The complex pyrotechnic effects used in modern productions such as smoke generators, haze machines, ‘explosions’ and fire itself can make theatres especially prone to false alarms and lead to audiences being evacuated without cause.
The Exeter University Northcott Theatre has had a Kentec fire alarm and voice evacuation system installed to overcome the problem.
At the heart of the system, specified by Alarmtec Ltd as part of a major refurbishment, is a four-loop synchro fire panel from Kentec.
This is supported by a 72-hour standby with two display-only repeater panels.
Detectors are from Hochiki with Vesda air sample detection.
The air sampling system has a key-operated disablement time control unit used when theatrical effects are needed.
During that time the system sounds a discreet alarm that the audience cannot hear but gives the theatre an investigation period to discover the cause.
Theatre technical staff can access the system from their bay with discretion to re-initiate it after the use of special effects.
Two fire service microphones with message control are installed at the public entrances to allow them to make live direct announcements in the event of an emergency.