This problem of inadequate storage space can be traced-back to William Shakespeare - he wrote: "All the world's a stage . . . " (hence, no storage!)
An important consideration to discuss is the fuel load that anything and everything on a stage, above a stage, up on 'storage lofts', hanging from battens, and even under the stage, contributes to a fire should one occur.
- Plastic storage shelves, plastic storage containers, and dry cleaning bags will create deadly dark black toxic smoke should a fire occur. This is bad enough in a storage room, but can be disastrous on stage. Storage of any plastic items (like costumes in dry-cleaning bags) on the stage rigging battens is discouraged, because if there is a fire then hot molten plastic could drip down on people trying to exit the building.
- Fabrics (couches, drapes, costumes, flat coverings), Scenery (flats, platforms, platform legs) and Props (tables, chairs, lamps, and anything made of styrofoam or any other type of foam, etc.), must be treated with fire retardant (or made from Inherently Fire Retardant [IFR] material) if they are to be used or stored onstage (per NFPA 101 Life Safety Code). Your operating budgets should have the cost of these chemicals included in them, as should the time budgeted to actually apply the treatments as a part of your standard operating procedures - this is not 'optional'. If you are going to move bulk quantities of untreated materials onto the stage, then the local Fire Marshal should be informed of what these goods are, and the quantities involved, and the approval to 'break the law' should be in his court.
Most Building Fire Codes prohibit the stacking of any goods (boxes, loose items, etc.) within 24" of the ceiling or the lowest level that there are fire sprinkler heads. Don't "pack it to the rafters."
Elevated storage platforms (lofts, mezzanines) must have guard rails to prevent persons from falling off of them. Railings must be at least 42" tall, have a 4" tall toe-board / kick-plate at the base, and at least one mid-rail between the top rail and the top of the toe-board. Vertical supports (posts) can't be any further apart than 8 feet on center, and the over-all railing structure must be able to resist a 200 pound force in any direction (varies slightly by building code and OSHA jurisdiction). Where there is a pass-through for ladder access, it must have a self-closing safety gate to prevent someone from accidentally stepping through the opening. If the space isn't safe enough for students, then it isn't safe enough for anyone (the law doesn't discriminate). If appropriate, install a locking cover over the ladder to prevent unauthorized access.
Loading stored goods up-to and off-of elevated platforms is very hazardous work. The workers up-top can be tempted to lead-over the railing to pass items up or down, and in doing-so, frequently forget that their net center-of-gravity (COG) (see? Physics at work in the theatre! STEAM) is shifted when the weight of the item is added to their own weight, and can drag them over the railing and to the floor below. Therefore, installing a trolley beam or davit arm with a manual or motorized hoist should be strongly considered. Let the building carry the load, not the people.
Make sure that the elevated platform / loft / mezzanine' floor is load-rated for what you intend to store up there. Don't assume it is strong enough - verify it with the school's architect / structural engineer. Have someone sign-off on it so they take the responsibility for it. No signature. No storage. Every floor has a maximum over-all load capacity and a maximum pounds-per-square-foot (or Kg/sq meter) load capacity.
Storage in a basement under a stage has special limitations, as anything that might catch fire down there could potentially burn-through the trap-room ceiling and stage floor and cause a catastrophic problem. Verify with the local Fire Marshal what the limitations, if any are for storage of goods in these spaces.
Review your Fire Extinguisher location plan with the Fire Marshal. We recommend that ALL Stages, Black Box theatres, and Scenery Shops have a minimum of four (4) 20 Lb (10Kg) ABC type Fire Extinguishers (one at each corner of the space), and that each and every storage room, costume, and auxiliary space have at least one (1) 20 Lb (10Kg) ABC type Fire Extinguisher. You can never be too close to a Fire Extinguisher. When you need it, you need it NOW! Of course, it helps if people actually know how to properly use a Fire Extinguisher, so the first day of class each semester there should be a Fire Extinguisher safety and use presentation for ALL of the theatre staff and students (basic policy is: If you have not attended this, you are not allowed in the shop or on the stage). "Theatre staff" includes any other teachers from other departments that might use your stage at any time during the semester - music, choral, band, football, debate team, etc. They are equally responsible to see that the facility is kept Fire Safe. Part of this training should include a walk-through of the theatre plant that points-out each and every one of the Fire Extinguishers. It never hurts to remind people that they should never pile junk in front of the Fire Extinguishers, Fire Doors, or Fire Alarm Pull Stations. "Items found piled in front of these locations will be crushed, melted, and sold for scrap!"
Increasing the fuel load on the stage also increase the amount of toxic smoke that will have to be evacuated from the stage house when there is a fire. Above the stage, most facilities are equipped with 'Smoke Vents' which are big doors (hatches) that (should be able to) open automatically to vent the smoke. Although the Fire Code says they are supposed to be inspected every year (or, formerly, every two years), the reality is that they are almost never inspected and exercised to see if they operate correctly. As a person that inspects these, I can attest to the poor operating functionality I frequently find. Many hatches have NEVER been inspected or tested! These vents take special understanding of how they are supposed to operate in a theatrical environment, something that is beyond the abilities of most school maintenance departments and local Fire Marshals. If your stage is equipped with a Fire Curtain, then the Smoke Vents are supposed to function in a coordinated manner with the Fire Curtain and the Fire Doors so they work together as a SYSTEM, not just flapping about as a bunch of separate parts. Smoke Vents, Fire Doors, and Fire Curtains require a coordinated annual inspection to ensure that they are all functioning and working together properly.
The re-purposing of rooms in a building (changing them from their original purpose to a new use) can potentially change their Fire Code classification. This, in turn, can change the types of doors, door hardware, and fire protection required. School Districts are generally oblivious to this, but their Risk department that deals with Insurance rates may want a say in these changes (as they may also be concerned with the fall-injury issues of elevated storage access). Get the requested changes in writing from your administrators so that you cannot be held accountable should anything go wrong. If you have concerns that the requested changes may create a hazardous condition that they have not considered, talk to them; and if you are not satisfied with their response, write a letter expressing your concerns and your understanding of their response. COA. Keep a paper trail.
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Erich Friend
Theatre Consultant
Teqniqal Systems
Original Message:
Sent: 06-15-2016 12:22
From: Rachel Ferrari-Engel
Subject: Theatrical Storage
So I have a storage delemia-situation
Basically we have very little... however, I feel I'm expected to not complain since I have some storage...
My current situation is that I have a small closet in the basement hallway were I have platforms up on edge as well as come 4x8 flats.. the room is stuffed... and does not allow me to have much in the way of stock platforms flats, but it is something and I appreciate it!
I also had a closet down a tunnel and off of another room in our basement hallway..for about 6 years.... this year the room the closet was off of was turned into a classroom... I ended up moving into another closet directly off the basement tunnel and it was larger so it was an upgrade...(a much needed one.. it allowed us to get the costumes out of boxes... We spent about 400 installing a two tiered pipe situation. It also allowed us to have a space with a sewing machine set up as well. However, I just got informed that I now have to move everything out of that space.. and they are not providing another space at this time for the props and costumes to go... so all props and costumes will need to be moved...I need to provide solutions....
It has been suggested that I move everything backstage (there are many problems with this.) or even into my classroom... I don't think people realize just how much stuff it is.. plus I already teach 4 subjects out of my room and have the supplies for those classes.... there is a loft space above the stage left wing, but is accessible only through a vertical ladder... I've suggested several times for them to add staircase to make it a viable storage area.. the the cost would be high to have one put in... (this is the best solution I feel and utilizes the space better)
I could have cabinetry built/installed in my room along a wall and have all the costumes moved int along with props.. but I don't like the idea of an entire wall of built in cabinetry... I would lose that wall for other things as well... plus it would still be several thousand dollars for cabinetry...I know others mean well by suggesting to put it my room... but quite frankly I'm upset that they seem to think I should..... Most of them only teach one subject.. let alone accommodate 4 different ones in the same space.... Right now I'm not willing to store all these items which are primarily for the Musical in my regular classroom...but if we don't have storage to keep things the cost of ours shows will dramatically increase along with time spent to rebuild everything from scratch.. I think I will suggest a loft for my room since it is very tall...I would be willing if the items were on a different level keeping it out of reach of my regular classes....but once again money...
Every solution involves spending a good deal of money though which I'm not sure they are wiling to do.. I'm worried about everything being dumped in my room or backstage... (I also have to build/construct in the performance space... so most of my wing space is a wood shop... I'm worried to just completely losing everything and the cost implication to our program...
I feel angry and made to feel ungrateful.. and maybe I am overreacting... but I feel an obligation to do things the right way.... We are trying to grow a program and keep the cost down for the school and the students but still providing a high quality product. People now have expectations for our productions... I do not feel the school understands the needs of a theatrical program...especially when they want a certain production level...All the rooms that used to belong to theatre have been taken over by other entities... even the ticket booth stores the band uniforms.....we do have a nice space, but we are crunched...
So what is the storage situation at other schools... anyone else deal with similar problems...I know others have it worse.... Like all programs I do the best with what we have...which is often not ideal..... I'm planning on advocating when I'm calmer... with positive and negatives for each possible solution, but right now I'm just angry and upset.....
Thanks for lending an ear...
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Rachel Ferrari-Engel
Teacher
Pittsburgh Pa
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