BSR E1.21, Temporary Ground-Supported Overhead Structures Used To Cover Stage Areas and Support Equipment in the Production of Outdoor Entertainment Events: The standard will offer guidance to ensure the strength and structural reliability of the structures within its scope (ones in which the structural elements are rigid towers, trusses, and space frames) but does not address fire safety or safe egress issues, nor cover membrane structures and other structures in which the majority of the structural elements under tension are made of flexible elements.
BSR E1.22, Entertainment Technology - Fire Curtain Systems: The standard to be developed will cover the materials, fabrication, installation, operation, and maintenance of fire curtain systems used for proscenium opening protection and designed to restrict the passage of heat, hot gases, and smoke from the stage to the audience area. The standard will have three major sections: (1) an overview section that describes what a fire curtain is supposed to do; (2) a section offering a set of performance specifications a fire curtain will need to meet in order to be able to serve the intended function; (3) a "deemed to comply" section that offers common solutions for constructing, installing and operating fire curtains that have been found to work in the field. The intent of this structure is to offer guidance so that fire curtain systems in the entertainment industry will be effective, while not stifling innovation by mandating one or a few construction techniques.
People interested in working on these standards projects and who are not already members of the Rigging Working Group are encouraged to contact Karl Ruling at ESTA for information on how to become involved. Membership in ESTA is not a requirement for participation.
(Ruth Rossington)
