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Theater stage softgoods – drapes, curtains and more

Stage softgoods are used to reduce the size of the proscenium opening. Large drapes of cloth are used to frame and mask backstage areas of a stage from the spectator. Softgoods are designed for many purposes, they can be movable in different ways and sewn from a variety of fabrics. Often times the main stage drape and main valance are a chosen color while rear masking drapes are commonly black, which works well for light-absorption.

Some common softgoods include:

Drape / Curtain – used for stage masking or stage decoration.
Traveler – drapery which hang from a track which opens and closes.
Valance – drapery panel hung at the top of the stage used to mask ceiling and overhead rigging.
Leg/Wing – drapery panel hung on the side of a stage used to mask anything that is off stage.
Cyclorama – a large flat curtain that either masks the back portion of the stage or is curved in order to help create the illusion of sky.
Scrim – a specialty curtain in which the fabric used is woven with small holes in it (almost like a net). When the curtain is lit from the front it is opaque but when lit from behind the fabric becomes transparent.

Flame Retardant

Two popular materials that stage softgoods such as travelers, valances and legs are manufactured from are velours from FR Cotton and IFR Synthetics (Polyester) fabrics.

FR Cotton material are the historically used fabric and offer a classic look with a matte finish. They offer a less expensive upfront cost, but will need to be retreated for FR (flame retardant). Water can ruin FR Cotton softgoods or at least make white salt stains.

IFR (inherently flame retardant) Polyester material has properties to keep its fire retardant qualities for the lifespan of the drape and are not damaged by water. IFR Poly softgoods do have a higher upfront cost over FR Cotton, but their long flame retardancy offer a higher long term value.

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All fabrics should be tested/inspected periodically for flame retardant properties. All types of fabrics should be kept clean by, at minimum, sweeping the dust out of them with a clean broom. The dust could support combustion despite the FR rating of the fabric, and it will shorten the life of the fabric. Humidity also lessens the lifespan of the FR rating, especially for the cotton fabrics.

Curtain Fullness/Pleating

Stage softgoods can be curtains that can be flat or they can have fullness. Fullness is the extra fabric used across the width or sometimes height of the drape. Fullness provides a drape with a richer look. It increases the visual depth of field and provides more light and sound absorption.

The use, look and budget can help determine how much fullness should be added to a drape. Another consideration is whether seams need to be ‘hidden’ within the pleat. Curtains that are sewn flat with a single or many widths of fabric seamed edge to edge are used for drops, cycloramas and masking.

Using one and a half as many widths of the fabric used in a flat curtain yields a curtain with 50% fullness. Using 1.75 times more fabric yields 75% fullness. Two times the fabric yields 100% fullness, and three times as much fabric yields 200% fullness, commonly used for Main Curtains where a rich, full look is desired.

Rooftop Smoke Vents, Doors & Hatches -Theater

Rooftop smoke vents automatically open to release heat, smoke, and noxious fumes in the event of a fire emergency, as required by International Building Code. (IBC 910 Heat & Smoke Vents, IBC 410 Stages & Platforms, IBC 3004 Hoistway Vents)

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The main purpose of theater smoke vents is to draw smoke, heat and fumes away from the front of house and other surrounding areas. Think of a stage like a fireplace and the rooftop smoke vents like a chimney. It is argued that the smoke vents are the most important to fire safety than a traditional fire safety curtain and can be as valuable as fire sprinklers. Think of this way rooftop smoke vents are as important to fire safety as seat belts are to you in your vehicle.

In early years rooftop smoke vents were opened manually, but many of today’s vents are designed to automatically. Automatic emergency opening today is
most commonly done by a fusible link. Although fusible links are good in theory, they are often placed up high near the vents and this is a location that does not receive high heat until well after the fire has started.

Smoke vent installation and function are often misunderstood by
designers and installers in the construction industry. Even some code authorities don’t understand the importance of a properly featured and functioning vent system often time improperly implementing them. Bilco is one manufacturer that offers vents for new installation.

Stage level manual pulls or specially designed stage level smoke vent winches with built in fusible link offer an improved design for fire safety.

Stage level manual pulls allow an occupant, fire department or other first responder to open the vents in case of an emergency.

Smoke vent winches like the Thern FVC-1000 offer innovative safety features along with convenient, hassle free non-emergency testing and resetting. A built in (ETL) Electro Thermal Link puts it at stage level for quicker automatic deployment.

Newer Performing Arts Centers can have rooftop smoke vents with a motor option. This allows for easy opening and closed from the floor by operating a switch. These motorized vents are often built into the facilities fire alarm system and are interconnected to heat detectors that sense a fire faster than fusible links systems.

Any rooftop venting system, no matter what it’s design should be cycled by release and reset on a frequent basis. This test proves that the vent doors are functionable and can be at a minimum deployed manually if needed during an emergency. A inspection of the complete system should be done by a trained professional on a periodic basis to make sure the complete system is operational.

Often times vent system get neglected. As seen in the picture to the left, this vent has a weather strip issue and a 25 lb weight was placed on it. This facility most likely does not understand that this could cause the vent to not operate properly during an emergency.

The picture to the right shows the misunderstanding of the importance of rooftop smoke vents. Flashing was formed and installed over the vent making it inoperable. This was done to solve a moisture leak.

Theater Rigging Safety Inspections should be done annually

Safety is number one

Theater rigging safety begins with the understanding of the importance of periodic inspection and maintenance paired with proper staff/student training.

Theater rigging consists a wide variety of equipment that hangs above a stage and front of house. This equipment is commonly used to lower and raise batten pipes but can also be stationary or dead hung. These batten pipes carry or hang stage lighting, curtains, acoustical shells, scenery and many other creative items.

ANSI E1.47-2017

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As outlined in standards of ANSI E1.47 – 2017 Entertainment Technology, Recommended Guidelines for Entertainment Rigging System Inspections states that Manually Operated Equipment and Motorized Equipment should be inspected annually or immediately after equipment or components have been newly installed, altered or repaired.

ANSI E1.47 – 2017 calls out for Level 1 (each year) & Level 2 (every 5 years) inspections . Level 1 (yearly) consists of inspection performed from accessible positions (rigging galleries, catwalks, facility ladders and gridirons) or the stage floor where no accessible positions exist. Unless otherwise noted below, all accessible components of all sets, including lifting media, are to be inspected. Level 2 (every 5 years) consists of inspections to be performed by gaining access, typically using ladders, scaffolding, or personnel lifts, to all rigging components.
All components of all sets, including lifting media, are to be inspected. Contact ANSI for the complete standard at www.ANSI.org.

Smoke Vents

Theater rigging safety is an important factor. Another factor that plays a large role in theater safety is rooftop smoke vents. There function, purpose and stage level releases cannot be overlooked. We’ll cover these in a later post.

Southern Minnesota Inspection can help with your inspection and repair needs. SMI carries a large selection of top name brand products for new installation, renovation and repair. Our trained & experienced technicians are ETCP certified riggers.