DESIGN GUIDE: MUSIC AND DRAMA CENTERS
DG 1110.3.120
C H A P T E R 3: ACCESS
JANUARY 1981
The required information has two sources-rec-
light barriers, which are vestibules and door
ognized codes and standards, and functional op-
seals. Where acoustic separation is important
erating requirements of performance-related ac-
double door sets are superior to extra special
tivities. DOD criteria recognize guidelines set
door seals on a single set since the seal doesn't
forth by the National Fire Protection Association
function when the door opens. Vestibules should
in its Pamphlet No. 101, Life Safety Standards,
be of a size to admit several people and/or wheel-
with particular reference to Chapter 8, Assembly
chair occupants easily, so that the first door set
Occupancies. Several functional requirements
can close behind before the inner set is opened.
are also discussed in preceding sections of this
Guide.
Except for exit considerations, the location of
entries and layout of aisles are determined by
factors discussed under Section 3-5 and by ex-
A. AUDIENCE ACCESS
ternal relationships to audience support facilities
(Section 3-13) and the building exterior. The
Room's organization should facilitate newcom-
1. Life Safety and Exit Parameters
Life safety considerations have the greatest in-
ers' ability to find their seats without confusion.
fluence on the design of audience circulation and
Entry patterns should minimize disturbances of
access. The best practice is to go directly to the
sea ted patrons.
referenced standards, paying careful attention to
the design implications of categorical defini-
Although entrance from the rear of the House is
tions. Chief among these is the size of the au-
typical (perhaps because public areas tend to be
zoned toward the street side of an urban building
dience related to the number, size and location
of means of egress. The main entry shall not be
lot), entrance facing the audience tends to be
expected to handle more than 50% of the occu-
more ultimate and social in orientation.
pants, and if two additional exits are provided,
each shall accommodate at least one third. 1000
Recognizing such options may mean the design
can take advantage of site features or respond
or more occupants require at least three exits of
equal size in addition to the main exit.
to other program relationships.
Next, consider the line of travel to the nearest
B. PERFORMER ACCESS
enclosed (2 hour rated) exitway for positioning
exits, which should not exceed 150 feet (or 200
feet if the room is sprinkler-equipped). It should
1. Life Safety and Exit Parameters
not be possible to travel more than 20 feet to a
Similar concerns apply to audience and perform-
dead end; the guiding principle is to ensure each
ers-two ways out, short travel, adequate illu-
occupant has a choice of at least two exits. Note
mination, and non-hazardous routes. The per-
that continental seating, because it slows move-
formance area should be separated from the
ment, requires many more exit doors, and that
house, although final exit may converge in an
no exitway or aisle may diminish in width toward
enclosed passage provided there is no confusion
the exit.
as to direction of exit. Performers must also be
able to exit from dressing rooms and backstage
Exit doors must be equipped with non-locking
areas without entering the house or stagehouse.
panic bolts, open in the direction of exit, and be
identified with illuminated signs. Aisles and ex-
2. Functional Parameters
itways must also be illuminated, fitted with bat-
Multiple entry and circulation opportunities are
tery-packs or emergency generator power sys-
essential to performance. Entry to performance
tems in case of power failure.
space includes provision for crossing the stage
unseen, entry from below via traps, pit access,
Ramped aisles are limited to a gradient of 1:8;
and entries from the house side which are es-
and the rules governing maximum step riser
pecially important in Thrust and Surround con-
heights differ for the main floor (7") and bal-
figurations. This last is usually accomplished
conies (8'). These factors form limits to the the-
from actors' vomitories in the audience area
oretical functional considerations developed in
rather than from audience aisles, but even Fron-
Section 3-5.
tal Rooms should allow access to the Stage from
the House via demountable or permanent steps
2. Functional Parameters
at each side.
Entry to the Room must account f o r sound and
3-56
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