Flying PA speakers

[burtron9000]

Anyone have any advice on how to properly fly PA speakers or
where I can find any info about building code/technical specifications concerning flying line arrays in a (semi)permanent installation?

[Weasel9992]

Originally Posted by burtron9000

Anyone have any advice on how to properly fly PA speakers or where I can find any info about building code/technical specifications concerning flying line arrays in a (semi)permanent installation?

That's a huge topic...there are lots and lots of things to consider in terms of the structural strength of the building, hanging points, electrical and low voltage infrustructure, etc. You're not going to find a "how to" sort of manual, that's for sure. I mean sure, JBL, EV, EAW, Myers or whoever will provide a manual that'll tell you how to deal with the hanging bars and how to splay the array, but they're not going to tell you how to rig it. Honestly, it's really no easier than rigging a lighting truss...and I don't know too many people who are willing to do that themselves.

Generally that's a job for rigging experts, not amateurs. If you hang it and it falls on somebody, it's your neck on the line legally. I worked in the systems integration field for a long time, and I'd advise you to pay someone else to do it.

Frank

[Ken Paul]

Originally Posted by Weasel9992

That's a huge topic...there are lots and lots of things to consider in terms of the structural strength of the building, hanging points, electrical and low voltage infrustructure, etc. You're not going to find a "how to" sort of manual, that's for sure. I mean sure, JBL, EV, EAW, Myers or whoever will provide a manual that'll tell you how to deal with the hanging bars and how to splay the array, but they're not going to tell you how to rig it. Honestly, it's really no easier than rigging a lighting truss...and I don't know too many people who are willing to do that themselves.

Generally that's a job for rigging experts, not amateurs. If you hang it and it falls on somebody, it's your neck on the line legally. I worked in the systems integration field for a long time, and I'd advise you to pay someone else to do it.

Frank

A lot of facilities require that you use riggers for the obvious liability reasons.

Ken

[burtron9000]

Thanks!
I realize there's a lot to consider. And it's definitely not something you want to do half-ass, or without knowing what you're doing. Basically I'm trying to get a bid to upgrade the PA system, including new line arrays, in a church. They already have rigging in place supporting some EAW cabinets. It's possible that the existing rigging could support the new line arrays, but it may need to be moved for better speaker placement and room coverage, or it may just need to be replaced. I've rigged plenty of lighting truss and flown line arrays for outdoor concerts and as much of an ass-pain as that is, it's definitely something I can do. The difficult part here is understanding the architectural structure of the church ceiling and maintaining aesthetics. Any recommendations for people who do this professionally? Everything else they need done is well within my capabilities, but I definitely don't want to be liable for anyone getting squashed. If I can't do it, I'll have to recommend someone else.

Burt

[Ken Paul]

It really isn't so much whether or not you have the ability but whether you have sufficient liability insurance to protect yourself... sub contracting the rigging work allows you to avoid the liability of something failing down the line.

-kp

[Weasel9992]

Originally Posted by Ken Paul

It really isn't so much whether or not you have the ability but whether you have sufficient liability insurance to protect yourself... sub contracting the rigging work allows you to avoid the liability of something failing down the line.

-kp

Completely, totally agree. If you were here in Savannah I'd tell you to contact the Stagehands Union...maybe you could do the same thing where you are. Either that, or contact an AV contractor near you. If they don't have a crew onsite to do that (we did...several), they'll know of someone who can. Of course, if you go with option 2, the AV company may compete with you for the job, so you might just want to suck it up, pay union wages and go with the Stagehands.

Even the riggers will probably have to submit mechanical rigging drawings stamped by a structural engineer though. As far as aesthetics go, form will follow function. If the church wants to move the arrays, then they may have to put up with some visual changes.

Frank