameras, ID cards, documents, money, jewelry, credit cards), or for clothing and other items not handed in or deposited at the cloakrooms.
2. Photo, film, video, and audio recordings
Visitors are prohibited from recording events on audio and/or video media (photos, videos, films, data storage devices, etc.). In the case of television broadcasts and the taking of photographs, film and sound recordings by the organizer or persons commissioned by the organizer, visitors grant the photographer or television/film producer and the organizer their express consent that the recordings made by them during or in connection with the event may be used without compensation, without restriction in terms of content, time or place, and without the need for prior consent. television/film producer and the organizer that the recordings made by them during or in connection with the event may be used commercially without compensation and without any restrictions in terms of content, time, or space, using any current or future technical means.
3. Sound level
At certain events, high noise levels may pose a risk to damage to hearing and health. Visitors may request suitable hearing protection from the audience service, which will be provided free of charge. The KHG cannot be held liabile for hearing and health damage in this context, provided that the limits specified in the Vienna Events Act 2020 are observed.
4. Disrupting events
Visitors who are obviously under the influence of alcohol, drugs, or other intoxicants, who persistently disrupt the event, or who endanger other persons may be prevented from entering or removed from the building by authorized persons, despite having a valid ticket, without any entitlement to a refund.
5. Admission for latecomers
Latecomers will only be admitted to the event during breaks or to designated areas of the hall after receiving permission from audience service staff.
6. Exclusion from the venue
In accordance with Section 27 (5) of the Vienna Events Act 2020, persons who do not comply with the provisions of these approved and published house rules are not permitted to remain on the event premises.
Persons who violate the house rules or fail to comply with the instructions of authorized persons may be asked to leave the building without prejudice to further legal action and without any entitlement to a refund. If necessary, KHG may issue a temporary or permanent ban from the premises.
In accordance with Section 27 (6) of the Vienna Events Act 2020, it is pointed out that failure to comply with instructions issued by the supervisory authorities of the Vienna Provincial Police Directorate constitutes an administrative offense. Any conduct that may be relevant under administrative or criminal law will be reported to the competent authorities without exception.
II Service personnel , employees in general
7. Clothing, identification
Service personnel employees are recognizable by their uniforms. All KHG employees have an employee ID card.
8. Behavior
Employees must comply immediately with orders from the official authorities and are obliged to provide them, as well as members of the municipal fire department and other emergency services, with completely truthful information in response to requests made in the course of their duties. Employees must provide visitors with information and, if possible, remedy any complaints immediately. If this is not possible, they must inform their supervisor immediately. They must initially deal with any disturbances themselves and, if necessary, request assistance from the head of visitor services or the person on duty, who must seek official assistance if necessary. Damage or potential hazards (blocked escape routes, trip hazards, fire hazards, electricity, etc.) must be reported immediately to the respective supervisor or brought to the attention of the duty officer present.
9. Exit doors
All emergency doors must be kept unlocked and accessible from the time visitors enter until the hall has been cleared. At the end of the event, the hall doors must be opened and closed again after the visitors have left.
10. Emergency lighting
Before visitors are admitted or before an official inspection tour, the prescribed emergency lighting and a sufficient portion of the main lighting must be switched on. The lighting, including the emergency lighting, may only be switched off once the audience and staff have left the building.
11. Adjusting chairs/seats
The placement of chairs beyond the officially approved planned layout is prohibited.
Any alteration or rearrangement of the specified furnishings, such as chairs, tables, decorations, works of art, etc., and in particular any protective devices, as well as any tampering with technical equipment, is prohibited.
12. Cleaning
The event Venue are cleaned regularly in good time before the start of the event.
13. Lost property
Items that are found or handed over to employees as lost property must be handed in to the porter. In particular, attention must be paid to lost or abandoned items during the inspection rounds carried out after the end of the event.
14. Alarms, evacuation of the building
All necessary information (signaling, procedures) regarding the alarm system and evacuation is listed in the fire safety regulations. The fire safety regulations are an integral part of these house rules. Public service employees are obliged to ensure that the hall or building is evacuated in an orderly manner by taking decisive and purposeful action, and may only leave their assigned area once there are no more visitors present. A necessary evacuation is signaled by an evacuation announcement or the corresponding siren signal. In this case, service employees must open all hall exits and ask visitors to leave the building as calmly and quickly as possible. It should also be noted that no items from the cloakroom will be handed out during an evacuation. All doors must be closed again immediately after the respective area has been evacuated in order to prevent smoke or fire from spreading. Re-entry to the building is only permitted after approval by the fire department and the person(s) on duty. In case of danger (fire, accidents, etc.), the authorized persons and the emergency services (fire department 122, police 133, ambulance 144) must be informed immediately. Remain calm and cautious and pay attention to your own safety.
15. Duty to provide information
All KHG employees must be familiar with these house rules.
III Organizer
16. Registration for the event
Events falling under the Vienna Events Act will only be permitted if the organizer can present the necessary authorization (registration) from the relevant municipal department (MA-36V) to the building inspectorate in good time before the event and can demonstrate that any associated requirements have been fulfilled in accordance with the order. Any other necessary separate permits must be obtained by the organizer independently.
17. House rules
The organizer is obliged to inform its partners, subcontractors, and vicarious agents of these house rules at the latest before using the Wiener Konzerthaus and to contractually transfer their validity to them.
18. Liability
The organizer shall be fully liable for any violations of these house rules (and their addendum) or for violations of applicable safety regulations and standards that are culpably caused by him/her and/or his/her vicarious agents.
19. Mounting space
The officially approved capacity of the individual halls in the respective seating or layout configuration used may not be exceeded. The organizer must inform themselves of this. The closure of event areas due to overcrowding or special incidents, or the lifting of closures, shall be carried out on the instructions of the person on duty or the representative of the authorities. The organizer and the audience service are obliged to implement these instructions immediately and strictly. In the event of a closure, even persons in possession of a valid ticket may be expelled from the Wiener Konzerthaus or refused entry. Any resulting claims under private law shall be borne by the organizer. The organizer is also obliged to reimburse the KHG for any costs incurred as a result of official orders or other administrative measures or as a result of violations of legal provisions, official requirements, or these house rules (and their addendum).
20. Open fires, storage of flammable materials
Performances or demonstrations involving open flames and/or pyrotechnic effects are prohibited! The storage of flammable liquids and fire-hazardous substances is only permitted in protected areas and with the written permission of the KHG building inspector. Transport routes and times must be agreed with the building inspector prior to delivery.
21. Assembly and dismantling, damage
a) General
All deliveries and installations must be carried out in such a way that the building and its furnishings are treated with the utmost care. Furthermore, all safety regulations must be observed.
Maximum protection means, for example:
o No disabling of safety devices;
o Do not block elevators with objects.
o No pushing objects without wheels;
o No sticking/writing on walls, doors, etc.;
o No storage of objects on armchairs and chairs;
b) Escape routes
All escape routes and exits must be kept clear of obstacles at all times. Assembly and dismantling activities must not obstruct escape routes. First aid firefighting equipment, escape route markings, and safety equipment must not be obstructed or covered.
c) Freight elevator
The freight elevators may only be used after appropriate training has been provided. In the case of the stage lift (Lift 13), riding above the mezzanine level is prohibited by law.
d) Walls, windows, chandeliers
No fixtures may be attached to walls, glass panes, window frames, or door frames. To protect wall paint, wallpaper, fabric coverings, stone cladding, etc., the use of adhesive tape, pins, string, or similar fastenings is prohibited. Only free-standing structures may be used after consultation with the building inspector. Likewise, fastenings of any kind are prohibited on chandeliers and wall lights.
e) Electrical systems
Unauthorized persons are not permitted to touch the electrical systems and lighting equipment. External electrical equipment may only be connected and commissioned after express approval by the KHG's electrical department. All electrical equipment to be connected to the Vienna Konzerthaus network must comply with the latest technical standards, have all relevant safety certifications, and be in proper working order.
f) Lighting, sound rigging, stage structures
For lighting and sound scaffolding and taller stage structures, static proof of stability and operational safety must be provided, and a separate inspection report must be submitted for additional electrical installations. The house inspection reserves the right to order additional safety measures for such structures, if necessary in consultation with the event authority.
g) Use of load or suspension points
Load or suspension points may only be used in accordance with the permissible load capacities and in compliance with all safety regulations. Assembly must be carried out by trained personnel in compliance with all safety standards.
h) Commissioning of machines, devices, and auxiliary equipment
All machines, devices, and tools used or brought in must be state-of-the-art, have all relevant safety certifications, and be in proper working order. Commissioning and use must be carried out exclusively by trained personnel in compliance with all relevant safety standards.
i) Maximale Lasten
The floor slabs must not be loaded with more than 4 kN/m². When transporting or setting up point loads, precautions must be taken to ensure sufficient load distribution. In case of doubt, the building inspectorate must be informed and their instructions awaited.
22. Compulsory attendance
During use of the Wiener Konzerthaus, the organizer must ensure that they themselves or at least one authorized representative (supervisor) is present. Authorized representatives of the organizer are deemed to be authorized to accept official instructions or other complaints and statements, including those from KHG, with binding effect for the organizer.
23. Request for emergency services
Requests for emergency services (e.g., fire department, police, ambulance) or a doctor on duty must be made through the public service department or building inspection department. If this is not possible for valid reasons (especially in cases of imminent danger), the public service department and building inspection department must be informed immediately of the request.
Participants must immediately and unconditionally comply with any orders/instructions (e.g., announcements made over the public address system or megaphones) issued by law enforcement, the fire department, other emergency services, authorized persons, and the authorities of the City of Vienna, as well as the event organizer. Failure to comply may result in the person concerned being expelled from the event venue, irrespective of any further administrative penalties.
24. Right to issue instructions
The organizer or their authorized representative has no authority to issue instructions to KHG employees. Only the KHG employee on duty is authorized to do so. The instructions of the employee on duty must be followed by the organizer and their employees, partners, and subcontractors.
25. Volume
The organizer is obliged to ensure that the sound level of their event does not disturb neighbors, residents, uninvolved third parties, or other events at the Wiener Konzerthaus. If problems arise, KHG has the right to take measures to reduce the volume. The relevant provisions of the Vienna Events Act 2020 (§ 23) must be observed in all cases.
26. Photo, film, video, and audio recordings
The prior written consent of KHG must be obtained for the production, use, exploitation, and sale of audio, image, or film recordings, as well as audio recordings, radio, and television recordings.
27. Order picking
If an official commission is necessary, the organizer or his/her authorized representative must participate. The organizer is solely responsible for obtaining event-specific special permits and complying with the associated requirements.
28. Staying in the house
The organizer and their partners and subcontractors may only remain on the premises during the agreed period. Additional visits, technical meetings, etc. require the approval of the building inspector in all cases.
IV Tenants
29. Access, stay, use
Tenants are only permitted to access their rented properties via the transport corridor (from the porter's lodge) and the shortest route. Tenants are only permitted to use the rooms specified in their rental agreements. They are therefore not permitted to enter other areas of the Wiener Konzerthaus, particularly during events.
30. Employees, customer traffic, suppliers, etc.
Employees, customers, suppliers, etc. of the tenant must be informed about access options and house rules. The tenant is fully liable for any direct or indirect damage caused by employees, customers, suppliers, etc. attributable to him/her.
V Miscellaneous
31. Commercial photography, other commercial activities
Commercial photography and other commercial activities are only permitted with the prior written consent of KHG.
32. Distribute, sell, exhibit
The distribution of printed matter or sale of goods of any kind is only permitted with the prior written consent of KHG. The organizer is responsible for obtaining all necessary official permits, is liable for the payment of all charges (e.g., taxes), and shall indemnify and hold KHG harmless in this regard.
Vienna, February 22, 2023
For the Vienna Concert Hall Society
Günter Tröbinger, Member of the Executive Board