Rigging Inspection Program

Is that chain strong enough to support this?

Should that pipe be bending so much?

Is this pipe going to be strong enough to hold more?

Why is the curtain so hard to open?

Why won’t the curtain close all the way?

Should that eye-hook be bent like that?

Is an s-hook strong enough to hold that?

What is this bolt that fell from the ceiling?

Will this break?

Is that going to fall?

We hear these questions a lot.  We are sure you do, too.  The Opera Shop

is pleased to present our new service to inspect overhead rigging systems…

Proof of Insurance Available Upon Request

Rigging Inspection Program

The Rigging Inspection Program is a newly developed service offered by The Opera Shop to maintenance departments, risk management personnel, and end users of various educational and professional performance facilities.  The program’s purpose is to report existing and potential safety hazards that may be present due to a lack of proper load- bearing hardware, materials, and equipment suspended overhead in your performance venue.

This program is multi-level in its degree of detailed reporting and pricing.  It is intended to foster a long term service and repair relationship between you and The Opera Shop.  The longer this relationship exists on a continuous basis, the lower the overall costs to you will become.

The accompanying pages will detail our service.  This includes the following:

Inspection Levels: We will recommend the appropriate level after initial assessment of your facility, but ultimately, you decide the level you would like us to provide.

Size Classifications:  Although rigging for electrical elements is considered in the Size Classification, the inspection described does not include any electrical inspection.  We are strictly referring to the hardware and materials required to physically suspend electrical fixtures or distribution in addition to drapery and hardware.

Pricing Matrix:  By combining the Inspection Level with the Size Classification, you can determine the price of your inspection.  This pricing is based on a contract for one inspection.  If inspections are required for multiple performance spaces, we will provide you with a revised estimate.

Process:  This describes for you, our intended approach to suit most of your rigging inspection needs, and the time required for complete execution of the inspection.

Quality Promise:  Above all, we want you to be satisfied with the safety of your facility.  Additional issues that may present themselves are listed.

Please do not hesitate to contact us if you have any further questions.

The Process

Initial Assessment:  Representatives from The Opera Shop will meet with one or more representatives from your organization at the facility in question.  There is no charge for the Initial Assessment.  At this time, we will discuss and recommend the Inspection Level, and assess the Size Classification, as well as answer any additional questions you might have.  We request two weeks advance notice for this meeting.

If this is the first inspection of the facility, you may want to select a Critical Level Inspection.

Scheduling:  If you choose to initiate the Rigging Inspection after the Initial

Assessment, we will schedule at least one full day, and up to five days, to execute the inspection.  If there are multiple days required, they must be consecutive weekdays.  On each day, the facility must be available for eight consecutive hours between 7am and 6pm.  We require, at all times, a minimum of three weeks advance notice for the execution of the Rigging Inspection.

Execution:  We require that the floor space below all rigging systems be completely clear of all equipment, scenery, furniture, debris, and personnel, for the duration of the scheduled inspection.  While the inspection is taking place, we require that the entire visible area (including the auditorium or audience area) be completely clear of any gatherings, assemblies, classes, and foot traffic.  We also require that no activity of any kind is happening with the performance lighting or sound system while the inspection is taking place.

Time:  We will generate and deliver to you, the entire written report within two weeks of the end of the inspection.  Any additional safety issues that were discovered during our inspection will be reported in writing at this time.

 Inspection Level

General Inspection:  

Operational examination of all curtains, pulleys, battens, hanging points, and hardware 

Written safety/issue report 

Curtain flame retardant status 

Detailed estimates for repairs – prioritized by safety and operational requirements 

Documentation of site – a clear description and drawings of the facility and contents 

Operational Inspection:  

User training 

Pipe safety caps and centerline markings 

Walk-through review of report at site with the owner 

Supporting data and maintenance documents 

Operational examination of all curtains, pulleys, battens, hanging points, and hardware 

Written safety/issue report 

Curtain flame retardant status 

Detailed estimates for repairs – prioritized by safety and operational requirements 

Documentation of site – a clear description and drawings of the facility and contents 

Critical Inspection:  

Test torque all bolts, test integrity of suspension hardware 

Limit switches 

Bearing drives 

User training 

Pipe safety caps and centerline markings 

Walk-through review of report at site with the owner 

Supporting data and maintenance documents 

Operational examination of all curtains, pulleys, battens, hanging points, and hardware 

Written safety/issue report 

Curtain flame retardant status 

Detailed estimates for repairs – prioritized by safety and operational requirements 

Documentation of site – a clear description and drawings of the facility and contents 

 Size Classification

*To be classified as Small, all conditions must be met.

*To be classified as Large, only one condition must be met.

*All others are classified as Medium.

Dead Hung Systems:  If all battens are suspended from the ceiling and do not move vertically.

Counterweight or Motorized Systems:  If at least one batten moves vertically.

  Pricing Matrix

A.     Dead Hung Systems: If all battens are suspended from the ceiling and do not move vertically.

Pricing Matrix

B.      Counterweight or Motorized Systems: if at least one batten moves vertically.

  Quality Promise

Frequency:  We recommend that facilities be inspected every two years.  Once a facility has received a Critical Level Inspection, the consequent inspections can usually be done at a General Level.

Safety First:  If, during any inspection, we discover safety issues or equipment damage which poses an immediate risk, we contact you from the site and advise.  We may insist on locking off the damaged equipment or restricting access to users.

Commitment:  Our eyes are open throughout the inspection.  As we inspect the rigging, we may note obvious problems with electrics or storage issues.  We feel an obligation to bring those issues to your attention in a separate letter.

Repair Quotes:  Our quotation, which will accompany the inspection report, will give you an estimate for repairing or replacing all rigging related issues described in the report.  If we discover problems with electrics or storage, we will provide a quotation to remedy these issues.  If an additional electrical inspection is required, we will advise you on how to proceed.

Detail:  We are comprehensive in our reporting.  We begin by looking at connection points to the overhead structure and work our way down through every chain link, bolt, shackle, or any other connection hardware.  We will even inspect curtains that are hung on this rigging, and make recommendations on curtain repair and flame retardancy issues.