What is a dead load?

• A. The static weight of rigging hardware, battens, and scenery when not in motion.
• B. A load under tension during operation.
• C. A temporary load during setup.
• D. A load that can be ignored during safety checks.

Answer: (A)

Dead load is the permanent, static weight of all fixed components in the rigging system when nothing is moving. That includes the weight of rigging hardware, the batten itself, and scenery that remains in place. It stays constant whether the show is running or not, unlike live loads created by performers or moving scenery, which vary over time. This concept matters because the structure must be designed to carry this constant weight in addition to any additional loads that occur during operation. The description that fits is the static weight of rigging hardware, battens, and scenery when not in motion. Temporary setup loads or loads generated during operation are not dead loads, and safety checks require accounting for all loads rather than ignoring them.