< PreviousTECHNICAL STANDARDS 2022 B3 Accommodation © ABTT+CIEH+DSA+IOL + TT B3.02 The floor area considered should generally exclude escape routes and circulation spaces that will not be occupied when the premises are in normal use. Seatways and gangways within a closely-seated auditorium are allowed for in Table 3. B3.03 A foyer should not be regarded as a circulation space where it contains any facilities such as bars or restaurants that may be used at the same time as the entertainment area is in use. B3.04 If a foyer is to be regarded solely as a circulation space, the responsible authority for health and safety or the fire authority will need to be satisfied that significant numbers of people will not be awaiting admission for the following performance before the previous audience has left. If this would be likely to occur, a separate occupancy figure should be calculated for the foyer. This should be based on the lower of the total possible occupancy of all auditoria served by the foyer or the maximum number of people who could be present in the foyer allowing 0.3m 2 per person. B3.05 Where a foyer may be in use at the same time as an entertainment area, separate occupancy figures should be calculated for each space based on its intended use(s). For example a public bar in a foyer should be considered as a bar and similarly with spaces used as restaurants or art galleries.TECHNICAL STANDARDS 2022 B4 Entry control © ABTT+CIEH+DSA+IOL + TT B4 Entry Control COMMENTARY Ideally the capacity and number of exits and the sanitary and other accommodation in the entertainments premises will be equivalent to or exceed the maximum possible numbers likely to attend. However entry control is usually necessary both to avoid people from gaining free admission and to establish how many people are in the premises. In some venues it will also be necessary to provide for the searching of patrons or their bags. The method of control will vary according to the type of entertainment and the audience profile. For a seated audience, such as in a theatre or cinema, the established system of counterfoil tickets will normally be quite adequate and the need for searching limited to hand baggage, if necessary at all. For venues with a transient clientele, it may be necessary to count people out as well as into the premises and more stringent searches may also be needed. The number of entrances will have a significant effect upon the rate of admission to the premises. The rate of admission will also be influenced by whether tickets are purchased in advance and/or at the point of entry. Ideally each part of the premises will be able to accommodate safely the maximum numbers of people seeking access to that area. However problems can occur with local overcrowding in venues with multiple spaces, for instance bars, dance floors and different performance areas. Further arrangements may be necessary to monitor and control the movement of people between spaces in order to avoid overcrowding in any one area at a given time. TECHNICAL STANDARDS 1. The premises should be designed and constructed, maintained and managed so as to ensure the health and safety and welfare of all the occupants. 7. The premises should be provided with adequate facilities to monitor and control the number of people present. All of the Technical Standards are listed in Section A2. Section A3 has some details of definitions and explanations. Section A4 lists the publications referred to in Technical Standards for places of entertainment and their publishers.TECHNICAL STANDARDS 2022 B4 Entry control © ABTT+CIEH+DSA+IOL + TT RECOMMENDATIONS B4.01 Consideration should be given to the systems and means of entry control to the premises. Entry may be by pre-paid ticket only and/or by payment at the door. Queuing space will be necessary where tickets may be purchased on the premises. B4.02 The management or the Duty Manager should not allow the accommodation limit for the premises to be exceeded and may be required to demonstrate how many people are present to an authorised person. Possible methods of achieving this requirement include: a)the use of counterfoil or scanned tickets; b)electronic counting by infra-red or photo-electric devices; c)television cameras linked to specialised (counting) software; d)manual systems for counting. Note: In other than small premises a head count alone is unlikely to meet the need to avoid overcrowding. B4.03 The use of turnstiles is not normally accepted in entertainment premises. Special considerations apply where their use is intended as turnstiles are not normally acceptable across escape routes. B4.04Where different accommodation limits apply to different parts of the premises, means should be provided to monitor and control the number of people present within each part. B4.05 Where searching is employed, facilities may need to be provided for the storage of any items not permitted inside the premises. This will affect the flow of people through the entry arrangements. B4.06Where more stringent searching, including body searches, is required, additional spatial provision should be made for privacy and to avoid undue delay in admission.TECHNICAL STANDARDS 2022 B5 Access and facilities for disabled persons © ABTT+CIEH+DSA+IOL + TT B5 Access and Facilities for Disabled Persons COMMENTARY Premises and facilities should be accessible to everyone, including disabled people; this needs to be considered from the start of the design process whether the premises are purpose built or an existing building is to be adapted for entertainments use. For this reason, access requirements have generally been incorporated in the specific Recommendations relating to each design area considered in this guidance. Areas not covered elsewhere include ease of access to cloakrooms, box offices and bars. Matters to be considered include: •the provision of hearing loops for sound reinforcement for people using hearing aids •the provision of infra-red systems for sound reinforcement for deaf people •the provision of suitable location(s) for signers •the provision of text-phones (minicoms) •the provision of visual display units •the use of tactile surfaces and indicators •the use of contrasting colours of flooring at changes of level •the use of colour on handrails to contrast with wall colours •the siting and sizes of signs •the provision of loops to allow for audio-description for blind people •the provision of a suitable location for audio-describers •the heights of bars and box office counters Attention is drawn to the provisions of the Equality Act 2010. A disabled person is defined under the Act as ‘A person who has a physical or mental impairment which has a substantial and long- term adverse effect on the person’s ability to carry out normal day-to-day activities’. Physical or mental impairment includes sensory impairments. Hidden impairments are also covered. Disability is not limited to impaired mobility; only around five per cent of disabled people are wheelchair users. Disabled people should, as far as reasonably possible, be able to enjoy entertainments in the same way as other patrons. Whilst the cost of the provision of special facilities or aids for use by disabled people may be a reasonable consideration where resources are limited, this should not be seeking to exclude disabled people from the premises. Health and safety considerations may mean that all the services provided in the entertainment premises are not fully available to everyone. Fire regulations should not, however, be used as an excuse to refuse access to disabled people. The management should consult with the fire authority, and make any adjustments or special provisions that are necessary to enable disabled people to be admitted to the premises without undue danger from fire. However management does not have to make adjustments that would fundamentally change the operation of the premises. For instance, an operator of a nightclub with low level lighting and relatively loud music should not be expected to adjust the lighting or sound levels to accommodate customers who are partially sighted or affected by loud music if this would seriously alter the atmosphere and ambience of the club.TECHNICAL STANDARDS 2022 B5 Access and facilities for disabled persons © ABTT+CIEH+DSA+IOL + TT TECHNICAL STANDARDS 1. The premises should be designed and constructed, maintained and managed so as to ensure the health and safety and welfare of all the occupants. 2. Suitable provisions should be made to enable all people to use the premises. All of the Technical Standards are listed in Section A2. Section A3 has some details of definitions and explanations. Section A4 lists the publications referred to in Technical Standards for places of entertainment and their publishers. RECOMMENDATIONS B5.01Access for disabled people should be provided. AD M Access to and use of buildings provides advice. BS 8300 gives recommendations for the provision of satisfactory access to buildings for disabled people and BS 9999 gives recommendations for satisfactory means of escape (egress) arrangements for disabled people. B5.02 Disabled people should be able to obtain service from all the facilities available within the premises, including cloakrooms, bars and box offices, without undue difficulty. Ease of access, heights of bars and counters and environmental matters should be carefully considered with this aim in mind . B5.03 Facilities should be provided for deaf and hard-of-hearing people and for blind and partially-sighted people as well as for wheelchair users and other people with impaired mobility. B5.04 Further guidance may be found in BS 8300 . However, the recommendations given in BS 8300-2 Section 17 are not suitable for closely seated managed auditoria such as found in places of entertainment. For such venues the guidance contained in Section C2 Seatways and Gangways along with the statutory requirements of Approved Document M and the guidance contained herein in Section N Management should be used. B5.05 Consideration should be given to how to make the environment, facilities and programming of arts venues accessible to people with mental impairment and diverse neurological conditions. Impairment or behaviour may be as a result of conditions which include but are not limited to Dementia, Autism, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, Tourette’s Syndrome etc. B5.06 Further guidance may be found in Becoming a dementia-friendly arts venue: A practical guideTECHNICAL STANDARDS 2022 B6 Noise controls © ABTT+CIEH+DSA+IOL + TT B6 Noise Controls COMMENTARY The issue of excessive noise is possibly the most common source of objections and complaints about entertainment premises. Excessive noise may also damage the hearing of performers and venue staff in premises where high noise levels, generally from music, are present. The problem of noise may be controlled in a number of ways including: •the location and layout of the premises •the materials and construction of the premises •the provision of adequate sound insulation •the installation of sound absorbent panels •the design of the ventilation and other plant to avoid noise transmission •the design of the sound system(s) •the control of sound levels Noise disturbance to local residents Disturbance and annoyance, or statutory noise nuisance as defined in legislation, may be caused from the operation of the premises. Examples arising could include the operation of air handling plant, customers entering and leaving the premises, deliveries of goods and stock, intruder alarms misfiring, out-of-hours building work, refuse collection and bottle emptying, and noise associated with the production, particularly during a change of production. Car parking may cause problems with engine noise, slamming of car doors, and misfiring vehicle alarms. Careful siting of the premises, ideally not in a residential area, will help to ensure that such problems are minimised. Where this is not possible, careful consideration of all potentially noisy activities should be undertaken. A combination of proper management of the problem, and practical solutions will need to be implemented to resolve the problem of unwanted noise. The range of potential noise problems is vast, and it is therefore not possible to set out all of the likely control measures to deal with noise break out from the premises. However, care should be taken that steps to reduce external emissions do not cause increased noise problems within the premises. The location of mechanical plant, loading bays, access and egress points, and the internal layout and design of the premises can contribute to reducing the amount of noise breakout from the premises. The use of acoustic enclosures and acoustic louvres can assist with controlling unwanted plant and ventilation noise, but switching the units off, manually or on via a timer, may be a possible and cheaper solution. Acoustic lobbies can substantially reduce noise breakout from the premises as long as one set of doors is normally able to close before the other set is opened. Intruder alarms should be fitted with a twenty minute cut out device, so that the external alarm is silenced, as outlined in the government-issued Code of practice on Noise from audible intruder alarms 1982. Any local authority has powers to deal with noise that it considers a problem under the Environmental Protection Act 1990 and often with local bylaws. Such action can include prohibiting or restricting the occurrence and timing of noisy activities, or in requiring a specific reduction in noise levels, this often being the case in noisy mechanical plant.TECHNICAL STANDARDS 2022 B6 Noise controls © ABTT+CIEH+DSA+IOL + TT It should be noted that the application of legislation is largely on the basis of subjective assessments by an enforcement officer and does not normally require the use of complex or expensive sound level meters. Noise from mechanical plant is a notable exception, as this is often linked to local planning conditions that require equipment to operate no more than a certain number of decibels above background noise levels. Noise nuisance is established on the basis of such issues as noise volume, frequency, duration, location, number of people affected, and the time of day. As a rule of thumb, noise audible outside the premises at a level likely to cause disturbance to the average person will likely be sufficient for a local authority to investigate further. The defence of an on-going established use of the premises, for example that a theatre has been operating for the last hundred years, is unlikely to be judged by a local authority as a reasonable excuse for continuing to cause a noise problem. It is strongly recommended that a person competent in acoustics be consulted before any significant work is undertaken, for example that involving a new build or substantial refurbishment of the premises. Noise at work Dangerous noise levels can occur at work for example from the operation of machinery and particularly in the entertainment industry from loud music. There is a proven link between exposure to high noise and hearing loss. The degree of exposure depends on both the noise level and length of time of the exposure. The design and layout of premises can contribute greatly to protecting performers and staff from such problems. In addition to the location of noise sources and the volume level of music, room size, the design and the choice of construction materials can have a significant affect on noise levels. Hard and flat surfaces reflect sound and make for a loud and confusing listening environment. Set designers should consider the affect of the materials used, for example hard, reflective surfaces might unnecessarily increase noise levels and reduce intelligibility in a particular area. Soft materials may act as a dampener, and might be utilised to reduce sound levels. The installation of in-built monitors, reference equipment and sound limiters in venues playing amplified music can assist operators in monitoring and ensuring excessive noise levels are avoided. However it is important to ensure that the use of such equipment does not increase sound levels to a point where hearing damage could occur. The use of sound insulation, absorption, and isolation materials and methods will be most useful in combating high noise levels in existing buildings. Insulation for noise control is normally achieved through the use of heavy and dense materials. Noise absorbent panels can be used to minimise the amount of noise reflected off hard surfaces, which then affects adjacent areas. Isolation control techniques are commonly used to control noise passing from a source through a structure and causing problems, for example by placing plant or loudspeakers on rubber mounts. Care must be taken that steps taken to reduce internal noise do not cause increased noise problems outside the premises. See also Section F3. Simple measures such as separating the bar from the performance areas by a door and an acoustic lobby, or by introducing carpeting to the floor, or curtains behind a bar or stage, may provide significant reductions in noise levels. Ceiling tiles can be highly effective also, so long as the TECHNICAL STANDARDS 2022 B6 Noise controls © ABTT+CIEH+DSA+IOL + TT materials used do not create a fire hazard. Likewise ceiling-mounted loudspeakers pointed down significantly reduce the amount of unwanted noise spill. The Control of Noise at Work Regulations 2005 specifically covers noise at work. The Regulations set out maximum noise exposure levels to which staff and freelancers may be exposed. Above these levels employers are expected to take reasonable steps to safeguard the health and safety of staff and freelancers. Although there is a general duty of care under health and safety law to protect other people who come into contact with the operations of a business, customers are not explicitly covered by noise at work legislation. This allows customers who, for example, wish to visit venues to experience loud music, to continue so to do. The noise levels set out in the Regulations detail maximum permitted peak levels and include acceptable exposure levels averaged over a working day or week. As a general rule, if two people standing two metres apart cannot have a conversation without raising their voices, then there are likely to be noise at work issues that should be investigated. It is strongly recommended that a person competent in acoustics be consulted before any significant work is undertaken, for example that involving a new build or substantial refurbishment. Controlling noise at work provides general advice on the Control of Noise at Work Regulations 2005. Sound Advice provides specific advice on all issues relating to exposure to music in the entertainment industry. BS 4142, BS 8233 and the Good practice guide on control of noise from pubs and clubs provide other specific guidance. TECHNICAL STANDARDS 1. The premises should be designed and constructed, maintained and managed so as to ensure the health and safety and welfare of all the occupants. 8. The premises should be arranged to minimise the risk of nuisance to nearby properties. All of the Technical Standards are listed in Section A2. Section A3 has some details of definitions and explanations. Section A4 lists the publications referred to in Technical Standards for places of entertainment and their publishers.TECHNICAL STANDARDS 2022 B6 Noise controls © ABTT+CIEH+DSA+IOL + TT RECOMMENDATIONS B6.01 The provision of clear approach layouts, good signage and amply wide doors for normal access and egress can greatly reduce disturbance by enabling patrons to enter and leave the premises swiftly. B6.02 Careful siting, particularly of car parks, will help to reduce problems with noise caused by patrons entering or leaving the premises. B6.03 Any sound reinforcement systems should be arranged to minimise the risk of noise nuisance to nearby properties. Sound limiters should be provided where appropriate. Soundproofing or providing lobbies should be considered for windows and doors to avoid noise spilling into otherwise quiet areas. B6.04Where noise may cause a nuisance, an appropriately qualified acoustician should be consulted before construction or alteration work commences. B6.05Appropriate design features should be incorporated in venues where loud music may be played to enable ready compliance with the Control of Noise at Work Regulations 2005 ; this may also assist with the performance of music under optimal conditions. Note:Reliance should not be solely placed upon the use of hearing protection to meet compliance with the Regulations. B6.06Where amplified music is to be performed in venues such as clubs the: a)loudspeakers should be appropriately located and focussed where the noise is wanted; b)installation of a sound distributed loudspeaker system should be considered; c)installation of sound limiters should be considered; Note:All electrical music equipment in the premises should be controlled through the sound limiter where there is one; d)monitor loudspeakers should be lifted off the floor and directed towards the musicians; e)use of IEMs (in-ear-monitors) in place of monitor loudspeakers, should be encouraged, especially for DJs.TECHNICAL STANDARDS 2022 B7 Light pollution © ABTT+CIEH+DSA+IOL + TT B7 Light Pollution COMMENTARY Many people consider there is excess light at night. Light pollution is the term used to describe obtrusive light nuisance, which may comprise sky glow, glare, or light trespass. In the interests of avoiding nuisance and reducing energy consumption, light pollution should be avoided. TECHNICAL STANDARDS 1. The premises should be designed and constructed, maintained and managed so as to ensure the health and safety and welfare of all the occupants. 8. The premises should be arranged to minimise the risk of nuisance to nearby properties. All of the Technical Standards are listed in Section A2. Section A3 has some details of definitions and explanations. Section A4 lists the publications referred to in Technical Standards for places of entertainment and their publishers. RECOMMENDATIONS B7.01 The guidance contained in Guidance notes for the reduction of obtrusive light should be followed, when designing and managing lighting installations, to minimise the undesirable effects of lighting on the outdoor environment. B7.02 Where external lighting is used ensure that highly efficient external lighting luminaires of the “Dark Sky” type are used and that the system can be time or daylight controlled to ensure lights are not left on unnecessarily or overnight if not required.Next >