Open Forum

EVERYONE should have rigging/safety inspections about every two years (every year would be ideal, every three years seems to be more common). Congrats on getting your district to agree to doing yours! I'm using this as a 'teachable moment'… I'm probably preaching to the choir, because most of you know the value of a rigging inspection (or general safety inspection if you don't have a fly system), but many of you have a hard time convincing your administration to spend the money. Yes, a rigging inspection can be pricey - some inspectors have to come from out of town and need accommodation, and for a full sized theatre the rigging inspection can, and should, take 2 full days! - but consider the price of the alternative. Also – if your school or district is paying for regular inspections of their sports fields, gyms and equipment, then they should be paying for regular theatre inspections. Liability. Liability. Liability.

For those of you who haven't had a rigging (or general safety) inspection in your theatre, the inspection includes a visual inspection of the accessible components of the system (although some parts may be virtually impossible to view if they are above a grid that is close to the ceiling of the fly tower). The inspector will do a physical check of the system to assess if there are any hazardous conditions that might compromise the safety of those operating the system and those on stage while it is being operated. They should fully raise and lower each line (rope) to determine the condition of its functionality, and to look for things such as whether the ropes are frayed, determine the condition of the blocks, cables and other parts, and determine if any lines are out of weight. Most inspectors who come out to inspect your rigging will also look at other issues, such as your catwalks, egress, and fire safety red flags. Chances are most of you could tell your district what is unsafe in your theatre, but a professional safety inspection validates your findings, and also finds the items that are not so obvious to the user.  

As well as Teqniqal Systems, I also recommend Stagecraft Industries in Oregon – when I was managing theatres in Washington, I had them come out to three different theatres several times. Most rigging inspectors will travel, so you don't have to be tied to locale (like I did). But definitely use an experienced inspector from a reputable company such as these and others already mentioned.

After your inspection you will then receive a comprehensive written report, which will recommend any repairs or replacements, and also recommend any preventative maintenance. A safety inspection isn't worth anything if the district won't follow the recommendations.  Sadly I have yet to work for a school district that has completed the to-do list in these reports, regardless of their support for the inspections in the first place. But, one thing I would do was to take the report and divide the 'to-dos' into 5 categories. 1 – items that my students and myself can – safely! – take care of. 2 – items that my technicians can take care of. 3 – items that school custodians can take care of. 4 – items that district maintenance needs to take care of. And 5 – items that we need to hire a professional company to take care of. This way, I knew that at least the lists in categories 1and 2 were taken care of. Plus, it will increase the likelihood of the items in categories 3, 4 and 5 being taken care of, if the district maintenance director doesn't have to sift through a report regarding a facility the functionality of which (s)he doesn't understand. I highly recommend doing the leg work for your admin, as you understand your facility the best and it will increase the chance of the work getting done. Which is ultimately why you requested the safety inspection in the first place.

EVERYONE should have rigging/safety inspections about every two years (every year would be ideal, every three years seems to be more common). Congrats on getting your district to agree to doing yours! I'm using this as a 'teachable moment'… I'm probably preaching to the choir, because most of you know the value of a rigging inspection (or general safety inspection if you don't have a fly system), but many of you have a hard time convincing your administration to spend the money. Yes, a rigging inspection can be pricey - some inspectors have to come from out of town and need accommodation, and for a full sized theatre the rigging inspection can, and should, take 2 full days! - but consider the price of the alternative. Also – if your school or district is paying for regular inspections of their sports fields, gyms and equipment, then they should be paying for regular theatre inspections. Liability. Liability. Liability.

For those of you who haven't had a rigging (or general safety) inspection in your theatre, the inspection includes a visual inspection of the accessible components of the system (although some parts may be virtually impossible to view if they are above a grid that is close to the ceiling of the fly tower). The inspector will do a physical check of the system to assess if there are any hazardous conditions that might compromise the safety of those operating the system and those on stage while it is being operated. They should fully raise and lower each line (rope) to determine the condition of its functionality, and to look for things such as whether the ropes are frayed, determine the condition of the blocks, cables and other parts, and determine if any lines are out of weight. Most inspectors who come out to inspect your rigging will also look at other issues, such as your catwalks, egress, and fire safety red flags. Chances are most of you could tell your district what is unsafe in your theatre, but a professional safety inspection validates your findings, and also finds the items that are not so obvious to the user.  

As well as Teqniqal Systems, I also recommend Stagecraft Industries in Oregon – when I was managing theatres in Washington, I had them come out to three different theatres several times. Most rigging inspectors will travel, so you don't have to be tied to locale (like I did). But definitely use an experienced inspector from a reputable company such as these and others already mentioned.

After your inspection you will then receive a comprehensive written report, which will recommend any repairs or replacements, and also recommend any preventative maintenance. A safety inspection isn't worth anything if the district won't follow the recommendations.  Sadly I have yet to work for a school district that has completed the to-do list in these reports, regardless of their support for the inspections in the first place. But, one thing I would do was to take the report and divide the 'to-dos' into 5 categories. 1 – items that my students and myself can – safely! – take care of. 2 – items that my technicians can take care of. 3 – items that school custodians can take care of. 4 – items that district maintenance needs to take care of. And 5 – items that we need to hire a professional company to take care of. This way, I knew that at least the lists in categories 1and 2 were taken care of. Plus, it will increase the likelihood of the items in categories 3, 4 and 5 being taken care of, if the district maintenance director doesn't have to sift through a report regarding a facility the functionality of which (s)he doesn't understand. I highly recommend doing the leg work for your admin, as you understand your facility the best and it will increase the chance of the work getting done. Which is ultimately why you requested the safety inspection in the first place.

EVERYONE should have rigging/safety inspections about every two years (every year would be ideal, every three years seems to be more common). Congrats on getting your district to agree to doing yours! I'm using this as a 'teachable moment'… I'm probably preaching to the choir, because most of you know the value of a rigging inspection (or general safety inspection if you don't have a fly system), but many of you have a hard time convincing your administration to spend the money. Yes, a rigging inspection can be pricey - some inspectors have to come from out of town and need accommodation, and for a full sized theatre the rigging inspection can, and should, take 2 full days! - but consider the price of the alternative. Also – if your school or district is paying for regular inspections of their sports fields, gyms and equipment, then they should be paying for regular theatre inspections. Liability. Liability. Liability.

For those of you who haven't had a rigging (or general safety) inspection in your theatre, the inspection includes a visual inspection of the accessible components of the system (although some parts may be virtually impossible to view if they are above a grid that is close to the ceiling of the fly tower). The inspector will do a physical check of the system to assess if there are any hazardous conditions that might compromise the safety of those operating the system and those on stage while it is being operated. They should fully raise and lower each line (rope) to determine the condition of its functionality, and to look for things such as whether the ropes are frayed, determine the condition of the blocks, cables and other parts, and determine if any lines are out of weight. Most inspectors who come out to inspect your rigging will also look at other issues, such as your catwalks, egress, and fire safety red flags. Chances are most of you could tell your district what is unsafe in your theatre, but a professional safety inspection validates your findings, and also finds the items that are not so obvious to the user.  

As well as Teqniqal Systems, I also recommend Stagecraft Industries in Oregon – when I was managing theatres in Washington, I had them come out to three different theatres several times. Most rigging inspectors will travel, so you don't have to be tied to locale (like I did). But definitely use an experienced inspector from a reputable company such as these and others already mentioned.

After your inspection you will then receive a comprehensive written report, which will recommend any repairs or replacements, and also recommend any preventative maintenance. A safety inspection isn't worth anything if the district won't follow the recommendations.  Sadly I have yet to work for a school district that has completed the to-do list in these reports, regardless of their support for the inspections in the first place. But, one thing I would do was to take the report and divide the 'to-dos' into 5 categories. 1 – items that my students and myself can – safely! – take care of. 2 – items that my technicians can take care of. 3 – items that school custodians can take care of. 4 – items that district maintenance needs to take care of. And 5 – items that we need to hire a professional company to take care of. This way, I knew that at least the lists in categories 1and 2 were taken care of. Plus, it will increase the likelihood of the items in categories 3, 4 and 5 being taken care of, if the district maintenance director doesn't have to sift through a report regarding a facility the functionality of which (s)he doesn't understand. I highly recommend doing the leg work for your admin, as you understand your facility the best and it will increase the chance of the work getting done. Which is ultimately why you requested the safety inspection in the first place.