Boone High School Auditorium Inspection and Improvements
In my recent inspection of the Boone High School
auditorium, I have uncovered multiple problems. In order to resolve these issues, I would like to suggest some precautions that should be put into affect for the
safety of the students, faculty, and guests that use the
auditorium throughout the year.
Upon reading the Occupational
Safety & Health Administration (
OSHA) standards, National Fire Protection Association (
NFPA) standards and National
Electric Code (
NEC) the following things have come to my attention:
- Due to some outlets not working on the catwalk, the light crew has had to run extension cords from one side of the catwalk to the other in order to power lights (see attached photo #1). The NEC says “extension cords must not be used as a replacement for standard electrical wiring in a building". OSHA demands that extension cords not be used for more than 90 days, even as a temporary wiring solution. The extension cords on the catwalk have been in place for an extended period of time and are likely to be left in place until the outlets are repaired.
- At least one of the extension cords has a damaged plug (see attached photo #2), which means it is not OSHA compliant.
- NFPA 30 states that oil based paint is a class IIIA flammable and combustible liquid. Even though not always found in our theater, paint thinner is classified as a class II liquid. These liquids are to be stored in a properly marked cabinet as described in [910.106(d)(3)]. Flammable liquids are to be stored in a cabinet properly marked “FLAMMABLE Keep Fire Away”.
- According to OSHA regulations and NFPA codes there is to be an area at least 3 feet long by 2.5 feet wide clearance (or the width of the panel) in front of the electrical panel. This safety area is suggested to be marked on the floor (by tape or paint) to discourage setting objects in front of the panel.
- The Office of Compliance Safety and Health say that the latches on fire doors are never to be taped down. In the event of a fire, the hot gases can build up enough pressure to blow the doors open, rendering them useless. OSHA regulations require fire doors not be held open by a wedge or be tied open, like our auditorium doors often are. Fire doors are to only be held open by automatic release mechanism [29 CFR §1910.36 (a)(3)]
- We don't announce the location of the fire exits as described in NFPA code [12.7.7.3*]:
“In the following assembly occupancies, an audible announcement shall be made, or a projected image shall be shown, prior to the start of each program that notifies occupants of the location of the exits to be used in case of a fire or other emergency:
(1) Theaters
(2) Motion picture theaters
(3) Auditoriums
(4) Other similar assembly occupancies with occupant loads exceeding 300 where there are noncontinuous programs”
- Although no specific code exists for the overhead lighting hoists, it is ideal that they be inspected at least once every five years. In this inspection the cables, hoists and pulleys should be inspected by a properly certified agency.
- For the most part we have no Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) in place. Title 29 in the Code of Federal Regulations says “Employers must ensure that each affected employee uses appropriate eye or face protection when exposed to eye or face hazards from flying particles”. This code would suggest that while performing certain activities eye protection needs to be provided for students. Hand protection is a necessary piece of PPE to avoid burns, splinters and cuts from sharp edged or loose wire. All PPE should be stored in a easily accessed place with proper singe reminding to use it posted where visible.
- NFPA 10 [6.3.1] says “Fire extinguishers shall be subjected to maintenance at intervals of not more than 1 year, at the time of hydrostatic test, or when specifically indicated by an inspection or electronic notification…” In the tech wing there is a Class A fire extinguisher that has not been checked since 1999 (See attached photo #3).
To fix these problems I have the following suggestions (solution number corresponds with problem number):
- In order to remove the need for extension cords I would suggest hiring an electrical to inspect the lighting grid and make the repairs necessary to have all the outlets working on the catwalk.
- Fixing the outlets on the catwalk would remove the need to use the cords on the catwalk then we could properly dispose of the damaged cord.
- To be in compliance with NFPA 30 any oil based paints and paint thinner we have in the theater needs to be stored in an approved cabinet. There are multiple sizes of these cabinets readily available for purchase or the shop class could possibly build one to the standards described in NFPA [910.106(d)(3)].
- Often we find objects (boxes, clothing, bags, chairs, etc.) in the area directly in front of the electrical panels and electrical distribution panel (see attached photo #4). To make it known not to set items in the 36” by 30” area I suggest marking the area with a bright colored tape as well as putting a sign on the front cover of the box. This procedure also should be put into affect with the power distribution box located in the tower.
- If it is decided that taping the latch is in violation of fire code, the fire doors need to have some sort of automatic release mechanism installed rather than using a wooden wedge or duct tape to hold the latch down.
- Before any performance, the opening announcement needs to have information about all the fire exits. This announcement would ideally take place before the Toreador theater announcement.
- For the safety of the students and faculty I would suggest an inspection of the overhead rigging to be a top priority as an accident could be cause major damage to our equipment and could inflict injury or death to people on stage.
- PPE needs to be purchased and put into use. Students should be required to wear eye protection while using a saw, hammer, staple gun, or crowbar. Proper eye protection should also be used when painting in case of splatter and when the potential for exploding lamps exist (particularly Xenon projector / spotlight lamps). Students should be required to wear gloves when moving wood, platforms, flats, and light fixtures. Proper warning signs need to be installed to remind students of the use of PPE.
- The Class A fire extinguisher needs to be checked by a proper technician. In the case that it is determined necessary to have, the proper steps should be taken as directed by the technician.
With the recent inventory of our lighting equipment I have learned the following things:
- We have 18 functioning light fixtures on the catwalk and 19 non-working fixtures in the light booth (see attached photo #5). The lights are as follows:
WORKING *Does not include overhead rigging above
stage
- Kliegl 1550 (3)
- Parellipsphere (7) (One needs a replacement lamp
- Par Can (8)
NOT WORKING
- Kliegl 1550 (3)
- Parellipsphere (7)
- Altman 1KL6-12 (3)
- Par Can (2)
- Fresnel (4) *Used on overhead rigging, not catwalk
For most people, I know just listing the light models won't do any good so here are the facts about our lights.
- Most of our lights are from the late 70's and early 80's
- The Kliegl Bros Company went out of business in the early 90's
- The Parellipsphere model was the first of it's kind in 1975, this fixture went out of production in 1984
- The Altman 1KL series was manufactured from 1987-1994 but is one of the worst series of lights in history, they had unbalanced light and had no venting for dust
- The Par Cans were likely purchased sometime in the past 15 years. Par cans are the cheapest fixtures available but are very limited with uses.
On behalf of the light crew I would like to request a total of $3,321.46 for the
purchase of the following:
PRODUCT QUANTITYITEM COSTTOTAL COST
1ETC Source 4
Ellipsoidal
15-30°
Zoom
(lamp not included)8$360.00*$2,800.002HPL575120 120 volt (Source 4 lamp) 10$32.00*
$320.00
3BTL 500W, 120V lamp4 $25.60*$102.404LL-64514 120V 300W2$12.80* $25.605Rosco #114 Hamburg
Frost
Sheet3
$6.40*
$19.206Glow-in-the-Dark-Tape (23mm X 5mm)
1
$9.68*
$9.687Heat resistant gloves**2$22.29$44.58
*Price at the Theatrical Shop with 20% educational discount
**Available here:
http://www.grainger.com/product/SHOWA-BEST-Heat-Resistant-Gloves-2EWX3?s_pp=false
- With so many fixtures broken the purchase of 8 ETC Source 4 Ellipsoidal would be beneficial to all the groups and people that use the auditorium. The purchase of the new lights would make it possible to properly light the stage and add variety. The addition of 8 Source 4 fixtures may also eliminate the need for Carol Renae Dance Studio to rent lights for their shows. If we were able to use our own lighting for her shows it would be more efficient and cut down on the time needed to add and remove all the fixtures from the catwalk. (Brochure and Specs attached)
- The purchase of 10 HPL575120 120 volt lamps is necessary with the purchase of the Source 4 fixtures. The fixtures do not come equipped with lamps so 8 are needed from the start, plus at least 2 spares are ideal.
- Most of our current fixtures use the BTL 500W, 120V lamp. Right now we have one fixture that needs to have it's lamp replaced and it is a good idea to have extra spares on hand.
- The LL-64514 120V 300W lamp is used by one of our special fixtures. We would like to put bulbs in this fixture to have it available for use in future shows and/or events.
- I would like to suggest the purchase of 3 Rosco #114 Hamburg Frost sheets. In our collection of gels we only have 4 diffusers (all small) and it would be nice to be able to have more on hand as well as have enough to defuse the light coming from the par cans.
- For safety reasons Glow-in-the-Dark-Tape would be a necessary expendable to use in our theater. During the production of The Pink Panther Strikes Again, the platform that went under the curtain became a trip hazard when walking behind the back curtain. The addition of Glow-in-the-Dark-Tape to the edges of the platform would have made it more visible. Also adding the tape to the side of the wenches along the back wall would be ideal to reduce and avoid injury.
- We only have 2 pairs of gloves for the light crew. The long, heat resistant pair, has a hole in the palm. It would be ideal to get 2 new pairs of heat resistant gloves to be used by the spotlights and for moving lights.
Other
Purchase Suggestions:
- Gloves and safety glasses (PPE) to be used while working in the shop.
- NFPA 10 compliant, combustible and flammable liquid storage cabinet as described in number three.