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STORAGE AND HANDLING OF MOTION PICTURE FILM*
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E. W. FOWLER** AND L. B. NEWELLf
Summary. — Several serious fires in film exchanges early indicated the need of careful attention to methods of storing and handling motion picture film. Many tests were made to determine proper methods of storage. ' Film requires special consideration in storage and handling because of its low ignition temperature, rapidity of combustion, and capability of decomposing with little air, evolving poisonous, inflammable gases. Fundamental safety precautions include: elimination of means of starting fires, adequate provision for control of fire, minimizing quantity of film subject to one fire, and ample means of exit. More important provisions of Regulations of the National Board of Fire Underwriters, based on above considerations, are discussed.
As against the relatively few serious fires involving motion picture film of recent years, the considerable number and frequency of such fires in the earlier days of the motion picture industry present a vivid contrast. In spite of the extremely rapid developments in this industry, with vast changes in methods, past experiences in the storage and handling of motion picture film have proved to be very valuable lessons, expensive as many of them were.
The often-mentioned Ferguson Building fire which occurred in a film exchange in Pittsburgh on the morning of September 7, 1909, was one of the early lessons in the high potential hazard of motion picture film. It was this severe fire and explosion, injuring approximately 30 persons, which brought about the development of the necessary precautions for safely storing and handling film. The Fire Underwriters, being anxious to obtain a scientific report of this explosion, were fortunate in obtaining the United States Geological Survey to make a thorough investigation.
It was upon the basis of the experience gained and investigations made of this fire that the National Board of Fire Underwriters in 1910 first issued regulations for the storage and handling of nitrocellulose film. Later fires indicated the need of a more extensive .investigation of proper methods of film storage, and about 1915 a long
* Presented at the Spring, 1931, Meeting at Hollywood, Calif. ** National Board of Fire Underwriters, New York, N. Y. t New York Fire Insurance Rating Organization, New York, N. Y.
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