Instructor: J.

Kankel
Suffolk County Community College S. Green
Office: I-124
Theater Arts Department
Office Hours: MW 11:00-12:30
T 10:00-12:00

THR 171 Stage Rigging

&
Fall Protection
Course Syllabus
www2.sunysuffolk.edu/kankelj

COURSE OBJECTIVE:
Upon completion of this course students will have a strong understanding of
temporary rigging applications, rigging equipment and fall protection. Students will have
hands-on experience with chain hoist motors, truss, rigging hardware and fall arrest
equipment.
1. Rigging equipment (wire rope, chain, synthetic slings)
2. Hardware ( shackles, swaged fittings, turnbuckles)
3. Chain hoist motors (CM Loadstar ton chain hoist)
4. Bridles
5. Truss theory
6. Ground support systems
7. Safety at heights
8. Fall arrest systems

PROCEDURES FOR COMPLETING COURSE OBJECTIVES:

1. Classroom demonstration.
2. Practical application with classroom equipment.
3. Class trips.
4. Guest Lecture.
5. Safety application with fall arrest equipment.

WEEK DISCUSSION ASSIGNMENT

JAN 22 Introduction
slings, wire rope & chain
JAN 29 No Classes
(ACTF)
FEB 5 Hardware Wire Rope Project #1
(Wire rope clips, hand-swaged eye, Flemish eye splice, Wire rope clips, hand-swaged
mechanical spliced eyes)
(In Class Project #1, 2nd half of class)
FEB 12 Hitches & connections Study for Quiz #1
(In Class Demonstration) Slings, Hitches & Hardware
(Review for Quiz #1)

FEB 19 Quiz #1 (First of class)

Introduction to truss
(In Class Project)
 FEB 26 Truss & Truss theory Project #2
(How truss works, connection types, Load Calculations
manufactures, reading a spec. sheet.)
(Assembling Truss and slings)
MARCH 5 Truss & force calculations Project #3
bridles (stress in legs & lengths) Bridles
(In Class Demonstration)
MARCH 12 Continue bridle theory. Study for Quiz #2
Begin project in class Truss, Force Calculations & Rope
MARCH 19 Quiz #2(First of class)
Chain hoist motors
manufacturers (pros & cons)
(internal workings)

MARCH 26 Chain hoist motors continues Project #4

motor controllers & power Motors
(In Class Project)
APRIL 2 SPRING BREAK
APRIL 9 Practical rigging application Project #5
(Shea Theatre) Truss rigging project (Shea)

APRIL 16 Fall Protection

(Basic equipment, OSHA regulations)
(In Class Demonstration)
APRIL 23 Rigging Techniques Project #6
Setting Limits & Bridles Setting limits and bridles (Shea)
(Shea Theatre)
APRIL 30 Final Exam Final Exam
(Shea Theatre) (Hands-on exam)
MAY 7 Final Exam Final Exam
(Shea Theatre) (Hands-on exam)

Student Requirements
A. Active Participation in Class Projects and Demonstrations.
B. Complete all assigned reading assignments
C. Keep an up to date notebook
D. Proper completion of all assigned projects
E. Attendance is Mandatory

Attendance Policy
A. You are allowed ONE Absence without Penalty.
B. Each additional absence will lower your grade by a letter.
C. No absences on exam dates or project due dates.
D. Two late arrivals equal one absence.

Tests & Quizzes

There will be two quizzes given during the semester. Each quiz will be hands-on
and will come from the reading lectures and class demonstrations. There will be a final
project/exam for the semester. You are expected to demonstrate proficiency in all areas
covered during the class.
 Required Material

You are required to keep a detailed binder with all handouts and product literature.
Material will be supplied by instructor.

Grading
A. Projects 50%
B. Quiz # 1 10%
C. Quiz # 2 10%
D. Final Exam 20%
E. Class Participation 10%