COLCHESTER ENGINEERING SYSTEMS
Photographic Staging Systems
GROUP PHOTOGRAPHY OR CHOIR PERFORMANCE STAGING OR TIERING
We sell 3, 5 or 6 step staging or tiering systems for your consideration, suitability, according to the number of people to be catered for.
We do not currently stock staging, we build to requirement. We require up to 8-10 weeks for manufacture.
WE DO NOT HIRE STAGING.
5 TO 10 STEP
5 steps one bay shown
3 STEP
3 steps, four bays shown
(this arrangement weighs around 350kg and will comfortably fit into a single axle trailer, 2.5m x 1.25m internal size.)
3 TO 6 STEP
6 steps, one bay shown
This breaks down to the simple 3 step version, ideal for small groups.
10 step
5 step to 10 step, ideal for large groups.
Our unique design of lightweight staging has been developed with the school photographer in mind. It can also be used for choir performances or wherever a large number of people need to be placed in a tiered arrangement. The system is quick and easy to use and safety in operation is assured. It is of modular construction to enable adjustment of height and width, it includes safety rails, proof load certification and can be supplied with a fully enclosed towing trailer or container, if required. For very large groups, the staging can be supplied with tapered inserts to achieve a curved staging to eliminate focus and parallex errors or to suit the shape of the concert hall.
Before
After
Construction and Weight
The staging sections are manufactured from hollow rectangular or square aluminium with the main sections of 75mm x 50mm x 3mm. Each assembly is fully welded using the TIG process.
Each main frame section is joined to its neighbour using antiluce fasteners (as used on drop side truck bodies and shown on the right). These fasteners have an automatic taper clamping feature which holds the sections firmly and safely. No spanners are required.
The safety rails use a chained pin system for quick and easy assembly. Again - no spanners required.
The steps are constructed from folded five bar aluminium treadplate for anti-slip, yet lightweight, purposes. Each step is fixed to the main framework using two plastic headed, hand tightened, screws.
The heaviest items are the triangular end frames and the elevating sections, which each weigh 27kg.
Dimensions and Capacity
Each bay is 2.4 metres (8 ft) wide and has 3 or 5 x 300 or 350mm (12 or 14 in) high steps. It can be doubled in height so that 6 or 10 steps are achieved. The following drawings show the overall sizes, the method we use to calculate the capacity and the general layout for assembly purposes.
We work on the basis of a 3, 5, 6 or 10 step stage giving an extra 2 (perhaps 3) tiers of people (ie one tier standing at ground level and one seated - and perhaps one tier crouched or sitting on the ground level). On this basis, to calculate the capacity of the staging we take an average shoulder width per person as 400mm (each bay is 2400mm wide). The calculation method is as shown on the following drawing. Please note that, depending on the physical build of the subjects (ie children or firemen), this figure could be higher or lower. We simply show it as a guide.
OR ALTERNATIVELY, THE 3 STEP SYSTEM
The staging also has a secondary use as seating for audiences, requiring the addition of raked seat mouldings.
PRICES
Please contact us for an up to date price list, enabling you to pick and price the size of the staging system required.
You will realise that there is a high initial capital outlay for this equipment which would need to be re-couped over a period and built-in to the cost of individual assignments. The system is therefore ideally suited to photographers who intend to do a large amount of group photography work.
We always carry a set of staging in stock if you would like to physically view the product.
System Features
1. So easy to use that one person could do it alone.
2. Quick assembly and dismantling times (one fit man can assemble a 6 bay 5 step system in 40 minutes. It's that easy!)
3. Minimal number of component parts.
4. All aluminium construction for low weight, low maintenance and resistance to corrosion.
5. No tools required to assemble.
6. No fiddly nuts and bolts - only hand tightened fasteners.
7. the height and width options give good flexibility of sizes.
8. Bays can be added at a later date as required.
9. Easily stowed and transported.
10. SAFE!
SAFETY
Our staging has been designed with a high factor of safety. We have proven the structural strength of the design by employing the services of an independent structural engineer, supported by his computerised calculations. We have also had an independent testing authority carry out static load tests (using loose steel weights) to satisfy ourselves as to the safety of our design.
For safety considerations, securely locking rear and side safety rails are provided and non-slip floor treads used throughout.
The design of the staging enables quick and easy assembly and dismantling, with the minimum of weight, number of component parts and easy storage capabilities. Whilst it is possible for one person to erect or dismantle the staging, a pair of men can quickly and easily carry out the task.
Our Number One priority is always - SAFETY!
WARNING!
There are staging systems being used by schools photographers today that have not been designed or certified by professionals. These people could be putting children and adults at risk!
We would advise anybody who is contemplating using equipment of this type to ensure that they are fully compliant with their duty of care towards their customers.
They should ensure that their equipment is fully certified for design, that proof load testing has been carried out and that they should be able to provide evidence of regular inspection for damage or weld failures.
The Colchester photographic staging system is fully certified for use. Is yours?
Our Number One priority is always - SAFETY!
Training and Inspection
Our priority is safety in use and we strongly suggest that, in the event of you purchasing our staging, you use a designated team to handle the equipment who will undergo a brief initial training session at our premises. Another factor is inspection. With the best will in the world, the staging will get handled roughly sometimes. We will train you how to check the structure for damage or weld cracks.
We also recommend that you return the staging to us every year for us to inspect it and to repair any faults.
Site Conditions
In an ideal situation, the ground onto which our staging will be located should be firm, flat and level. Due to the design of the fixing system that we use, there is a degree of inbuilt flexibility which will accommodate varying ground conditions. However, where the ground is very undulating or particularly soft, it is a simple matter to use shims and bearers for levelling purposes.
Transportation
The staging system can be stowed very efficiently (please refer to the drawing below) due to there being no fixings sticking out and getting the way. We also offer containers for stowing the staging and trailers that can be used for towing. Some of our customers use a Luton style vehicle, which, of course, requires MOT, tax and insurance.
The trailer that we offer is limited to 3500kg gross, 2300mm wide x 7 metres long. It is close coupled twin axled, with overrun brakes and lighting to MOT standards and is suitable for towing behind a Range Rover, or similar sized vehicle. The trailer alone typically weighs 600kg for a 6 bay container, the container weighs approx 1000kg and a six bay 5 step staging system weighs 1200kg. Total 2800kg gross. Other container/trailer sizes and prices are available upon request.
For further details and costs, please contact CES by email on
