Builder's Tower
Builders tower shown without ladder.
The Builder's Tower is stored under the stage and has to be built before use. It doesn't reach as high as the Genie lift but the advantages are:
- There is plenty of room when working on multiple lights and the cabling between them
- It is very easy to work from behind the lights on Bar A and Bar B when used with the wooden side arms
- It is easy to assemble on the stage for work there. Getting the heavy Genie lift on stage is very difficult.
Building the Tower
- The tower is currently (Summer 2025) stored on two trollies under the stage. The wheels of one of these trollies also makes up the base unit of the tower.
- Start with the wheeled base units and span them with two frames.
- Use a diagonal brace between these units. Note that the foot of the ladder will eventually be at an 'open' end of the diagonal
- Continue to build the frames as shown in the picture, inserting the short scaffold planks as necessary for safe work
- For on-stage work, place the opposite diagonal brace above the fourth frame level
- For work in the auditorium, place the opposite diagonal brace above the sixth frame level
- Now place planks below the diagonal so that it is easy to stand on them to manoeuver the three floor boards into position. Straddling the diagonal allows you to use both hands for the floor parts
- Put the next two frames into position.
- Close the bolt on the trap door on the wide floor board to stop it swinging open
- Haul it up and place it so that the trap door is over the triangular gap on the same side as you want the ladder.
- Haul up the middle size floor board and place it in the middle of the working area
- Climb onto the floor and haul up and fit the smallest board in the remaining gap
- If working on stage, put the two horizontal safety bars in place.
- If working in the auditorium behind Bar A or Bar B, remove the front frame and replace it with a horizontal safety bar.
Install the two wooden side arms as shown below. They are marked LEFT and RIGHT and the TOP of each is also marked. Loosely fit the lower clamp before dropping the fixed fitting over the top of the frame. Tighten up the clamp.
This arrangement allows the lights to come over the top of the platform giving excellent access without you getting near the edge. of the platform - Place the plank with the ladder rest at the lowest level offset by an additional plank to make it easier to get to the ladder.
- Open the trap door and put the ladder in position. This has to be done by threading it above the third frame and then lowering it down to the ladder rest.
Moving the tower
It is easy to move the tower but unfortunately it won't fit under bar A to get to Bar B or vice versa. In this case it is necessary to remove the wooden side supports and the rear fence and re-fit them later..
Safety
When assembling the tower, never climb the outside. If it is necessary to climb other than by the ladder, only ever climb an inside corner.
Note that there are no kick boards. This means that anyone around the tower should wear a hard hat and anyone not involved in the work should not be in the area.
The Theatre policy on lone working requires at least two people should be in the area when working at height