Ben Bodsworth Posted January 29, 2006 Share Posted January 29, 2006 Hi guys, had a quick google and couldnt find anything, so here it goes...... What are the current regulations regarding exit signage???? does it HAVE to be ILLUMINATED during performances? as the venue I work in often has a maintained supply to the exit signage, but it is ONLY illuminated when normal power fails, is this ok? or do I need to say something??? Cheers Ben Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pritch Posted January 29, 2006 Share Posted January 29, 2006 This has been discussed here. I believe the conclusion was "ask your licensing and/or fire officers". Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ben Bodsworth Posted January 29, 2006 Author Share Posted January 29, 2006 cheers Ben Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roderick Posted January 31, 2006 Share Posted January 31, 2006 In Australia Exit sign are required to be illuminated at all times. An emergency doesn't always involve the loss of power that would switch the signs to battery power.The standard signs are white lettering on a green background but there is an approved version which is green lettering on a black background, a much preferred version for venues. The risk with changing the appearance of signs with gels is that they may no longer comply with regulations, a simple matter that insurance companies will jump on if they get half a chance. If your fire marshal or licensing officer approves your modifications, get it in writing, on letterhead. It is amazing how many people suffer from temporary memory loss when things go wrong! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tomo Posted January 31, 2006 Share Posted January 31, 2006 Gelling the exit signs - the regs give a particular surface brightness that most signs exceed by one heck of a long way, but measuring that brightness needs specialist kit. Most fire officers don't have it and so won't sign off on any kind of dimming of exit signs - CYA and all that jazz.Damned annoying, but there you go. You can get ones that turn on when the fire alarm sounds - these are probably the best unit for theatres! Having only seen them and not used them, I'd guess that the fire alarm simply cuts power to the signs, as this method would fail-safe immediately - they'll come on for a variety of emergencies, including "some numpty cut the cable" or "the fire alarm power died" It may be easy to retrofit if your current fire alarm interlocks with any supplies - many venues already shut down the dimmer supply and bring up the backup houselights on alarm so running automagic exit signs from this supply may be a possibility. As always - check with your local council and fire service. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnhuson Posted February 1, 2006 Share Posted February 1, 2006 If the light emitted from the sign is an issue for blackouts, then signs such as this are better as they tend to only illuminate the sign and a very small area below. Unlike conventional back lit fittings which tend to illuminate the space quite a lot during a blackout. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ellis Posted February 1, 2006 Share Posted February 1, 2006 Have a look in "TECHNICAL STANDARDS FOR PLACES OF ENTERTAINMENT" - the new 'yellow book' "Fire precautions for places of entertainment and like premeses", the old yellow book also covers this, but is superseded in many local authority areas! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ojc123 Posted February 5, 2006 Share Posted February 5, 2006 :P gave me this. Anyone tried it? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paulymid Posted February 23, 2006 Share Posted February 23, 2006 a good place for guidance is www.stocksigns.co.uk, although their book is better then their web site. As for regulations... REMEMBER... the law is changing. It was meant to change on April the 1st, but has now been put back This will mean fire certificates will be useless, and the fire assessment MUST be done by the site operator.basically, although certain regulations will apply, like signage must be displayed and to certain specs. Realistically no one know..., even the government.. go to the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister Although the guide for Fire for Theatres & Cinemas has not been written yet...http://www.odpm.gov.uk/index.asp?id=1162111 (They say they have delayed the change in law as some companies are not ready, me thinks it is they that are not ready :blink: ) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Neil Hampson Posted February 24, 2006 Share Posted February 24, 2006 One of the venues that I use quite regularly has recently had the fire exit signage replaced. Without prompting the contractor has installed the test switch and an override switch in the control booth.Upon agreement of the fire officer (and after noting on the risk assesment) we are able to switch off the exit lights during senistive scenes (i.e. Panto UV scenes). this seems one of the best solutions I have come across, although the tempation to leave the exit signs off all the way through the show is quite temping... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ynot Posted February 24, 2006 Share Posted February 24, 2006 What are the current regulations regarding exit signage???? does it HAVE to be ILLUMINATED during performances? as the venue I work in often has a maintained supply to the exit signage, but it is ONLY illuminated when normal power fails, is this ok? or do I need to say something???Hi, Ben.as others have stated, your best bet before you do anything is to consult the local fire officer. I've always found ours very co-operative, especially if he sees a well maintained venue, and they'll often surprise you. For example, at our bi-annual inspection last month we were in the auditorium discussing this very topic, and I bemoaned the fact that the two stautory illum signs about 10 feet from the prosc were a pain in blackouts, esp during UV scenes. he asked whether they were a twin-lamp model (I don't yet jnow) but basically if they are, he suggested we could gel the one that is on permanently (subject to his approval) as long as the one that came on when power is cut or alarms sound, the one that gives brighter full exit illumination is left clear. This is definitely something to check when I next have a screwdriver in that area!! TD Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ellis Posted February 27, 2006 Share Posted February 27, 2006 Gelling the permanently on tube is only viable if the unit is not also being relied on to also provide management illumnination, for example to allow punters to leave during the performance if they feel unwell - a common trick to save money! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chris Posted March 7, 2006 Share Posted March 7, 2006 Always best to check with the local cooncil. They tend to have different view points in different places, and they are the ones who issue the licences. They areonly guided by national legislation. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Al Cain Posted March 8, 2006 Share Posted March 8, 2006 Anyone tried it? yep, I bought a couple for the tempory work such as partys and discos that I sometimes do, and found that one didn't work very well when I tested it and the other worked fine. so ireplaced the faulty one through screwfix and now they both work fine! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scarr Posted March 8, 2006 Share Posted March 8, 2006 We have the LED type signs on the fire exits in our small theatre and can now have very good blackouts. The previous flourescent type had so much spill that the stage was always lit (100 seat theatre with 6x5m stage) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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