Kinematograph year book (1944)

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Film Exhibition and Kinema Technique. 201 In some areas restrictions have been tightened up. There has been insistence that the stand-by programme should be kept in a container with a hinged lid, padlocked to prevent risk of fire, also that draperies which had not been treated within the past three years should be fireproof ed. It may be considered that modern theatre construction reduces the fire risk to the minimum, but on the other hand there have occurred several recent instances which go to prove that the hazard, always present under normal circumstances, is considerably increased under war conditions. The fact that so few kinema casualties are directly traceable to fire is due to the insistence of local authorities upon the retention of an adequately trained staff and, also, to the willing co-operation of theatre managements with the local N.F.S. executives. Naturally, in these days of manpower shortage, difficulties are experienced, and in Manchester, where the point has arisen, it was suggested that the position of kinemas and their responsibilities should be explained to the authorities and especially their responsibility for complying with the terms and conditions of their licences. Under present conditions it was contended, 100 per cent, efficiency could not be maintained. This difficulty in conforming with both the management and fire regulations is not peculiar to the provinces. It has occurred in the London area, where theatre firemen are required to be ex-members of the official fire-fighting services, but as there have been no official complaints made during the year it may be considered that the exhibitors' dispositions in this respect are satisfactory. Recent intensification of air raids has lent point to the strictest observance of the regulations, which is all to the good, for in the end there is little difference between a fire caused by enemy action and any other. For many years the Pyrene Co., Ltd., has given special consideration to the fire protection requirements of houses of entertainment, and their service, comprising the most complete range of equipment, covers every conceivable form of fire hazard. Those responsible for kinema fire protection will be able to obtain full information on any point that arises. Pyrene extinguishers, the liquid of which is a non-conductor, are designed for the treatment of electrical fires ; the Conquest range of soda-acid extinguishers provide the most suitable protection for general fire risks — -wood, furnishings, upholstery, curtains, etc., and there are also soda-foam extinguishers, which are specified in some areas for rewind, projection and other plant rooms. Previously, when oil was available as a boiler fuel, the soda-foam type was installed in or near the boiler room. In addition to this range of extinguishers the firm supplies hose, nozzles and other forms of equipment, for the usual protection of the building. The importance of an automatic and foolproof projector equipment has long been recognised by exhibitors, and there are many installations of the Pyrene automatic fire extinguisher which employs carbon dioxide (C02). The Hire Maintenance Service undertaken by the Pyrene Co., Ltd., covers the supply of hand fire extinguishers, inspection twice annually, supply of spare parts, repainting and finally replacement where necessary, all within a yearly maintenance fee. Alternatively, for an economical inclusive annual fee the exhibitor can have his existing hand fire extinguishers examined, recharged and expertly serviced one or more times a year as required. Certificates are issued after each visit to meet local requirements where such exist. CARE OF FILM PRINTS WERE statistics available as to the cost to the Industry, and consequently to the country, of the bad condition of film prints, the figures would reveal the situation in all its seriousness. The incompetence and carelessness of exhibiting, renting and transport staffs are all concerned in the perpetuation of the trade's " Squander bug No. 1," and all the talk and good resolutions made during the past year have literally only scratched the surface. Although bad condition and mutilation of film copies has been the subject of long years of campaigning by the Ideal Kinema no concerted action was made by the Trade to eradicate the menace until it was forced by the adoption