House and site rules for the Eurovision Song Contest 2015
Venue: Wiener Stadthalle, Roland Rainer Platz 1, 1150 Vienna
Event organizer: ÖSTERREICHISCHER RUNDFUNK (AUSTRIAN BROADCASTING) ORF, 1136 Vienna,
Würzburggasse 30, Austria
Preamble
ORF will organize the Eurovision Song Contest 2015 (hereafter referred to as "ESC 2015") - following the
success of Conchita Wurst at the ESC in Copenhagen - in the Wiener Stadthalle (Vienna, Austria) in the
period from 18th to 23th May, 2015, in the form of altogether 12 public events and produce it as live TV
broadcasts.
The Eurovision Song Contest is Europe's largest TV entertainment show, which is realized and medially
utilized as an international co-production of all active (maximum 46) members of the European
Broadcasting Union (hereinafter referred to as "EBU") within the scope of the Eurovision programme
exchange. The ESC reaches an audience in a three-digit million range every year and makes use of all
electronic channels.
These house and site rules (hereinafter referred to as "house rules") apply to the Eurovision Song Contest
2015
(hereinafter
ESC),
organized
by
ÖSTERREICHISCHER
RUNDFUNK
(AUSTRIAN
BROADCASTING), ORF (hereinafter "organizer") throughout the event's duration in the event area of the
Eurovision Song Contest 2015.
The event area comprises all halls, foyers, other ancillary rooms, as well as their outdoor spaces (entire
site) of the Wiener Stadthalle (hereinafter ESC-premises).
These house rules do not apply to task forces. These house rules apply to any person who enters the
venue, in particular to all participants, visitors and the organizer or his staff or persons and companies
commissioned by the organizer.
All staff (supervisory personnel) must be familiar with these house rules and must ensure that the
provisions of these house rules are adhered to.
Period of validity
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These house rules enter into force on 6 May, 2015, from 08:00 hours and will be valid until 30 May,
2015, 08:00 hours (except for halls A, B, C, E and F, for which these house rules enter into force as follows:
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Hall A: 26 April to 28 May, 2015
Hall B: 24 April to 29 May, 2015
Hall C: 15 May to 27 May, 2015
Hall E: 27 April to 27 May, 2015
Hall F: 06 May to 25 May, 2015).
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House and site rules for the Eurovision Song Contest 2015
Access
During the period of validity of these house rules, only those persons are entitled to sojourn on the ESC
premises who hold accreditations or admission tickets corresponding to the respective areas of the ESC
premises. An accreditation or admission ticket must be produced upon entering the ESC premises and
upon any request by security or supervisory personnel and task forces. In the event of refusal to do so,
admission will be denied or the person is asked to leave the ESC premises.
The following applies:

Admission with an admission ticket is possible on the day of the event 2 hours prior to the start of
the respective event.

Sojourn with an admission ticket is permissible up to a maximum of 1 hour after the official end of
the show programme, unless the organizer prescribes a shorter sojourn on the ESC premises or
the security or supervisory personnel ask individuals to leave the ESC premises.
Admission tickets are not transferable. They must be kept until after leaving Wiener Stadthalle and must be
produced at any time upon request by inspectors.
Accreditations are not transferable and must be visibly displayed at all times. Anyone whose accreditation
is not properly attached or damaged may be expelled from the ESC premises by the organizer or the
security personnel.
Outside performance times, access to and sojourn on the ESC premises is permitted exclusively for holders
of an appropriate accreditation.
Performance time is deemed the period of time from admission of the public to the ESC premises until the
end of the respective event, i.e. in principle until a maximum of 1 hour after the end of the official show
programme.
The following carry-in items are prohibited on the ESC premises:

weapons of any kind;

knives of any kind (e.g. pocket knives, kitchen knives etc.);

belts and wrist bands with spikes;

photographic devices, video and audio recorders;

drugs or intoxicants;

bars of or over a length of 1.20 metres;

bulky and dangerous objects such as ladders, stools, (folding) chairs, seating and standing
devices, bicycles, vehicles, bags larger than standard-size, rucksacks, suitcases, sports bags,
umbrellas (exception: walking aids are allowed);

pyrotechnic and firework articles, smoke powder, smoke bombs, etc.;

potential projectiles;

spray cans for gaseous substances, antiperspirant sprays, acidly, inflammable, staining or
otherwise dangerous substances or liquids or containers with substances which can impair
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House and site rules for the Eurovision Song Contest 2015
people's health or are easily inflammable (exception: standard customary pocket lighters are
allowed);

mechanically operated noise-emitting devices like megaphones, gas cartridge horns;

laser pointers;

splintering or breakable objects;

food and drinks;

animals (except for assistance dogs and guide dogs);

Advertising items (banners, leaflets, etc.).
In case of doubt, classification of objects as prohibited or allowed pursuant to the terms of these house
rules lies with the responsible security officer.
The organizer reserves the right to inspect/scan, with regard to the above mentioned prohibited objects,
pieces of a person's clothing, persons, and any containers carried by a person.
Persons who resist such inspection or who carry prohibited objects may be refused admission to the ESC
premises.
Bringing along flags
Forbidden flags

Flags bearing racist, sexist, provocative, offensive, impious or political imprint are prohibited.

Flags bearing advertising not authorized by the organizer.
Flags without a solid frame

Textile flags without a solid frame are allowed.
Flagpoles

Flagpoles made of wood and/or metal are prohibited.

Flagpoles made of flexible synthetic material (e.g. KIR tubes) and telescope flagpoles made of
flexible synthetic material are allowed up to a maximum length of 120 centimetres
Bringing along banners
Principle

Banners made of textile cloth without a solid frame are allowed, provided that they do not
obstruct or impair the ORF production area and production works (in particular, TV cameras
and microphones) or the audience's unhindered view of the stage or other locations of the
event (Green Room) when put up in the event hall.
Forbidden banners

Bringing along banners with a racist, sexist, provocative, offensive, impious or political imprint
or any commercial content is prohibited.
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House and site rules for the Eurovision Song Contest 2015
Cloaking guidelines
Outerwear must be deposited at the cloak room counter. Depositing in any other places is prohibited. The
cloakroom fee payable will be displayed. Sticks may only be borne by frail persons as their indispensable
walking aid.
Sojourn
Persons under the influence of drugs, drunk or rampaging people and persons who offend the rules of
public decency or violate provisions of the Wiener Landessicherheitsgesetz (Vienna security act) or the
Sicherheitspolizeigesetz (security police act) or the penal code will be denied access to the ESC premises
or expelled from the ESC premises.
Consumption of drugs or intoxicants on the ESC premises is strictly prohibited (except for legal stimulants
such as alcohol or caffeine).
Vehicles
Driving and parking within the ESC premises is only allowed with the organizer's authorization (vehicle or
parking card attached in a clearly visible manner). The Straßenverkehrsordnung (rules of the road) apply
and a speed limit of a maximum of 10 km per hour must be observed.
Video and audio recordings
Taking photographs or making film, video or audio recordings is only permitted with the organizer's
authorization in writing - bringing along professional photographic, video and audio recording devices is
generally prohibited. For safety reasons, any kind of flashlight may only be used during the event if it poses
no danger for the audience or performers.
Smoking ban
A smoking ban under the provisions of the Tabakgesetz (tobacco act) as amended must always be
observed. Smoking is strictly prohibited on the ESC premises, with the exception of designated areas. This
smoking ban also applies to electronic cigarettes.
Conduct
Anyone who enters the ESC premises

must, without delay, follow the instructions of the organizer, the security personnel and the task
forces, and any instructions announced via loudspeakers (announcements). Anyone who fails to
comply with such instructions, wilfully or negligently, may be expelled from the event area by
security and supervisory personnel or the police.

must behave in a way making sure not to pose a safety hazard or cause damage to others, and not
to bother others more than unavoidable in the circumstances.

must comply with the content of notice signs, mandatory and prohibition signs on the ESC
premises.

must not cause damage or destruction to buildings, decorations, equipment or other objects by his
or her behaviour.
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House and site rules for the Eurovision Song Contest 2015

must report accidents or any damage to the security personnel or the organizer immediately.

must keep free and not obstruct entrances and exits, emergency, escape and rescue routes.
Further requirements necessary for the prevention or elimination of danger to life, health or
property may be adopted as appropriate. Instructions given for these purposes by the security and
supervisory personnel, by security forces and by the police must be followed.

must dispose of waste, packaging material and empty containers in the waste bins provided
throughout the event area and must refrain from deliberate pollution of the event area (including
green areas).
It is forbidden:

to enter areas not designated for visitors of an event (backstage rooms, technical areas, press
centre, event organization, catering area, etc.);

to light a fire, to burn or let off fireworks, illuminants, smoke powder, smoke bombs or other
pyrotechnic objects;

to engage in political propaganda and actions, to make or spread racist, xenophobic or extremist
remarks and/or wear or spread corresponding emblems;

to engage in actions for the purposes of commercial advertising (e.g. by uttering slogans,
distributing advertising material);

to behave in any way which others might perceive as provocative, threatening, discriminating or
offensive;

to endanger one's own life or safety or the lives or safety of others or at any time to cause personal
injury or material damage;

to step or climb on or over structures and fittings not intended for general use, including, but not
limited to, fences, walls, enclosures, barriers, lighting installations, trees, poles of any kind and
roofs or the like;

to obstruct or impair traffic routes, access paths and aisles leading to audience seats, and rescue
routes;

to spray, write on, draw or paint on, or paste stickers onto building structures, facilities, pillars,
walls, fences or paths;

to relieve oneself outside the toilets or to pollute the event area in any other way;

to enter the ESC premises in a state of drunkenness or other intoxication;

to interfere with the process of TV production and the process of handling the event by the
organizer.
Behaviour in case of fire
In case of fire, the security and supervisory personnel and the fire brigade must be informed immediately.
The instructions by all task forces, by the fire brigade, by authorities, supervisory and security personnel
must be obeyed. Please keep calm !
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House and site rules for the Eurovision Song Contest 2015
Behaviour in case of danger
In case of danger (e.g. accidents with personal injury, etc.) the security and supervisory personnel and the
police must be informed immediately. The instructions by all task forces, by the security and supervisory
personnel and the police must be obeyed. Please keep calm!
Behaviour in case of evacuation
In case of a necessary evacuation of the ESC premises or parts thereof, the instructions by all task forces,
by the organizer, the security personnel and the law enforcement forces must be obeyed. Please keep
calm!
Cleaning
The ESC premises are cleaned after the end of a performance. Only cleaning works which are strictly
necessary will be carried out during performances.
Lighting
Prior to the admission of visitors, all safety lighting and a sufficient part of the main lighting must be put into
operation. Main lighting, including safety lighting, is turned off only after all visitors have left the ESC
premises. Any handling of the lighting installation by unauthorized persons is prohibited.
Lost and found objects
Lost or found objects or objects handed over as found must immediately be handed over to the organizer's
staff or to the security personnel.
Lost objects can be reported or collected at the information counter in hall D. Objects taken into custody
there can be collected during the event.
Objects which have not been collected are transferred to Wiener Stadthalle and can be collected there from
st
1 June, 2015.
Removal from the premises
In case of a breach of the house rules or concrete indications of an impending breach, the organizer
reserves the right to require personal identification by the person concerned for the purposes of recording
personal data, and to ban the person from the premises and pass on the data to the security authorities.
Purchased tickets and accreditations will not be replaced or refunded.
The organizer does not accept any liability beyond statutory provisions for accidents involving visitors of the
ESC premises.
Persons violating the house rules can be expelled from the ESC premises, without prejudice to further legal
steps, without any entitlement to a refund.
Incidents relevant under criminal law will be reported to the authorities, without exception.
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House and site rules for the Eurovision Song Contest 2015
Legal force
Violation of duties requiring action or abstention imposed by these house rules is punishable under § 35 (1)
in conjunction with § 32 (3) of the Wiener Veranstaltungsgesetz (Vienna event act), LGBl.
(Landesgesetzblatt - Vienna law gazette) Nr. 12/1971 as amended.
Pursuant to § 35 (4), persons who do not abide by the approved house rules must not sojourn on the event
site.
Particular mention is made of the provisions of the Wiener Jugendschutzgesetz (Vienna act to protect
minors)
Vienna, March, 2015
The organizer
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Code of conduct for the Eurovision Song Contest 2015
SPECIFIC PROVISIONS FOR THE ESC
Access
Under certain circumstances, particularly for technical reasons of production, objects unobjectionable from
a safety point of view may be confiscated.
It is expressly pointed out that the organizer will take into custody forbidden objects detected in the course
of screening of persons (cf. item "The following carry-in items are prohibited on the ESC premises“) and will
return them through a coupon system upon leaving the event premises. These rules do not apply to
umbrellas, which, for reasons of logistics, cannot be taken into custody and are, therefore, exempt from
being returned.
Food and drink which were brought along will be disposed of without exception.
Conduct
It is forbidden:

to sell or give away admission tickets or merchandise or to offer any services on the ESC premises
– this does not apply to official partners of the organizer.

Any sales activities and the distribution of written material and merchandise of any kind, in
particular for advertising-commercial purposes are not permitted on the ESC premises. Billposting,
distributing leaflets etc. is prohibited in front of entrances, on the exterior facades and in the rooms
of the Wiener Stadthalle; this also applies to rallies and demonstrations.
Change of allocated seats and obstruction of view
For technical reasons of production, it may happen that the seats allocated to clients prior to the start of the
performance or programme have to be changed. In such cases, the visitor must obey the instructions by
ushers and supervisory personnel. However, the visitor is not entitled to a refund or reduction of the
admission fee and/or reimbursement of expenses.
Photographic, film, video or audio recordings
With the purchase of a ticket and the ensuing access of the ESC premises, the ticket holder authorizes the
broadcasting TV and radio companies and photographers present to utilize and publish recordings they
have made of him or her, without compensation and without any limitation of time, place or contents, by
means of any technological process. In addition, the ticket holder grants ORF / EBU the right to make use
of these recordings for advertising purposes in connection with the Eurovision Song Contest free of charge.
Video monitoring
Anyone who enters the ESC premises acknowledges real time monitoring of the ESC premises carried out
for security reasons. Real time monitoring is indicated accordingly at access points to the ESC premises in
each case.
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Code of conduct for the Eurovision Song Contest 2015
Liability
Liability for personal injury and material damage as a result of disregard of these house and site rules lies
with the perpetrator. In addition, every visitor is liable for damage caused by him or her, including, but not
limited to, damage to rooms, facilities and works of art of the Wiener Stadthalle pursuant to the provisions
of civil law.
The organizer does not accept any liability beyond statutory provisions for accidents and/or other damage.
The organizer does not accept any liability for lost property; this applies especially to theft.
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