I voted other because we have a deluge system.
And half the time something is always in the way of the fire curtain. So if we actually pulled the ring and needed to bring it in, it wouldn't work or it would crash through something valuable like our grand piano. That would suck.
Having anything in the path of the fire curtain (other than people or when you are moving things) is a violation of fire codes in almost every state (if not every). Not to mention that smashing a piano would be a bummer.
I've actually talked to our theatre manager/TD about that and he seems to think that it's fine. I've managed to convince him to move stuff a few times, but he usually doesn't budge. I guess safety isn't as important as seeing a pianist's eyelashes, if you understand what I mean. But then again, you won't be able to see if your eyeballs get burned because the fire curtain didn't work properly and the piano spontaneously combusted.
And you're right. Anything can happen, especially when you're not prepared or you think it won't.
Its really not fine, but I will restrain from going into it.
If the fire curtain were to drop it drops very fast. It WILL destroy anything it comes down on. I've heard stories about stage monitors and stands getting destroyed because they were in the way.
There are most-likely some fusible links connecting that 3/8"? hemp line. Designed to release at a specific temperature, much more dependable, and early-acting, than hemp burning through.
On April 21 the ANSI Board of Standards Review approved two more ESTA documents as American National Standards:
ANSI E1.4 - 2009, Entertainment Technology - Manual Counterweight Rigging Systems, describes the design and construction of manually powered counterweight rigging systems to help assure the safety of these system. The standard does not cover motorized systems, systems for flying performers, or systems used for moving materials during building construction.
ANSI E1.22 - 2009, Entertainment Technology - Fire Safety Curtain Systems, describes the materials, fabrication, installation, operation, testing, and maintenance of fire safety curtains and fire safety curtain systems used for theatre proscenium opening protection. The requirements avoid cook-book descriptions of fire safety curtain systems; they specify how a fire curtain shall perform.
The new standards are now published and available for purchase from The ESTA Foundation at ESTA Foundation - Publications - About Publications, Browse & Purchase. The download documents are in PDF 1.6 format, and can be opened with Adobe Acrobat or Acrobat Reader version 7 and later. The single-copy price for each is $40. ESTA member and quantity discounts are available.
Yeah ours will fall fast then slow down a few feet up... I've seen it fall way too many times... High school.. "hey what does that ring/rope do? Let's find out!" Some idiots... shrug.
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