hanging pipe

[wyatt20019]

yesterday i saw something online somewhere but i dont remember where and now i cant find it. it as a removable hanging pipe that goes through the ceiling and you can easily take it down. anyone know what im talking about.

[derekleffew]

I don't have a clue what you're talking about, as your description is something less than cryptic, but I will say that discussing rigging is a topic generally frowned upon here on Control Booth, as per our TOS. When suspending anything over people's heads, our stock reply is

Gravity Kills - Consult a Qualified Rigger!,

perhaps from here.

Maybe you saw something on this site, The Light Source. The same advice above still applies. Don't even think of hanging anything over your head that you've purchased from your local home improvement center.

[gafftaper]

Your question is vague. I'm suspicious you are talking about a device that attaches to the framework of a drop ceiling and allows you to hang things. If yes there are several products on the market that can do that. I remember looking at one of these products at LDI two years ago and I think it had a weight limit of less than 20 pounds. So I quickly ignored and forgot about it as it's too light of duty to safely use for most theater lighting applications. Contact your favorite local dealer to help you find a product that best matches your application needs. A good dealer should be willing to send someone to your facility, take a look at your needs, help you purchase the correct product, and train you how to use it safely.

Now if what you are asking is to find a way to quickly hang/remove a full batten (or truss) with a bunch of lights on it... There is almost always a way to install a low profile, portable system. There are lots of ways to design a system that has very limited visible impact on the room when the batten is removed and yet is relatively easy to put up and take down. BUT you are not qualified to design or install that system. Contact a professional rigger or your local dealer to get them to design, install, and train you to safely use a portable lighting hanging system. Just tell them what you want and let the experts figure out how to safely do it for you.

Please don't take this as an insult, but the fact that you have to ask the question shows you aren't qualified to do whatever it is you are thinking of doing. So please Do NOT do this yourself. We make a big deal about rigging around here because rigging mistakes are the easiest way to kill someone in theater. You need to get professional help on this project!

[wyatt20019]

sorry i might not have provided enough detial. it was a device that had support above the ceiling and it mounts flush with the sheetrock. when not being used the hole in the sheetrock is covered by a little plastic piece. does this help any???

[Van]

Mosy hotel / convention center rooms have rig points buit into the structure of the ceiling. These are engineered threaded units that tie directly into the truss work work of the ceiling the points often rest just above the false ceiling and are covered with a plastic cover , this is not an add-on. Most venues will have the specs for their own hang points allowing you to then purchase the properly graded bolts to use. As stated above this type of rigging is to be done only by a qualified individual.
The installation of such hardware has to be supervised / signed off on by a structural engineer as it's not just about the possibility of a pipe falling down, but bringing an entire roof down ontop of a room full of people.

[Clifford]

Strand has something very similar to what you described wyatt20019. I'm trying to find it, but I may have to re-install SystemBuilder.

[Malabaristo]

It sounds like you're looking for something like this. It's called a Retractable Lighting Position and is sized for up to four circuits and 1000 pounds of fixture.

[wyatt20019]

YES! thats exactly what ive been looking for. thank yoou sooo much

[Clifford]

Ah, Malabaristo got in before me. A system like this is a good sized install (depending on scale).

[Charc]

Originally Posted by Clifford

Ah, Malabaristo got in before me. A system like this is a good sized install (depending on scale).

Ugh, he beat me to the chase too. Yep, that's an interesting device. Of course it still needs to be installed by a professional, and if you're in a school, then you need to talk with maintenance/facilities.