Renovation of the Duisburg City Theater: Safety first!

Renovation of the Duisburg City Theater: Safety first!

Starting today, July 14, 2025, there will be a lot of work in the Duisburg City Theater. A comprehensive renovation program that focuses on safety-related measures will ensure an extensive break in play until mid-October. The urgency of these measures arises from the aim of drastically improving fire safety and the general safety of visitors and employees, such as Radio Duisburg reported.

A central element of the renovation plan is the fire protection renovation of the crown floor above the auditorium. Outdated wooden structures are being replaced by modern steel structures in order to significantly reduce fire loads. Access to the construction site is regulated by scaffolding on Moselstrasse, with tradesmen reaching the crown floor via a special staircase and a construction elevator. Additional security measures include the installation of modern fire detectors and the secure enclosure of the cable systems. The escape and rescue routes are also being put to the test: existing routes are being revised and expanded, while new escape routes are being created to accommodate all large crowds of spectators in an emergency.

Visible changes and new standards

In the first tier, new sanitary facilities will be built that will provide better access to the existing stairs. In addition, a new connection will be created in the parquet area. Temporary solutions from last year will be dismantled and the cloakroom areas will also be comprehensively adapted to the new safety standards.

High standards are particularly important in the theater industry. Installing a mechanical smoke extraction system in the large auditorium is a further step to increase safety. An approximately 2.5 meter high low-smoke area will be set up to protect evacuees from dangerous smoke gas, a measure that is an important issue both in Duisburg and in other theaters. Loud BS Fire Protection In Germany, toxic fire smoke and inadequate evacuation measures remain the main causes of fire accidents.

The look into the future

The technical commissioning of the complete smoke extraction system is scheduled for 2026. In the meantime, the break in performances caused by the renovation will be bridged by the Deutsche Oper am Rhein, which is organizing a replacement program at other locations in Duisburg.

The comprehensive renovation is not only intended to ensure the theater's ability to play until the theater issue in Duisburg has been clarified, but also to set new standards in security technology. In times when modern security systems such as automatic extinguishing systems and fire protection lines are becoming increasingly important, it is clear that historical buildings such as the Duisburg City Theater can also keep up with the necessary requirements. The planned measures are a step in the right direction and show how important the safety of spectators and artists in theaters and opera houses is, as well as of BVFA is highlighted.