The images used in this manual are from the FasTival, but the set-up is similar for the Arko.

– Download the manual in A4 –

Roll the structure to the designated place (for this: unlock the brake of the wheels) and loosen the long safety cable (which is around the structure).

Pull the structure open with 2 (or with 4) persons. Open the structure as far as you can, until the structure is half open in a stable position.

Hang the membrane with the carabiner hooks in the eye bolts of the lower layer of the joints. Attach all the connection points, except those at the edges, at the wheels (meaning 2 x 3 connection points).

At this stage, the state of the structure and membrane should look similar to this picture.

Position the team of 4 people exactly like in this picture: two persons at each side, one person per joint, being the third joint starting from the sides.

Push the structure upwards with 4 people along the arch side: first push the structure up (at the starting joints) and then go to the lower joint next to you to pull the structure inwards. It’s a combination of keeping the center of the structure high enough and pulling the sides inwards.
Keep in mind that you need a larger space to deploy and open the structure than the ultimate span of the structure in open state (in total 10m for the FasTival, a bit less for the Arko’s)!

Connect the safety cable between the two middle ground joints, at the eye bolts with the carabiner hooks. If the span of the structure is too big for the safety cable, you should push the sides of the structure more inwards, until the safety cable fits.

While someone is installing the safety cable, make sure that two other persons hold the structure in place so that it cannot close back down.

Remove the wheels at the 4 ground joints.

(if you want to connect a backdrop or a second membrane, otherwise go to step 12)

The keder rails should slide over the circular keder profile at the edge of the membrane. Start with a short rail (1), then the long one (or two times a long one if you have 4 keders) (2), to end with a short one again (1). Make sure you use the correct side to start sliding.

Slide the keder rails over the circular keder profile at the edge of the membrane: one per one, and use the next one to push the previous one into place.

Once all keder rails are installed (over the full edge length of the membrane), slide the keder profile of the backdrop or the connection membrane into the rail. Do this with two persons: one person helping at the bottom to slide the membrane into the rail and the other one pulling from the other end.

(if you want to connect a second structure, e.g. in the case of a FasTival L, otherwise go to step 12)

First set up both structures separately and bring them as close together as possible. In the best scenario (first picture) the fins of the joints are (almost) touching each other. Sometimes this may not be possible (see second picture). Then attach the connection pieces by connecting the fins of the two joints concerned. For the FasTival, do this at 5 locations on the structure (so not at the level of the two ground joints).

Make sure you connect the pieces in the right way as shown in the picture.

When the two structures are connected by the 5 connection pieces at the joints, you can slide the PVC connecting strip into the keder rails. Make sure that you choose the right side to start with (without the metal closing piece).

Attach the last loose connection points of the membrane to the corresponding eye bolts. Use again the carabiner hooks or the extra piece provided.

(if you want to remove the safety cable and/or if you expect high winds)

Attach all locking cables (at both sides of the structure). If they seem too short, then push the lower joint upwards to reduce the distance. Use a ladder where necessary.

Place the ground joints on the feet plates (there are 6 plates). One person should lift the structure a bit while the other one can install the footplate by positioning the joints over the holes. Move the joint to find a corresponding hole and fix it with the clevis bolt and pin.

If you have the version with the position pins, you can tighten the pins in the bolts. The ballast weights are placed over these position pins to block the lateral movement and position of the weights.

Only remove the safety cable when it hampers the passage underneath the structure. Only do this when the locking cables and the feet are secured!

Anchor the structure by putting the necessary ballast weights on the feet (when the structure is on hard underground). If the structure is on grass or soil, you can additionally use ground anchors through the big holes of the feet plates.
The total amount of ballast weight depends on the expected wind speed and extra loading of the structure: follow the instructions of the provided load bearing sheet.

Make sure that the brake of the wheels are loose once you want to fold the structure back in its fully folded state.

One person should pull the backdrop from the inside out the keder rails, while another person pushes to make it easy to slide.

Keep the hands at the outside to prevent them getting squeezed in between the beams when you close the structure from arch position to half open position.

Keep the hands at the outside of the top joints when closing the structure fully.