Installation manual

Community S-Series - Operation and Installation Manual - Page 41
RIGGING GUIDELINES
The following guidelines on rigging are not intended as a comprehensive rigging manual,
nor are they meant to replace the knowledge of safe rigging practices that might be
obtained from receiving professional training on the subject. These guidelines are intended
only to provide basic safety information, and to call your attention to some commonly made
mistakes. Books, seminars, and hands-on courses are available that teach safe rigging
techniques; we highly recommend that you seek them out if you do not already possess the
requisite knowledge and experience to perform rigging work safely.
DISCLAIMER: Community warrants that its loudspeaker systems and its optional
mounting and rigging hardware have been carefully designed and tested. Community
loudspeakers may be safely mounted and rigged when each loudspeaker model is
installed with Community-manufactured optional mounting and rigging brackets
specifically designed for use with that particular model of loudspeaker. This warranty
applies only for use under normal environmental conditions,
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and when all loudspeakers,
component parts, brackets and hardware are assembled and installed in strict accordance
with Community’s installation guidelines contained herein. Beyond this, Community
assumes no further or extended responsibility or liability, in any way or by any means
whatsoever. It is the responsibility of the installer to insure that safe installation practices
are followed, and that such practices are in accordance with any and all local, state,
federal, or other, codes, conditions, and regulations that may apply to, or govern the
practice of, rigging, mounting, and construction work in the relevant geographic territory.
Any modifications made to any parts or materials manufactured or supplied by
Community shall immediately void all pledges of warranty or surety, related in any way to
the safe use of those parts and materials.
1. Load Rated Components
All components of the rigging system such as wire rope, shackles, chains, eyebolts, etc.,
must be load rated. This means that they are marked or rated with a Safe Working Load
(SWL) or Working Load Limit (WLL). All such items should be designed and
manufactured by reputable companies that regularly supply the theatrical and industrial
rigging industries, such as The Crosby Group, or equivalent. It is strongly recommended
that you source your rigging items from an industrial supplier or specialty rigging house,
never from a hardware store. Items found in local hardware stores are often poor copies of
the original designs and may not be safe, as well as typically being more costly than items
purchased from an industrial supplier. By planning ahead, you will not be in the
uncomfortable position of having to delay the work if you can’t locate a shackle or eyebolt
at the last minute.
2. Safety Factor
No component in a rigging system should be stressed to its maximum load rating. A
suitable Safety Factor or Design Factor must be determined and applied, so that every
component in the rigging system has reserve load capacity. The manufacturer’s stated
SWL (Safe Working Load) or WLL (Working Load Limit) is the quotient of the component’s
ultimate strength, or breaking point, divided by the manufacturer’s stated safety factor. If
the safety factor is not stated on the component or in the manufacturer’s technical
specification sheet, the component should not be used, as its ultimate strength is unknown.
In addition to the manufacturer’s rated Safety Factor, the prudent installer will determine
and apply an additional Safety Factor to insure that the suspension system is installed in a
manner that cannot fail under the prevailing conditions.
Safety factors may be regulated by local, state, federal or international agencies and
therefore may vary based on your geographic location. Safety factors typically assume
normal environmental conditions; additional consideration must be given when unusual
conditions are encountered, such as in corrosive marine environments (e.g. loudspeakers
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Normal Environmental Conditions are defined as the following: -15 to 55º C, no excessive or unusual air-born contaminants or
pollutants present, no chemicals or contaminants coming in direct contact with the product, no excessive vibration or wind loads.