SAFETY IN THEATRES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 19508, 11 December 1926, Page 13

SAFETY IN THEATRES.

THE PREVENTION OF FIRE. dominion precautions. FREQUENT INSPECTIONS MADE. ] FIVE AUTHORITIES ACTIVE. Tho public may be reassured that, as far .as strict regulations, inspection and supervision can do it, the safety of theatres and picture houses is well looked alter, both as regards prevention of fire, and means of extinction and rapid exit, if an accident should happen. There arc five or more public and private authorities and interests, which regularly inspect such buildings, both in building, and regularly while used for theatre and picture houses, or for any public gathering, and make inspection and tests, especially of any electrical equipment and methods of fire prevention and extinction. Before a building is erected, plans have to be approved by the City authority, nnd while building the work is constantly examined. The building must come up to the required standard as regards means of rapid exit at all times, #:id all other requirements must be met. The following bodies regularly make inspections; indeed, one manager, with several Auckland theatres under his control, said that inspectors were almost " a. post ''—five had been in one day to one of bis theatres. The City Council—Every night one' or more inspectors visit each to see that there is no overcrowding or breach of the regulations, or by-laws. Fire Brigade's Interest. The Fire Brigade. —All hoses are regularly taken away and thoroughly tested. Also a fireman, paid by the theatre, is on duty at the theatre during tho performance. At all important points in a theatre there are installed mains and hoses ready for use. The Fire Underwriters' Association.— They have a direct interest in preventing fires, and their inspectors call frequently, and test. the apparatus, and electrical fittings. They make recommendations, and requirements, which must be carried out; for instance new wiring was required in certain theatres recently.

The Auckland Electric-Power Board.— 'Frequently inspections are made of the reliculation and other electric equipment, also tests. The general manager stated that the Board inspects, but does not itself instal, the wiring, etc.; this is douo by private contractors. It is of course, possible .for a careless or dishonest contractor or workman to do faulty work, which may escape even rigid insijcction. On the other hand, if this is discovered retribution is swift, and he will lose his licence, as several wiremen have fouud to their cost. Operators' Boxes % Inspected. The Explosives Department.—lnspections are made and recently new regulations were drawn up, to effect greater safety in theatres. iAII precautions are taken in the theatres themselves. The operator's box in a picture theatre is of concrete, and is fireproof, and must bo built according to strict regulations before a licence in granted. A representative) of the Film Exchanges regularly inspects the machines.

The exits from a theatre must be ample and all doors must be readily accessible. In many theatres there are extra, "panic exits/' doors which only open outwards, and which open on pressure being exerted from inside. Many theatres have exits on to back or side streets, as well as the main exits, enabling the audience to leave tHo building very quickly.

It will thus be seen that tho safety of the public is well looked after, both by public bodies and private interests, and theatre managers aro subject to constant visits from inspectors, and their attendances are not perfunctory. One manager said he thought New Zealand had nothing to learn from Germany, as regards officialdom in this respect. But eternal vigilance is tho only way to attain safety.