IN CASE OF FIRE.

Evening Post, Volume LXXXII, Issue 26, 31 July 1911, Page 8

IN CASE OF FIRE.

PUBMG BUILDINGS AT LOWER HUTT. , INSPECTOR HUGO SUGGESTS IMPROVEMENTS. Arising out of a reporc made by the Fire Brigade tothe Lower Hutt Borough Council some time ago, relative to the fire escapes in certain of the public buildings ill the borough, the council decided to obtain a report from Mr, Hugo, Inspector of Fire Brigades. The report came to hand some time ago, and ha* already, been dismissed (in committee) , by councillors. The report has been treated ih strict confidence, but through efforts made by , Councillor J. T, Hawthorn, who is tf\« proprietor of King George Theatre, it is now available for publication. It deals Very fully with the question, and. as will be Seen, several improvements are suggested. Each building is separately dealt with. • KING GEORGE THEATRE. ' The full report ofl this building is as follows .--■" Licensed to seat 1300 people all on ground floor, with the exception of a narrow balcony, built against the east wall with a seating capacity' for' about forty people/ Building constructed solely of Concrete iron, and steel ( with the exception of the stage, stage fittings, and dresfliflg-rooms below. I note no movable louvres or skylights are pi-»-vided in the roof of the stage section. >Exit from auditorium is provided for by fiieanfi of three double doors, each Bft wide, opening outwards, and fitted with panic 'bolta.- Total exit capacity 24ft, All three doors are on the west side and lead into a right-of-way 10ft 6in wide, but the middle ,door of the three is opposite the , arcade leading into Main streefe,. ,Ac obtains at present the external provision for enabling a large audience to get clear away promptly from tlte proximity of. the theatre in oae« iof a fire or panic, is unsuitable, and^ the aggregate exit capacity insufficient, There is another objectionable 4 feature owing to all the exits- being on the one side of the hall. . . . Should a. panic occur the whole audience of 1300- people would be rushing in the one direction, and I am of opinion that to establish reasonable, safe conditions of exit, two more doora should be provided, not less than 7ft in width, placed in the wall on the east side of the building. '. ALICETOWN BUILDINGS. Congregational Church.— Several im> proventents to the exits are suggested to this building at Alicetown, and the exit capacity would then be sufficient. prill Hall.— ln the case of this hall Jbeing used' for ordinary .public purposes, such as Concerts and public meet*ingsy the inspector is of opinion that all 'the present exits should be made available, failing this, other and adequate exits should be provided. ' Attention is directed to the danger of a fire break' ing out' the West end of the hall used as a workshop and storerooms for skates. "Upon the occasion of my visit there was a quantity, of oil and greasy rag, old clothes", oil tins, full and empty, lying about the floor. This is dangerous, and the lessee should be required to keep the place in order." OTHER HALLS AND' CHURCHES, St. James's Hall.— The exit ofi , tho south-east corner-. in awkwardly situated, and Would be dangerous, particularly in a ru«,h. It is suggested that' an exit, 2ft 6in wide, should be placed on the cast wall, near the back end of th'« auditorium. St. James's Parish Schoolroom.— The exit capacity here ,is sufficient, but doors require altering to open outWard?. St. Jame«'« Chttfch.— All exernal Hoots open inwards, and this requires altering. Catholic Church.— Exit capacity ample. Wesleyan Church.— The earn© rematfk apgliea to thid building. Wesleyan OhtUch Sunday School.-- < "It is, says tne report, "a danger6us proceeding to 1 license this building to seat 170 people., provided* as it is. with only one smail door, and that opau' ing inwards," l£nox Church.— Doore require altering to open outward. The exits at tho schoolroom' and claesioom are apparently sufficient. 'Gospel Hall.— Exits fcoihis building are ample. W.C.T.U. Hall (Queen'^road).— lt is evident that the exit requires impYoving. The concluding paragraph in the r«» port is as follows s— Although only requested to report on the question of exits, I Would' point out ihat, with one exception (m the Kitchesi of &t. James's Hall), no provision has been made in any of the buildings under review for coping with an outbreak of fire." It is understood that, owing to the fa>ct that only half the councillors were present when tile report was discussed, th© matter will again* be brought up at' next meeting.