Stage Rigging Handbook, Third Edition

Jay O. Glerum

SIU Press, Apr 18, 2007 - Performing Arts - 292 pages

Succinct and jargon free, Stage Rigging Handbook remains the only book in any language that covers the design, operation, and maintenance of stage-rigging equipment. It is written in an at-a-glance outline form, yet contains in-depth information available nowhere else. This fully indexed third edition includes three new parts: the first, an explanation of inspection procedures for rigging systems; the second, a discussion of training in the operation of rigging systems; and the third, essential information about the operation of fire curtains. The remaining six parts, as well as the glossary and bibliography, have been updated. This edition also contains a new preface, many new illustrations, and expanded information on Nicopress terminations.
Glerum explains that four main principles make up the core of this book: know the rigging system; keep it in safe working order; know how to use it; and keep your concentration. Glerum applies these principles to all of the major types of stage rigging systems, including block and tackle, hemp, counterweight, and motorized. He describes each type of rigging, then thoroughly reviews the operating procedures and methods of inspecting existing systems.

Contents

• Part 1 Loads and Reactions: 1
• 102 Knowing the Rigging System: 2
• 103 Supporting a Load: 3
• B SeatofthePants Experience: 4
• D Summation of Forces: 5
• E Moment of Force: 7
• F Examples: 9
• G Continuous Beams: 12
• 104 Summation of Forces: 13
• B The Law of Sines: 14
• C Table of Multipliers for Resultant Forces: 15
• D Vectors: 16
• 105 Bridle Analysis: 17
• A BridleLength Calculation: 18
• B Vertical and Horizontal Forces: 19
• C Bridle Tension: 21
• D Vector Analysis: 22
• E Hanging Points of Different Heights: 23
• F Ratio of Horizontal to Vertical Distance: 26
• G Allowable Loads: 28
• 106 Strength of Materials: 29
• A Types of Applied Forces: 30
• B Stress Strain and Hookes Law: 31
• C Yield Point and Elasticity: 32
• D Breaking Point: 33
• E Allowable Deflection: 34
• F Torsion: 35
• H Design Factor of Components: 38
• Part 2 BlockandTackle Rigging: 42
• 202 Anatomy of a BlockandTackle System: 43
• A Wooden Blocks: 44
• C Other Types of Blocks: 45
• B Dynamic Load: 47
• 204 Mechanical Advantage: 49
• C Calculating LeadLine Pull: 52
• D Mechanical Advantage of Common Systems: 55
• E Calculating the Total Load on the System: 57
• G Mechanical Advantage of Complex Systems: 58
• 205 Lacing and Reeving of Blocks: 59
• 206 Inspecting a BlockandTackle System: 61
• 207 Using a BlockandTackle System: 62
• C Operating: 63
• Part 3 Hemp Rigging: 65
• B MultipleLine System: 66
• C Sandbag and Arbor Attachment as Counterweight: 68
• 303 The Rope: 69
• B Types of NaturalFiber Rope: 70
• C SyntheticFiber Rope: 71
• D Tensile Strength or Breaking Strength: 73
• F Effects of Knotting: 75
• H Indications of Wear: 79
• I Testing a Rope: 80
• J Bosuns Chair: 81
• 304 Blocks: 82
• B Loads: 85
• C Head Blocks: 86
• D Loft Blocks: 88
• 305 Pin Rail: 92
• F Tying Off: 94
• 306 Sandbags and Arbors: 97
• A Attaching Sandbags and Arbors with a Sunday: 99
• B Attaching Sandbags and Arbors with a Trim Clamp: 100
• 307 Jack Line: 101
• B Positioning Head Blocks: 102
• D Aligning Blocks: 103
• E Running Rope: 104
• B Untying a Line Set: 106
• D Removing Loads: 107
• F Lashing with Small Tie Line: 108
• G Retrimming: 109
• I Showtime Operation: 110
• Part 4 Counterweight Rigging: 112
• 402 SinglePurchase Counterweight System: 113
• 403 DoublePurchase Counterweight System: 114
• 404 Miscellaneous Hardware: 115
• 405 Wire Rope: 116
• B Construction of Wire Rope: 119
• C Grades of Wire Rope: 120
• D Attaching to Batten and Arbor: 124
• E Indications of Wear: 130
• 406 Blocks: 132
• B Sizing: 133
• C Head Blocks: 134
• D Tension Block: 135
• 407 Lock Rail: 136
• B Lock Adjustment: 137
• A Guide Systems: 139
• B Pipe Weight: 141
• 410 Loading Bridge: 142
• C Identifying Load Limits and Weights: 144
• B Communications: 152
• D Loading: 153
• B Unbalanced Large Loads: 154
• 413 Showtime Operation: 159
• D Preshow Testing: 161
• 414 Special CounterweightRigging Problems: 162
• C Increasing Counterweight Capacity: 163
• 415 Operation Summary: 164
• Part 5 Motorized Rigging: 166
• 502 Systems Descriptions: 167
• B DeadHaul Winch Types: 173
• 503 Motor Types: 175
• 504 ElectricWinch Components: 177
• B Gear Reducer: 178
• D Drum: 179
• F Rigging Components: 183
• 506 Hand Winch: 184
• 507 Operation of Motorized Rigging: 185
• A Safety Inspection of All Components: 186
• D Showtime Operation: 187
• Part 6 Cutting and Terminating Rope Attaching Loads and Dealing with Special Problems: 189
• B Knots: 191
• 602 Wire Rope: 194
• B Unreeling and Uncoiling: 195
• 603 Terminating: 196
• B Compression Sleeves: 202
• C Trim Chains: 214
• 604 Bolts: 215
• 605 Attaching Loads: 216
• B Drops: 217
• C Vertical Framed Scenery: 218
• D Horizontal Framed Scenery: 221
• E Point Loads: 222
• 606 Special Problems: 224
• B Tripping: 225
• C Guiding: 226
• Part 7 Inspection of Rigging Systems: 229
• A Daily: 230
• 703 Preparation: 231
• 704 What to Look For: 232
• F Corrosion: 233
• 706 FireCurtainInspection Checklist: 235
• 707 HempSystemInspection Checklist: 236
• 708 CounterweightInspection Checklist: 237
• 709 MotorizedInspection Checklist: 240
• 710 Installation Checklists: 241
• A Termination Instructions: 242
• C MotorizedSystem Checklist: 244
• D HandWinch Checklist: 245
• F BrailFireCurtain Checklist: 246
• Part 8 Operation and Training: 248
• 802 VenueSpecific Training: 249
• A Paperwork: 250
• E MidRail JumpRail Operation: 251
• J Grid Operation: 252
• Part 9 Fire Curtains: 253
• 902 Codes and Regulations: 254
• B Life Safety Code: 255
• 903 Water Curtains: 256
• 904 Fabric Curtains: 257
• C Curtain Construction: 259
• 905 Operation Devices: 260
• B ManualRelease Devices: 261
• C AutomaticRelease Devices: 262
• D Overbalance Systems: 264
• E Deceleration Devices: 270
• 906 Motorized Fire Curtains: 272
• Glossary: 275
• Selected Bibliography: 279
• Index: 283

About the author

Jay O. Glerum holds seminars on stage rigging throughout the United States, Canada, and Europe. A fellow of the United States Institute for Theatre Technology, he has served as chair of the Rigging and Stage Machinery Standards Committee of the Institute and has taught at Seattle University, Marquette University, and the University of Washington. He is president of Jay O. Glerum & Associates, Inc., a firm specializing in consulting for the entertainment industry.

Bibliographic information

• Title: Stage Rigging Handbook, Third Edition
• Author: Jay O. Glerum
• Edition: illustrated
• Publisher: SIU Press, 2007
• ISBN: 0809327414, 9780809327416
• Length: 292 pages
• Subjects: Performing Arts / General; Performing Arts / Theater / Direction & Production; Performing Arts / Theater / General; Performing Arts / Theater / Stagecraft & Scenography