International Building Code 410.6
Automatic sprinkler system. Stages shall be
equipped with an automatic fire-extinguishing system in
accordance with Chapter 9. Sprinklers shall be installed under
the roof and gridiron and under all catwalks and galleries over
the stage. Sprinklers shall be installed in dressing rooms, performer
lounges, shops and storerooms accessory to such
stages.
Exceptions:
1. Sprinklers are not required under stage areas less than
4 feet (1219 mm) in clear height that are utilized
exclusively for storage of tables and chairs, provided
the concealed space is separated from the adjacent
spaces by not less than 5/8-inch (15.9 mm) Type X
gypsum board.
2. Sprinklers are not required for stages 1,000 square
feet (93 m2) or less in area and 50 feet (15 240 mm) or
less in height where curtains, scenery or other combustible
hangings are not retractable vertically. Combustible
hangings shall be limited to a single main
curtain, borders, legs and a single backdrop.
3. Sprinklers are not required within portable orchestra
enclosures on stages.
International Building Code 410.7
Standpipes. Standpipe systems shall be provided in
accordance with Section 905.
International Building Code 410.3.7.2
Smoke control. Smoke control in accordance
with Section 909 shall be provided to maintain the
smoke layer interface not less than 6 feet (1829 mm)
above the highest level of the assembly seating or above
the top of the proscenium opening where a proscenium
wall is provided in compliance with Section 410.3.4.
International Building Code 410.1
Applicability. The provisions of this section shall apply
to all parts of buildings and structures that contain stages or
platforms and similar appurtenances as herein defined.
International Building Code 410.2
Definitions. The followingwords and terms shall, for the
purposes of this section and as used elsewhere in this code,
have the meanings shown herein.
FLYGALLERY.Araised floor area above a stage from which
the movement of scenery and operation of other stage effects
are controlled.
GRIDIRON. The structural framing over a stage supporting
equipment for hanging or flying scenery and other stage
effects.
PINRAIL. A rail on or above a stage through which belaying
pins are inserted and to which lines are fastened.
PLATFORM. A raised area within a building used for worship,
the presentation of music, plays or other entertainment;
the head table for special guests; the raised area for lecturers
and speakers; boxing and wrestling rings; theater-in-the-round
stages; and similar purposes wherein there are no overhead
hanging curtains, drops, scenery or stage effects other than
lighting and sound. A temporary platform is one installed for
not more than 30 days.
PROSCENIUM WALL. The wall that separates the stage
from the auditorium or assembly seating area.
STAGE. A space within a building utilized for entertainment
or presentations, which includes overhead hanging curtains,
drops, scenery or stage effects other than lighting and sound.
International Building Code 410.3.1
Stage construction. Stages shall be constructed of
materials as required for floors for the type of construction
of the building in which such stages are located.
Exceptions:
1. Stages of Type IIB or IV construction with a nominal
2-inch (51 mm) wood deck, provided that the
stage is separated from other areas in accordance
with Section 410.3.4.
2. In buildings of Type IIA, IIIA and VA construction,
a fire-resistance-rated floor is not required,
provided the space below the stage is equipped
with an automatic fire-extinguishing system in
accordance with Section 903 or 904.
3. In all types of construction, the finished floor shall be
constructed of wood or approved noncombustible
materials. Openings through stage floors shall be
equipped with tight-fitting, solid wood trap doors
with approved safety locks.
Stage height and area. Stage areas shall be
measured to include the entire performance area and
adjacent backstage and support areas not separated from
the performance area by fire-resistance-rated construction.
Stage height shall be measured from the lowest
point on the stage floor to the highest point of the roof or
floor deck above the stage.
International Building Code 410.3.1.1
Stage height and area. Stage areas shall be
measured to include the entire performance area and
adjacent backstage and support areas not separated from
the performance area by fire-resistance-rated construction.
Stage height shall be measured from the lowest
point on the stage floor to the highest point of the roof or
floor deck above the stage.
International Building Code 410.3.2
Galleries, gridirons, catwalks and pinrails.
Beams designed only for the attachment of portable or fixed
theater equipment, gridirons, galleries and catwalks shall be
constructed of approved materials consistent with the
requirements for the type of construction of the building;
and a fire-resistance rating shall not be required. These areas
shall not be considered to be floors, stories, mezzanines or
levels in applying this code.
Exception: Floors of fly galleries and catwalks shall be
constructed of any approved material.
International Building Code 410.3.3
Exterior stage doors. Where protection of openings
is required, exterior exit doors shall be protected with
fire door assemblies that comply with Section 715. Exterior
openings that are located on the stage for means of egress or
loading and unloading purposes, and that are likely to be
open during occupancy of the theater, shall be constructed
with vestibules to prevent air drafts into the auditorium.
International Building Code 410.3.4
Proscenium wall. Where the stage height is greater
than 50 feet (15 240 mm), all portions of the stage shall be
completely separated from the seating area by a proscenium
wall with not less than a 2-hour fire-resistance rating
extending continuously from the foundation to the roof.
International Building Code 410.3.5.1
Activation. The curtain shall be activated by
rate-of-rise heat detection installed in accordance with
Section 907.10 operating at a rate of temperature rise of
15 to 20F per minute (8 to 11C per minute), and by an
auxiliary manual control.
International Building Code 410.3.5.2
Fire test. A sample curtain with a minimum of
two vertical seams shall be subjected to the standard fire
test specified in ASTM E 119 for a period of 30 minutes.
The curtain shall overlap the furnace edges by an amount
that is appropriate to seal the top and sides. The curtain
shall have a bottom pocket containing a minimum of 4
pounds per linear foot (5.9 kg/m) of batten. The exposed
surface of the curtain shall not glow, and flame or smoke
shall not penetrate the curtain during the test period.
Unexposed surface temperature and hose stream test
requirements are not applicable to the proscenium fire
safety curtain test.
International Building Code 410.3.5.3
Smoke test. Curtain fabrics shall have a
smoke-developed rating of 25 or less when tested in
accordance with ASTM E 84.
International Building Code 410.3.5.4
Tests. The completed proscenium curtain shall
be subjected to operating tests prior to the issuance of a
certificate of occupancy.
International Building Code 410.3.6
Scenery. Combustible materials used in sets and
scenery shall meet the fire propagation performance criteria
of NFPA 701, in accordance with Section 805 and the International
Fire Code. Foam plastics and materials containing
foam plastics shall comply with Section 2603 and the International
Fire Code.
International Building Code 410.3.7
Stage ventilation. Emergency ventilation shall be
provided for stages larger than 1,000 square feet (93 m2) in
floor area, or with a stage height greater than 50 feet (15 240
mm). Such ventilation shall comply with Section 410.3.7.1
or 410.3.7.2.
International Building Code 410.3.7.1
Roof vents. Two or more vents constructed to
open automatically by approved heat-activated devices
and with an aggregate clear opening area of not less than
5 percent of the area of the stage shall be located near the
center and above the highest part of the stage area. Supplemental
means shall be provided for manual operation
of the ventilator. Curbs shall be provided as required for
skylights in Section 2610.2. Vents shall be labeled.
International Building Code 410.4
Platform construction. Permanent platforms shall be
constructed of materials as required for the type of construction
of the building in which the permanent platform is located. Permanent
platforms are permitted to be constructed of fire-retardant-
treated wood for Type I, II, and IV construction where the
platforms are not more than 30 inches (762 mm) above the
main floor, and not more than one-third of the room floor area
and not more than 3,000 square feet (279m2) in area. Where the
space beneath the permanent platform is used for storage or any
other purpose other than equipment, wiring or plumbing, the
floor construction shall not be less than 1-hour fire-resistance-
rated construction. Where the space beneath the permanent
platform is used only for equipment, wiring or plumbing,
the underside of the permanent platform need not be protected.
International Building Code 410.4.1
Temporary platforms. Platforms installed for a
period of not more than 30 days are permitted to be constructed
of any materials permitted by the code. The space
between the floor and the platform above shall only be used
for plumbing and electrical wiring to platform equipment.
International Building Code 410.5
Dressing and appurtenant rooms. Dressing and appurtenant
rooms shall comply with Sections 410.5.1 through
410.5.3.
International Building Code 410.5.1
Separation from stage. Where the stage height is
greater than 50 feet (15 240 mm), the stage shall be separated
from dressing rooms, scene docks, property rooms,
workshops, storerooms and compartments appurtenant to
the stage and other parts of the building by a fire barrier with
not less than a 2-hour fire-resistance rating with approved
opening protectives. For stage heights of 50 feet (15 240
mm) or less, the required stage separation shall be a fire barrier
with not less than a 1-hour fire-resistance rating with
approved opening protectives.
International Building Code 410.5.2
Separation from each other. Dressing rooms,
scene docks, property rooms, workshops, storerooms and
compartments appurtenant to the stage shall be separated
from each other by fire barriers with not less than a 1-hour
fire-resistance rating with approved opening protectives.
International Building Code 410.5.3
Stage exits. At least one approved means of egress
shall be provided from each side of the stage and from each
side of the space under the stage. At least one means of
escape shall be provided from each fly gallery and from the
gridiron. A steel ladder, alternating tread stairway or spiral
stairway is permitted to be provided from the gridiron to a
scuttle in the stage roof.