I think that was posted before but I can't find it, so i'll ask again...

That was the original thread, yes - thanks.

But a new question - how thick are the styrofoam sheets?  The ones I've looked up seem to be no more than an inch thick.  Also, are the sheets maleable?  Can we curve them around a frame?  And does the frame have to be a full flat surface or will vertical studs suffice?

If you can answer any of these, that would be a great help.

thanks

First a warning.  If you use white styrofoam, be careful of where you place it.  If it gets kicked and part comes off, you get a white spot on your stage.

  


 I'm too scared to use the stuff on stage, the alernatives may take a little longer, but worth the effort.
I can't get rid of the stuff quick enough in any theatre I'm in.
even when it is covered enabiling the it to be contained in a fire retardant over coat.
For the life of me I can't see the reasoning why they akkow it as building materail.
Yes I can - for what more important reason is there - money!
there again look around any house or office it is stuffed with it.
In theatre we go out of our way usualy, to ensure there is no possibilty of fire being started & some even go thru fire drills & the like regularly to know what to do, if & when it might happen.
yet we muck about with a petrol product, which is one fires greatest fuel - Thick or what!
Ut is not the fact it  perpetuates it's own flame. as much as the toxic smoke that does the killing.
I know I'm off again on another tangent!
But I feel we become complacent & reassured thru any risk asessmnets that might be carried out & it is used on heaps of other productions. So it must be alright!
I'm trying to knock anyone & those that use it. It is a great inovative product for stage sets/props & what did we ever do before it came along?
But that's all another story!
there was a bit of a wake up call in 2003, sure it was started with sparks from a pyro effect, handled badly. But if the venue had not used foam to cut down the niose of the rock'nroll bands & head bangers. As an upstage decorative wall covering & yes had adaquate exits. A disaster could have been avioded;-
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Station_nightclub_fire

I'd suggest beyond the victims being trampled in the panic, all would have died from toxic fumes, smoke long before being burnt up.
I think the average bod has only about 90 seconds, when being over taken by smoke, before they peg out completly.
Even with fire retardant used, that all it does, retards the flames, not the smoke.
It's something to consider in stage work at all times.
Invarabily flames/smoke head up ito the cieling & Fly area first. If it is contained within the space, smoke especialy can travel as fast as a speeding bullet, along the cieling seeking areas to escape into the atmosphere.
This is why large exhauste fans on the roof, above the stage these days, are the recomended method used, to suck out the smoke & almost everthing else not screwed down from the stage area.
Fire supression systems, don't stop the smoke, only attempt to control & contain the fire.
Which brought about the advent of the  "fire Curtain' [aka Iron] being used on stage, because of the fire in the Theatre Royal Exeter back in the 1880's.
Remember it only takes a spark?
Alright I'll get off the bike, hadm'gob,  have a cuppa, a smoke & a good lie down!

Dont be afraid to use syrofoam.  It does not have to be burt to work or look nice.  We use two inch thick blue styrofoam isulation sheets 2"x 4'x8'.  After marking out your design on the sheet try using wire brushes to carve out between your blocks.  I created an entire fieldstone barn and may fireplaces and stone walls with this stuff.  You can also buy wire wheels that attach to a drill gun to make the work quicker.  Once carved and painted you get a wonderful faux wall that looks just great and is light enough to be moved easily.  We either attache the sheets to a 2"x2" frame or screw directly onto flats.