ESTA Technical Standards Program
The ESTA Technical Standards Program is a program developed by the Entertainment Services and Technology Association (ESTA) to create and maintain industry standards for the entertainment technology industry. The program provides a platform for industry experts to collaborate and develop consensus-based standards that promote safety, interoperability, and sustainability in the industry.
The ESTA Technical Standards Program covers a broad range of technical standards related to entertainment technology, including rigging, lighting, audio, pyrotechnics, and trussing. The program is designed to address the technical challenges and safety concerns of the industry, and to ensure that equipment and practices meet industry standards and regulations.
The ESTA Technical Standards Program is open to anyone who wants to participate, including manufacturers, suppliers, users, and regulatory agencies. The program is driven by a series of working groups, each focused on a specific technical area, which collaborate to develop and maintain industry standards.
One of the key benefits of the ESTA Technical Standards Program is that it provides a platform for industry professionals to share knowledge and expertise, and to work together to solve technical challenges. The program is also designed to promote innovation and the development of new technologies, while ensuring that they meet industry standards and safety requirements.
Overall, the ESTA Technical Standards Program is an important initiative that promotes safety, interoperability, and sustainability in the entertainment technology industry. Through the development and maintenance of industry standards, the program helps to ensure that the industry continues to grow and thrive while maintaining high standards of safety and quality.
All Standards are available for download for free from the ESTA Website. Additional Details are included on the ESTA Website. Please register your email address with ESTA Before downloading.
https://tsp.esta.org/tsp/documents/published_docs.php
Control Protocols
- ANSI E1.27-1-2006 (R2021): Standard for Portable Control Cables for Use with ANSI E1.11 (DMX512-A) and USITT DMX512/1990 Products
- ANSI E1.27-2-2009 (R2019): Recommended Practice for Permanently Installed Control Cables for Use with ANSI E1.11 (DMX512-A) and USITT DMX512/1990 Products
- ANSI E1.30-1-2010 (R2021): EPI 23. Device Identification Subdevice
- ANSI E1.30-3-2009 (R2019): EPI 25 Time Reference in ACN Systems Using SNTP and NTP
- ANSI E1.30-4-2010 (R2021): EPI 26. Device Description Language (DDL) Extensions for DMX512 and E1.31 Devices
- ANSI E1.30-10-2009 (R2019): EPI 32 Identification of Draft Device Description Language Modules
- ANSI E1.30-11-2019: EPI 33. ACN Root Layer Protocol Operation on TCP
- ANSI E1.31-2018: Lightweight streaming protocol for transport of DMX512 using ACN
- ANSI E1.33-2019: (RDMnet) Message Transport and Device Management of ANSI E1.20 (RDM) devices over IP Networks
- ANSI E1.37-1-2012 (R2022): Additional Message Sets for ANSI E1.20 (RDM) – Part 1, Dimmer Message Sets
- ANSI E1.37-2-2015 (R2021): Additional Message Sets for ANSI E1.20 (RDM) – Part 2, IPv4 & DNS Configuration Messages
- ANSI E1.37-7-2019: Additional Message Sets for ANSI E1.20 (RDM) – Gateway & Splitter Configuration Messages
- ANSI E1.59-2021: Object Transform Protocol (OTP)
Rigging
- ANSI E1.21-2023: Temporary Structures Used for Technical Production of Outdoor Entertainment Events
- ANSI E1.39-2021: Selection and Use of Personal Fall Arrest Systems on Portable Structures
- ANSI E1.42-2023: Safety Standard for Entertainment Lifts
- ANSI E1.43-2016: Performer Flying Systems
- ANSI E1.46-2018 (R2023): Prevention of Falls from Theatrical Stages and Raised Performance Platforms
- ANSI E1.47-2020: Recommended Guidelines for Entertainment Rigging System Inspections
- ANSI E1.50-1-2025: Requirements for Temporary Display System Structures
- ANSI E1.56-2018: Rigging Support Points
- ANSI E1.57-2016 (R2021): Preventing falls on or off movable parade floats, movable stages, and similar moving platforms
- ANSI E1.62-2021: Minimum specifications for mass-produced portable platforms, ramps, stairs, and choral risers
- ANSI E1.66-2020: Safety Standard for Followspot Positions Erected for Short-term Use
- ANSI E1.67-2021: Design, Inspection, Maintenance, Selection, and Use of Hand and Lever-Operated Chain Hoists
- ANSI E1.71-2023: Powered Curtain Machines
- ANSI E1.72-2023: Powered Floor Machinery
- ANSI E1.76-2023: Tension Wire Grids
Event Safety (ES1)
- ANSI ES1.40-2023: Event Safety – Event Security
- ANSI ES1.6-2025: Event Safety – Crowd Management
- ANSI ES1.17-2025: Event Safety – Event Lighting and Electrical Safety
Electrical Power
- ANSI E1.22-2022: Fire Safety Curtain Systems
- ANSI E1.24-2012 (R2021): Dimensional Requirements for Stage Pin Connectors
- ANSI E1.51-2018: Single-Conductor Portable Power Feeder Cable Systems (Canada)
- ANSI E1.58-2017 (R2022): Electrical Safety Standard for Portable Stage and Studio Equipment Used Outdoors
Fog & Atmospheric Effects
- ANSI E1.23-2023: Design, Execution, and Maintenance of Atmospheric Effects
- ANSI E1.29-2009 (R2018): Product Safety Standard for Theatrical Fog Generators
- ANSI E1.40-2016 (R2021): Planning of Theatrical Dust Effects
Floors
- ANSI E1.26-2006 (R2022): Shock Absorption of Floors Used in Live Performance Venues
- ANSI E1.34-2009 (R2019): Measuring and Specifying the Slipperiness of Floors Used in Live Performance Venues
- ANSI E1.60-2018: Guidelines for the Use of Raked Stages in Live Performance Environments
Photometrics & Color
- ANSI E1.25-2012 (R2023): Measuring Photometric Output by Illuminance on a Planar Surface
- ANSI E1.35-2013 (R2022): Lens Quality Measurements for Pattern Projecting Luminaires
- ANSI E1.41-2023: Measuring and Reporting Photometric Performance for Luminaires Using Solid State Light Sources
- ANSI E1.48-2014 (R2019): Recommended Luminous Efficiency Function for Stage and Studio Luminaire Photometry
- ANSI E1.54-2021: ESTA Standard for Color Communication in Entertainment Lighting
- ANSI E1.69-2022: Reporting the Dimming Performance of Entertainment Luminaires Using LED Sources
Followspots & Sightlines
- ANSI E1.28-2022: Guidance on Planning Followspot Positions in Places of Public Assembly
- ANSI E1.66-2020: Safety Standard for Followspot Positions Erected for Short-term Use in Entertainment Venues
Makeup & Mirrors
- ANSI E1.55-2016 (R2021): Standard for Theatrical Makeup Mirror Lighting
Show Control & Automation Files
- ANSI E1.44-2014 (R2019): Common Show File Exchange Format for Automation Control Systems – Stage Machinery