Design Light Plot: Disclaimers?

mrtrudeau23

Well-Known Member
Premium Member
So I was looking at rochem's thread concerning his light plot and formatting it. http://www.controlbooth.com/forums/lighting/15429-another-student-light-plot.html (The plot is a PDF file on this thread.)
I noticed that he posted a disclaimer above the lighting symbol key about not being responsible for architectural and engineering problems in the space.
Is this a common practice for lighting designers to do this. It is the first time I've seen it and none of my professors ever talked about doing it for any type of drafting, lighting or set design.
Thanks in advance,
Mike
 
If you look at the wicked plots that someone posted earlier you can find the same thing. I think its just saying that your not a qualified person to determine what is safe. Is this correct?
 
It's very common practice. My lighting plots are an artistic request, I don't want the master electrician to hang it and have a line set fall on the stage or a fire to start and it come back to being my responsibility.

All of my light plots say:
This drawing represents visual concepts only.
The Designer is unqualified to determine the structural or electrical appropriateness of this design, and will not assume responsibility for improper engineering, construction, handling, or use. All materials and construction must comply with the most stringent applicable Federal and Local Fire, Safety, Energy, and Environmental Codes.

In the age of lawyers, better safe then sorry.
 
Its more common on scenic renderings. For Rochem, he does not need it because no one he is working with is fully qualified to asses whats going on anyway. I have never heard of someone coming back to an LD or Scenic Designer for a structual failure, not saying it has not happened though. As a TD or any other technical manager it is your job to varify the design can be carried out safely. This is just a CYA type of thing. If you want to put it on there, fine, if you don't, its not the end of the world in the theatre world at least. If you are doing balroom corprate gigs where the LD is a bit more involved in actually getting the show up I would put it on there. Then again though, odds are you will be the one doing the actual work or overseeing the work and your back to where you started where you are responsible.
 
The other verbiage that usually accompanies the "Safety" disclaimer is
This document is provided and intended solely for this particular production, and duplication or use for any other purpose is strictly prohibited.
which, in theory at least, protects the designer from someone copying or repurposing his/her designs.

In the world of entertainment lighting for corporate events, virtually every light plot I've ever seen has had a variation of both.
 
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thanks for the clarification everyone. much appreciated.
 
Here is my disclaimer copied from a plot, sorry about the caps. Notice my last line though, that got added after a shop used my plot to install the scenery. Everything was off because some details of the set changed after I had printed my plot due to constrictions of using stock platforms. However, they couldn't find the scenic designers draftings and decided to use mine instead.

THIS DRAWING REPRESENTS VISUAL CONCEPTS AND LIGHTING FIXTURE PLACEMENT ONLY.
THE DESIGNER ASSUMES NO RESPONSIBILITY FOR ELECTRICAL OR STRUCTURAL
APPROPRIATENESS, OR IMPROPER INSTALLATION. ALL MATERIALS AND CONSTRUCTION
TECHNIQUES MUST COMPLY WITH THE MOST RIGOROUS FEDERAL AND LOCAL CODES
INCLUDING: FIRE, SAFETY, STRUCTURAL, AND ELECTRICAL. THIS DRAWING IS
PREPARED FOR ELECTRICIANS TO UNDERSTAND THE PLACEMENT OF LIGHTING FIXTURES
ONLY AND SHOULD NOT BE USED AS THE ONLY INFORMATION TO LOCATE OR INSTALL
SCENERY.
 
You really want to put a disclaimer on your plots. The language of the disclaimer in some of the other posts is good. I think you should add that your "heirs and assigns" are also not responsible. So, should you get killed by the boom you drafted that someone did not adequately safety, your family cannot be held liable. These days, with so many lawsuits being placed against numerous parties, you want to take every measure to protect yourself. Make sure that you state that your drawing is intended for artistic purposes only. If your ME states that he cannot properly rig something that you designed, pay heed. You may have to compromise artistically but that is better than sitting on the witness stand. Better yet, don't draft yourself into that corner. Think of the challenges ahead of time.
 
This is a intresting thread. I have not seen any disclaimers on any plots I have worked with yet but, in most cases the designer knows the space or at least has a vauge familiarity of it. I think that I will add one now just for form sake. CYA is better then court.
 
THIS DRAWING IS
PREPARED FOR ELECTRICIANS TO UNDERSTAND THE PLACEMENT OF LIGHTING FIXTURES
ONLY AND SHOULD NOT BE USED AS THE ONLY INFORMATION TO LOCATE OR INSTALL
SCENERY.

First don't apogize for caps. It is the drafting standard in this case...and second...That's just funny.
 
FWIW, from the CAD/Drafting classes I took caps is always the standard for (engineering) drawing. It helps with clarity (= fewer errors).
 

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