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Special Effects & Permitting

The Calderwood Pavilion Is equipped with a state of the art fire and smoke detection system, so some special effects need permitting and coordination before being put Into production. Please use these guidelines and feel free to ask questions to the Theatre Operations Team. The Boston Fire Deaprtment is one of the strictest in the world when it comes to theatre safety, and for good reason given the history we have had here. Please reach out with any questions to the Operations Team.

Fire Department Permitting Process for Theatre Drapes (backdrops, etc.)

If you are hanging theatre draperies or any fabric that would be considered part of the set (muslin, curtains, painted fabric) the fabric must go to the Boston Fire Department for testing before it can be installed in any of our spaces. Please connect with the Operations Supervisor to determine the needs of your production. The Boston Fire Department will conduct Classification Fire Test BFD IX-1 which is outlined here. If there is any doubt as to whether or not your good will pass inspection, we recommend conducting this test independently before submitting your materials to BFD. A video of one of our in-house tests here at The Huntington is here.

At the bottom of this page is a step by step guide on how to apply for testing for a fabric sample or in a separate window by clicking here. This was reviewed in August 2026 and is subject to change based on BFD's policies and procedures.

If you require a special effects permit, it has to come from the venue and not from the renting company. Please communicate with the Theatre Operations Team on submission.

Workflow here for hanging fabrics / drapery is below. The Theatre Operations team at the Calderwood can complete this workflow for you with advance coordination.

You'll need to create an account with the fire department, their portal is here

https://onlinepermitsandlicenses.boston.gov/BFD/Views/Login.aspx?ReturnUrl=%2fbfd%2f

After that, on the end screen it will provide you with a permit number. Write the permit number on something and attach it to the sample. Then drop it off for testing. You're going to 1010 Mass Ave, 4th floor to the Fire Prevention department. Out of the elevator around the corner to your right. There will be a window to drop off for the chemist and all other things fire prevention. You have 10 days to submit the sample after completing the online forms.

Characteristics of the sample:

Must be at least 12" x 12"
Should be from the actual yardage of the drop/curtain.

You'll get a result via the portal and pay via the portal.

Please send in the completed permit when you have it, or if it was denied and for what reason.

Please note that this process can take up to one month to complete as the fire department is usually quite slow to turn these around. They have been known to prioritize things when you ask nicely when the submission is dropped off, but only if the permit application start date is in the very near future. We recommend dropping off samples 28 days in advance of when they need to be hung.

This permit will certify that the good to be hung in the venue meets the burn rate requirements of BFD.

Atmospherics - Haze

For the first 18 years of the history of the Calderwood, we did not permit atmospheric effects of any kind In the building. After we started branching out with our testing, we found that there are certain products that do not Interfere with the alarm & smoke detection system.

Things we tested for:

Quantity
Duration
Thickness
Air seal leaks

Due to the nature of the system, only tested and approved haze machines are permitted to be used in the Wimberly.

In June of 2026, after extensive testing, we determined that haze is possible in the Roberts Studio Theatre with the presence of a fire detail. A uniformed officer from the Boston Fire Department must be present whenever the effect is running, and the smoke alarms in the Roberts must be deactivated temporarily. A member of the Calderwood Staff must be on-site with the prodcution at all times when the smoke alarms are disabled / fire personnel are present. BFD operates on 4hr minimums and are around $85/hr for this service (prices set by BDF, subject to change). Reservations for fire details and permitting for haze machine usage in the Roberts must be completed through the Calderwood Operations Team to ensure accuracy. With fire alarms temporarily disabled, any haze or smoke machine is acceptable to use in the venue.

Permitted equipment that does not require additional testing before use in the Wimberly:

MDG Atmosphere APS
- - This product uses CO2 as well as a fluid mixture of glycol and water.
  - We recommend sourcing CO2 tanks from Tolman Manufacturing In Dorchester, but there are numerous vendors In the area that can provide these tanks. They are very easy to get to from the Calderwood Pavilion, but they also deliver for a $200 fee.
  - This machine Is permitted to run at full capacity for 30 seconds followed by 2 minutes off, then can run again (or any shorter duration cycle). This limitation comes from air seal leaks into the condo tower adjacent to us to not fill their service hallways with haze and cause panic. This duration provides a sustained thick haze.
  - High Output and 4Wall Entertainment rent this product locally along with CO2 hoses and regulators.
  - This product is DMX controllable
  - AEA member actors should stay 8 feet away from this device when it is active.
Look Solutions Tiny FX
- - This is a very small device intended to be built into / hidden in costume pieces, props, or scenery.
  - This product uses a fluid mixture specifically developed for the product and Is made from glycol and water.
  - There are no runtime limitations with this product In the Wimberly.
  - This product is DMX controllable using a wireless relay.

If there is a specific effect that you are seeking, please reach out so that we can discuss and find an option that works! We can perform further testing in the space for a fee paid to our fire alarm company to be on-site and temporarily shut off the monitoring system.

All special effects including atmospherics must be approved and permitted by the Boston Fire Department no less than 2 weeks in advance of first audience. Venue must submit permit application, not renting company, please coordinate with Theatre Operations Team before moving forward with any special effects.

Atmospherics - Fog

Fog machines are not permitted at the Calderwood unless the fire alarm system has been disabled and a BFD detail is on-site. Please refer to the haze section on how to approach a fire alarm zone out.

Smoking On Stage

Actors using theatrical cigarettes is possible on our stages at the Calderwood.

Cigarettes must be herbal or electronic, and a detailed plan of Implementation. Lighters must be self-extinguishing (like a Bic lighter, but NOT a Zippo lighter). Matches have been approved under certain circumstances. Please see an example of a submission here.

Coordination with the Theatre Operations Team is required to Implement on-stage smoking. Please reach out to discuss details.

Candles and Live Flame

The use of candles and other live flame in the theatre spaces is possible with coordination with the Boston Fire Department. Please reach out to the Theatre Operations Team no less than 6 weeks (or as soon as possible) before load-in with requests for live flame effects. Typically a BFD fire watch is required for these effects, which will incur additional fees. BFD has previously approved small flame effects in the venues without the need for a detail, it all depends on what the goals are. BFD will often request a demonstration of the effect before signing off on the permit without having a fire detial, so plan to work that in to your first day of tech so adjustments can be made if required.

A special effects permit must be submitted in advance by a member of the Huntington Staff as a representative of the facility. They will be looking for the information outline in this document as an example:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1WK0QIycWeYd7RtCRx45JYt8c3J8l5UfI/view

Prop Firearms

Prop firearms that fire must have their barrels blocked. Prop firearms must be stored in locked storage, there are lockers for this purpose in the green rooms of both theatres - please plan to supply a lock for it.

All prop firearms must be inspected by Theatre Operations Team before being triggered.

Any special effect not expressly prohibited are not necessarily permitted. Please seed approval from the Theatre Operations Team.

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