Interesting question; I'm not involved in ICC code development, except for some residential sprinkler ad hoc stuff, so I would defer to the FPE's or BO's that have some knowledge of fire behavior in these big spaces. I think the most significant element is the proscenium and protection of that opening is part and parcel to the function of a proscenium.
We had a fire at the Civic Theater in San Diego last year or the year before. 4 sprinklers operated at an elevation of nearly 80' above the stage, which itself was heavily stocked with combustible set materials for a play about to open. There were tapestries and scene backdrops in the air and the fire spread from panel to panel, but never involved the stage. The "status quo" worked just fine and there wasn't even significant smoke damage out in the seating area because the proscenium served as a barrier. Based on what I saw there the morning after the fire, I'd be hard-pressed to justify changing the existing provisions. Steve Leyton Protection Design & Consulting -----Original Message----- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Ron Greenman Sent: Tuesday, November 13, 2007 1:22 PM To: [email protected] Subject: Re: All the world's a stage Steve, Idle thought/question? Would IBC consider extending the OH fifteen feet into the LH to be equivalent to a fire rated curtain or water curtain? On Nov 13, 2007 9:52 AM, Steve Leyton <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > Okay, seriously. > > A platform is a raised surface, that may be slab-on-grade, or framed up from > a structural floor assembly. Generally, the ceiling over it is the same one > that is above the seating/assembly areas of the larger room in which the > platform is located. > > A stage has a proscenium that separates the back of house space from the > seating/assembly space. Also generally, it has no suspended ceiling or a > much higher ceiling over it, known in the theater biz as "bag and flag" > space. Curtains, lighting, set pieces, etc., etc. are potentially > stored/suspended in this space and it creates a unique and elevated fire > load. Hence, stages are protected for Ordinary Hazard and assembly areas > (and platforms) for Light. There is also a requirement that either the > stage curtain be fire-rated, or that a "fire-curtain" assembly be provided, > or that a water curtain or deluge system be provided at the proscenium to > protect the separation between a legitimate "stage" and the A-group. > > Steve Leyton > Protection Design & Consulting > > > -----Original Message----- > From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Randy Knutson > Sent: Thursday, November 08, 2007 5:28 PM > To: [email protected] > Subject: All the worlds a stage > > Forum Members, > > > > What's the difference between a platform and a stage? I'm looking at a > charter school auditorium/gym. The stage is a platform elevated 1'-6" above > the concrete slab. There is ACT ceiling at 20 ft and a 12ft x 40ft opening > to the auditorium. There doesn't appear to be room for drop scenery like in > a professional theatre stage. > > > > Class III standpipes and OH group II seem excessive for this application. I > fear what might happen if a 90 lb drama student decides to mess with 1½" > fire hose with 100psi raging behind it. > > > > I've found some info in NFPA 101 but I still confused on the stage and > platform definitions. > > > > Any help will be greatly appreciated > > Thanks, > > > > Randy Knutson > > Shilo Automatic Sprinkler, Inc. > > > > P.S. > > > > Bob I'm not ignoring you. > > _______________________________________________ > Sprinklerforum mailing list > [email protected] > http://lists.firesprinkler.org/mailman/listinfo/sprinklerforum > > To Unsubscribe, send an email to:[EMAIL PROTECTED] > (Put the word unsubscribe in the subject field) > _______________________________________________ > Sprinklerforum mailing list > [email protected] > http://lists.firesprinkler.org/mailman/listinfo/sprinklerforum > > To Unsubscribe, send an email to:[EMAIL PROTECTED] > (Put the word unsubscribe in the subject field) > -- Ron Greenman at home.... _______________________________________________ Sprinklerforum mailing list [email protected] http://lists.firesprinkler.org/mailman/listinfo/sprinklerforum To Unsubscribe, send an email to:[EMAIL PROTECTED] (Put the word unsubscribe in the subject field) _______________________________________________ Sprinklerforum mailing list [email protected] http://lists.firesprinkler.org/mailman/listinfo/sprinklerforum To Unsubscribe, send an email to:[EMAIL PROTECTED] (Put the word unsubscribe in the subject field)
