Are you struggling to secure your event facilities without complicating logistics?
Event rigging is essentially the key to combining rigging safety and technical flexibility.
I'll show you how to choose the right audiovisual equipment, anticipate risks, and work with CQP-certified professionals—so you can get your projects off the ground without any headaches.
Security planning
We always start with the risks. If you are installing spotlights or speakers high up, you need to calculate the maximum load before even mounting the first hook.
Suva makes it clear: 95% of problems stem from poor anticipation. I advise you to work hand in hand with technical service providers from the initial planning stages.
To evaluate your structures, tools like SkyCiv do the job. They simulate stresses on beams and anchors in just two clicks.
The key thing to remember? Always add a 50% margin to your calculations. A truss that can theoretically support 500 kg should be limited to 250 kg in reality.
Hooking and lifting
The good old German knot remains your best friend for securing cables. However, if you need to make adjustments on the fly, opt for screw-lock carabiners —they'll save you from unpleasant surprises.
Rigging professionals often use adjustable slings when the structure is a little unpredictable.
Always check this winning trio before assembling anything:
- EN 12195-2 certified slings - hold up to 2 tons
- Carabiners compliant with EN 362 standard - double safety lock
- Harness with anti-swing strap - mandatory when exceeding 3m
For narrow spaces or awkward angles, modular equipment is used. Software such as Braceworks or Production Assist shows you in real time how to distribute loads without bending the trusses. It is mandatory to submit a calculation note to the control office.
Rigger
A rigger is someone who juggles heights and heavy loads. Their daily routine? Hanging spotlights, checking anchors, anticipating fall risks. The requirement? Having a CQP certification —a certification that is worth its weight in gold in the profession.
The practical modules of the CQP put you straight into the thick of things: calculating actual loads, managing equipment in real-world conditions. Career opportunities? Festivals, concert halls, or even in the audiovisual sector for the most versatile graduates.
Audiovisual equipment
When you hang LED spotlights, the wiring can quickly become a headache.
Synchronizing audiovisual equipment with rigging requires double-checking the fastenings. For a 50kg line array speaker, we always provide at least two attachment points —even though theoretically one would suffice.
- LED spotlights - max. 15 kg with 1 mm² cable
- Line array speakers - 50 kg per mounting point
- Modular LED screens - 200 kg/m² in offset structure
- Remote-controlled cameras - 8 kg with double security
- FX fans - 30 kg with anti-rotation anchorage
Something we often forget? Suspended cables. Put cable ties every meter and leave some slack for live adjustments. If a connector comes loose, this prevents everything from being torn out. Allow for about 5% of the total weight in cable.
Types of rigging
Light rigging is your solution for small events—we're talking about loads up to 300 kg. Basic slings are sufficient.
Different types of rigging become essential when you exceed the weight of a car. At that point, we switch to motorized equipment with electric winches and centralized controls.
For unlikely venues such as disused warehouses or historic parks, temporary rigging saves the day. We use modular structures that can be adapted on the spot.
The secret? Quick connectors and always having a backup plan in case the original wall is too damaged to support anything.
Training
The CQP Rigging Technician certification is your ticket to working on event sites. The official certification can be obtained in 35 intensive hours. Prerequisites? You must have up-to-date health and safety training and a medical certificate for working at heights. The practical modules at Arkalya or CFPTS throw you straight into the deep end with real-life simulations.
For electrical certifications, allow for two days of specific training. The smart thing to do? Have your PPE checked by a pro every year. Refresher courses happen every three years—a chance to get up to speed on new standards.
Experience
When an anchor point comes loose in the middle of a show, veterans know how to bounce back in 30 seconds flat. Always check the service provider's references: how many festivals they have managed, how they handle delivery delays.
For live crises, we have our secret checklist:
- Isolate the area in 2 minutes max
- Plan a backup scenario for aerial artists
- Check PPE before each operation
Structural analysis software
SkyCiv and Dlubal RFEM are software programs for simulating stresses. Their free versions allow you to check the basics, but upgrade to the pro version as soon as you start working on complex structures. Compatible with Mac and PC, these tools calculate in real time how wind or vibrations will affect your installation.
Software may say "OK," but there is also the reality on the ground.
Structural analysis
We start by checking every existing anchor point—even those that look solid. At least once a year, an expert combs through everything. On site, we visually check before each use for corrosion, cracks, and loose bolts. Old concrete walls? We don't touch them without additional calculations.
When doubts arise, specialized consulting firms are called in. Their fees? Between €200 and €600, depending on the complexity.
They issue reports within 48 hours with the necessary reinforcements.
Safety standards
In France, we have the EN 795 standard for anchor points—mandatory annual inspection. Internationally, riggers often work with ESTA standards, which allow for heavier loads. If you don't comply with the legal framework, it can be costly: fines of up to €50,000 in the event of a strict inspection, in addition to the risk to your teams.
The latest update? NF EN 17206 from 2020 for stage machinery. To stay on track, I check the decrees on Legifrance and the memos from the Ministry of Culture.
Regulations
The organizers bear criminal responsibility in the event of a mishap.
Mandatory: professional liability insurance covering at least €2 million. Suva guides provide legal information.
For the permit at city hall, start the process three months before the event. In Paris, allow eight weeks for processing. The application must include rigging plans, load calculations, and equipment certification.
A pro tip? Make an appointment with the city's technical department: they often help to get the paperwork done faster.
Certification
The CQP Rigger qualification is your passport to serious construction sites. This high school diploma-level qualification (RNCP37847) can be obtained in five intensive days. You will need a medical certificate and SST certification before you can start. Employers check this certification first when recruiting for festivals or tours.
Safety planning factors
Before starting the rigging, I always go through my personal checklist and, above all, always hire professionals. Safety is no laughing matter:
- Checkthe condition of the load-bearingbeams (cracks/rust).
- Check the certificates for lifting equipment
- Simulate loads with a coefficient of 1.5
- Validate access for emergency services
Event rigging imposes these rules to avoid tragedies. Rain? We protect the electrical connections.
Areas of application
In corporate events, rigging works wonders. Imagine suspending a giant LED screen above a podium for a keynote speech, or motorized projectors in an industrial loft.
The different types of rigging can even be adapted for team building events with interactive structures. How does this differ from a show? Here, aesthetics are just as important as safety.
The real challenge is temporary installations such as pop-up stores. They have to be assembled and dismantled in two hours flat without compromising stability. Our tip: use modular systems with quick connectors.
Comparative
When choosing between service providers, there are three key criteria to consider: certifications (CQP mandatory), CE-compliant equipment, and responsiveness in the event of a problem. For those on a tight budget, rental solutions are available—but be sure to check the insurance clauses.
The best approach? Compare at least three quotes that include a risk analysis. Don't hesitate to ask for customer references—a reputable service provider will provide them without hesitation.
For recurring events, negotiate flat rates with an annual review clause.
You are now ready to secure your event rigging installations: plan each attachment, train your teams in best practices, and collaborate with certified professionals.
No more taking unnecessary risks—successful events start with reliable structures. See you at the top of the stands for shows that are more impressive than ever...and, above all, without a hitch!
