Auditorium Stair Lighting

[mikeburnie]

Like many theatres, our seats are on a raked / stepped construction of about 24 steps.

 

We have had occassions where people have needed to leave the auditorium during a performance (toilet break) and our stairs are not lit once the house lights go off.

 

We have never, in the many many years our theatre has existed, had anyone fall over on the stairs but I as wondering if there is any legsilation that covers this area ?

 

We have considered having some LED based stairnose lighting installed, but we wonder whether this may in fact be too bright for use in the theatre and will be a complete distraction to audience members or performers.

 

We know that we would need a kill-switch for any such lighting so the lighting box can create a complete black-out scenario.

 

Does anyone have any experience or advice they can offer in this are. Are there any safety laws that apply ?

 

Any advice would be greatly appreciated as we are completely "in the dark" !

 

Thanks

Mike

[LDODD]

I would definitely use some kind of lighting and would assume this will be risk-assessed/H&S driven.

 

Have a look at the Mundocolor stair nosing. They have a range - some of which will be bright, some won't.

 

Stair nosing can get expensive, so it may be worth considering some kind of fitting that lights across the tread of the stair (again - LED would be my recommended option)

If you use LED (as opposed to some kind of "Tivoli" system), look at the Carbon Trust interest free loan (over 4 years) as I'm sure this should meet the criteria. Then you can get them to pay for the kit for you and become cash-positive from Day 1!

 

You can use a cheap DMX relay unit to switch the system off (LED will require probably a 24VDC Psu, that usually comes non-dimmable)

 

If you want a slow fade, Chamaeleon Technologies do a 24VDC Dimmable (Via DMX) power supply that should do the job.

 

Edited to add detail

[robloxley]

2 suggestions - speak to your licensing authority and/or fire officer

- buy a copy of the ABTT technical standards (yellow book)

[Just Some Bloke]

You'll find that stair nosings in a contrasting colour to the flooring are a must, but you may not require actual lighting if you're a theatre rather than a cinema (we don't for instance). As mentioned above, speak to licensing.

[Jivemaster]

The state of your stair nose lighting is almost certainly a licence term. Read the small print. If you change the auditorium ligting there will have to be a licensing authority approval, and a review of the licence terms. This may open a bigger can of legislative worms than you first thought. You could even be treated to a full inspection and licence update which may have major effects.

[Roderick]

I am not sure about the UK or other countries, but for the benefit of the Australian members - it is definitely a requirement in Australia.

From the Building Code:

H101.20.3 Provision of aisle lighting

Where general lighting is to be either dimmed or extinguished when the public is in attendance and where the floor is stepped or at an inclination greater than 1 in 12, aisle lights must be provided to illuminate the length of each aisle and the tread of each step therein.

 

I don't think it would be wise to switch it off during black-outs either. That is the most likely moment people could fall as there is no bounce from other lights. But if you use lights fittings that 'downlight' onto the steps or aisles, rather than edge-lighting, that should hardly ruin your black-out.

[Miles]

I'm also from Australia and dealing with the issue of replacing existing stair lighting. I am looking for a product that is an aluminium nosing that allows you to inset downward facing leds or ropelight to illuminate the tread below.

 

I heard that it exists but as yet I have not been able to find it using the power of the internet.

[mac.calder]

Miles: Talk to Lightmoves. They do a lot of LED type rope lights and striplights, and they work beautifully on steps and isles. They are in Melbourne (and 10 seconds of googling says your in Sydney yes?), so quite a distance away, but their stuff is great quality, and a pretty decent price - they do a lot of installation stuff.

[Miles]

thanks, I think that the extrusion that that they have is perfect. I'll keep them in my address book for more things like this, awesome.

[Guest lightnix]

PM sent to OP ;)

[cedd]

I know of a theatre using LED ropelights (a-la christmas decorations) in the corner of each stair, held with pipe clips and black heatshrinked when makng the move up to the next step. Easy and chaep way of getting the job done. Csts enough ambient light to see the steps but not enough to destroy the blackout (especially if you use red).

[rambles1]

Any advice would be greatly appreciated as we are completely "in the dark" !

 

Mike,

 

You may want to consider electro-Luminescent strips, these give out a glow, so should not distract theatre goers. Also available with flashing chevrons, and/or branding to assist as general emergency lighting. Please contact me if you need any further information.

 

Regards,

Paul