What are rigging points and how do I know if my venue has them?

Rigging points are pre-engineered structural attachment locations in a venue's ceiling or overhead structure where production loads can be safely suspended. Rigging points can also come in the form of a Rigging Grid in some venues, and also, they can come in the form of venue Roof Trusses or tributary members. Rigging "points" are the connection between your production gear and the building itself. The capacity of Rigging points varies from venue to venue and beam to beam. All load capacities are determined by a Structural Engineer and are generally published as "Rigging Load Criteria" and are usually paired with a Reflected Ceiling Plan.

Most purpose-built performance venues (theatres, arenas, convention centers) have documented rigging points with published load ratings, usually provided in a venue rigging plot or technical rider. Hotels and non-traditional venues may have limited or no rigging points, which means you either need ground support (self-supporting truss towers) or a structural engineer to assess and approve attachment to the building's overhead steel. Never hang weight from a structure without confirming its load capacity. Your venue's technical director or a 4Wall rigging specialist can help determine what's available.