Prepare and rig lighting equipment for theatre and live productions
Overview
This standard is about preparing and rigging the lighting equipment for a production and making sure it is ready for focusing and plotting. It covers your ability to rig lighting equipment and accessories. You must assemble the equipment and accessories correctly.
You need to rig the lighting equipment and accessories safely and according to the lighting plan. You must clearly label everything and finally test the equipment to make sure it is working electrically.
It also covers your ability to cable up and confirm the readiness of the installation for focusing and plotting. You must safely access the equipment and connect it to the correct and safe electrical sources. You must route, fix and dress cables testing the equipment via the control circuits and deal with any faults.
This standard is for lighting technicians involved in preparing and rigging lighting equipment for theatre and live productions.
Performance criteria
You must be able to:
- assemble lighting equipment and accessories required for lighting rigs
- select rigging positions in line with lighting plans
- rig lighting equipment and accessories in line with safety and focussing requirements
- label all lighting equipment and accessories to meet requirements of lighting plans
- carry out electrical tests before installation to confirm that lighting equipment is working
- follow approved procedures to deal with identified faults with lighting equipment
- connect lighting equipment to safe and correct electrical sources in line with the requirements of lighting plans
- route, fix and tidy cables so that risk of damage is minimised
- set up data driven devices in line with manufacturers’ instructions
- test lighting equipment through control circuits in line with legislation, organisational requirements and codes of practice
- report identified faults to relevant people
- work in line with legislation, organisational requirements and codes of practice and industry standards
Knowledge and Understanding
You need to know and understand:
- how to assemble lighting equipment and accessories according to plan requirements
- safe working loads
- why it is important to test individual elements prior to rigging, especially when working at height
- how to rig and position lighting equipment and the importance of correct rigging for focussing
- the importance of clear labelling and how to carry this out
- why it is important to test lighting equipment prior to flying and how to do so safely
- fault diagnostics and procedures for dealing with faults
- legislation, organisational requirements and codes of practice for the assembly and rigging of lighting equipment
- legislation, organisational requirements and codes of practice for safe use of access equipment and when working at height
- safe practice for the connection of lighting equipment, including the environment, use of correct size cables and plugs for the load
- the risks involved in using three phase supplies
- how to connect to single and three phase supplies to regulatory standards
- reasons for earth bonding of metal structures, scenery and other components and when to do this
- how to connect lighting equipment to meet requirements of lighting plans and the use of ‘hard patches’ and ‘soft patches’
- how to test temporary electrical supplies and assess their suitability
- faults that can occur once the equipment is connected to control circuits and how to deal with these