IN CASE OF FIRE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLV, Issue 13722, 11 April 1908, Page 4

IN CASE OF FIRE.

SAFETY OP THEATRES AND HALLS* The Dunedin City Council Fire Board are . considering a number of .propositi by-laws for the safety of theatres, public halls, music halls, and other buildings used for any public meeting, expositions, performance - or ; , public amusements, and having a seating accommodation for more than 500 per None. Licensees of new theatres must cause th« stage to bo separated from iho auditorium by two iron curtains, operated by hydraulic power. Every theatre . must be provided '* with an op>'n pipe-sprinkler apparatus or water curtain, for the protection of th« fire curtain. Apparatus is required for raising and lowering the fire curtains, for operating the curtain sprinklers, and forthe automatic fire alarms and fire signal- ' - ling;, all of which are to bo under the • charge of a special officer. The fire curtain must he raised ajnd lowered by elec- . tricity or other motive power, and a* a further safeguard there must be a hand v apparatus for raising ,ajid lowering the M.me. ~ The licensee of any theatre is called on ;; to provide a system of automatic sprinklers ; covering the entire area, of* the stage, this system to have two independent sources of ■ water supply. If there is only one street "; main available, provision must be made for v the storage of a huge reserve volume of water. This sprinkler, in addition to being worked from the stage, must be impable of being operated from a safe place -/■ outside the stage. An important provision is that which states that the exit- ; : ways from the auditorium to the outside of the building must be so constructed that they become wider as they get nearer to the exit doors. Stairs which are wider than required for two persons walking fid* by side are to be provided with a. centre rail. Alter an entertainment all side exits are to be thrown open to the public No so-called " safety" exits are to be provided in a theatre, ""The licensee of any theatre shall cause the stairs leading to*the exit to be straight." Ibe publics tan leave the ■ premises at the end oi the performance by :- ail exit and entrance doors, which must i open outwards. There are other require- ? 1 ments of a minor nature, such as toe pro- •; > viding of hatchets, hooks, and ladders, for ' ■ pulling down hanging' scenery in case of ! ' lire; the guarding of gas burners; a impply of buckets filled with water, etc. Every > fare-resisting .screen or: curtain fitted in the y ; proscenium opening must "be worked once ■' at least during every performance in the ■ presence of the audience, so as to ensure the arrangement being in proper order. All hangings, curtains, and draperies are to be rendered non-inflammable. Notice t must be given to the Dunediu Fire Board > of any. cinematograph entertainment to en- " able the Board's officers to make arrange--1 meats before the entertainment commences ' for the safety of the audience and for pre- • yention against fire. Conditions are also ■ imposed for the safe working of any cinematograph, biograph, or magic lantern. ■ There are provisions against overcrowding, and any person offending against this or ; any other by-law is liable to a penalty not exceeding £20, or, where any breach is ot a • continuing nature, the penalty may beany ■ sum not exceeding £5 a day.'