Boxoffice (Oct-Dec 1963)

LIGHTNING PROTECTION NEED Continued from preceding page cables. Grounds are then bonded to the base parts of the metal frame. Screens which are 4 feet deep or less can be protected with a single row of terminal points, spaced at 20-foot intervals or less along the center of the screen’s top. If the screen is more than 4 feet deep, it should have two rows of air terminals — one row along each edge. The rods should be mounted as close to the edge as possible — within six inches — unless construction of the screen makes this impossible. Projection buildings should be under the same principles used for other less-than75-foot-high structures. Necessity to protect the projection structure is almost as great as that of protecting the screen itself — rarely does the building fall into the cone of protection offered by the protected screen. Speaker units are unlikely to need lightning protection. Because they are connected to each other and to the projection building only by very small wires which lightning will not follow, each speaker post is a target by itself. And as a target even of a direct stroke, the speaker post would probably ground the lightning stroke directly, without harm to the speaker unit or the occupants of the automobile. HOW TO PROTECT YOUR HOME FROM DAMAGE BY LIGHTNING For homeowners who envision that tall spires with decorative glass balls will detract from modern architectural appearance, here is good news: Protection systems have been available for years which are so inconspicuous it takes a shaip eye to detect them. A concealed system can be integrated into a home’s design and construction. A semi-concealed system can be installed to protect an existing home. The system may be financed under locally determined arrangement by FHA for new construction, or under Title 1 for home improvement — or, of course, by private financing. PERIL IN COUNTRY LIVING Last year’s toll, when major lightning strokes were known to have hit 4,752 homes, with an average loss of $4,075, illustrated that country living has its perils as well as its pleasures. The majority of losses occurred where exposed location teamed up with less efficient or less available fire protection. Suburban or country locations also received the majority of several thousand lesser, unreported cases of lightning damage, and nuisance strikes that damage roofs, gutters, chimneys and, in particular, TV antennas. The pattern of installations each year closely follows the pattern of losses, as families move from the “cone of protection” of tall buildings and objects into unfamiliar exposure. For such families, the Lightning Protection Institute, a non-profit educational organization, offers data and recommendations. Chief among these for homeowners are seven tips: 1. A complete system, installed under Underwriters Laboratories inspection control for materials and engineering, is the only sure protection. Don’t consider a bargain substitute. 2. The best time to install a system on a new home is during construction; but when this is not done, a semi-concealed system can be designed to compliment any structure. 3. Neither TV antennas nor trees will protect your house against lightning; in fact the reverse is often true. TV antennas rarely have sufficient size conductors or deep enough grounds to serve as lightning rods — and even when they do, offer only a single-rod’s protection. Trees are often struck first, and then the bolt skips to the house. 4. Neither metal roofing nor metal siding for homes constitute any kind of lightning protection system, whether or not grounded. The average metal thus used is nowhere near thick enough. 5. Lightning protection installation is not a job for a novice. Every installation should be done by an expert familiar with specialized needs. TAKE CARE IN DEALING 6. Know who you are dealing with when you buy lightning protection. Obtain names of the representative and his firm and check if in doubt. Metal plates carried by associate members of the Lightning Protection Institute make it easy to determine identity. Beware of any highpressure, low-price deal offered. 7. Once installed, lightning protection is almost maintenance-free. But any roofing or exterior repair or maintenance job should be followed by an examination to see that terminal points, conductors and connections are still intact and tight. THEATRE CHAIRS CUSTOM-RENOVATED LIKE NEW! BOUGHT & SOLD * Also flame-proofing of drapes on your premises. * Serving the industry for 30 years. Write, wire or phone — NEVA-BURN PRODUCTS CORP. 262 South St., New York 2, N.Y. YU 2-2700 OUTFIT CLEAN, WHITE YOUR^USHERS oLintex WITH COLLARS AND FRONTS Lintex Collars and Fronts are made from pure white, especially processed paper in linen and pique finishes. Made to be thrown away when soiled, no laundry problem. Collars and Fronts always new, fresh and very economical. Theatre managers all over the world have been outfitting their ushers with Lintex Collars and Fronts for more than thirty years. If you aren't now supplying these essential uniform accessories to your ushers, write today for quotation and samples. GIBSON LEE, INC. successors to Reversible Collar Company 95 Binney Street, Cambridge, Massachusetts CASH DRAWER HS, 5 coin tills, 5 currency compartments Warning bell and disc tumbler lock. Made of Indiana hardwoods. Smooth lacquer interior. Natural lacquer or office gray exterior (specify). Size 18i/4"W x 143/4"L x 4y2" High. ORDER OR WRITE INDIANA CASH DRAWER CO. Cash Drawers 0. Box 236B Shelbyville, Ind. for over 40 years. * glass & sssj T S parkli"8 cUan GLASS CHROME j_ POPCORN r MACHINES SAVE MONEY ON CHANGEABLE LETTERS Use National Masonite Letters Ask Your Theatre Supply Dealer for Prices and Samples NATIONAL DEVICES CO. 3965 Oneida St., Denver, Colo. 56 The MODERN THEATRE SECTION