General
Our rules and regulations have been neatly listed in one handy document. Don’t worry, it’s not quite the size nor scope of Sheldon Cooper’s Roommate Agreement. So please, whatever you do, don’t give us a 12 hour notice of your impending coitus or anything of the sorts. Thanks!
Security measures @ FACTS
Keep in mind that the more bags security has to check, the longer the queues will be. If you don’t need a bag, then please don’t bring one!
Yes, lockers will be available at the register. 24 cm wide, 33 cm high, 49 cm deep. We ask 10 euro per locker, of which you will be given 5 euros back when you collect your stuff. Don’t forget to empty your locker after FACTS, or we will have to bring everything to the police, who is in charge of the lost & found.
We will provide a cloakroom at the entrance, a place to put your clothes and other items that do not fit in the lockers. We will be asking a small fee, though, so keep that in mind.
Yes, that’s an option too. Make sure you get a stamp of the crew at the register. You will be checked when you re-enter, of course, for security reasons.
Yes, BUT you cannot wear them on the streets (against the Belgian law) and you cannot wear them at the check-up at the register either. Once you’re inside, you can put on your mask.
You can, but it might make the lines longer. But don’t worry, our catering stands have food that has basically gone Super Saiyan in quality.
Weapon rules
- Visitors will at all times comply with the applicable legislation (both on a national and local level) regarding the carrying and use of weapons. In case of contradiction, said legislation always takes precedence over the present house rules.
- Instructions: Weapon carriers must instantly comply with every request and/or instruction pertaining to the weapons they carry and/or use, whether issued by a policeman, a fireman and/or another public official, or by Flanders Expo security personnel or one of the organiser’s crew members.
- Categories: Three categories of weapons are distinguished:
At FACTS Prohibited Weapons
Working firearms (even if unloaded), neutralised or decommissioned weapons, incendiary weapons, weapons designed exclusively for military use, airsoft weapons, switchblades, jack knives with lock, butterfly knives, throw knives, knuckle dusters, daggers, hunting knives, alarm pistols, firearms that look like something other than a gun, sword canes, gun canes, electroshock weapons, spray cans for ‘self-defence’, nunchakus, throwing stars and silencers. All working firearms, prohibited and permit required weapons by the Belgian Weapons Act shall be confiscated by the police and police report will be prepared.
Authorised Weapons
Objects intended as toys for children up to 14 years old (e.g. a one-tone plastic water pistol); objects that cannot be mistaken for an actual weapon (e.g. a light sabre from Star Wars or a phaser from Star Trek); swords and sabres not listed under “At FACTS Prohibited Weapons”.
Carrying authorised weapons inside the halls of Flanders Expo is allowed during FACTS. However, it is prohibited to take these weapons outside. On your way to and from Flanders Expo, authorised weapons must be kept in a sealed packaging at all times (e.g. a closed sports bag). It is also prohibited at all times to use the authorised weapons in a threatening and/or otherwise dangerous way inside the halls or on the premises of Flanders Expo. Abandoned authorised weapons will be confiscated.
Stage Weapons
Fake weapons that do not fall under the ‘Prohibited Weapons’ category but that can neither be considered ‘Authorised Weapons’ (e.g. a decommissioned weapon that looks like a weapon from Stargate) can only be used on stage (e.g. for the cosplay competition) or in a closed-o area of the fan village.
Stage weapons can only be used on stage and are also allowed at a stand in the fan village insofar as the latter is not accessible to the public, but they are banned from the rest of the convention. On your way to and from Flanders Expo, stage weapons must be kept in a sealed packaging at all times (e.g. a closed sports bag). Stage weapons must be stored out of sight when the owner is neither on stage nor physically present at the closed stand. It is also prohibited at all times to use stage weapons in a threatening and/or otherwise dangerous way inside the halls or on the premises of Flanders Expo. Abandoned stage weapons will be confi scated. (see Article 11 of the Regulation).
If you are unsure as to the category your weapon belongs to, please say so at the box office and you will be referred to the appropriate person at the Weapon check. The weapon must not be removed from its sealed packaging until this person has told you to which category your weapon belongs.
Article 1. 3.§: are considered prohibited weapons:
- Anti-personnel mines, booby traps and similar mechanisms, and blinding laser weapons;
- Fire Weapons;
- Weapons designed exclusively for military use, including automatic firearms, launching gear, artillery pieces, rockets, weapons that make use of other types of radiation than those intended under 1 °, ammunition that is designed specifically for those weapons, bombs, torpedoes and grenades
- Submunitions;
- Switchblade- or flick knives with lock, butterfly knives, brass knuckles and similar weapons that resemble another object in appearance
- Sword canes and rifle canes that are not historic ornamental weapons;
- Clubs and batons;
- Firearms whose butt or barrel can be disassembled into several parts firearms manufactured or altered in such a way that its wearing is not or less visible or that their technical characteristics no longer correspond to those of the model specified in the permit of possession and firearms resembling anything other than a weapon;
- Portable vehicles that can render a person defenseless by the use of electric shocks or can inflict pain, with the exception of medical or veterinary devices;
- Objects intended to strike a person with toxic, asphyxiating, tear- and similar substances, with the exception of medical devices;
- Folded guns above caliber 20;
- Throwing Knives;
- Nunchaku’s
- Throwing stars;
- Firearms equipped with the following components and accessories, as well as the following components and accessories separately: – Silencers; – Chargers with a larger capacity than the normal capacity as determined by the Minister of Justice for a particular firearm model; – Targeting equipment for firearms, which projects a beam on the target and night vision goggles; – Mechanisms that allow firearms to be transformed into automatic firearms;
- By the Ministers of Justice and of Home affairs designated gear, weapons and ammunition that could form a new and serious threat to public security and arms and ammunition which for that reason, only the services referred to in Article 27 § 1, second and third paragraphs, are allowed to possess;
- Objects and substances not designed as weapons but which, given the concrete circumstances, it is clear that the one holding, wearing or carrying them, wishes to use them to inflict bodily harm or to threaten people.
- Inert ammunition and armor containing depleted uranium or any other industrial uranium. [Law of May 11, 2007, effective date: 20-06-2009]
