Hangman with a Martin Raptor

[lightsource]

Hi all,

 

I have just installed a Martin Raptor into a small nightclub, and I'm a bit concerned about it's attachment.

 

The hanging bracket for the light is securely fixed to a ceiling joist, so this is not a problem, what I am concerned about, is the quality of the of the fixing of the Raptor itself, to the hanging bracket. They seem to be of poor quality, and I don't think a single bolt would hold the unit, should one fail.

 

There seems no obvious way to fix a secondary safety to the Raptor.

 

Any help would be appreciated.

 

 

Nigel T. :D

[AndyJones]

If your in any way unsure then take it down immediately until you can confirm it is safe.

Other than that I can't help any further!

 

HTH

 

AndyJones

[lightsource]

Would agree with you there Andy, but all the kit in question that I used was supplied by Martin. Surely they wouldn't supply something that wasn't safe?

[Bryson]

More to the point, the lantern needs to have been manufactured to the correct standard. Can you show us in what way the suspension is "dodgy" in your opinion?

[AndyJones]

Hello,

I would agree that I fully trust Martin. But we have no clue as to the age of the kit or history. It could be a tripple hand beaten up raptor that is hanging by half a weld. If the item is brand new and out of the box then to be honest, I shouldn't see there is a problem.

 

AndyJones

[lightsource]

More to the point, the lantern needs to have been manufactured to the correct standard. Can you show us in what way the suspension is "dodgy" in your opinion?

 

 

The bolts that secure the Raptor to the hanging bracket are a metal bolt (about 6mm dia) encased in a plastic thumbwheel (if that makes any sense). It is of my opinion that if the plastic thumbwheel fractures, or breaks, then the Raptor will dislodge itself from that side of the hanging bracket, and therefore be suspended by one hanging bracket only, which I don't feel is safely capable of supporting the weight of the unit, and as I said earlier, I don't see any easy way of placing a secondary safety on the Raptor.

 

Hope this helps,

 

Nigel T.

 

Edit...

 

Andy, the unit is brand new, purchased March 07.

[jimbo7744]

Hi Nigel,

 

From pics on the website the plastic thumb wheel will have the metal bolt encased in it and the plastic part is only for ease of tightening. Even if the plastic end snaps off, the bolt will still remain in place, albeit looser and will still have the support of the other one.

Periodic inspection of the fixture should make any degradation to the plastic apparent and a replacement can then be sourced. The Martin MX range also use a plastic ratchet type fixing for the bolt and not forgetting Source 4's (that generate a lot more heat) for angling the fixture on the yoke. Units of this style seem to not bother will providing a point on the body to attach a safety and making your own will no doubt invalidate your warranty. Just a safety around the yoke is the norm.

 

If your still not sure then take it down until you get a chance to speak to Martin to allay your fears, but remember that the design would have been subjected to stringent testing to meet certification for fitness unlike many units from our Chinese friends.

 

Cheers

 

Jimbo

[lightsource]

Thanks Jimbo7744,

 

I think I will send a message to Martin about it.

 

Unfortunatley, due to the nature of the nightclub, I don't think re-inspection is ever really gonna happen.

 

And that's one of my reasons for the OP.

 

Thanks for the advice so far....

 

 

 

Nigel T.

[jimbo7744]

I guess its down to someone noticing when changing the lamp then!

 

The point you raise is a good one though. I have installed many Tv's, Plasma's, Speakers and Lighting fixtures over the years and I can only guarantee that the fixing into the wall, joist etc was safe and substantial enough at that time. Tv's and Plasmas don't have safety points or anyway of attaching them other than the bracket.

But what happens if it were to fail 18 months down the line for example? Maybe due to a water leak, vibration, someone else knocking it. How would we prove it was deemed safe in our opinion if we were unfortunate enough to be in front of a court?