From the Moscone Center's Meeting Planner Handbook;

Rigging from the hang points throughout the facility is subject to approval by our management staff and is expected to meet industry standards. These are found in The Rigger's Manual by W.G. Newberry and are generally accepted as industry standards. Bridling is permitted from hangpoints in Halls A, B, C, and D only, as they are rated for 5,000 pounds each. Bridling from hangpoints in any other area is strictly prohibited. Hangpoints in Hall E are rated for 1,000 pounds; and those in all other areas are rated for 500 pounds. Any rigging not meeting the above standards will be removed and re-rigged at your cost.

Perfectly good reason: It's our job to be concerned both for the safety of attendees, and for the maintenance of the facilities' built-in hang points. Incorrect rigging poses unacceptable risks to anyone on the floor below, and bridling can damage hang points, compromising their load-handling capacity. For further information, please refer to Appendix H.

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From the Moscone Center's Service Contractor Guidelines;

Rigging Safety is the primary concern of the Operator related to hanging and rigging in the Facilities. Hanging and rigging carry a significant liability for the responsible party. It is our goal to eliminate any potential problems in advance. In this regard, we have appointed a Head House Rigger who has complete authority over all hanging and rigging regardless of jurisdiction. It is the responsibility of the Contractors to inform all rigging personnel of Facility rigging policies. These rules and regulations are applicable, without exception, to everyone using the Facilities for hanging and rigging. Failure to follow these rules and regulations will result in the immediate requirement to correct or remove all items, which do not comply with Facility rigging policies. The time required of the House Rigger to review non-compliant rigging will be billed to the Contractor. The Operator assumes no liability for rigging and hanging performed in the Facility.

Definitions:

Hanging: Straight down (dead hang) from any approved hang point (eyebolt) or sign cable in the Facilities limited to 1,000 lbs. Hanging may be performed by employees or sub-Contractors of the General Services Contractors who are completely knowledgeable with the house hang points and rules and regulations.

Rigging: Hanging which requires bridling, side loads, trusses and/or exceeds 1,000 lbs. Qualified and trained riggers must perform all rigging. Rigging must meet O.S.H.A. and A.N.S.I. regulations and conform to the manufacturer specifications. All rigging is subject to inspection by the Operator. Hangpoint: Rated and approved points designated by the Operator to sustain loads. Bridling: Bridles between 45 and 90 degrees with the use of a 3/4" Crosby Swivel eye may not exceed 1500 lbs.

General Rigging Regulations: Only Contractors specifically approved to rig may perform this operation within the Facilities. Each Contractor must appoint a single person who is responsible for all rigging and hanging, and provide the name of the designee to the Operator. Plans and locations for any items hung or rigged which weigh 1,000 lbs. or more must be submitted to the Operator for review at least 30 days in advance. Plan review does not guarantee the safety of the actual rigged item. Failure to provide plans may result in the on-site denial or removal of said rigging. All hanging and rigging hardware fasteners and gear must be O.S.H.A. and A.N.S.I. approved. All custom rigging, i.e. hand-swaged slings (Nico Press or Arm) must have an owner's identification. All requests for rigging outside of our approved hanging locations must be made in writing to the Assistant General Manager no less than 30 days in advance.

Hangpoint Locations & Ratings:

Halls A, B and C: 2,000 lbs. per hang point (eyebolt) straight down. Ratings decrease when bridling. Bridles between 45 and 90 degrees may not exceed 100 lbs.

Hall D: 2,000 lbs. per hang point (eyebolt) straight down. Ratings decrease when bridling. Bridles between 45 and 90 degrees may not exceed 100 lbs.

Hall E: 1,000 lbs. per hang point (eyebolt) straight down. Ratings decrease when bridling. Bridles between 45 and 90 degrees may not exceed 25 lbs.

Gateway Ballroom (102-103-104): 1000 lbs. per hang point (eyebolt) until further testing. Ratings decrease when bridling. Bridles between 45 and 90 degrees may not exceed 25 lbs.

Esplanade Ballroom (301-310): 500 lbs. per hang point (eyebolt) straight down. Bridles between or side loads are not allowed in this area under any condition.

Lobby Areas (North and South): 1,000 lbs. per hang point straight down. Ratings decrease when bridling. Bridles between 45 and 90 degrees may not exceed 25 lbs.

Sign Cable (A, B, C and D): 25 lbs. per sign or less. The 1/8-inch center ceiling cables were installed to hang aisle signs made of lightweight fabric only. No heavy loads are permitted on this cable.

Air Ducts: 50 lbs. per point straight down. The use of air duct all-thread supports for hanging is permitted under certain circumstances if permission is granted in writing by the Operator no less than 30 days in advance. Bridling and side loads are not allowed.

Movable Wall Tracks: May not be used for hanging and rigging without prior written permission by the Operator and only with the inserts installed by the House Head Rigger. Not all airwall tracks are available for rigging.

Sprinkler Pipes and Brackets: May not be used for hanging or rigging under any condition.

Aluminum Ceiling Tile Tracks: May not be used for hanging or rigging False Ceiling Tiles: May not be removed or "popped" to facilitate rigging under any condition.

Other Facility Elements: No rigging, tying off, hanging, Velcro, or taping may be done from the false ceiling hangers, ceiling tracks, ceiling tiles, light fixtures, expansion joints, HVAC intake or exhaust vents, sprinkler pipes, airwall tracks, doors, sewage and water lines, or other Facility features that have not been approved for such use. This restriction includes the use of string, fishing line, bailing wire, scissors clips, and other means for attachment.

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Appendix I

Moscone Center Rigging Rules,

Regulations and Ratings Safety is the primary concern of the Moscone Center related to hanging and rigging in the facilities. Hanging and rigging carry a significant liability for the responsible party and it is our goal to eliminate any potential problems or hazards before they occur.

In this regard, we have appointed a House Head Rigger who has complete authority over all hanging and rigging and have developed facility procedures, rules and regulations for such activity. These rules and regulations are applicable to everyone using the facilities for hanging and rigging without exception. Failure to follow these rules and regulations will result in the immediate removal of those items which are not in compliance. The time required of the House Rigger to review "non-complaint" hanging or rigging will be billed to the general services contractor.

Definitions:

Hanging -- a straight down (dead hang) from any approved hang point (eyebolt) or sign cable in the facilities. Hanging is limited to 1,000 lbs.

Rigging -- hanging which requires bridling, side loads, trusses and/or exceeds 1,000 lbs.

Rules:

Hanging may be performed by employees or subcontractors of the general service contractor who are familiar with the house hang points and rules and regulations. All rigging must be performed by qualified and trained riggers. All rigging must meet O.S.H.A. and A.N.S.I. regulations and conform to the manufacturer's specifications. All rigging is subject to inspection by the Moscone Center.

Ratings:

Halls A, B and C These areas are rated at 5,000 lbs. per hangpoint (eyebolt) straight down. The ratings decrease with the use of bridles. Bridles between 45 and 90 degrees may not exceed 100 lbs.*

Hall D This area is rated at 2,000 lbs. per hang point (eyebolt) straight down. The ratings decrease with the use of bridles. Bridles between 45 and 90 degrees may not exceed 100 lbs.*

Hall E This area is rated at 1,000 lbs. per hang point (eyebolt) straight down. Bridles between 45 and 90 degrees may not exceed 25 lbs.

Gateway Ballroom This area is rated at 100 lbs. per hang point (eyebolt) until further testing. Bridles between 45 and 90 degrees may not exceed 25 lbs.

Esplanade Ballroom This area is rated at 500 lbs. per hang point (eyebolt) straight down. Bridles between or side loads are not allowed in this area under any condition.

North and South Lobbies These areas are rated at 1,000 lbs. per hang point straight down. Bridles between 45 and 90 degrees are limited to a maximum of 25 lbs.

Sign Cables (Halls A, B, C, and D) The 1/8" center ceiling cables were installed to hang aisle signs made of light weight fabric only. No heavy loads are permitted on this cable (25 lbs. per sign or less).

Air Ducts The use of air duct all-thread supports for hanging is permitted under certain circumstances if cleared in advance and in writing (by the Event Manager, House Rigger or Director of Operations) the rating is no more than 50 lbs., and bridling or side loads are not allowed.

*Bridles between 45 and 90 degrees may exceed 100 lbs. with the use of a 3/4" Crosby Swivel eye with a 1-1/8" to 1-1/4" shank length with permission for the House Head Rigger.

Sprinkler Pipes and Brackets These cannot be used for hanging or rigging under any condition.

Aluminum Ceiling Tile Tracks These may not be used for hanging with scissor clips or any other devices. Movable Wall Tracks These may only be used for hanging and rigging with the inserts installed by the House Head Rigger.

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