Community R6-51 and R6-BASSHORN Installation / Operation Manual — Page 16
RIGGING CONSIDERATIONS
R I G G I N G S A F E T Y
DANGER:
The loudspeakers described in this manual are designed to be ‘flown’ or suspended
for maximum acoustical performance using a variety of rigging hardware, means, and methods.
It is essential that all installation work involving the suspension of these loudspeaker products
be performed by competent, knowledgeable persons who understand safe rigging practices.
Severe injury and/or loss of life may occur if these products are improperly installed.
Important Notes on Rigging Loudspeakers
There are three areas of responsibility when rigging loudspeakers. The first is the building structure. Always
consult with the building architect or structural engineer to assure the ability of the structure to support the loud-
speaker system. The second area of responsibility is the loudspeaker itself. Community certifies its loud-
speaker systems for suspension when they are properly installed according to our published guidelines. The
third area of responsibility encompasses everything between the loudspeaker and the building structure, along
with the actual process of installation. The installer assumes this responsibility
. Loudspeaker rigging should
be performed only by certified rigging professionals using certified rigging hardware that is properly
sized for the specific application. Prior to installation, the contractor should present a rigging plan, with
drawings and a detailed parts list, to a licensed structural engineer (P.E.) or other authoritive body for
written approval.
Safe Rigging Practices
In virtually all circumstances where an object is suspended overhead, a secondary ‘safety’ cable (or other
means of backing-up the primary suspension system) should be provided by the party responsible for life-safety
matters. Nearly all local building codes, as well as state and federal regulations, require safety cables, chains, or
other secondary supports, in the event that the primary support may fail due to seismic concerns, excessive
wind loads, or any other reasons.
Safety attachment points should not be located at insert points on opposite sides of the R6 or R6-51 enclosures
to prevent significant forces that could pull the insert points away from each other. All safety cables, chains, or
other restraining hardware must be installed so that the line is taut and positioned to minimize dynamic loading
of the attachment points (falling, bouncing, swinging, etc.) in the event that the loudspeaker’s primary support
system fails. Even a short drop can generate a large force that could cause the safety hardware, or the attach-
ment points, to fail dramatically. It is the installer’s task and responsibility to procure and utilize appropriate hard-
ware, manufactured from suitable material and sold by reputable suppliers, to insure a safe installation.
Shoulder Eye-Bolts are often used to provide a means of attaching a safety cable to the loudspeaker enclosure
(normal eye-bolts should NOT be used). Shoulder-eyes should be rated for overhead ‘live-load’ usage and care-
fully installed. Stainless steel is recommended for outdoor applications and for indoor applications such as in
factories, swimming pools, etc. Each shoulder-eye must be screwed in and firmly seated (do not over tighten)
with the shoulder of the eyebolt making contact with the rubber washer on the exterior of the loudspeaker enclo-
sure. A rubber washer should be used between the eyebolt and the cabinet to maintain weather-resistance.
Shims (washers) may be used between the eyebolt and the rubber washer to position the eye so that it is in the
same plane as the suspension cable or chain. Eyebolts must not be stressed laterally; only in the long-axis of
the eye do they provide appropriate strength.
Hoist Rings
provide a method of attachment that has advantages over eyebolts. They permit more flexibility in
regard to the pull/load direction of the safety line, though at a higher cost. Hoist Rings include a hinged “eye”
