FIRE EXITS AT HUTT.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1194, 1 August 1911, Page 2

FIRE EXITS AT HUTT.

6 Arising out of a report made by the Firo Brigado to the Lower Hurt Borough Council somo time ago, relative to the firo escapes in certain of tho public buildings in tho borough, tho conncil decided to obtain a report from Mr. Hugo, Inspector of Fire Brigades. King George Theatre. The report on tho King George Theatre states: "Licensed to seat 1300 people all on ground floor, with tho exception of a narrow balcony built against tho cast wall with a seating capacity for about forty people. . . . As obtains at present, tho external provision for enabling a large audienco to get clear away promptly from the proximity of the theatre- in case of a fire or panic, is unsuitable, and tho aggregate exit capacity insufficient. There is another objectionable feature owing to all the exits being on the oue side of tho hall. . . . Should a panic occur the whole audienco of 14,00 people would be rushing in the one direction, and I am of opinion that to establish reasonable, safe conditions of exit, two more doors should be provided, hot less than 7ft. in width, placed in tho wall on the east side of tho building." Other Buildings. Congregational Church.—Several improvements to the exits are suggested to this building at Alicetown. and the exit capacity would then be sufficient. Drill Hall.—ln the case of this hall be-, ing used for ordinary public purposes, such as concerts and public meetings, tho inspector is of opinion that all the present exits should be made available. Failing this, other and adequate exits should bo provided. St. James's Hall.—Tho exit on the south-east corner is awkwardly situated, and would bo dangerous, particularly in a rush. It is suggested that an exit, 2ft. fiin. wide, should bo placed on Hip east wall, near tho back end of tho auditorium. St. James's Parish Schoolroom.—The exit capacity hero is sufficient, but doors require altering to open outwards. St. James's Church.—All external doors open inwards, and this requires alterintr. Catholic Church.—Kxifc capacity ample. \Vesleyan Church.—The same remark applies to this building. Wosleyan Church Sunday 'School.—"lt is," s.tys the report, "a dangerous proceeding to limi-e this building to seat 170 people, provided, ns it l<, with only i>ne small door, and that opening inwards." Knox Church.-—Doors require altering to open outward. The exits at tho schoolroom and classroom are apparently sumGospel Tlail.— Exits to this building are a '\v.C'.T.r. U.ill (Oueen's Road).-H is evident that tho exit requires improveTlie concluding paragraph in tho report is as follows:—Although only rernicstfrd to report on the question of exits, I would point out that, with one exception (in the kitchen.of St. James's Fnin, no nrnvision ha* been mnde in nny of the buildinns iindcr review for coping with an outbreak of fire. It. is understood that the matter will again be brought up at Best m«tins.