BillConnerFASTC
Well-Known Member
Sorry if I'm several years late to the thread but always interesting to see what one has wrought.
I became involved in developing codes and standards in 1987, starting with NFPA's Life Safety Code and the requirement in that code for both new and existing places of assembly was my first code change. If you don't like it, blame me along with all of the folks that agreed with me and voted for it, which did include a number of folks form the entertainment technology industry. The basis for it was that by my own observation and later in a "survey" (a bunch a telephone calls to rigging companies and consultants by me), many fire safety curtains simply would not close due to obstruction, wear and dirt and rust, or because they had been fastened opened as a result of false trapping. The range reported in the survey was that between 75 and 100% of fire safety curtains in this country do not work as intended. Couple this need to "exercise" the curtain to be sure it worked with the numerous and common falls of the stage during non-performance times and the more common European practice of regularly closing the curtain, and it became code. Subsequently NFPA 80 and PLASA E1.22 both included the requirement for regular closing.
Whether or not the local authorities, whether be the guy down the hall or the state fire marshal defending on your jurisdiction, adopts and/or enforces is a different issue from whether or not you want to follow either NFPA 80 or E1.22, both of which are American National Standards, and defend that choice should the need arise.
Sometimes there are changes in laws (like codes) that require changes to existing buildings. In 1960s, existing stages were required to have fire sprinklers installed. After the MGM hotel fire in Vegas, existing hotels were required to be sprinklered. Old buildings are required to be made accessible to people with disabilities. And many others.
In the end, I’m amazed how many times I’m in a theatre and no one has a recollection of ever having seen the fire curtain closed, and often fear testing it. You can defend the Rube Goldberg designs that make testing difficult and scarey, but I can’t and won’t. Systems and equipment for safety should be maintained and periodically tested to assure they will work if called upon. Plan motorizing your fire safety curtain.
I became involved in developing codes and standards in 1987, starting with NFPA's Life Safety Code and the requirement in that code for both new and existing places of assembly was my first code change. If you don't like it, blame me along with all of the folks that agreed with me and voted for it, which did include a number of folks form the entertainment technology industry. The basis for it was that by my own observation and later in a "survey" (a bunch a telephone calls to rigging companies and consultants by me), many fire safety curtains simply would not close due to obstruction, wear and dirt and rust, or because they had been fastened opened as a result of false trapping. The range reported in the survey was that between 75 and 100% of fire safety curtains in this country do not work as intended. Couple this need to "exercise" the curtain to be sure it worked with the numerous and common falls of the stage during non-performance times and the more common European practice of regularly closing the curtain, and it became code. Subsequently NFPA 80 and PLASA E1.22 both included the requirement for regular closing.
Whether or not the local authorities, whether be the guy down the hall or the state fire marshal defending on your jurisdiction, adopts and/or enforces is a different issue from whether or not you want to follow either NFPA 80 or E1.22, both of which are American National Standards, and defend that choice should the need arise.
Sometimes there are changes in laws (like codes) that require changes to existing buildings. In 1960s, existing stages were required to have fire sprinklers installed. After the MGM hotel fire in Vegas, existing hotels were required to be sprinklered. Old buildings are required to be made accessible to people with disabilities. And many others.
In the end, I’m amazed how many times I’m in a theatre and no one has a recollection of ever having seen the fire curtain closed, and often fear testing it. You can defend the Rube Goldberg designs that make testing difficult and scarey, but I can’t and won’t. Systems and equipment for safety should be maintained and periodically tested to assure they will work if called upon. Plan motorizing your fire safety curtain.