Audience seating regs

[herb]

Can anyone point me in the direction of the appropriate regs or guidance for auditorium seating layouts with specific reference to seats at the ends of rows at the top of gangways or at T junctions. I'm looking for specific seatway guidance or gangway step 'goings' here.

This doesn't seem to be covered by Yellow Book

Ta

Herb

[Simon Lewis]

Herb,

 

There are two similar threads running on other parts of the board right now (office and Tech Chat) - it would be worth reading through them.

 

However, section 4 of this guide should be of interest to you. I'd suspect that there's a British Standard or Building Regulation covering this too....

 

Simon

[Roderick]

Not sure about the UK, but in Australia this is covered, in detail, in the Building Code (of Australia).

There used to be a separate 'Theatres and Public Halls Act' but that was integrated in the BCA some 10 years ago.

 

It would probably be best to ask your local council which Code they apply, it is possible for Councils to make amendments to these Codes.

[grumpy 2]

In the UK the Association of British Theatre Technicians has a publication that covers all of this.

 

http://www.abtt.org.uk/pages/home/homeframes.html

 

The "TECHNICAL STANDARDS FOR PLACES OF ENTERTAINMENT" publication covers everything.

 

I have not read the "The Model National Standard Conditions for Places of Entertainment" but according to ABTT:

 

"The Model National Standard Conditions for Places of Entertainment and Associated Guidance are produced by ABTT, the District Surveyors Association and the Local Government Licensing Forum. These Model National Standard Conditions cover operational matters and complement The Technical Standards for Places of Entertainment, which cover the physical requirements for building and maintaining entertainment premises. The Model National Standard Conditions are provided for the use of Councils and licensees nation-wide in the interests of achieving a uniform approach to licensing issues. They also provide a guide to good practice for anyone concerned with the management of places of entertainment."

 

For the UK I think this will cover everything you need to know. It is only £33.

[boswell]

In the UK the Association of British Theatre Technicians has a publication that covers all of this.

 

http://www.abtt.org.uk/pages/home/homeframes.html

 

The "TECHNICAL STANDARDS FOR PLACES OF ENTERTAINMENT" publication covers everything.

 

It is only £33.

 

Make sure you get the updated copy 2008, some places are still selling the original edition.

[herb]

Thanks folks. I have the updated version of tech standards and it was because it doesn't cover my specific question that I posted here.

Sadly the same with the fire guide although that one had slipped my mind so thanks for the jog.

I'll have a go thru the aussie regs as it may come close to answering my obscure question.

I could go to the council but would rather have my facts right first from private research.

I think it maybe the building regs that I need to go to.

but once again thanks for the swift responses.

Cheers for now

[Brian]

...I think it maybe the building regs that I need to go to.

Last time I looked the Building Regs were very quiet on seating advice.

 

I do think you are trying to ask too specific a question though, or more accurately, I do think you are expecting too specific an answer. There is enough information in the Yellow Book and the fire safety documents for you to make an informed decision about what you think the answer is. Present this figure, along with your reasoning and supporting documentation, to your LA and I'd be surprised if you have any problems. After all, they have no further documentation to that which you have. All they can do is look at your figure and see if they agree with your reasoning.