TheatreFace
Putting a Face on Theatre
I am working on a set which requires platforming which breaks the FC line. The designer who has Broadway experience says that NY allows the FC to hit the temporary deck as long as it is fire proofed instead of the real deck. The venue I am working with in Dallas says that if I can provide documentation to this effect they will allow it. Can anybody confirm this practice.
Tags: curtain, fire, regulations, saftey
Views: 649
Replies to This Discussion
-
Permalink Reply by Jacob Coakley on -
Ken - Unfortunately, I don't think the venue is where you need to get final approval on this. I think if you're doing something like this you need to get the fire marshall's approval... Could be wrong, though. Interested what other people say.
-
Permalink Reply by KEN BERNSTEIN on -
The venue manager is willing to interface
with the fire Marshall once
I provide the information.
This is a city facility so it works better this way
-
Permalink Reply by Michael Mell on -
The purpose and intent of a fire curtain is to keep "smoke, flames and hot gases" away from the audience. Landing the FC on a piece of fire-proofed scenery will not necessarily close off the stage area. Even if the fireproof scenery spans the entire width of the proscenium, the scenery fire-proofing does not likely meet that of the FC or the stage floor. NYS generally follows the IBC. In NYC a deluge (water) curtain is required (which would solve your problem except for tens of $1000's required to install one :-) ) All this having been said: the Fire Marshall is the person with final authority to grant an exemption - - or not. Without a sign-off from him/her you and the theater are liable.
-
Permalink Reply by Erich Friend on -
You don't say if it is a segment of platform that penetrates the plane of the Fire Curtain, or if it is a full stage width deck. A full stage width deck is much easier to deal with because the entire fire curtain would be resting upon it, not just a section. A small platform segment is difficult to do because if it prevents the Fire Curtain from closing-off the remainder of the proscenium opening, it leaves a huge gap across the open part of the stage.
Exceptions to the Fire Code must be approved by the AHJ, typically the Fire Marshal. To keep the time expended on this to a minimum, you should formulate a proposed solution (drawings, small mock-up, product data sheets, etc.) and discuss it with the AHJ BEFORE you attempt to design the final construction. Once the Fire Marshal has helped you define the partition requirements, then you can draw-up a proposed construction for approval. Once approved, in writing, then you can proceed to full-scale construction.
It is common for touring shows to have portable stage decks that penetrate the plane of the Fire Curtain. Typically where this occurs there is a partition (knee-wall) that spans the proscenium width, and infills the gap between the stage floor and the bottom of the temporary stage deck.
The partition must be constructed of fire-retardant materials that equal or exceed the fire-rating of the Fire Curtain. This typically means using multiple layers of fire-retardant treated (or intumescent painted) lumber and/or cement board and/or sheet-rock and/or metal. The temporary partition may even have to have the gaps be caulked with intumescent (fire-proof) sealant. An Architect can help you to define the necessary construction to meet this requirement because they are developing wall constructions to meet Fire Codes on a regular basis.
All this, of course, assumes that the temporary platform(s) are constructed of fire retardant materials per NFPA 101, Chapter 13.4.5.11.
-
Permalink Reply by Michael Powers on -
As Erich said, if the deck goes full width, your only issues are incorporating a firewall in the structure to match the FC line, and how to seal the small gap between the sides and proscenium. If your platforming is not full width, different story. There is no hard and fast code answer and only the local AHJ can approve any solution. What I have done a couple of times is design the deck with a "joint" about 3"-6" down of the FC line. The upstage section is not fastened in any way to the downstage section. The upstage section is on either casters or skid tracks. The up stage section is attached to a winch capable of moving it at least 12"-18" in about 15 seconds with twice the weight of the maximum number of cast on board. The motor control must be tied into any electronic FC release if possible (such as Sure Guard or similar) and have a contact switch mounted as high as possible on the smoke pocket on each side. There is also an E button on each side of the stage. All of these devices are independently redundant and trigger a latching relay to activate the motor. In one venue I had to have the motor power supplied by a portable generator that was running at all times while there was an audience present. Of course you have to have drawings, specs for the AHJ to see and most will want to see a demo at least once. There is no guarantee that your AHJ will approve it, this is just what has worked for me in the past. Oh, and design your floor plan so that there are no pieces of furniture or other obstructions over the break line. Your AHJ may require any furniture or set pieces be anchored to prevent accidental movement into the curtain line. HTH.
-
Permalink Reply by Dr. Randall W.A. Davidson on -
State by state, sadly differs in enforcement of Fire Regulations. My take, for all my years, is the need for the fire curtain TO FULLY DROP AND CLOSE THE PROSCENIUM OPENING. Scenery which impedes this line does not fulfill the total impact of the regulation and the reason for its existence in the law. As some people know, having initiated the original regulations for fire curtains over a period of many years with Bill Conner taking the lead after some time, the regs are what they are and must be enforced. My experience has not seen Deluge curtains which actually work in real life. The AHJ is always the final word, but having the Insurance Loss Control people in on the actual condition is an intelligent move. Dr. DAVIDSON
-
Permalink Reply by Bill Conner ASTC on -
I would be interested to know where you have seen a fire safety curtain work in "real life" - protect audience - and where you have seen a deluge system fail to work in "real life". I've not found one case in nearly 100 years of a fire safety curtain having had a benefit to life safety.
-
Permalink Reply by Robert Durie on -
Always get it in writing from the most responsible party you can think of. A note...a FM in the local jurisdiction may have no idea as to the proper implementation of the correct fire code. Keep handy your current copy of the NYCFC. and when in question call someone in the state capital who can advise, but get it in writing! Just remember that the purpose of a fire curtain is to prevent the stage becoming a chimney. One solution I got OKed in the past was to produce a fire proof negative mask that traveled with the fire curtain. From the point of contact I constructed a fireproof shield that flew in with the FC and butted up next to it so the was no air being drawn under the curtain. This can be easily confirmed with a smoke test.
Just so you know the facility I am currently working in received it's occupancy without having handicapped access from the stage and that was 5 years ago and to this date still no access. The emergency button in the elevator does not sound and the emergency phone goes nowhere...I love value added...
© 2014 Created by Stage Directions.
