Talk:Safety curtain

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Also known as tabs, except that tabs may not be fireproof, as safety curtains may not be curtains, but rigid structures.

I disagree - in UK theatre at least, 'Tabs' are the large (generally plush red velvet) curtains at the extreme downstage, traditionally opened and closed to mark the start and end of performances.

Also, I don't have a source to hand to cite but UK safety regulations require the safety curtain to be able to close in 30 seconds, if anyone can find a good source - then it would make a useful addition.

I'm not convinced about the 'widespread' nature of deluge/dfrencer activations though. --RedHillian 06:59, 21 May 2006 (UTC)

You're correct, but "Tabs" are certain sort of curtain. Tab Curtains open by seperating in the center and drawing back leaving decorative folds of material in the upper corners- they make a nice frame but still cover a part of the stage opening. A draw curtain seperates in the center and both halves retract into the wings. A fly curtain is raised vertically and hangs out of sight above the stage. In large theaters a heavy Tab curtain may be drawn back to reveal a lighter Fly or Draw curtain.--Saxophobia 22:13, 10 July 2006 (UTC)

Of course theatre vernacular often offers many different names for a common definition, especially from country to country, but on the subject of smoke pockets in this article I have come to understand that these are in fact the steel or iron channels located just behind the proscenium arch on either side in which the fire curtain drops, their purpose is to prevent the curtain from being knocked or pulled back as well as to prevent smoke and flames from easily escaping around the extreme edges. The well known theatrical rigging company JR Clancy offers an illustration detailing the use of this name for this particular architectural feature on their website.--JackofSpades089 10:28, 15 July 2006 (UTC)

I would agree that there are many different local words used for common equipment in a theater setting. In my experience in the Pacific Rim and Southwest United States the term 'tab' refers to a hardcovered flat that serves in place of a teaser (leg) or a tormentor (border). Tab specifically reflects the hard surface of the piece. Again there seems to be no hard and fast rule of which words are used in a specific region, however the inventory of most theaters is fairly standard. To this end The Backstage Handbook, Paul Carter, published by the Broadway Press, has contributed a great deal to the standardization of terms used in technical aspects in the theater in the United States. georj.