My pole fell down!! (PS)

Kyrsten started this discussion · 2/21/2012

So today, I heard a bang and didn't think anything of it... then my younger sister and her friend came upstairs and sheepishly informed me that my pole "fell down". Now I know full well the pole did not just fall over out of nowhere, so I asked what they were doing on it. I think they thought I'd be mad or something because it went from "nothing", to "just pulling on it a little", to "swinging on it". I've let them use the pole before, I don't care, they just like to play around on it on spin, but what the heck? I've had the pole up for about 6 weeks now with no issue at all and I certainly do a lot more intense things than what they claimed they were doing... Anyway, now I'm really concerned about the safety of the pole/installation... I have a Platinum Stages Extreme One Piece, stainless, 45mm, 7 feet tall. I'm not sure if they had been messing with it or what, but when I found it the ceiling plate was still attached, the base plate was a few feet away, and the slip cover had been pulled up. There was no marks or damage on the ceiling, and I did install it on a joist. As for the floor, the pole was installed on top of foam mats on a concrete floor. The floor is slightly uneven in that area because of a drain, but I made sure to put the base on a flat area and pole has never budged even a bit for me. Never any bending/sliding/moving. It's been installed for about six weeks now. Has anyone had a pole come loose or fall down? Is there anything I can do to prevent it from happening again? I'd hate for it to happen while I'm doing an invert or something 😕 I'm not sure if they were doing something they shouldn't have been or if the pole really did just fall down that easy, but I'm nervous now...

10 replies

chemgoddess1 · 2/21/2012
If you have been having extreme temperature swings like we have then it can come down that easy. The pole needs to be checked at least weekly, if not before every use. Does whoever was spinning on it know to take out the pin or did they lift the cover and loosen it to make it spin? Is the pole easy to put back in place ot is there wayyyy too much room?
Dancing Paws · 2/21/2012
This can happen. You are supposed to check the tightness of your pole often as your ceiling can expand and contract (I think the pole can as well.) I had tightened my x pole one time, then the next time I went on it it slipped on me. The poles are still safe. Also, you should be taking your pole down every so often to let your ceiling re settle.
horsecrazy12987 · 2/21/2012
Ceilings themselves shift and settle, and anytime you practice (especially on spin mode) you're loosening the pole a little. It needs to be checked for tightness every time you or a friend gets on it, and it's a good idea to check it every so often during a longer practice session as well. Any pole can come down, but they're safe as long as you install them properly and just remember to check them before practice.
Krista Bocko · 2/21/2012
If you're taking your pole down, how long should you leave it down for the ceiling to re-settle? My pole has come down/shifted too, it happens to us all I think!!
Dancing Paws · 2/21/2012
Sparrow - I typically leave mine down for a few days.
Krista Bocko · 2/21/2012
Every few weeks or so? That sounds like a good plan.
Krista Bocko · 2/21/2012
Every few weeks or so? That sounds like a good plan.
Dancing Paws · 2/21/2012
Yup, every few weeks.
Kyrsten · 2/23/2012
Thanks everyone. I don't think it was the tightness of the pole, because HOLY CRAP those bolts would not budge!! I had to have my dad bring home two giant wrenches for us to loosen them to pu the pole back. I think the combination of the foam mats and slightly uneven floor may have done it in, especially since the pole slid off at the base. I'm moving the pole over a few beams to an area where the floor is completely even and cutting a hole in my foam so the base will be on solid cement just to be safe. I will surely be giving it a solid check before every practice now though, and taking it down once in a while.
Dancing Paws · 2/23/2012
Yeah it probably is the mats. Poles don't normally slip at the base. I tried a mat under my x pole and it didn't work.