Hire our Rigging & staging

Truss, stands and hanging equipment safely

The part that must never be guessed

Truss, stands and baseplates are what hold the lights above people heads. Every stand has a safe working load and every truss span has a limit, which is why we ask what you are hanging before we send it. If the answer is "a few lights", we will still work out how many and how heavy.

What goes with what

• A single fixture on a T-bar stand needs a baseplate heavy enough not to tip when the light moves.
• Several fixtures on one bar wants truss on wind-up stands rather than a taller lighting stand.
• Microphone stands are a different item: lighter, and not rated for lights.
• Drapes and star cloth hang from the same truss or from dedicated stands, and need the fixings that come with them.

What to tell us

• How many fixtures, and roughly how heavy each one is.
• The span you need — how wide the stage or dance floor is.
• Whether the venue allows floor stands or expects everything flown from the ceiling.
• Head height and doorways: a wind-up stand is tall before it is raised.

Common questions

Can I put moving heads on a normal lighting stand?

Sometimes, if the stand is rated for the weight and the baseplate is heavy enough. Tell us the fixture and we will match it — an unsuitable stand is the one hire mistake that can hurt someone.

Do you supply the fixings?

Yes. Clamps, couplers, spigots and adaptors come with the truss and stands they belong to, because a truss without clamps cannot be used.

How much truss do I need?

Measure the width you want to light and add a little either side. Two metres carries four to six fixtures comfortably; a full stage front usually needs three or four sections.