Showmen's Trade Review (Oct-Dec 1940)

October 12, 1940 SHOWMEN'S TRADE REVIEW Page 47 Is Your Theatre Insured Under Rated Policies? Standards of Nat'l Board of Fire Underwriters Demanded by Companies SINCE every theatreman carries fire insurance and almost everyone carries liability insurance (as everyone should), any ideas which will cut the cost of these items should be welcome to the theatreman. As you may already know, insurance rates are calculated on the basis of experience both with the insured and with similar risks elsewhere. Certain factors may cause these rates to rise above the minimum, but, unless requested, the basis for rates over the minimum are not given to the insured. Therefore, it is a good idea for you to ask your broker to have your theatre examined by a representative of the National Board of Fire Underwriters. After this inspection, you will be given a report stating either that you are being charged the minimum rate or that your policy has been rated because of a list of violations of the National Board's code, which will be attached. Ninety per cent of all violations for which insurance policies are rated are electrical installations. Certain fuse boxes may be underfused. There is standard in this respect that must be met. Fuses must be of such capacity that they will not blow with a slight load but they must not be so heavy that the wiring might burn rather than the fuse blow. There are standard specifications for the types of switches and the size of the corresponding fuses and also for the weight of the wire running to and from such connections. Violations of this kind are real fire hazards so they should be watched regardless of rated insurance policies. Details of Underwriters' Code You may not know that your stairways are just beyond the width required for two railings instead of one. Or perhaps the stairway is just a few inches wider than the minimum permissible without a center rail. Aisle lights are a requirement for safety and too few of them can cause an increase in the rate. Certain requirements regarding exits must be met, but these are usually taken care of in construction. If they are not, however, sometimes it is possible to remedy them. There are requirements about the number of seats in a row proportioned to the number of exits and the space between them which must also be met. Perhaps these were ignored when your theatre was reseated or simply overlooked. To determine the underwriters' specifications, write to the National Board of Fire Underwriters, 85 John Street, New York City, asking for the building code. This book, which will be sent cheerfully upon request gives the standard building code. In one theatre of which we have knowledge, the insurance rate seemed unduly high to the operator who leased it. He consulted his insurance broker. The company forwarded to the theatre a four page list of electrical violations. This list was shown to an electrician who remedied the defects at a cost considerably less (about one-third less) than the insurance for premium for one year, based on violations so easily remedied. When consulting the building code, it must be remembered that while it is a recommended standard, certain building inspectors in cities or their equivalent acting for the state in smaller communities, will allow certain things not permitted according to the code. While these differences may apparently be insignificant and may in no degree lessen the safety of the premises, the fire insurance and casualty insurance companies adhere to the code strictly in determining insurance rates. However, even then, many slight violations will be permitted without adding to the rates if they are not regarded as serious. To safeguard yourself against having to make extensive changes in your theatre to comply with requirements, it is a good idea to insist that every one who does any repair or construction work have the work passed and approved before you pay the bill. This applies particularly to such things as reseating, new carpets, air conditioning, alterations in exits and entrances, interior or exterior, any new electrical work and any changes in the fire escapes. It is easier to remedy violations at the time of their creation than to wait for months or perhaps years afterward. And while we are on the subject and as a closing note, one more word of caution on your relations with insurance companies. Notify your broker or agent immediately if any damage occurs which might later result in a claim. Also notify them of any changes made in the structure or interior of the building so that it can be properly approved and noted. If changes are made that the company does not know about, in some cases, it is relieved of coverage. Redo Upholstered Heywood Wakefield theatre chair in Madison Square Garden A tougher test of a theatre chair upholstery and a theatre chair is hard to find! REDO on a Heywood chair was chosen for the Garden because of REDO'S long service-record in public seating generally and the theatre industry particularly. For hard service, specify CHASE REDO Upholstery. L. C. CHASE AND COMPANY rlASE 295 FIFTH AVENUE • NEW YORK CITY Branches: BOSTON, DETROIT, CHICAGO, LOS ANGELES Mills at SANFORD, ME., READING, MASS., TROY, N. H. Redo Upholstery