[SML] Orchestra Pit Netting

[Keith Newman]

I'm keeping my fingers crossed on getting an automated lift but if it falls
through it is good to know we have some options.  Regardless of what we end
up with, getting some sort of fall protection is a high priority on my
list.  I haven't had any serious injuries yet on my stage (running to knock
on wood) and I really want to make sure we maintain a safe working
environment.  The last thing I want to see is EMTs carrying someone out on
a stretcher due to something that is completely preventable.

A net over the orchestra while they are playing is a must in my eyes.
Incord can provide a gap in it for the conductor.

Thanks again to all of you for your thoughts on the matter.  Bill, thanks
for all of the specifics you gave.  The Life Safety Code info should prove
to be quite helpful.  Using a TWG is something I had never considered for
supporting a pit cover.  It might have a lot less sag than a net but it
would probably be a little rougher to land on then a net but a lot less
painful than a drop to the bottom of the pit.

Andrew, thanks for all of the details on your system.  That gives me a few
more things to think about.

It looks like we will not have any storage space or a back entrance to the
pit from the upstage side.  The only entrance will be from the front.  That
is an unhappy revelation.  The amount of use we will get out it will be
dependent upon rentals (which are currently non-existent).  For school
functions, I only anticipate needing it open a few times a year but when it
is open, it will need to be open for a few weeks at a time.  I find it hard
to believe that we can easily justify an automated lift with the exception
of trying to minimize man hours (including both set up and moving of
instruments throughout rehearsals from practice spaces to the stage.  If it
is in the budget, I won't fight against it so long as it is done correctly
and safely.

On the plus side the biggest fix being provided is to the fly loft and
grid.  My current stage measures just under 60' at the proscenium.  The
grid is only 30' wide. That makes it very difficult to work with drops or
to fly out full stage pipes more than a few feet.  That whole mess will be
replaced by a grid that will travel the full length of the stage.  I never
expected that part of the project to ever be approved.  I am thrilled that
it did though.

Keith

On Tue, Dec 16, 2014 at 1:20 PM, Riter, Andrew <andrew.riter at ubc.ca> wrote:
>
>  Our example:
>
> 1200 seat Concert hall.
>
> Orchestra pit lift has 3 positions: stage extension; audience seating
> level, with 3 rows (total 77 chairs); and 10’ down in orchestra pit mode.
>
>
>
> We have a manually movable front wall that moves from in front of row AA
> on the pit (wall is the stage front), to being in front of row A when the
> pit is down.
>
>
>
> Pit is motorized, mechanics by Gala (spiral lift technology).  Reliable,
> quiet.
>
>
>
> The netting was built locally I’m told, buy a fish netting company.
>
> Anchors: under the stage slab, metal tabs welded to the slab.  The front
> edge is linked to the manually removable fence pieces.
>
>
>
> The one time an opera student (horsing around) fell on the net (not all
> the way down into the pit), but broke the legs on 1 of the fence pieces
> when it gave (leaned into the fall).
>
>
>
> The system worked, but at a physical plant cost.
>
>
>
> Keep the net!!
>
>
>
> If the motorized part stays, please consider this:  if you have stairs
> from the audience to the stage level, DON’T put the stairs over the pit
> lift.  We need to remove our stairs whenever the pit comes to stage
> height.  We have plugs to fill the hole, but lose the stair access.
>
>
>
> The time/trouble to move the stairs also prevents the easy use of the pit
> lift as an elevator.  (that, and the province calls it an “elevator” which
> has a whole number of regulations around the “elevator shaft,” moving the
> “elevator” requires a cleared room (pit and stage area). . . .
>
>
>
> That, and the time it takes to strike and hide the seating manually, when
> they didn’t give us storage space for it . . . .  sigh
>
>
>
> Good luck with everything.  Review all the papers, about everything, stay
> on top of them.
>
>
>
> Andrew M. Riter
>
> Assistant Technical Director / Head Lighting Technician
>
>
>
> 604-822-2372
>
> Andrew.riter at ubc.ca
>
>
>
> *From:* Stagecraft [mailto:stagecraft-bounces at theatrical.net] *On Behalf
> Of *Keith Newman via Stagecraft
> *Sent:* Friday, December 12, 2014 4:21 PM
> *To:* Stagecraft
> *Subject:* [SML] Orchestra Pit Netting
>
>
>
> Hi all,
>
>
>
> My auditorium is getting an extreme makeover beginning in July that will
> close it for two years.
>
>
>
> I'm at odds with the consultant on protection for the pit.  Their opinion
> is that instinct will keep an actor from getting to close to the edge and
> going in much as the way it is now with the edge of our current stage,
> which has a 3' drop and has a trim piece (a 3/4" kick strip surrounding the
> perimeter of the apron).  Mine is that we should protect our students and
> cover our asses by installing a safety net and potentially get some
> recessed or directionally faced EL wire or LED string that can dimly glow
> around the pit opening.
>
>
>
> Keith Newman
>
> Technical Director
>
> Cleveland Heights High School
>
>
>
>
>
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