The Floors Working Group, part of ESTA’s ANSI-accredited Technical Standards Program, has announced its first formal standards-drafting project. The project, BSR E1.26, Entertainment Technology—Recommended testing methods and values for shock absorption of floors used in live performance venues, will determine recommended ways of measuring the shock absorption of floors and will give recommended values for various types of live performance activities on the floor.
There is no recognized standard for measuring the energy absorption of theatre stage and rehearsal room floors, which can lead to disagreements about whether floors are too stiff or too flexible and difficulties in resolving these disagreements. Floors that are either can lead to performer injuries or excessive effort in performing dace or gymnastic movements. This project is intended to ameliorate this lack of a recognized standard.
The obvious stakeholders in this project are actors, dancers, theatre owners, theatre consultants, floor specialists, floor manufacturers, rehearsal studio owners, and building contractors. Interested parties are invited to join the Floors Working Group to work on the project or comment on the draft standard when it is available for public review. Information about joining the working group is available by clicking here.
For more information, contact Karl Ruling, technical standards manager, ESTA, at 212-244-1505 or standards@esta.org.