Glad to see you check back in with more info. A few observations based upon what I could see in the photos:
1. Are any of the light fixtures equipped with
emergency lighting (battery back-up) ballasts? Either equip several of of these with such, or add some 'frog-eyes' along the wall. You need to be able to find your way out during a
power failure.
2. Add some
EXIT signs over the two exit doors (again, on emergency
power or with battery back-up). Of all the places in the
theatre plant that there might be a fire, the shop is very high on the list - you want at least two exits available - local code may even require it.
3. I noticed a lot of wood (fuel) for the fire. You can substantially reduce the fuel load by doing two things:
a.) Store ALL unnecessary flammable materials outside the shop (steel shipping containers are cheap and fairly fireproof). This will free-up a lot of space, too. (Note Sean Stone's tag
line "All the world's a
stage ..." - If all the world is a
stage, then
that would explain the lack of storage space.)
b.) Make a policy of painting all of the wood materials with intumescent paint immediately upon arrival to the shop. When it is cut for fabrication, then you just have to touch-up the exposed edges and then assemble it. This will keep you in compliance with the NPFA Life
Safety Code 101, Section 13.4.5.11.3 "Scenery and
stage properties shall be of . . . fire retardant treated wood."
4. The steps coming from the door do not have contrasting color tread edges. I suggest using photoluminescent paint with traction grit added. An alternative is to use glue down strips. You can also use the photoluminescent paint to
mark the floor "keep this area
clear of junk" lanes and around the door frames. This will help when the emergency lights fail to operate as they should (product warranties and/or
NFPA required inspections don't guarantee that they will work when needed).
5. Consider adding an Emergency
Power Shut Down
system for the tool
power circuits. This involves
E-Stop type
mushroom head pushbutton station(s) that control a shunt-trip master
circuit breaker. This allows anyone in the ship to quickly kill the
power to the tools should their be an accident.
Keep us posted!