[SML] Stairs from audience to stage

[Bill Conner]

I believe I've confirmed what I thought was the case: stairs to stages are
not usually desirable for professional performance events but a necessary
feature sometimes; and probably expected and frequently used in the K-12
and some college/university settings.  No surprises.

As far as the accessibility issue, here is what the IBC says now:

*1109.2.8 Performance areas.* An *accessible route* shall directly connect
the performance area to the assembly seating area where a* circulation
path* directly
connects a performance area to an assembly seating area.An *accessible
route* shall be provided from performance areas to ancillary areas or
*facilities* used by performers.

But keep in mind the IBC 1104.5 general requirements for accessible routes
also apply:

1104.5 Location. Accessible routes shall comply with all of the following:
1. Accessible routes shall coincide with or be located in the same area as
a general circulation path.
2.  Where the circulation path is interior, the accessible route shall be
interior.
3.  Where only one accessible route is provided, the accessible route shall
not pass through kitchens, storage rooms, restrooms, closets or similar
spaces.

I am submitting the following proposed changes:

*1109.2.8 Performance areas.* An *accessible route* shall directly connect
the performance area to the assembly seating area where a* circulation
path* directly
connects a performance area to an assembly seating area. *The location of
the **accessible route** shall be in the same rooms and spaces as the
general circulation path. *  *The audience's visual contact with the
accessible route shall be equivalent to that with the general circulation
route.* An *accessible route* shall be provided from performance areas to
ancillary areas or *facilities* used by performers.

This is a long way off of course, with several points at which it will be
heard and discussed in public in 2024, finally voted upon for the 2027
edition of the IBC, and might be adopted in your jurisdiction within
several years of its publishing. And as usual it applies to new build, and
major renovations which bring the building up to "new".


On Wed, Jan 17, 2024 at 6:16 PM Greg Bierly via Stagecraft <
stagecraft at theatrical.net> wrote:

> My former workplace was a 1300 seat high school auditorium built in 1995.
> My understanding they were able to avoid ADA access during construction
> from being in view of the audience.  (Must exit house left, up ramp access
> to stage, then enter USR through the shop for wheelchairs) It has
> staircases in the house on either side of stage next to the pit.  They had
> permanent handrails both on the wall and on the pit side of the steps.  We
> built plugs to fill in the staircases and around 2002 I had the onstage
> railings removable.  Probably not code but I made sure to make sure they
> were present anytime the pit was in the down position.  In the 25 years of
> events over half NEEDED stair access and 10% needed NO access from the
> house.  Flexibility was key.  We had temporary ramps and stairs added to
> stage extensions or pit bridges.  Hope that is useful info.
>
> Greg Bierly
> Former Performing Arts Center Coordinator
> Hempfield High School
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-- 
Bill Conner Fellow of the ASTC
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