International projectionist (Jan-Dec 1956)

Recent inspections uncovered many violations in New York City. The story is covered here from the point of view of the projectionist. Eliminating Fire Hazards in the Motion Picture Theatre By NORMAN WASSERMAN ALONG with a gay and festive 1955 Christmas season in New York City, bringing thousands of happy holidayers into the stores and restaurants, and especially the theatres, came another note that was not so happy from the N.Y.C. fire department. The sobering note struck by the fire department was a warning to theatres — preceded by a flash inspection — to get rid of all fire violations or get closed down. On Dec. 19th, teams of fire inspectors surprised the busy midtown theatre area by charging from one to four violations to 17 theatres out of 39 they inspected during the day. The surprise inspections continued throughout the following day, but they were less of a surprise, as only two out of 20 theatres in the same area were found to have violations. There was evidence in nearly all of the theatres visited the second day that the inspections were anticipated and potential violations hastily rectified. Lack of Responsibility Commenting on the first day's findings, Fire Commissioner Edward F. Cavanagh, Jr., said they indicated a "disgraceful lack of responsibility on somebody's part for the safety of patrons of the places where violations were found." The clean-up drive continued right through and beyond Christmas, covering a good portion of the city's 400 motion picture houses. Offenders were given 24 hours in which to correct the reported violations, or else be shut down. In view of the fact that offenders were not punished (the fire commissioner promises strict prosecution in the future), it became apparent that the drive was aimed at bringing to light the multiple potential dangers of fire in theatres. The point was made doubly effective by the timing of the inspections, during the holiday season when theatres were jam-packed with patrons. On the other side, theatre owners voiced indignation, proudly claiming SSILiJiJ? One quart carbon tetrachloride fire extinguisher. Carbon tet will not conduct electricity and therefore can be used on electrical fires as well as fires caused by inflammable liquids. The above model is capable of a stream 20 to 30 feet in length. an excellent safety record. The fact is that New York theatres do have an excellent safety record. Not a single member of the paying public has lost his life in a theatre fire during the last forty years. Fires, however, have a tendency to be unmindful of records; it only takes one bit of a blaze to turn any record into ashes. Panic Costs Lives For the record, anyway, estimated figures for the nation arrived at by the National Fire Protection Association show a total of 1,800 fires in theatres, including motion picture theatres, in 1954. Losses amounted to $4,500,000. However, the estimated grand total of fires of all kinds that year was 1,993,300 with $1,016,915,000 losses. The seriousness of fire and potential fire can only truly be measured in terms of human life. It is here that the role of the theatre as regards fire becomes greatly magnified. When you have something like a thousand people, more or less, seated elbow to elbow inside of one dark auditorium, fire can be disastrous. Not only can the fire itself bring destruction, but there is also the danger of panic. As a result of a recent theatre fire in India where safeguards may not have been very thorough (ironically the picture being shown was for the purpose of education), no less than 300 people were either burned or trampled to death. Of course, measures should be taken to prevent all fires everywhere. Yet it is apparent that in places where there are greater concentrations of humanity — namely, public buildings — greater concern should be exercised. It is interesting to note that estimated NFPA figures for 1954 show 5,300 fires in schools and colleges, 4,300 fires in churches, 4,000 in amusement places, while government buildings, hospitals and institutions, and theatres all ranked about the same, approximately 1,800. A word here about the National Board of Fire Underwriters. The NBFU has developed an extremely reliable national code covering every conceivable type of electrical equipment and installation. Based on the findings of the Underwriters' Laboratories, the largest single organization engaged in fire prevention research, the code is used nationally as a safety guide by federal, state and municipal authorities. The majority of insurance companies insist on the UL label for all electrical apparatus in motion picture 12 INTERNATIONAL PROJECTIONIST FEBRUARY 1956