Open Forum

We are starting to build scenery for our fall show and need platforms about 8 feet up, with stairs leading up to them. We have done this before but the person in charge of the structure at the time was not a carpenter and used a crazy amount of screws and boards to make sure it didn't fall apart with a student standing on it. Is there a resource I can turn to to ensure that what we build is safe and appropriate for students to perform on?

https://www.pioneerdrama.com/Newsletters/Articles/Stage_Platform.asp

This will show you how to build the platform

As for the legs on something that high I prefer to use 4x4 for the legs, location will be based on the size of the overall platform.

You will want to install some diagonal braces between the legs for stability

I'm a fan of Bill Raoul's "Stock Scenery Construction Handbook" as a starting point. It's a great resource to have. The plans in it are well thought out and easy to follow.

I would echo support for Bill Raoul's Book Stock Scenery and Construction Handbook.  It is a great resource.

In terms of supporting the platform, legs are an option as are what many pro shops are going to "trestles" or essentially stud walls with top and bottom plates.  These tend to be a bit more rigid than legs and can have external sheathing applied to provide lateral support or the studs can be rabbited to provide for an internal cross brace like you might see on the gable end wall in a home.

Keep in mind also the need for a railing to ensure actor safety.

Hope that helps

Hi Ava, There are many resources online that cover this. Here are a few: https://www.pioneerdrama.com/Newsletter/Articles/Stage_Platform.asp https://www.controlbooth.com/threads/legging-tall-platforms.39997/ http://www.hstech.org/how-to-s/how-to-tech/carpentry/platforming-stage-decks-things-to-stand-on If you are starting from scratch, I like the stress-skin platform method it is very sturdy but can be material intensive. http://ocw.mit.edu/courses/music-and-theater-arts/21m-735-technical-design-scenery-mechanisms-and-special-effects-spring-2004/assignments/drkp_tn4.pdf http://tdt.usitt.org/GetPDF.aspx?PDF=44-2platforms It is important to cross-brace your legs appropriately so that they can not buckle. There are a few textbooks that I have found that can be invaluable: The Backstage Handbook The Physics of Theatre:Mechanics Please feel free to contact me if you would like to discuss this further

I would also recommend that you check out OSHA's theater guidelines to make sure you comply.

Construction of stairs and platforms on the stage is governed by the same building codes for general construction (There is NO exemption for theatre sets).  International Building Code (IBC) is a common reference.  The goal is to have safe structures, not flimsy ones.  In general, platforms and stairs shouldn't sag more than 1:240 across the span (that is 1/8" sag across 30") when fully loaded (add-up the weight of your heaviest performers that will occupy a space and double it - live loads are about twice the static loads - build it extra strong of they might be dancing or marching in-step with each-other - that's why soldiers break cadence when marching across a bridge).

Guard Railings should be at 42" minimum, 44" preferred (so they are above the center of gravity of the person leaning against it).  Guard railings must be able to support 250 pounds, minimum, in any direction.  Guard railings should have a 4" tall toe board (kick board) at the base to keep someone from slipping under the railing, and have one or two intermediate railings evenly spaced between the top rail and the top of the toe board.  Guard railing vertical posts should be spaced no further apart than 96" on center.  Where elevated platforms have scenery walls (flats), the wall must be reinforced to provide the same lateral strength (resistance to falls) as a guard railing.

Where scenery requires (really?  think about it!) an open front elevated platform, work with your costume designer to incorporate fall protection harnesses within the costume, and tie-off the performers with fall restraint lanyards (NOT the same as a fall protection shock absorption lanyard) so they are restrained from falling over the edge.  Don't fret about the visibility of the fall restraint lanyard - Cirque du Soliel does it, so can you.  Wrap it in fabric that matches the background if it is a visual distraction.

Handrails are different than guardrails.  They are for persons to grasp when ascending / descending stairs and should be no more than 2" diameter, preferably 1-1/2" diameter to allow a firm grasp.  They should have a 1-1/2" gap from the adjacent wall / guard railing so a hand can pass freely between them.  They should be installed between 24" to 36" above the step tread depending upon the age / height of the primary users.

Step treads should be 11" deep and an approximate rise of 7"-8" (shorter and taller steps are awkward to ascend / descend).  Step tread nosings should have a fairly sharp corner (no more than 1/2" radius), and should be painted a contrasting color (~1" wide stripe) relative to the rest of the step tread.  Traction grit or photoluminescent traction grit strips are recommended.  Seeing the edge of a step is important to not falling down the stairs in the dark or under the glare of the stage lights.  Do this for ALL your steps and stairs in your theatre - not just the set pieces.

Note that sheet rock screws have little or no structural strength.  Bolt things together, don't use wood screws for safety critical joints.  Use load rated fasteners, not just hardware store pot-metal.

Use diagonal braces to keep things from collapsing in a parallelogram failure.

A useful reference is the Stock Scenery Construction Handbook by Bill Raoul