[SML] Question about codes

[Sean McCarthy]

Bill,

That catwalk looks very spacious (which is great), but as an end user (no,
not of your project) I have some thoughts.  Having the lower pipe be
removable is incredibly valuable for things like specialized rigging, or
installation of larger moving lights.

Also, I know continuous raceways are popular with a lot of people, but
placing it that low above the hanging position makes it difficult to
tophang equipment when needed, or to lean out/reach over to get to odd
rigging solutions.  For a school I can see the value in how you've designed
this, but breaking the raceway up into 3 or 4 boxes along the catwalk is
much more flexible than a continuous obstacle across the whole catwalk.

I'm curious as to your experience on the other side of the consulting
equation.  It's something that's bothered me for years in more modern
catwalk design.

--Sean

SEAN R. McCARTHY
Master Electrician
SHAKESPEARE THEATRE COMPANY
Washington, DC

On Wed, Feb 10, 2021 at 3:18 PM Bill Conner via Stagecraft <
stagecraft at theatrical.net> wrote:

> My typical catwalk - in one of a very few where structure etc. was painted
> white rather than black - better photo![image: evv catwalk.jpg]
>
> On Wed, Feb 10, 2021 at 3:09 PM Bill Conner <billconnerastc at gmail.com>
> wrote:
>
>> The IBC and LSC which are most widely used in the US permit non-standard
>> rail spacing on lighting catwalks (and a few other places for entertainment
>> technology).  My standard is for 22" clear between top of toe board and
>> bottom of lower rail, and 22" between top of lower rail and bottom of upper
>> rail.  (I used to do 30" when 8" ERSs were more common.)  This may not be
>> enough to satisfy OSHA requirements for fall protection.
>>
>> I believe it's very important to not require people to lean out to focus
>> and service the gear.  It's much safer if both feet are flat and your body
>> balanced over the catwalk deck.
>>
>> I attach a page from a presentation I did at TEAC 2010 that shows a
>> design that does provide fall protection, and sounds like what someone had
>> in mind but didn't really know what they were doing would not work well.
>>
>> On Wed, Feb 10, 2021 at 1:58 PM Ross via Stagecraft <
>> stagecraft at theatrical.net> wrote:
>>
>>> Here is a question for those of you who have renovated or built new
>>> theatre spaces.  The local school district has just built a new high school
>>> with a state of the art theatre space.  In touring the space I see that
>>> somewhere along the lines someone put chain link fence along the catwalk
>>> railing.  Is that a safety feature that being included in new construction
>>> or just some random bright idea?  I would try to look up the building codes
>>> but I am not sure where to look, (that and trying to read them make my eyes
>>> glaze over).
>>>
>>> The reason I am asking because when adjusting light on Cat #2 you have
>>> to lay on the floor & stick one are under the fence to adjust said light,
>>> OR one person grabs the belt of a second person as they lean over the
>>> railing, (& pray they say in their pants).
>>>
>>> I should point out that at this time I do not have a formal contract
>>> with the school for anything. I just help out on productions as asked.
>>> That is the reason I do not ask any of the construction guys finishing up
>>> the project.
>>>
>>>
>>> Clay Ross
>>> Pro Dreamer
>>>
>>>
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>>
>> --
>> Bill Conner Fellow of the ASTC
>>
>
>
> --
> Bill Conner Fellow of the ASTC
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