D.1 General

Escape Routes in Theatres, Cinemas, and Similar Venues:

Must be designed for full building evacuation in the event of a fire.

NOTE 1 The provisions recommended in this annex might be more onerous than those required to meet building regulations.

NOTE 2 Further guidance on these buildings is given in technical standards for places of entertainment [92].

D.2 Discharge from stairs and final exits

a) Foyer Enclosure Requirements:

· Foyers receiving escape routes from one or more tiers in theatres, cinemas, or similar venues must be enclosed with fire-resisting construction.

· Common foyers receiving escape routes from different auditoria (e.g., in a multi-cinema complex) should also have protected lobbies between the foyer and escape routes.

b) Foyer as Part of Escape Route:

· Foyers can be part of an escape route only if other routes lead directly to a place of ultimate safety.

c) Exit Width and External Escape Routes:

· The width of a final exit should not be less than the escape route leading to it.

· External escape routes between final exits and street level must be clearly defined and guarded with protective barriers if needed (per BS 6180).

d) Final Exit Siting and Risk Areas:

· Final exits should be located clear of any fire or smoke risk.

· Transformer chambers, boiler rooms, and similar risk areas should not have openings near building exits.

D.3 Seating and gangways

COMMENTARY ON D.3

a) Travel Distance and Exit Spacing:

· Travel distance limitations control maximum exit spacing.

· Seating layout may require adjustment of exits to align with gangways.

b) Seating Layout Considerations:

· Traditional limits on the number of seats in a row are arbitrary.

· If gangways are provided at each end, the number of seats in a row is less critical, as long as travel distances are met and generous seat ways are provided.

c) Exit Placement:

· Exits at the back of seating can reduce travel distance and assist planning.

· Smoke control might be needed to prevent smoke logging on routes to these exits.

d) Sports Arenas:

· Exits can be sited to direct spectators toward the activity area if the risk from the activity area is negligible.

D.3.1 General

Routes and Exit Spacings Considerations:

Must account for wheelchair spaces.
Consider the likely number of wheelchair users and ambulant disabled people.
Refer to BS 8300 for further guidance.

D.3.2 Seat layout and travel distances

a) Seat ways as Escape Routes:

Should be wide enough for easy movement toward gangways.
Minimum Seat way Width:
- At least 300 mm, constant throughout the row.
Measurement for Tip-Up Seats:
- Measure between the back of one seat and the maximum projection of the seat behind when in the up position.

NOTE 1 Seat ways in front of blocks of seating may be up to 900 mm in width without being treated as a gangway.

Figure D.1 Determination of seat way

The number of seats in a row should be in accordance with Table D.1.

NOTE 2 An example of the application of Table D.1 is shown in Figure D.2. The slope of a tier of seating should not exceed 35° above the horizontal.

Balconies should be guarded with protective barriers in accordance with BS 6180.

Figure D.2 Example illustrating protection of balconies with fixed seating

Figure D.3 Seat way width and number of seats in a row

Screenshot 2024-09-10 133518.jpg

a) Dining Facilities in Auditoria and Sports Arenas:

b) Travel Distances:

· Should not exceed the maximum distances in Table D.2.

c) Table Arrangement:

· Tables must not encroach on seatway width.

d) Chairs:

· Should be swivel-mounted for easy use.

e) Seating Arrangement:

· No more than 12 seats in a row.

Table D.2 Maximum travel distances

Available direction of escape	Areas with seating in rows m	Open floor areas m
In one direction only	15	18
In more than one direction	32 A)	45 B)
A) This may include up to 15m in one direction only. B) This may include up to 18m in one direction only

D.3.3 Gangways

a) Gangways Design:

· Must ensure an unhindered flow toward exits.

· Gangways can be flat, sloping, or stepped.

b) Stepped Gangways:

· Avoid excessively long flights, especially at maximum slope (35°).

· Do not calculate capacity as stairs.

· Assess the need for central handrails.

c) Central Handrails:

· Should be discontinuous with gaps every few rows.

· Gaps improve seat access and allow crossing the gangway.

NOTE 1 The addition of an intermediate rail below the main handrail facilitates use by children.

Gangways should meet the following specific recommendations.

a) Gangway Width:

· Minimum 1,100 mm wide, or 900 mm if used by 60 persons or fewer.

b) Projections:

· No projections reducing clear width, except handrails intruding ≤ 100 mm.

· Handrail intrusions over 100 mm reduce the calculated gangway width by the excess.

c) Seat Row Alignment:

· Row ends should align to maintain uniform gangway width.

· Gangways may widen toward storey exits if escape flow is unidirectional.

d) Wheelchair Access:

· Gangways to wheelchair spaces must ensure accessible escape routes (BS 8300).

e) Storey Exits:

· Should be approached from the side by transverse gangways.

f) Gangway Intersections:

· Transverse and radial gangways in tiered seating should intersect only at "T" junctions.

· Connections should be offset for smooth exit flow.

g) Stepped Gangways:

· Step height: 100-190 mm; equal height if multiple rises per row.

· No more than 40 uninterrupted steps if rake > 25°.

· Landing of at least 1,100 mm deep required in front of exit doors.

h) Handrails and Balustrades:

· Handrails for stepped side gangways at 840 mm height, intruding ≤ 100 mm.

· Balustrades or guardrails required at tier edges not extending to walls, minimum 1,100 mm high.

i) Level Changes:

· No level change between seatways and adjacent gangways.

· Steps from seatway to gangway allowed if handrails are provided and steps are at right angles to seatway.

j) Conspicuous Nosings:

· Stepped gangways must have very conspicuous nosings.

NOTE 2 In some auditoria, the seating rake is a parabola and, as long as the variation in step rise is uniform, adjacent steps are deemed to be of equal height.

NOTE 3 This is particularly important in entertainment areas where light levels might be low. Markings using LEDs are particularly efficient.

D.3.4 Fixing of seats for closely seated audiences

COMMENTARY ON D.3.4

a) Seating Types:

· Permanent or Temporary: Layout and gangway recommendations apply to both.

· Temporary Seating Types:

· Retractable/Telescopic: Fixed or moveable, used in multi-purpose halls or sports arenas.

· Demountable: Tiered seating assembled from kits and disassembled after use.

· Portable Rows: Used in sports arenas or halls, may be on structures for better sight lines.

b) Secure Seating:

· Must be securely positioned to prevent obstruction of gangways/exits.

· Permanent seating should be firmly fixed to the floor, except in small enclosures.

· Temporary seating for over 50 people should be secured in groups of at least four seats.

· For over 250 people, seating near exits and gangways should be fixed to the floor; end seats of rows can be secured together.

c) Retractable/Telescopic Seating:

· Should have locking devices when extended to prevent movement.

d) Floor Fixing Alternatives:

· If floor fixing is impractical (e.g., polished floors), use floor bars with a cambered top to reduce tripping risk.

e) Access and Materials:

· Access should be available under temporary tiered seating for rubbish clearance.

· Material Classification:

· Plywood decks: Class 0 or B-s3, d2 (BS EN 13501-1).

· Side/back panels, fascia’s: Class 0 or B-s3, d2 (BS EN 13501-1).

NOTE This form of securing seating is not recommended where a very lively audience is anticipated, such as at a pop concert.

D.3.5 Fire rating of seating

COMMENTARY ON D.3.5

a) Building Safety Considerations:

· Travel distance safety depends on building construction, linings, and heating, lighting, and ventilation standards.

· Seat standards are also crucial.

b) Seat Safety Criteria:

· Seats for closely seated audiences should meet:

· Smouldering ignition source 0.

· Flaming ignition source 1.

· Crib ignition source 5.

· Testing should be in accordance with BS 5852:2006, Clause 12.

D.3.6 Furnishings, Fabrics and decorative features

a) Material Safety:

· General Requirements:

· Furnishings, fabrics, and decorative features should not increase combustible materials or cause rapid fire/smoke spread.

· Specific Recommendations:

· Fire Resistance:

· Must be non-combustible or meet type B classification (BS 5867-2:2008) after appropriate wetting/cleansing (BS 5651).

· Placement:

· Not allowed in enclosed escape routes (except foyers) unless non-combustible.

· No drapes in front of exit doors or across escape routes.

· Textile Floor Coverings:

· Should either not ignite or limit ignition effects to a 35 mm radius (BS 4790).

D.4 Ancillary accommodation

Ancillary accommodation should be separated from other parts of the building in accordance with 31.4.7.

D.5 Stage areas

COMMENTARY ON D.5

a) Stage Area:

· Includes the stage, property stores, and quick-change rooms.

· High fire loading due to scenery, curtains, temporary props, and lighting.

· Sprinklers are advisable; stage is usually supervised when the public is present.

b) Fire Protection:

· Proscenium wall, safety curtain, and stage ventilation protect the audience and allow for evacuation.

· Stages like open, theatre-in-the-round, and thrust stages have audience and stage interactions, affecting escape routes.

c) Escape Routes:

· Arena stages require separate access routes for players from dressing rooms.

· Additional escape routes for players may be needed but are impractical for temporary setups.

d) Safety Curtain:

· If absent, scenery types and quantities may be restricted, with increased flame-retardant requirements.

· Lack of a safety curtain affects materials and usage, and local licensing conditions must be consulted.

e) Grid and Fly Galleries:

· Used for flown scenery, traditionally accessed by fixed ladders.

· Alternative means of escape are essential in case of a fire.

D.5.1 General

a) Escape Routes:

· Must comply with travel distance requirements (D.1, D.2, D.3, Table D.2) for open floor areas.

b) Protected Lobbies:

· Required between:

· Stage and dressing room corridors.

· Stage and final exit to the open air.

· Stage and auditorium with a "pass" door in a proscenium wall.

· Stage basement and orchestra pit.

c) Proscenium Wall:

· Should be non-combustible with at least 60 minutes fire resistance.

· Extend from the stage basement to the underside of the roof.

d) Safety Curtain:

· Must be non-combustible and robust.

· Withstand damage and air pressure; seal against smoke.

· Close within 30 seconds of release mechanism operation.

· Ventilate the stage; curtain and guides should have a hand-operated drenches system.

· Provide duplicate hand release gear and test the drenches system.

e) Grid and Galleries:

· Should be non-combustible, except for walkways if approved by the authority.

· Provide escape routes independent of the stage for working fly galleries and the grid.

NOTE The stage basement is assumed to be part of the stage and hence there is no need for fire-resisting separation between it and the stage.

D.5.2 Dressing rooms

a) Dressing Rooms:

· Should be enclosed with fire-resisting construction due to intense activity, flammable materials, and hot equipment.

b) Means of Escape:

· Must follow recommendations in D.2.

· Seating should comply with recommendations in D.3.

c) Escape Routes:

· At least one escape route must be independent of the stage.

· Travel distance requirements can be met with an escape route via the stage.

D.5.3 Scene docks

a) Scene Docks:

· Considered high fire risk due to large quantities of combustible materials.

· Fire-resisting separation from the stage should be protected by a fire door.

· Ventilation must follow D.5.4 guidelines, except for item b).

· Manual operating device for ventilation should be readily accessible outside the scene dock.

D.5.3 Separated stage ventilation

COMMENTARY ON D.5.4

a) Ventilation Type:

- - Natural or powered exhaust ventilators are required above the stage grid.
  - Natural vents: 10% of the stage area.
  - Powered vents: Equivalent exhaust airflow to natural vents.
  - Large stages may require separate ventilators for each stage area.

b) Automatic Operation:

- - Vents should open automatically by:
  - - Fusible device (≤74°C) located below the ventilator.
    - Sprinkler system activation.
    - Manual release (see item c).

c) Manual Operation:

- - Manual release devices should be provided in duplicate:
  - - On the working side of the stage.
    - Outside the stage (e.g., stage door office).

d) System Design:

- - Effective in all wind directions.
  - Maintainable and closable for testing without roof access.
  - Powered systems should stop functioning when stage ventilation operates.

e) Standards:

- - Conform to BS EN 12101-2 (natural) and BS EN 12101-3 (powered) standards.

D.5.5 Ventilation for open stages

a) Exhaust Ventilation: Preferably mechanical, required over any open stage.

b) Purpose: Designed to keep the auditorium relatively clear of smoke during evacuation if a fire occurs on stage.

c) System Size: Should be determined based on the size of the stage.

d) Fire Resistance: Minimum fire resistance should align with the stage size.

e) Default Ventilation Area: Exhaust ventilators should have a combined aerodynamic free area of at least 10% of the stage area, unless otherwise specified.

Annex D (normative) Recommendations for theatres, cinemas and similar venues