What is a safety rope?

A safety rope is a secondary securing device made of galvanized steel wire rope, designed to prevent suspended event equipment from falling if the primary mounting fails. Under DGUV Vorschrift 17 (formerly BGV C1), all movable lighting, audio and rigging equipment in event venues must be secured by two independent devices: the primary mounting (such as a coupler or clamp) and a secondary safety rope. The rope is dimensioned to absorb the dynamic impulse forces that occur when a falling object is arrested, and must be attached so that the maximum fall distance does not exceed 20 cm (or 5 cm for moving lamp hangers).

What is a catch rope?

A catch rope is another term for a safety rope or secondary securing device used in event and stage rigging. The name "catch rope" emphasizes the rope's function: to catch and hold equipment if the primary mounting fails. Catch ropes are constructed from galvanized steel wire rope (6 × 19 strand, 1770 N/mm² tensile strength per DIN EN 12385-4) with pressed thimbles at both ends to accept quick connectors, shackles or carabiners. The terms "safety rope," "catch rope" and "secondary securing device" are used interchangeably in professional rigging practice.

What cable diameter do I need for my equipment weight?

The correct cable diameter depends on the weight of your equipment and the length of the safety rope you intend to use. DGUV Information 215-313 provides a dimensioning table: for example, a 3 mm rope (60 cm length) is rated for up to 5 kg, while a 4 mm rope (60 cm) handles up to 10 kg. A 6 mm rope (100 cm length) can secure equipment weighing up to 36 kg. Always select the smallest diameter whose capacity exceeds your equipment weight, and verify that the quick connector or shackle matches the cable diameter specified in the table. If in doubt, choose the next larger diameter for an additional safety margin.

Why can't I use plastic-coated cables for safety ropes?

Plastic-coated cables are prohibited for secondary securing in event rigging because high temperatures – from lamp housings, pyrotechnics or fire – can cause the plastic coating to soften, melt or degrade, rendering the safety device ineffective. Additionally, plastic coatings can trap moisture and hide corrosion underneath, making it impossible to visually inspect the wire rope for damage. DGUV Vorschrift 17 and DIN EN 12385-4 require uncoated galvanized steel wire rope for safety ropes, ensuring that the rope remains reliable across a wide temperature range and can be inspected for wear, broken strands or corrosion at any time.

How should safety ropes be attached correctly?

Safety ropes must be attached to load-bearing structural points on both the equipment and the support structure, using connectors (quick connectors per DIN 56927, screw-gate carabiners or shackles) that match the cable diameter specified in the DGUV table. On the equipment side, use the dedicated safety eyelet or mounting point specified by the manufacturer – never handles, cable glands or decorative parts. On the support side, attach to the truss chord, a certified rigging point or a shackle – never to the primary mounting itself. Route the rope to minimize fall distance: the equipment must not drop more than 20 cm (or 5 cm for moving lamp hangers) before the rope becomes taut.

What is the maximum fall height for safety ropes?

Under DGUV Vorschrift 17, the maximum fall height for equipment secured by a safety rope is 20 cm. This limit ensures that the dynamic impulse forces generated when the rope arrests a falling object remain within the design capacity of the rope, connectors and attachment points. For equipment mounted on moving lamp hangers, pantographs or other articulated supports, the fall height must not exceed 5 cm to protect the hanger mechanism from excessive shock loads. Always route the safety rope to minimize slack and ensure that the fall distance stays well below these limits.

How often should safety ropes be inspected?

Safety ropes must be visually inspected before every use in touring and temporary installations, and at regular intervals (quarterly or biannually) in permanent installations. Inspect the wire rope for broken strands, kinks, corrosion, abrasion or deformation. Check thimbles for crushing or distortion, and connectors for cracks, wear or damage to the locking mechanism. Any safety rope that has been shock-loaded – even once – or shows visible signs of damage must be retired immediately and replaced. Maintain a log of inspections and replacements to demonstrate compliance during safety audits and to track the service life of each rope.

Which safety rope should I buy for a 15 kg moving head?

For a 15 kg moving head, you need a 5 mm safety rope if you use a 60 cm length (rated for up to 15 kg), or a 4 mm rope if you use a 100 cm length (rated for up to 16 kg). The 5 mm / 60 cm variant is the recommended choice because it provides an exact match for your equipment weight and minimizes fall distance when the fixture is mounted close to the truss. Ensure that the quick connector or shackle is sized to match the cable diameter (5 mm connector for a 5 mm rope) and that both the equipment eyelet and the truss attachment point can accommodate the connector. Riggatec® safety ropes are available in both galvanized and black finishes to suit your aesthetic and technical requirements.

Safety ropes

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Riggatec Sicherungsseil, Safety 60cm x 3 mm bis 5 kg

Riggatec safety rope 60cm x 3 mm up to 5 kg

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