CIRCUS DIVISION aerial hoop: technical manual and certification

Certification and compliance

CIRCUS DIVISION is a whole new range of aerial equipment engineered, manufactured and certified in Italy by PLAY S.r.l. according to Directive 2001/95/CE of the European Parliament and the Council of 3 December 2001 on general product safety, and to the European legislation UNI EN 913:2019.

The retailer must provide the instruction manual in the language of the country where the product is to be used. It is essential to fill in all sections of the life sheet found in the manual and to keep the manual for each individual product in a safe place, so that it can be easily found in the event of an inspection and for annual checks by qualified personnel.

Technical data

Working load limit (WLL)	170 daN (approx. 170 kg)
Breaking load limit (BLL)	1000 daN
Tube	steel, 25 mm diameter, 2.75 mm thick
Reinforcement	double tube across the weld
Finish	black powder coating with anti-corrosion treatment
Anchor holes	three 10.5 mm holes drilled directly into the tube
Double point spacing	55 cm or 60 cm
Inspection	every 12 months, by a skilled person
Warranty	3 years from the purchase date
Manufacturing	designed and made in Italy

Warning: the workload of a system and its breaking strength are determined by the weakest link in the chain.

The CIRCUS DIVISION aerial hoop is designed specifically for aerial dance and acrobatics. It features a special anchoring system with no welded plates, for a perfectly smooth profile and greater safety for the user. The three holes drilled directly into the tube allow installation on either a single or a double anchor point, with a choice between 55 and 60 cm spacing.

Sizes and weights

The sizes refer to the outside diameter (OD); the inside diameter is 5 cm smaller.

Item	Outside diameter	Weight
CDAHO85	85 cm	4.75 kg
CDAHO90	90 cm	4.95 kg
CDAHO95	95 cm	5.20 kg
CDAHO100	100 cm	5.45 kg
CDAHO105	105 cm	5.80 kg
CDAHO110	110 cm	6.15 kg

How to choose the right size

To choose the correct size, sit on a chair with good posture, measure from the seat of the chair to the top of your head and add 10 cm: the result is the recommended outside diameter.

Tape is recommended to increase safety and comfort. For correct use it is essential to apply it starting from the bottom of the hoop and spiralling upwards.

Assembly and rigging

The hoop can be hung using the CIRCUS DIVISION stainless steel shackles, which we recommend because they are specifically designed for this product, or directly on a polyester loop (slings or straps) with a girth hitch or a prusik knot.

Measure the height of the anchor point from the floor to determine the correct length of the rigging system. For home use, the recommended height of the hoop from the floor is 120 cm.

Anchoring systems

Warning: always consult an experienced professional to determine whether the ceiling or the beam you intend to attach your anchor point to is suitable for this purpose.

The aerial hoop can be installed with or without a swivel, using three anchoring systems:

• plate with throughbolts in the ceiling;
• strap around the beam;
• plate with screws in the beam.

Transport

The CIRCUS DIVISION polyester bag is fully padded to give aerial hoops the best protection during transport. It has two handles and a padded shoulder strap. Inside there is a large pocket for accessories, PPE and personal effects; outside there is a pocket with a key ring.

Inspection and withdrawal from service

In addition to the normal inspection required before, during and after each use, this product must be inspected by a skilled person every 12 months, starting from the date the product is first used. This date and the subsequent checks must be recorded on the product's life sheet. Check the legibility of the product's markings.

The product should be withdrawn from service immediately if any of these defects appear:

• cracks in the metal parts;
• permanent deformation of a metal part;
• corrosion that seriously alters the surface and does not disappear after light rubbing with sandpaper.

Any product or component showing a defect or wear, or if in doubt, should be withdrawn from service immediately. Each product in the safety system can be damaged during a fall and must always be inspected before using it again.

Lifetime

The lifetime of the product is unlimited, unless a defect appears and provided that periodic inspections are made at least once every 12 months from the date the product is first used, recording the results in the life sheet. The following factors can reduce the lifetime: intense use, damage to components, contact with chemical substances, high temperatures, tears and abrasions, violent impacts and failure to maintain as recommended.

Maintenance and storage

Cleaning of the textile and plastic parts: rinse in clean water and neutral soap at a maximum temperature of 30 °C and dry naturally away from direct heat. Cleaning of the metallic parts: rinse in clean water and then dry. Always keep this product below 80 °C so as not to affect its performance. Withdraw the product from service if it comes into contact with chemical reagents, solvents or fuels, which could affect its performance.

Store unpacked in a cool, dry, dark place away from heat sources, high humidity, sharp edges, corrosives or other possible causes of damage.

Safety warnings

This equipment should be used only by trained and competent persons. Otherwise the user should be under the direct supervision of a trained and competent person. This document will not teach you techniques for work at height or any other associated activity: you must have received qualified instruction before using this product.

Aerial dance and aerial acrobatics, and any other activity for which these products may be used, are inherently dangerous. The consequences of incorrect selection, misuse or poor maintenance of the equipment could result in damage, serious injury or death.

The user must be medically capable to control his own security and any possible emergency situations. It is essential for safety that the anchor device or anchor point should always be positioned in such a way as to minimise both the potential for falls and the potential fall distance. Verify the free space required beneath the user before each occasion of use, so that in the case of a fall there will be no collision with the ground or any other obstacle in the fall path.

Being a full body harness the only acceptable body holding device that can be used in a fall arrest system, and given that by their nature aerial acrobatics and aerial dance generally do not provide the use of such devices, an approved safety mat placed in the fall path is required.

The product should only be used as instructed and no alterations should be made to it. It may be used in conjunction with any appropriate items of suitable specification and according to the EN standards, with due consideration to the limitations of each individual piece of equipment. Before using the equipment, take all necessary steps to familiarise yourself with rescue techniques should an emergency occur.

Responsibility and warranty

The company PLAY S.r.l., or the distributor, will not accept any responsibility for damage, injury or death resulting from misuse of or from modifications to a CIRCUS DIVISION branded product. It is the user's responsibility at all times to ensure that he or she understands the correct and safe use of any equipment supplied, that it is used only for the purposes for which it is designed and that all proper safety procedures are practised.

This product is warranted against any faults in materials or manufacture for 3 years from the purchase date. Limitations of warranty include: normal wear and tear, modifications or alterations, incorrect storage, corrosion, damage due to accidents or negligence, and use for which this product is not specifically designed.