HomeMy WebLinkAboutB13-0477 Ford Amphitheater Assessment -Approved PO Box 1073, Frisco, CO 80443
970.409.9082; fax 970.797.1898
Ford Amphitheater Life Safety Assessment & Plan
Date: March 12, 2014
Prepared by: Deborah Shaner, PE, Fire Protection Engineer
Purpose of Report
This document is intended to provide an overview of the Ford Amphitheater’s Life Safety Plan
including overall egress, summary of life safety systems and recommendations for future
improvements to life safety. It is not intended to be a detailed study of the construction of
building elements or to evaluate compliance of previous construction projects on the site.
All code references in this report are from the International Building Code, 2012 unless
otherwise noted.
General Building Description
The Ford Amphitheater is an outdoor venue used for a variety of performances. There are two
primary seating areas – fixed seating under a canopy and lawn seating open to above with no
cover. The stage is open to the exterior on the rear side. In general, this is an outdoor venue
and all seating is exposed to the elements.
The amphitheater is supported by a variety of buildings. The largest is the Ticketing/ Box Office
Building (Stage Left), located on the west side of the facility, approximately 5,500 square feet.
This building is connected to the Dressing Room area, located at the Basement level, at
approximately 3,200 square feet. The Stage Right Building, located on the east side of the
property is approximately 2,200 square feet. In addition, there are two small concession
buildings and a restroom building located on the property.
Use & Occupancy
In the past, this building has been classified as an A-1 occupancy which is reserved for theaters
and concert halls. After further evaluation, this facility better meets the description for an A-5
occupancy, as defined by Section 303.6. “Assembly Group A-5. Assembly uses intended for
Reviewed for Code Compliance
Code: 2012 International Building Code (IBC)
5/20/2014 MH
Ford Amphitheater Life Safety Plan
March 12, 2014 Page 2
participation in or viewing outdoor activities including, but not limited to: Amusement park
structures, Bleachers, Grandstands, Stadiums.”
For purposes of this report, the Occupancy Classification is presumed to be Group A-5.
Construction Type
The Town of Vail has noted that this building is a non-conforming use, mainly because of its lack
of a defined construction type. However, research has shown that during the previous
Orchestra Pit remodel, the construction type of IIB was assigned. This report will show that as
an A-5 occupancy, the construction type becomes more inconsequential than if classified as an
A-1.
For purposes of this report, the Construction Type is presumed to be IIB.
Allowable Area & Height
Using Table 503, A-5 occupancies have unlimited area and height for all construction types.
Classification of Interior Finishes
Using Table 803.9, the following interior finishes are required. This should be used as a
guideline for all future renovations at the Ford Amphitheater.
In Sprinklered areas,
Interior exit stairways, interior exit ramps and exit passageways = Class B
Corridors and enclosure for exit access stairways and exit access ramps = Class B
Rooms & Enclosed Spaces = Class C
In Non-Sprinklered areas,
Interior exit stairways, interior exit ramps and exit passageways = A
Corridors and enclosure for exit access stairways and exit access ramps = A
Rooms & Enclosed Spaces = C
Fire Protection System
The Ticketing/Box Office Building (Stage Left) is partially sprinklered. The Stage Left Building,
Orchestra Pit and Dressing Room areas are fully sprinklered.
Section 903.2.1 dictates which Assembly occupancies require sprinkler coverage:
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March 12, 2014 Page 3
“903.2.1 Group A. An automatic sprinkler system shall be provided throughout buildings and
portions thereof used as Group A occupancies as provided in this section…. For Group A-5
occupancies, the automatic sprinkler system shall be provided in the spaces indicated in Section
903.2.1.5.
Section 903.2.1.5 Group A-5. An automatic sprinkler system shall be provided for Group A-5
occupancies in the following areas: concession stands, retail areas, press boxes and other
accessory use areas in excess of 1,000 square feet.”
Any future renovations to the buildings located at Ford Amphitheater will be subject to an
allowable area analysis in accordance with the applicable version of the International Building
Code to determine if sprinkler protection is required.
The seating areas do not require sprinklers per Section 903.2.1.5 above. Further, because of the
open air construction in the seating areas, sprinklers would not be effective. The open air
construction will not allow heat to be trapped, thus not allowing the sprinkler heads to reach
their activation temperature.
Fire Extinguishers
Portable fire extinguishers shall be provided in the buildings of the complex in accordance with
Section 906. As noted below, travel distances for fire extinguishers do not apply to the outdoor
seating areas. Care should be taken to ensure fire extinguishers are provided in the Concession,
Ticketing, Stage Left Prop and Dressing areas of the facility.
“906.2 General requirements. Portable fire extinguishers shall be selected and installed in
accordance with this section and NFPA 10. Exceptions: 1. The travel distance to reach an
extinguisher shall not apply to the spectator seating portions of Group A-5 occupancies.”
Fire Alarm System
The existing fire alarm system provides smoke and heat detection in the Stage Left and
Ticketing Building and also monitors the sprinkler system. This system shall continue to be
maintained and well serviced. Future renovations or additions will require the fire alarm
system to continue to meet requirements of Vail Fire & Emergency Services.
Egress
Although both the lawn and fixed seating are open to the outdoors, because fencing, gates and
rock walls restrict free egress, it is important to ensure that adequate egress width is provided
to patrons.
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March 12, 2014 Page 4
Occupant loads have been calculated by the Architect and can found on the attached site plan.
The required egress width is dictated by Section 1005.3.2, “The capacity, in inches, of means of
egress components other than stairways shall be calculated by multiplying the occupant load
served by such component by a means of egress capacity factor of 0.2 inch per occupant.”
This requirement is intended for interior egress from interior spaces but is a base value
established by the IBC.
The exterior lawn seating meets the definition of Smoke Protected Assembly Seating as noted
by the IBC - “Seating served by means of egress that is not subject to smoke accumulation
within or under a structure”. There are no combustible seats or other items to create a fire
load in this space. Because there is no covering to the lawn seats, smoke will be unable to
collect in the seating area. The exception in Section 1028.6.3 allows for an egress width of .08
inches per person which will be used for calculating egress width for the lawn seating.
Looking at occupant loads for the facility, the Ford Amphitheater has the capacity to seat 1800
people on the lawn and 1262 people in the fixed seating. It is unlikely that the lawn capacity
will be achieved due to limits on ticket sales, but for analysis purposes, a worst case scenario is
imagined.
The following occupant loads are assigned to the Ford Amphitheater. Unless otherwise noted,
these loads have been calculated based on area use and square footage.
Area Occupant Load Egress Width Factor Used
Lawn Seating 1800 persons .08” per person
Fixed Seating 1262 persons .2” per person
Stage 214 persons .2” per person
Basement (Dressing, Props) 182 persons Accessory use, not included
Ticketing/Box Office Building 56 persons Separate egress, not included
Stage Right Building 14 persons Separate egress, not included
Concession Building 1 12 persons .2” per person
Concession Building 2 10 persons .2” per person
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March 12, 2014 Page 5
In consideration of the egress analysis, it is worth noting that some of the areas above are
accessory use areas and need not be included in the egress analysis. The Stage Left and Stage
Right Building have separate staff paths of egress and are removed from this calculation. The
182 person load in the basement is accessory to the load of the stage and is thus also removed.
For analysis purposes, the two seating areas, the stage and the two concession buildings are
being considered.
Egress Calculations:
Egress width required (lawn seating) = 1800 persons x .08”/person = 144” = 12’ of egress width.
Egress width required (fixed seating, stage, concession buildings) = 1498 persons x .2”/person =
300” = 25’ of egress width.
The two main gates provide 18’ and 12’ of egress width respectively. Two new gates at 6’ width
each are proposed on the rear side of the lawn seating for a total of 12’ of new egress. The new
and existing egress will provide a total of 42’ of egress width which exceeds the requirements
based on the calcualtions.
The two new gates will be installed at the rear of the lawn seating, providing the primary path
of egress for those patrons. These gates would open to a public way, a paved path serving the
adjacent sports field at Ford Park. Details of these egress gates will be proposed under
separate cover. As security is a concern for the facility, it is likely these gates would be
controlled electrically.
Egress signage could be improved at the facility. The new gates as well as the two main exits on
either side of the seating areas will need to be well marked. Because of the rugged nature of
the facility, non-backlit signs may be allowed. As security of the facility is a consideration, the
gates may be electronically controlled provided that panic hardware is available to allow
patrons to exit in the event of an emergency.
Note that as part of the most recent project, the existing egress gates have been modified to
swing into the direction of egress, improving people movement from the amphitheater.
Refer to the attached site plan for proposed egress locations.
Summary
The Ford Amphitheater is an existing structure that continues to undergo improvements. In
general, life safety systems are provided and well maintained. Most buildings at the complex
are sprinklered and fire alarm is provided. Egress requires improvement as recommended by
this report.
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