A few people have raised concerns about fire safety.  We are looking into how the California Fire Code affects us particularly, and will post updates as we find out new information.  I will also be contacting the local fire marshall and explaining our project.

Since we are a) not charging any entrance fee, b) not actually a non-profit or other registered entity, and c) hosting the show at a private residence that is not open to the public, my contention is that this is equivalent to any private party that I might hold at my house; there just happens to be some really good entertainment!

If you’d like to do some research yourself, see Division 12 of the California Health and Safety Code.  If you know any information about this sort of thing, please send me an email (nalin AT avthespians DOT org).

The following measures pertaining to fire safety have been or will be taken:

• All electrical equipment is standalone (no direct modification to the building structure or electrical wiring has been made), and designed for interior use (e.g. interior lamp stands have been fitted with 50W PAR30 bulbs, and heat tested).  Further heat testing with gels on will be conducted prior to tech rehearsal.
• Electrical current draw on any one outlet or power strip has been calculated to be well under stated power strip and extension cord limits, by a factor of 100x in some cases.
• Two battery-powered smoke detectors will be installed in the garage (backstage and audience)
• A fire extinguisher will be present.
• In the event of an emergency, an entire wall of the theatre space (the garage door, in automatic or emergency manual mode) opens to the outside.  In addition there is the garage side door to the outside.  Audience will be reminded of these exits prior to each show.
• I will attempt to get some flame retardant spray from Lowes for the curtain.
• Unlike a “normal” theatre space, there is no electrical equipment near the curtain or in the backstage area.
• Smoking will not be permitted.

As we go forward with this project, we will certainly have to more carefully assess issues like safety and liability.  Thank you to those of you who expressed concern, and we will post further updates as we get new information.