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Executive Summary Broadway Center Theaters Executive Summary/Page #
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9/23/05


Executive Summary

The following summary reports are in response to a Scope of Services Contract issued September 1
st
, 2005. The
purpose of these reports is to advise management of the status of the Rigging, Lighting and Sound systems in use at
The Pantages Theater, The Theater on the Square and The Rialto. The reports are organized by discipline and by
facility.

STAGE RIGGING SYSTEMS

The Pantages Theater rigging system is in remarkable condition for being a 22-year-old machine. The loft blocks
and the head blocks (the core pulleys at the grid level, see attached schematic as Appendix #1) are oversized for this
application and the result is that the blocks themselves operate below their cycle and load capacities. This should
help increase the life of the blocks beyond a normal 25-30 year serviceable life expectancy common in stage rigging
blocks. In addition, the lift cable stress has been decreased at the blocks due to the larger diameter sheaves and
relatively light loads. The cables are also original to the system and show more signs of age and wear. The cable
terminations at both ends are outdated in technique and employ the use of hardware that is no longer approved for
overhead lifting, though common practice in 1983. Given the condition of the blocks, a lift cable upgrade will
increase the safety of the system overall. The tee bar wall and locking rail are in good working order though some
attention would be beneficial. The arbors that counterbalance the loads are structurally sound but the guide shoes are
worn out and need to be replaced. The tension blocks are not engaging the tee bar correctly during certain phases of
normal operation and may need to be overhauled or replaced. The rope locks were replaced in the late 1990s and
are showing signs of use, but have many years of service left in them. The fire curtain was serviced in late 2004,
though there are some elements that could be improved such as the fire curtain emergency release station being
upgraded from a cotton cord being severed with a knife to a preferred red ring pull pin station. The stage draperies
were replaced in 2004; however it is recommended to review the specifications and flame treatment certificates as
three curtain samples tested did not pass the NFPA 705 field flame test. A few battens are slightly bent and could
cause some interference, but overall are in good working order. The operators should be commended for obviously
operating the system with care and helping to preserve its overall condition. They are the single most important
element in the safe operation of the rigging.

Immediate Needs:
The Items that required immediate attention listed in Jay Glerums inspection report dated 9/28/04 have been
addressed to satisfactory levels, except for the lag screws being upgraded to anchor bolts in the locking rail. There
was no life threatening conditions that were discovered this year. Developing an accurate binder or rail log for
system record keeping should be implemented immediately as a destination for service records/system
documentation/operator training records/near-miss and incident reports and investigation results along with other
important information that should be kept on site for ease of reference and entries. See Appendix #2,
Recordkeeping.

Near Term:
Safety factors would increase by addressing several issues detailed in the ensuing full report as well as extend the
serviceable life of the system as a whole. This includes the lift cables, tension blocks, tee bar wall, fire curtain
release system, and locking rail among other common system maintenance items. Signage indicating Authorized
Operators Only and safe operating procedures should be posted. It is recommended to remove sample blocks within
1-3 years and send them to the manufacturer for an analysis of the bearings, hubs, and condition of the grease. Aging
grease can harden and begin to erode the condition of the bearings prematurely. Ceiling shell suspension hardware
should be removed from service and an appropriate attachment to the batten installed.

Long Term Needs:
A regular service cycle should help extend the usable life of the system. However, plans should be made for a
system replacement of the moving or load bearing parts within 15-20 years, partially hinging on an analysis of the
blocks condition inside and amount of usage.

<End Pantages rigging summary> Broadway Center Theaters Executive Summary/Page #
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Theater on the Square rigging system is the youngest system within the Broadway Center for the Arts, installed in
the early 1990s. Overall it is in good working order, but does show signs of use. As with any machine there are
ongoing service and maintenance items. There have also been user adjustments, additions, and some damage
observed that should be addressed to permit a safe operating rigging system. With care, this system appears capable
of performing for another 15-20 years.

Immediate Needs:
The first issue to address is the broken Emergency Stop button on the first electric controller in addition to the strain
relief fitting at the motor end of the control cable. This should have been reported and repaired at the time of
occurrence and should have and should now be locked out/tagged out because it is not in safe working order. The
root of this failure is likely a lack of documented safe operating procedures, simply a training issue.
There was no life threatening equipment-based conditions that were discovered this year. However, the technicians
appear to be using a focus track for access to lighting fixtures and the hardware used is insufficient for a live load
safety factor consideration of 10:1. It does not appear that the technicians are using an independent lifeline required
in workplace elevated work areas. This practice should be suspended until a professional safety officer reviews, or
likely creates, the safe procedures for worker elevated access and related Fall Protection plan. Developing an
accurate binder or rail log for system record keeping should be implemented immediately as a destination for service
records/system documentation/operator training records/near-miss and incident reports and investigation results
along with other important information that should be kept on site for ease of reference and entries.

Near Term:
Safety factors would increase by addressing several issues detailed in the ensuing full report as well as extend the
serviceable life of the system as a whole. This includes the lift cables, mounting safe operating procedure signage
along with an Authorized Users Only sign, and bringing all elements up to proper safe operating condition.
Examples include the tension block side plates rest on top of the hand line knot, worn hand lines, arbor fasteners
missing or being loose, improper hardware in use, and unsecured batten extensions. The third electric S-O feeder
cable block snags on the passing cables and appears to have been doing so for some time. This condition should be
corrected and the affected cables replaced.

Long Term:
A regular service cycle should help extend the usable life and safety of the system. However, plans should be made
for a system replacement of the moving or load bearing parts in approximatyely15- 20 years.

<End TOS rigging summary>



The Rialto stage rigging appears to have evolved over time to meet various needs and production requirements. The
simple stage has curtains that are resting on the floor and some do not pass a flame test for NFPA 705 requirements.
A facility-programming outline would be beneficial for designing the stage to be functional and compliant with both
safety and industry standards. Battens are hung in sub standard methods creating potential falling object hazards.
The tie-off cleats for the aging projection screen are loose and use undersized anchors, though failure is not
predicted soon. Programming may indicate that a modern motorized roll up screen would meet the space needs
better.

Of much greater concern is the Front-of-House (FOH) rigging and draperies. The two electric lighting trusses are
declared to be unsafe. The inspector understands that Mr. Scott Painter has removed the trusses from service as a
result of his observations during the inspection and quick action to minimize risk. The system was not sized, located
or installed safely or correctly. Again, programming needs may help define whether two FOH trusses are required
and if so, design a proper rigging system for the application that includes user access for routine operation.
Broadway Center Theaters Executive Summary/Page #
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The acoustical draperies hung at both levels at the rear of the audience chamber did not have locatable
manufacturing identification tags. Purchasing records should be checked to see who made them, when, and other
related details. Some of the curtains are not properly sized for their locations and in fact rest on