Wind Force Precautions; Before Installation - Martin MAC One VDO Grid Mount System Safety And Installation Manual

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Ensure that any supporting structure and/or hardware used can hold at least six (6) times the
weight of all the devices they support (or more if required by local regulations). Ensure that all
supporting structures and rigging hardware items (including safety cables and fasteners) are in
perfect condition, safely dimensioned, suitable for the installation environment and will be stable
under all weather and temperature conditions.
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Using the MAC One VDO Grid Mount System, you can combine MAC One fixtures with Martin
VDO Atomic Dot and VDO Atomic Bold fixtures in a wide number of constellations on condition
that the total ELL load limitations described in this manual are respected.
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An unlimited horizontal number of correctly supported columns of cells may be attached side-by-
side to form a matrix of lighting cells, provided that the cells are all in perfect alignment
horizontally.
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The VDO Coupler with levers pictured in the previous section replaces the Martin VDO Atomic
Coupler with a rotating release mechanism. The VDO Coupler with levers is backward-compatible
and will work in any installation.

Wind force precautions

Warning! If a vertical column or array consisting of multiple cells can be exposed
to wind force, the bottom of the arrangement must be fastened to a secure and
stable anchoring point using a half-coupler rigging clamp, Single VDO Adapter or
safety cable to secure the column or array against any lateral movement. When
doing this, do not apply stress to cells or increase the load on supporting hardware
by applying downwards tension to the bottom row of cells.
The first and last fixture, as well as every second fixture in the column, must be
fastened to a suitable piece of rigid piping or metal bar using omega brackets as
described later in this manual.
Respect the products' designated load limits (ELL) when constructing an array containing multiple
fixtures. Ensure that the total load of the combined elements in one column does not exceed 72 kg
(158 lbs.).
In flying installations where VDO fixtures are suspended from Dual VDO Headers or Single VDO
Adapters, remove all cells from the installation immediately if constant or gusting wind speed that
exceeds Force 8 Beaufort, 20 m/s or 45 mph is forecast for, or present at, the installation location.
Anchoring the bottom of columns
Anchor the bottom of columns of VDO Grid Mount cells so that it is impossible for the columns to
swing or snake if cells are exposed to air pressure.
Tighten anchoring straps at the bottom of columns gently by hand, and only tighten straps enough to
remove any slack. Do not tighten straps hard, or you may add to the downward force acting on
columns and suspension hardware, creating a danger of failure.
Take the following precautions when installing MAC One Grid Mount cells in a column or array:
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Secure the bottom of each single column of cells against lateral movement.
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Secure both sides of each array of multiple columns and secure every second column in the array
against lateral movement.

Before installation

Before creating an installation with the MAC One VDO Grid Mount System:
1. Read "Safety Information" on page 6 and take special note of the precautions relevant for
installing products.
2. Check that supporting structures will not flex under the weight of the MAC One VDO Grid Mount
System. Suspending Grid Mount cells from a structure that is not correctly aligned or not rigid
enough will place a strain on the MAC One Grid Mount System and attachment hardware.
Damage caused to Dual VDO Headers or cells by mechanical stress is not covered by the
product warranty.
3. Block access under and around the work area.
14 MAC One VDO Grid Mount System Safety and Installation Manual, Rev. A