Stage and appurtenant room separation - IBC 410.4 & IEBC 802.1

[whudson]

We are renovating an existing theater space and are trying to determine what separations we need.

1. Does IBC 410.4 even apply to a renovation?
IEBC 802.1 2015 states: "Alteration of buildings classified as special use and occupancy as described in the International Building Code shall comply with the requirements of Section 801.1 and the scoping provisions of Chapter 1 where applicable." Which we took to mean the renovation didn't need to comply with IBC 410.5 regarding separating the stage from other spaces. In IBC 2018 that statement no longer appears.

2. If #1 is a "yes", does the performance area need to be separated from the lobby with a 1hr separation per 410.4.1?
"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 fire barriers constructed in accordance with...."
Is the lobby considered part of the stage area or does it need a separation?

3. For the addition portion of the project what is considered to be a "compartment appurtenant to the stage"?
IBC 410.4.2 states "Dressing rooms, scene docks, property rooms, workshops, storerooms and compartments appurtenant to the stage shall be separated from each other..."
Our addition includes production spaces, dressing rooms etc...which obviously fall under this 1hr separation, but we also have offices, bathrooms, kitchenette, locker rooms, showers etc... Are those okay with no separations?

Thank you in advance.

 

[RLGA]

1. Yes, if the alteration includes new wall construction for dressing and appurtenant rooms. Section 802.1 of the 2015 IEBC was not included in the 2018 edition because it was superfluous. All it did was point back to IEBC Section 801.1 (which applies to every Level 2 Alteration whether or not it is a special use) and IEBC Chapter 1 (which applies to everything in the IEBC).
2. Yes, if the stage is somehow directly connected to the lobby. Typically, the lobby is only connected to the seating area, separated from the stage by the proscenium wall, which is required to have a 1- or 2-hour fire-resistance rating.
3. The Merriam-Webster dictionary defines appurtenant as "Auxiliary, accessory." If the spaces within the addition support backstage functions, then they are appurtenant.

 

[whudson]

1. So, if the walls are existing then we only comply with IEBC, and we don't need to rate per 410.5?
2. The room is one big open space that will have reconfigurable platforms and moveable seating, so the whole space I believe would be considered the "stage"(?) The lobby connects through a vestibule to this large space, but all these walls are existing to remain.
3. I take this to mean that bathrooms and offices are not consider appurtenant to the functions of backstage. I believe the goal is to protect any space that would have scenery/props/customs/ etc... because of the level of fuel loads (per IBC commentary).

Thank you.

 

[RLGA]

1. So, if the walls are existing then we only comply with IEBC, and we don't need to rate per 410.5?

If the walls are existing, they are not required to be made to comply with the current building code.

2. The room is one big open space that will have reconfigurable platforms and moveable seating, so the whole space I believe would be considered the "stage"(?) The lobby connects through a vestibule to this large space, but all these walls are existing to remain.

If I understand correctly, you have what is commonly called a "black box theater." In this case, do you really have a stage as defined in Chapter 2 (i.e., overhead curtains, drops, scenery, and stage effects other than lighting and sound)? If the performance area conforms to the definition of a stage, then the entire space is the stage and must be separated from all areas with 1-hour fire barriers to limit the stage area. Otherwise, all spaces not separated from the stage are considered part of the stage area. If the stage area exceeds 1,000 sq. ft. and the stage height is greater than 50 ft., smoke ventilation and sprinklers are required.

3. I take this to mean that bathrooms and offices are not consider appurtenant to the functions of backstage. I believe the goal is to protect any space that would have scenery/props/customs/ etc... because of the level of fuel loads (per IBC commentary).

If actors, staff, and stage crew use the offices and restrooms during performances, then they would likely be considered appurtenant to the stage. If not, they should be separated from those other spaces with 1-hour fire barriers, but not individually separated per IBC Section 410.4.2.

 

[bill1952]

This is an area of the IBC that needs some cleaning up as a result of 20 years of neglect, some reformatting, and changes in theatre technology. My proposals in this last cycle were mostly not accepted. 410 is (or first edition was) based on the BCMC 1992 report, available here https://theatreconsultants.org/downloads/Attac-65.pdf. I was the proponent and ended up drafting much of it.

In my work as a theatre consultant, and I think that of many others, it is simpler to enclose the space - a flexible "black box" it seems in this example - or, with an under 50' stage, stage and auditorium together with a 1 hour wall; or with over 50' stage just the proscenium wall at 2 hours. I recommend all those backstage spaces be separated by 1 hour. Since acoustic isolation requires robust construction, usually not much of an issue.

I think I can explain why, but curious that long before me code required 2 hour wall between stage and auditorium, but there could be a corridor - for exit access - along the side of both with no rating between it and either the stage or auditorium other than what is required for the corridor.

The tricky part is the 1000 sq ft stage limit to avoid the smoke vents My approach is to diagram in the construction documents various seating and stage area arrangements, and hatch and lable the "stage area". I'm not where I can attach a drawing but will - in a day - if it helps and and you ask.

BTW, I think your clients would be well served by a professional theatre consultant. I'm retired, so don't call me, but happy to make suggestions if you'd like. There's a really good one in the Cincinnati area.