Theatrical lighting comes with certain inherent risks, the worst of which is the possibility of a fire. Whether from an electrical issue or a heat problem, lighting has been known to cause fires in theaters and during stage performances in the past. As such, it is important for stage managers and owners to set certain safety precautions in place to avoid fire-related incidents and make sure their next production goes off without a hitch.
Three important safety steps are:
Make sure your lighting doesn’t create a fire hazard.Make sure exits are unobstructed – Keeping exits clear isn’t just a safety tip, it’s an OSHA requirement. Blocking a building exit is illegal and can result in a major fine, and potential lawsuit from patrons or employees.
Properly train stage hands with fire safety equipment – Making sure all building employees, theater staff and extras are trained in how to use a fire extinguisher and other fire safety equipment will help minimize risk and prevent a fire from spreading should one occur.
Remove loose objects from around lighting – Leaving fabric, paper and other loose, flammable object around lighting is a sure way to start fires. Heat dissipation from your gobo lights can ignite such objects even if they aren’t in contact with the lighting fixture, so make sure all such objects are moved a few feet away, and that the lighting area has proper ventilation to ensure cool air can flow through and keep the heat down.
Use appropriate rigging – Using the right lighting rig will play a major part in gobo safety. Any projector should use an additional safety cord which harnesses the unit to the rigging, so if the primary clamp or fastener breaks, the project won’t slip and fall onto the stage or audience members. Also remember not to overload the weight tolerance of your rigging, and space the projectors out for airflow and heat dissipation.
LED gobo lights are optimized for heat dissipation, and help to keep fire hazards low in all uses. If you’re investing in new lighting for your theater, browse our selection at GoboSource, and consult with use about any custom gobo design needs. We can help you pick out the appropriate projectors, gobos, rigging and other accessories to maximize the safety and quality of your lighting selection for any purpose, whether outfitting an old theater with new lights or building a portable rig for outdoor performances.
