< PreviousTECHNICAL STANDARDS 2022 A3 Definitions and Explanations © ABTT+CIEH+DSA+IOL +TT Managementemployers, managers, operators or owners, both professional and amateur, who have control of premises and are responsible for the observance of all statutory or licensing requirements Management Lightingthe combination of normal lighting and emergency lighting provided to facilitate easy movement about the premises, it does not usually include purely decorative or performance lighting Maskingpiece of scenery used to cut off the view of parts of the stage, can be permanent; see Backing Manifestationdisclosing what is hidden; indicators to make glass readily apparent (for example by warning stripes, dots or logos) to ensure that people do not injure themselves Material timessee All material times Means of escapestructural means whereby a route or choice of routes is provided for people to move safely from anywhere within the building to a place of safety. Means of escape are normally protected corridors or protected stairs met see Metabolic rate Metabolic rateused to express the physical activity of humans. 1 met = 58.2W/m 2 . One met is approximately the metabolic rate of a person seated at rest. The average body surface area for adults is about 1.8m 2 , therefore 1 met is equivalent to approximately 100W of total heat emission Miniature Circuit Breaker (MCB) see Residual Current Device (RCD) Mobility-impaired/ment see People with impaired mobility MSDSMaterial Safety Data Sheet Night setbackheating control strategy where the space temperature is reduced when the space is not occupied to reduce energy consumption Non-maintained emergency lighting and Normal lighting see Lighting Normal supplyelectrical source used to provide power to the premises, usually the electricity mains Nosing see Stairs OFSTED OfficeforStandardsinEducation,Children’sServicesandSkills Off stageany position of the stage out of sight of the audience On stagein view of at least some members of the audience within the acting area Open stage see Stage Opposite prompt (OP) sideofthestageoppositethepromptside(PS):traditionallystageright (actors’ right). When the prompt corner is on this side, usually referred to as a Bastard prompt Orchestra pitlowered area to accommodate musicians between the audience and the stage. Thefloorisusuallyadjustableinheighttosuitdifferentforms of performance. May become the apron or forestageTECHNICAL STANDARDS 2022 A3 Definitions and Explanations © ABTT+CIEH+DSA+IOL +TT Orchestra pit railbarrier provided between an orchestra pit and the auditorium to safeguard people from falling into the orchestra pit Outvertical travel away from the stage so that the scenic elements are OUT of view of the audience Overhaulingto restrain or control an out-of-balance counterweight set by attaching the cradle to the hauling cable of an independent winch or a block and tackle. Often used when loading a cradle if the counterweight set is out of balance Packvarious pieces for a given scene when stacked together in the correct order for setting Packing railstacking rail, usually a horizontal steel tube projecting from the stage wall,usedfortyingtoorstackingagainstlarge(flat)piecesofscenery Paint bridge/frame (wooden)frametowhichbackclothsandflatsmaybeverticallyattached for scenic painting. Either the person or the mobile frame is moved as necessary Pass door fireproofdoor linking the auditorium to the stage house (sometimes also theflytower).Usuallycontainsalobby.Generallylockedduring performances so as to not to form part of the means of escape Passive environmental strategy building design and operation strategy that aims to provide comfortable conditionswhilemaximisingtheuseofnaturalenergyflowsand renewable resources using passive solutions where possible, and so minimise energy consumption by reducing or avoiding the need for mechanical or electrical systems (such as heating and cooling systems) People with impaired mobility includes disabled people, such as wheelchair users and people with walkingaids,infirmpeople,blindpeopleandpeoplewithseverely impairedvisionaswellaspeoplewithtemporarywalkingdifficulties Perchsmall raised platform, usually for adding lighting units such as in front or just back of the proscenium arch Performance lighting see Lighting – Stage lighting Permanent maskingteaser and tormentors, or similar arrangement of masking pieces which remain in place throughout the performance regardless of scene changes; see also False proscenium Pieceany unit of scenery, but more especially a major item Pinbelaying pin, used for making fast the falls on lines; see Fly-rail cleat Pin hingewith removable pin, used so that the two halves may be easily separated Pin or cleat railsee Fly rail cleat Pitch linesee Stairs Place of higher hazards includesprocessingorstorageofsignificantamountsofhazardous goodsormaterialsincludingcompressedorliquefiedgas,anyliquidwith aflashpointbelow65°C,anycorrosivesubstanceoroxidisingagentTECHNICAL STANDARDS 2022 A3 Definitions and Explanations © ABTT+CIEH+DSA+IOL +TT Place of safety placewherepeopleareinnodangerfromafireinthepremises. This may be the street or an open space sited to ensure the rapid dispersal of people from the vicinity of the building so that they are no longer in dangerfromfireorsmokefromafireinthepremises. For an open space to be regarded as a place of safety it must (a)be large enough to accommodate all the possible occupants of the premises, and (b) besufficientlyremotefromthebuilding for the people to be safe from the effectsofafireinthepremises, and (c)have means of egress to a public highway without passing through or close to the premises Place of special fire hazards includesoil-filledtransformerandswitchgearrooms, battery rooms, boiler rooms,storagespaceforfuelorotherhighlyflammablesubstances, roomshousingafixedinternalcombustionengine Plant roomroom housing plant, for example boilers, refrigeration equipment, fans, electrical switch-gear, large transformers and batteries but not including water storage tank rooms Note:For air handling plant rooms see Section E3. For electrical switch rooms see Recommendations F1.14 – 18 Platformsee Rostrum Point hoist singlelinepoweredwinchforflying.Frequentlyusedingroupswith re-locatable spot blocks (pulleys) Portalunit of permanent masking comprising legs and a border set between the showportalandthebackdroporcyclorama(oftenasolidmaskingflat combination) Power flyingsystem of flying utilising motorised hoists and/or winches Practicalcapable of being used for its apparent function, as distinct from being merely decorative, for example a hinged door, a switch that actually controls a light or the light itself Premisesall parts of the premises with a licence issued by the Licensing Authority or not which are used for regulated entertainment including the ancillary parts of the buildingsuchasoffices,changingrooms, workshops, store which are used in connection with the entertainment area Primingprimer in scene painting, usually a mixture of glue size and whiting in solution Production Safety File carries full details of the production. It will include where appropriate items such as licences required for the production; detailed method statementsfortheconstructionandoperationincludingflyingplotand groundplan;riggingcertificatesandcertificatesunderLOLER; certificatesofflame-retardancy;fulldetailsofanyspecialeffects includingriskassessments;certificatesofcompetencyforusing pyrotechnics; assessments under COSHH; temporary structure inspectioncertificates.The Model Technical Rider and Guide has a fuller list TECHNICAL STANDARDS 2022 A3 Definitions and Explanations © ABTT+CIEH+DSA+IOL +TT Profileplywood or other thin material covered with canvas or scrim, used for forming non-straight edges to scenery or masking Prompt boxtraditional position for the prompter in opera is a box let into the front of the stage extending into the orchestra pit Prompt cornerposition in a theatre from which the performance is managed, normally situated downstage left. If situated downstage right, usually known as a bastard prompt Prompt Side (PS)traditionally stage left, (actors’ left) regardless of the position of the Prompt corner Properties (Props) objects,suchasfurniture,pictures,carpets,flowers,books,implements, weapons used in a performance Proscenium (Prosc)theoretical ‘fourth wall’ of a stage comprising the proscenium opening and its surrounding treatment; see False proscenium Proscenium opening or arch opening through which the audience views the stage Protected corridorprotected lobby part of an escape route, which is separated from the rest of the building by fire-resisting construction Protected stairpart of an escape route, which is separated from the rest of the building by fire-resisting construction Publicpeople, other than staff or performers, who are in a place of entertainment, whether or not they are members of a club and irrespective of payment Public address system systemusingmicrophones,amplifiersandloudspeakerstoenablevoice messages to be broadcast to members of the public, and may include staff and performers Quick change(temporary) off-stage screened-off space for quick costume changes Rack roomenclosed space in which equipment such as lighting, sound and video control equipment is installed; a colloquial expression known to all theatre technicians Rail horizontalmemberoftheframeofaflat;seealsoFly rail and Toggle rail Rake slopedfloorofanauditorium or a stage. A rake of less than 1 in 24 is regardedasflat Raking piecelength of wood tapered for placing under a scenic piece so that it will set levelonarakedstagefloororintroducea(local)rakeonaflatstage Rampinclined rostrum or ramp used for get-in or stage access RCBO and RCDsee Residual Current Device Reef knot tojoin2ropestogether,andliesflat,soisusefulinFirst-Aid Refugespace within a protected corridor, a protected lobby or a protected room opening immediately off an escape route where wheelchair users and other people with impaired mobility can wait for management assistance in the event of an emergency evacuation of the premisesTECHNICAL STANDARDS 2022 A3 Definitions and Explanations © ABTT+CIEH+DSA+IOL +TT Regulated entertainment includesaperformanceofaplay,anexhibitionofafilm,anindoor sporting event, a boxing or wrestling entertainment, a performance of live music, any playing of recorded music and a performance of dance where the event takes place in the presence of an audience or spectators Note: For full details including exemptions and interpretations see Schedule 1 of the Licensing Act 2003 and the Guidance issued under section 182 of the Act Residual Current Device (RCD) disconnects the electricity when an imbalance reaches a preset limit (the residual current) between the currents in the line and the neutral conductors useful for the avoidance of electric shock. A RCD does not provide overload or short circuit protection. RCD is used as a generic term for RCCB and RCBO. RCDs may be integrated into circuit breakers, socket outlets and plugs Residual Current Operated Circuit Breaker without Integral Overcurrent Protection (RCCB)RCD without any overcurrent protection: separate overcurrent protection should be provided, for example, by a fuse or circuit breaker Residual Current Operated Circuit Breaker with Integral Overcurrent Protection (RCBO) device combining the functions of an RCD and an MCB to provide leakage current detection and overcurrent protection Miniature Circuit Breaker device that protects an electrical circuit by disconnecting the electrical supply when overcurrent likely to damage the installation occurs. This may be as a result of overload or short circuit. Combined with an RCD this is referred to as an RCBO Responsible authority maybethechiefofficerofpolice,thelocalfireandrescueauthority,the local enforcement agency for the Health and Safety At Work etc Act 1974, the local authority with responsibility for environmental health, the local planning authority, the local weights and measures authority (usually trading standards) or the appropriate child protection body as specifiedintheLicensing Authority’s statement of licensing policy Responsible authority for health and safety local authorities are generally responsible for the enforcement of legislation within entertainment premises but the HSE is responsible for some activities and for particular premises Rester(padded) top to a balcony front in an auditorium on which people may lean Return or Reveal narrowflat,usuallysubstantiallylessthanhalfthewidthofastandard flat,usedtoformshortreturntoamajorsurfaceandthusincreasethe illusion of solidity or depth. Also,a piece of timber or other material attached to the edge of an opening (such as a doorway) known as a thicknessTECHNICAL STANDARDS 2022 A3 Definitions and Explanations © ABTT+CIEH+DSA+IOL +TT Revolvecircular structure either forming a permanent part of the stagefloor or standing upon the stage. Scenery can be set for quick changing of scenes or for creating various effects. Sometimes revolves have formed of two or three rings and a centre, capable of independent or simultaneous movement, differing speeds and opposite directions RHrelative humidity RIDDORReporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations Rigto set up scenery or lighting on stage Rigging 1)collective term for the suspension equipment comprising ropes, loft blocks (droppulleys), head blocks, hemp ropes, bars, cleats and the like; 2)the action of installing such equipment Rise(r)see Stairs Riser1)vertical front of a raised stage where it faces the audience; 2)rostrum providing raised area for instruments such as drum sets; 3) verticalenclosedshaftstretchingovermanyfloorscontainingbuilding services such as plumbing, electrical mains, air handling ducts Rocksrostrum(s) of irregular form to simulate uneven terrain Roller wherethereisnoflyingspaceorlimitedheightoverthestage,a backdrop or cloth can be rolled also known as ‘Roll drop’. See Tumbler Rolling hitchknot used to haul another rope or object, can be easily loosened and repositioned Roomenclosed space, which may be occupied, within a building Note:This includes walk-in storage cupboards Rope locksee Locking rail Ropes whetherofnaturalorman-madefibres(fibreropes)orofmetalstrands (wire rope) Rope sheavesee Grid block or Droppulley Rostrumplatform placed on the stagefloortocreatechangesoflevelwhere required. A large rostrum is usually constructed in sections with loose tops and collapsible frames, but some small ones are rigid. A sloping rostrum is known as a ramp. Also see Lift Runnerstraverse or draw tabs on a curtain track Saddle ironsee Sill iron Safety curtain fireproofscreenorshuttercomprisingaframeworkofsteeloriron facedwith‘sheetsteel’andfireproofheatabsorbingfabric.Mounted immediately behind the proscenium in guides, the shutter can rapidly createafireorsmokebarrierbetweentheauditorium and the stage by means of an automatic closing system; see DrencherTECHNICAL STANDARDS 2022 A3 Definitions and Explanations © ABTT+CIEH+DSA+IOL +TT Safety factor (sometimesknownastheSafetyorWorkingCoefficientortheCoefficient of Utilisation) the yield stress of a material used divided by the maximum working stress to which it is subjected. In the case of wire ropes this is equivalent to the ratio between the minimum breaking load and the Safe Working Load (SWL). In establishing safety factors full account should be taken of the dynamic performance of the equipment and of possible acceleration or deceleration (for example, against stops or buffers). In the UK stage rigging systems generally have a safety factor of 8 times the intended or Safe Working Load Sandbag strongcanvassand-filledbagwhichisattachedtounloadedlinesto maintain tension in them; see Bomb weight Sanitary accommodation generic term which includes toilets, showers, baths, etc. – see also Toilet Scene dockarea adjacent to a stage and forming part of the stage fire risk area, provided for the storage of scenery, generally limited to the requirements of the current productions Scenerystructures used on stage to represent locations; includes cloths, drapes, flats,gauzes,artificialfoliageandfabricdecorations Scenery paint PVAemulsionforpaintingscenery,sometimeswithwhitingaddedtogive body. Historically composed of glue size and powder colour in water Scenery storefire-separated from a stage, provided for the storage of scenery Scrimcoarse wove hessian or similar material gauze, used in scenery construction; see Gauze Seatwayfloor in front of a row of seats along which people walk before entering a gangway or reaching an exitdoor. The width of a seatway is the distance between perpendiculars dropped from the front of a seat including any armrests and the back of the seat in front or the barrier in front. Where seats tip up automatically, the width of the seatway is measured from the maximum projection of the seat including any armrests, when the seat is in the ‘up’ position. See Figure N Secondary power supply electrical source used to provide power to the premises, if the normal supply fails Secondary suspension assembly of lifting equipment forming an independent suspension to the primary suspension provided to safeguard against failure of lifting equipment supporting production equipment Seizingbinding ropes together to form an eye or other connection using thin cord Self-closing devicecapable of fully closing the door from any angle and against any latch, includesfloorsprings,overheadclosersandsprings Self-contained emergency luminaire see Luminaire Self-contained escape route sign internally illuminated escape route sign, consisting of a self-contained emergency luminaire with a translucent escape route sign mounted on the face of the luminaireTECHNICAL STANDARDS 2022 A3 Definitions and Explanations © ABTT+CIEH+DSA+IOL +TT Separated stagesee Stage Setarrangement of scenery units which together represent a single location. The term is also used to mean to put up or assemble scenery, for example to set a stage Set (of lines)group of suspension lines from the grid or the fly towersoffit(underside) fortheattachmentandflyingofbarsforsceneryandlighting;thereare usuallythreetofivelinesinaset;seeCounterweight system and Fly rail cleat Set piecebuilt-up unit of scenery, complete in itself, often three-dimensional, often capable of standing free on the stagefloor Setting lineimaginary line across the stage, in front of which scenery cannot be hidden by the house tabs; see Curtain line Sheavegrooved wheel or pulley over which a suspension line may be passed according to rope material and diameter Sheet bendknot to join 2 ropes together, in particular it can join 2 ropes of different sizes Shotbag similartoasandbagbutsmallerandfilledwithleadshot,frequentlysewn into curtains; see Bomb weight Show portalsee False proscenium SIASecurity Industry Authority, an organisation for regulating the private securityindustryintheUK(thePrivateSecurityIndustryAct2001) Sightlinesline of sight between audience and performer(s). Good sightlines mean obstructions do not interfere with the audience view of the stage. Theatres often have seats that provide only a partial view of the stage (obstructed sightlines) due to obstructions such as balcony fronts, proscenium arches and by the rake and layout of seating Sill iron (saddle iron)narrow strip of metal, often half-round, used to brace the bottom of a door flatacrossthedoorwayopening Sill rail (timber)bottomrailofaflat Simple spanengineering term for the span between 2 supports. Complex spans involve multiple supports Single purchasesuspension system where there is no gearing of pulleys: the counterweight and its travel will be the same as that of the object that is being suspended; see Counterweight system Sizesee Glue size Slipsseats at the proscenium end of the upper tiers in the auditorium Small premisespremises with an accommodation limit of about 100 people Sound limitersometimes known as volume regulatory device (VRD) or noise limiter, controlsnoiseexposurefromamplifiedmusicTECHNICAL STANDARDS 2022 A3 Definitions and Explanations © ABTT+CIEH+DSA+IOL +TT Special effectsequipment provided as part of the entertainment, which may present additional hazards over and above the normal risks associated with the premises Note:Special effects may include pyrotechnics, lasers, strobe lighting, real flame,ultravioletlightingandtheatricalfogandsmokegenerated,for example, by dry ice machines, liquid nitrogen or heated oil Spot block pulleyfixedtothegrid,especiallyforaspot line Spot block & linespecially installed line and pulley from the grid over the stage, used for flyingunitswhichcannotmakeuseoftheregularstagelines Staffpersons on the premises who are neither members of the public nor performers Stage spacefortheperformanceofproductions.Maybeflat(level)orraked. Often at a different height to the audience to enable sightlines Open stage is not separated from the auditorium by a safety curtain. An open stage should, however, be separated from the rest of the premises, other than the stage fire risk area, by fire-resisting construction. See Figure A Separated stage is separated from the rest of the premises, other than the stage fire risk area, by fire-resisting construction and provided with a safety curtain, which affords smoke separation between the stage and the auditorium. The safety curtain is normally installed to close off a proscenium opening. See Figure B Stage basementarea under a stage used to house machinery or equipment used during the performance and forming part of the stage fire risk area Note: Performersandstaff may occupy the stage basement during a performance Stage braceadjustable device, comprising two lengths of wood sliding one along the other and hold fast by clamps and weights or stage screws, used to prop scenery from behind; see also French brace Stagecentre of the performance area Stage cloth largepieceofcanvas,usedtocoverthestagefloor,oftenpaintedsuch as representing paving Stage fire risk area stage and the auditorium together with any scene dock, workshop, stage basement, staff or other room associated with the stage unless separatedfromthestagefireriskareabyconstructionproviding60 minutesfireresistance.Thestagefireriskareashouldbeseparatedfrom the rest of the premisesbyconstructionprovidingaminimumof60 minutesfireresistance Stage housethat part of a theatre housing the technical areas such as the stage, the fly tower, dressing rooms, wardrobe, workshops and rehearsal rooms Stage leftto the actor’s left (the audience right). Usually where Prompt corner is located.AlsoknownasPSTECHNICAL STANDARDS 2022 A3 Definitions and Explanations © ABTT+CIEH+DSA+IOL +TT Next >