HIGHER STAKES Safe rigging for arenas.
98-foot-high light standard at Tim Hortons Field in Hamilton, Ontar- io. Fortunately, no event was scheduled in the outdoor stadium at the time; a maintenance crew was out of harm’s way. Such an accident highlights the potential danger posed by any- thing suspended overhead in arenas or stadiums, including speakers or scoreboards. With in-house A/V systems becoming larger, heavier and more complicated, ensuring their safe installation is a greater chal-
Raising Expectations “Touring productions are raising consumers’ expectations of enter- tainment systems in arenas and stadiums,” says Kevin Day, associate principal at WJHW in Dallas, Texas. WJHW designs A/V, acoustical, and technical systems; Day has worked on such projects for 18 years. Today he says these venues want concert-quality technology with
- tions, like a half house. “We’re expected to advance the art by provid- ing something comparable to touring shows.” Day helped design the A/V systems for the new U.S. Bank Stadi- um in Minneapolis that opened in 2016. It includes approximately 60 main scoreboard is 8,100 square feet. An A/V project of this size and complexity often involves numer- ous contractors and sub-contractors, with the scoreboard, video, and - tance, it rarely gets much attention – until something goes wrong.
Not an Afterthought “Rigging is frequently just an afterthought, considered only a means to an end,” says Dave Piccola, director of venue installations with Mountain Productions in Wilkes-Barre, PA. “Price is often a greater consideration than safety when deciding who will rig this equipment.” He believes that anything hung or mounted inside a venue should
– that indicate how those elements should be properly hung.
necessary to ensure safe drawings and stamped prints. Mountain also level of security and quality assurance during the design process. Before an owner or arena management company hires out any rig-
ging work, Piccola recommends they ask if they’re really getting the safest installation for their dollar. “Decision-makers should ensure that the company selected has the experience, credentials and engineering to back up their work,” he explains. Piccola sees some venues acting more proactively on this topic than
others. “Without an industry mandate, it’s being driven by the desire for greater safety,” he notes. “It takes time.” The safety push is more the stagehands’ union.
By Patrick Finn
Theatrical Roots been aware of the safety risks inherent with overhead elements like moving scenery, curtains and lights. Safety-focused industry training - share many similarities, including load calculations and equipment. In the other equipment is standard practice. That idea has not yet been fully adopted in arena or stadium projects, but the trend is gathering momentum.
Separate Specs Day says WJHW is pushing for a more coordinated, professional bid process that calls out rigging separately. As installed A/V systems in must keep pace. “The rigging spec needs to be outside the umbrella of an A/V con- tract,” he explains. “Including the rigging in the A/V spec makes the A/V contractor responsible for things they often don’t fully under- stand.” local general laborers, crane-operating companies, and production - cause they understand what they are getting into.” Specifying the rigging separately is an evolution WJHW is making,
what’s typical,” concludes Day. “And typical is shifting.”
Singular Control Just as some arenas are beginning to follow the same specifying prac- tice used for theatre rigging, automated control technology developed venues. A single automated system can operate the arena speakers, score-
board, and upper-bowl curtains, instead of requiring individual con- trols for each. Separate controls increase the likelihood of mistakes or accidents. The automated system includes built-in safeguards to ensure systems cannot interfere with each other. Along with improved safety, an integrated control system reduces
- erate these systems easily, quickly and safely, with fewer outside crews required.
For arenas and stadiums, as with any venue, providing safe entertain- ment is a fundamental, essential goal. Choosing proven rigging prac- tices that promote safety is a key place to start. FM
Patrick Finn is a performing arts product manager for J.R. Clancy, Inc. IAVM 33
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