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Rigging Reference Sheet

MCS RIGGING REFERENCE SHEET

Components:

  • Hardware (carabiners, rescue 8s, quick links, swivels, shackles, pulleys, etc)
  • Suspension (Round slings/Span sets, tubular webbing, Rope, hollow blocks, etc)
  • Apparatus (Silks, Rope, Sling, Lyra, Trapeze, etc)

Rating for all components of rigging:

·      Preferred to be 22kN (4,900 lbs) or higher

·      Rationale: 150# aerial test subject able to generate ~850# of force during a slack drop on silks measured with tension dynamometer. Round up to 1000 lbs with a safety factor of x5 or higher = 5000lbs, or ~22kN.  

Hardware Considerations:

·      MCS hardware is primarily steel

·      Best practice is to match steel with steel or aluminum with aluminum at contact points

·      Obtain hardware from reputable sources

·      Hardware must be used as intended

·      Avoid tri-loading carabiners

·      Screw gate carabiners should be oriented so screw gait is closed and screws down prior to flight

·      Carabiners should not be cross-loaded during flight

·      Shackles and quick links should be moused appropriately

Suspension Considerations:

·      Tying a knot in a rope or webbing will reduce its rating by up to 50%; tying a knot in a span set is not allowed per the manufacturer’s documentation

·      Choking a rope or webbing may reduce its rating by up to 50% (unless otherwise rated/indicated); choking a span set reduces its rating by approximately 21% (8,400 to 6,700)

·      Basketing rope, span sets or webbing will double its rating

·      Water knot in webbing decreases the strength of the webbing by ½. However, tying it into a loop means each half is carrying ½ the load

Apparatus Considerations:

·      Consult instructors for specific recommendations/sourcing

·      Contact MCS representative for approval of any new piece of equipment prior to use at MCS-include sources/known ratings. Email ok for standard equipment. Prefer face to face for invented/novel apparatus

Inspection Overview:

·      MCS inspects in house rigging quarterly with help from volunteers-no prior training needed

·      Quarterly inspections of personal equipment used at MCS is advised

·      Annual inspections of personal equipment, including personal hardware/suspension used at MCS is required and must be recorded on an electronic log that can be provided upon request.

·      Sample Electronic Log for Apparatus,  Sample Electronic Log for Hardware

·      Brief visual inspection of ropes/carabiners/swivels/apparatus for integrity and orientation is advised every time you rig

Hardware inspection:

·      Inspect all contacts: greater than 10% wear at contact vs non-contact via caliper measurement=Retire/Replace

·      Swivels: evaluate for grinding/catching/uneven spin, should be smooth

·      Carabiners: evaluate gate hinge and locking or screw gate mechanism for grinding/catching/tracking, should be smooth. 

Suspension Inspection:

·      Look for frays, especially at contacts with beams/hardware and pin rails tie off area

·      If you locate a fray/wear point, look for evidence of what may have caused it, make adjustments if appropriate

·      Adjust span set or webbing contacts to distribute wear with each inspection

·      Exposed inner contents or greater than 10% wear=Retire/replace

Apparatus Inspection:

Silks/sling

·      De-rig from hardware/suspension materials, spread out on the ground and look for holes, runs, burns, frays

·      Holes smaller than size of a quarter=May sew up and nail polish the edges

·      Holes bigger than size of a quarter=Cut out and re-rig or retire

·      Re-rig silks/sling at least once/year.  Check technique with trusted source as needed.

Rope/Cloud swing

·      Visual inspection of rope, look for frays/exposed content

·      Inspect thimble and stitching for integrity/signs of wear

·      If inner contents exposed on load bearing portion=Retire/redress/replace

Trapeze

·      Visual inspection of rope to bar contacts at elbows-look for frays, or separation

·      Inspect bar for cracks, deformity, deep scratches which impair integrity

·      Inspect thimble and stitching or knots for integrity/signs of wear

·      Trapeze with knots: untie to inspect and retie at least once/year.  Check technique with trusted source as needed.

Lyra

·      Inspect all welds prior to/between taping, look for cracks, rust, separation, sharp areas

·      Inspect metal tabs or contacts for signs of wear.  If wear > 10%, retire.

·      Observe for any deformation or deviation from original shape

Other

·      Follow best practice guidelines/consult instructor

MCS Truss Engineer approvals:

·      Static working load of 12,000 lbs distributed as 3,000 lbs on each of the 4 beams (A,B,C,D)

·      6 simultaneous drops of 1000 lbs on 6 pulleys (double the roof force) spread over the grid

·      May run circles or swing out to 45 degrees from any point

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