The
Abbey Theatre & Arts Centre
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Fire and Safety Policy Last reviewed November 2008 Contents:
Discovering
a fire:
The
Abbey Theatre does not have, at this time, smoke detectors, although it is
planned to investigate the installation of improved monitoring equipment
throughout the building in the near future. There is also no automatic
signalling to the emergency services in the case of fire.
Anyone
discovering a fire or suspects there may be a fire must raise the appropriate
alarm by immediately advising the SM or FoH manager. Due to the complexities of
evacuating this building during performances, break-glass alarms are to be used
only when necessary. If, however, the alarm does sound at ANY time, the building
MUST be evacuated immediately.
Fire
extinguishers and fire blankets are provided according to law and to
specification by Warwickshire Fire Service. However, no-one is to attempt to
tackle any fire unless confident that their actions will be successful. Fire
safety equipment is inspected annually by a qualified contractor.
If in doubt ALWAYS
EVACUATE.
Performance days:
During
performance days, the responsibility for the cast & crew lies with the
performing company's stage manager, whilst responsibility for the public
(audience) lies with the company's front of house team. Abbey Theatre staff on
duty will assist as necessary, but the company is best placed to deal with it's
members and patrons.
In
the event of receiving a fire warning, the SM and FoH manager must quickly meet
and decide whether there is a genuine risk and then take appropriate action.
Responsibility
for contacting the Fire Service lies firstly with the FoH manager.
He/she must nominate a deputy to make a call to 999 whilst he/she
supervises the evacuation.
Stage
Manager
The company's SM must be fully aware of the fire alarm points within the
building, the assembly points and the location of appropriate equipment. He/she
must have at least one deputy, also familiar with the above. The SM & deputy
are responsible for ensuring all areas on stage and in the dressing rooms are
cleared in the case of an evacuation. The SM must co-ordinate with the FoH
manager once evacuation has been effected. He/she must be aware of the door
alarm sounder and that this does NOT form part of the fire alarm system.
Front
of House Manager
The
company's FoH Manager must be fully aware of the fire alarm points within the
building, the assembly points and the location of appropriate equipment. He/she
must have at least one deputy, also familiar with the above. The FoH team are
responsible for ensuring all public areas (auditorium, foyers and first floor
rooms) are cleared in the case of an evacuation.
Evacuation
for a suspected fire may be commenced by a calm request to patrons, made from
the stage, to leave via the appropriate exits.
The
FoH manager must co-ordinate with the SM once evacuation has been effected.
He/she must be aware of the door alarm sounder and that this does NOT form part
of the fire alarm system.
Non-performance days:
During
normal days when rehearsals/meetings are in progress, responsibility for
evacuation lies with the organiser of each space being used. If more than one
space is in use, other users must be advised if a fire is suspected, either
verbally or via use of the break-glass fire alarm system. The organisers must
ensure all spaces in their area are clear before leaving.
In
the case of an evacuation, all users must leave the building via the closest
available exit. Personal belongings must be left in the building and no-one is
to remain in the building or return to collect belongings or search for friends.
Evacuations
must be carried out calmly with everyone in each area moving in the same
direction.
DO NOT RUN.
All
users are expected to follow directions from the company's stage manager or FoH
manager, particularly with respect to exit paths to be avoided.
All
members of all groups using the building must be made aware of the fire and
safety policy as well as the location of all exit routes. There must be a
pre-production safety message delivered to the cast of any performance setting
out these rules.
Attendance
Lists
The use of
attendance sheets is not compulsory for cast/crew, but if used, the SM must
ensure this list is updated each evening and then used for roll-call in the
event of an evacuation.
All
fire exits in the Abbey Theatre are clearly marked, and with the exception of
the main foyer doors these are equipped with push-bars to open them. At NO TIME must
these doors or the access areas around them be hindered by scenery, properties,
costumes, chairs, tables or other such obstacle.
This includes
the corridor through the Green Room area and the area between the two sets of
double doors in the dressing room behind stage. In the Etone lounge,
chairs/tables etc MUST NOT be left in
front of the emergency exit.
All
emergency exits are connected to the security alarm system and, if opened, will
activate the very audible alarm in the foyer unless previously deactivated by a
member of Abbey Theatre staff. This alarm is intended for your personal
security, but does not form part of the fire alarm system.
The
stage area must be kept clear of all obstructions as far as possible. Any piece
of scenery that creates a trip or other hazard must be clearly marked so
cast/crew may avoid it in low light or blackout situations.
Dressing
rooms must be left tidy at all times, with no obstruction to any doors. Costumes
and other flammable material must be kept away from all heaters and lighting.
Litter is to be disposed of in the bins provided. It is the responsibility of
the SM to ensure bins that are filled during a performance are emptied, removing
a potential fire hazard.
Smoking is not permitted at ANY TIME on stage, in any dressing room or
in the Green Room area.
Failure to observe this restriction will result in any performance in
progress being cancelled or stopped by theatre management.
Drinks
purchased from the theatre bar may be consumed in the dressing rooms, but it is
the responsibility of the SM to ensure all glassware is returned to the bar
area, thus removing potential hazards in the case of evacuation.
The
doors to the auditorium must be kept clear of obstruction at all times.
The
FoH team is responsible for ensuring that patrons are aware that no smoking is
permitted at any time in the auditorium. No glassware or crockery is allowed
into the auditorium.
Assembly Points:
The
assembly point for anyone in the auditorium and foyer areas is the recreation
field by Pool Bank Street Car Park via the main door and front exits..
The
assembly point for anyone on stage or in the dressing room areas is in the Kwik
Save car park via the rear exits.
For
patrons in the first floor rooms, unless advised otherwise, those in the Etone
Lounge will proceed to the Kwik Save car park via the first floor exit, those in
the office or Milby Room will use the front exits and assemble on the recreation
field.
Anyone
in the control booth will use either the main doors or the exit (via fixed
ladder) through the rack room and assemble on the recreation field.
Evacuees
must not linger close to the building nor is it advisable for patrons to attempt
to move cars or remove them from the car park until advised that it is safe to
do so. Any movement of vehicles may hinder the attendance of emergency services.
It
is the responsibility of the FoH manager to ensure that no cars are parked at
any time on the theatre forecourt (paved area) as this not only obstructs the
emergency exit doors but also may hinder emergency vehicles and their crews.
Disabled Patrons/Cast/Crew:
It
is the responsibility of the SM to ensure that any cast or crew not able to
evacuate themselves due to disability or injury are assisted by members of his
team.
It
is the responsibility of the FoH manager to ensure that any member of the
audience not able to evacuate themselves due to disability or injury are
assisted by members of his team.
Any
patron or user on the first floor unable to evacuate themselves due to
disability or injury must be assisted by the organisers of meetings/rehearsals
or by the FoH manager in the case of performance days. The SM and FoH manager must be made aware of ALL persons of limited mobility. |
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