Home Ariel setup
October 12, 2022 11:12 AM Subscribe
What's the simplest way to enable a home ariel setup with a tall ceiling? My search for a specific type of nylon webbing is turning up with no results.
Our new house has a very high ceiling with an open second floor; we're adding blocking and anchor points to the ceiling so that we can explore gymnastics activities at home (olympic rings, silks, climbing ropes). The ceiling is It’s hella high up, and while the contractors are installing the blocking, I need to add a load-bearing length of webbing, rope, or pulley system so I can access it later and add the aforementioned gymnastic extensions.
I'm imagining a length of webbing that goes from the ceiling anchors, and connects over to the open second floor, where I can later add the specific extensions I want. I'd prefer this system to be as idiot proof as possible (so secured by carabiner as opposed to rope knots). I'd also like it to be length-adjustable.
My current best idea is a load-bearing nylon strap with segments - something like this on amazon. The only problem is: I need it to be closer to 15-20ft long, and I'd prefer to have my own high quality locking carabiner.
I'm having trouble googling this, my searches for 'nylon load bearing straps with segments' is turning up nil.
Is this a real thing? Is there a better solution to my rigging problem? I'm not particularly handy, so the simpler the solution, the better.
Our new house has a very high ceiling with an open second floor; we're adding blocking and anchor points to the ceiling so that we can explore gymnastics activities at home (olympic rings, silks, climbing ropes). The ceiling is It’s hella high up, and while the contractors are installing the blocking, I need to add a load-bearing length of webbing, rope, or pulley system so I can access it later and add the aforementioned gymnastic extensions.
I'm imagining a length of webbing that goes from the ceiling anchors, and connects over to the open second floor, where I can later add the specific extensions I want. I'd prefer this system to be as idiot proof as possible (so secured by carabiner as opposed to rope knots). I'd also like it to be length-adjustable.
My current best idea is a load-bearing nylon strap with segments - something like this on amazon. The only problem is: I need it to be closer to 15-20ft long, and I'd prefer to have my own high quality locking carabiner.
I'm having trouble googling this, my searches for 'nylon load bearing straps with segments' is turning up nil.
Is this a real thing? Is there a better solution to my rigging problem? I'm not particularly handy, so the simpler the solution, the better.
I am a nearly-useless commenter who thinks this idea is SO COOL
Kurichina's advice to seek out professional circus/aerial folks to consult on this seems very, very sound.
From my own experience working in rural and isolated areas, recovery kits are what spring to mind when I think of long pieces of webbing that are built to handle intense but intermittent weight stress over time: the tree straps on this site, e.g., are 16 feet, and the winch extension straps are 66. (No hooks, but I wonder if it might be easier to find someone who could customize recovery webbing than to find someone who builds custom aerial equipment.)
posted by rrrrrrrrrt at 1:49 PM on October 12, 2022
Kurichina's advice to seek out professional circus/aerial folks to consult on this seems very, very sound.
From my own experience working in rural and isolated areas, recovery kits are what spring to mind when I think of long pieces of webbing that are built to handle intense but intermittent weight stress over time: the tree straps on this site, e.g., are 16 feet, and the winch extension straps are 66. (No hooks, but I wonder if it might be easier to find someone who could customize recovery webbing than to find someone who builds custom aerial equipment.)
posted by rrrrrrrrrt at 1:49 PM on October 12, 2022
Things my local circus gym was completely comfortable with: helping me do standing hand-to-hand while 8 months pregnant, letting me perform as a beginner over a thin mat on pavement.
Things they would not touch with a 10-foot pole: giving any advice on setting up aerial rigs at home other than "here is the number for a great structural engineer."
Here are a few relatively alarmist articles I'd recommend reviewing to ensure you're aware of the risks - 1, 2. A few of the less obvious points: this may void your homeowner's insurance policy, and you should make sure to have a ladder or other way to reach someone who's stuck.
posted by cogitron at 2:51 PM on October 12, 2022 [3 favorites]
Things they would not touch with a 10-foot pole: giving any advice on setting up aerial rigs at home other than "here is the number for a great structural engineer."
Here are a few relatively alarmist articles I'd recommend reviewing to ensure you're aware of the risks - 1, 2. A few of the less obvious points: this may void your homeowner's insurance policy, and you should make sure to have a ladder or other way to reach someone who's stuck.
posted by cogitron at 2:51 PM on October 12, 2022 [3 favorites]
I do some rigging professionally. I also would not offer advice online about suspending objects overhead, much less suspending people. Please consult a professional. WANYR (We Are Not Your Riggers!!!)
Seriously, people are not static loads, the dynamics/motion will add a lot of stress to these points. I hope you have told the contractos installing these points what they are for, or gotten some kind of engineering rating on them.
posted by hovey at 4:15 PM on October 12, 2022 [1 favorite]
Seriously, people are not static loads, the dynamics/motion will add a lot of stress to these points. I hope you have told the contractos installing these points what they are for, or gotten some kind of engineering rating on them.
posted by hovey at 4:15 PM on October 12, 2022 [1 favorite]
Best answer: I am a rescue rigger, but I am not your rigger. Please heed the advice of others above to make sure this is engineered and installed to a high standard.
That said... I believe RSI Omni sling is what you are looking for. https://rescue-systems-inc.myshopify.com/products/rsi-omni-sling?variant=34737226776620
What you do not want, but might look right is a climbing daisy chain. They are strong overall, but weak in each segment. They can also be clipped in such a way that you will come disconnected when a pocket breaks.
posted by snoboy at 4:32 PM on October 12, 2022
That said... I believe RSI Omni sling is what you are looking for. https://rescue-systems-inc.myshopify.com/products/rsi-omni-sling?variant=34737226776620
What you do not want, but might look right is a climbing daisy chain. They are strong overall, but weak in each segment. They can also be clipped in such a way that you will come disconnected when a pocket breaks.
posted by snoboy at 4:32 PM on October 12, 2022
This thread is closed to new comments.
I strongly recommend working with a someone who has done rigging if you are setting anything up that's permanent like an anchor point. "Load bearing" is one thing - the aerial studios I have trained at have loads tested to hold up to 1000 lbs (for doubles and triples acts, but also any amount of swinging will add a lot of stress on a point, same with drops - the dynamic moves expotenentially increase the pressure on a cable or anchor point).
However, there are more and more stores offering aerial equipment. I found Juggle Gear during the early parts of the pandemic when everything was shut down, but there are many. I would look for circus or gym supply stores specifically to ensure you have equipment that is tested for the activities you want to do.
posted by Kurichina at 12:51 PM on October 12, 2022 [2 favorites]