Kinematograph year book (1944)

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Digest of Acts. 121 HOME OFFICE SAFETY PRECAUTIONS. Safety measures for the protection of audiences in kinemas, theatres and other places of entertainment in time of war have been drawn up by the Home Office with the object of securing that, so far as possible, uniform requirements are imposed throughout the country. Owners and managers if they have not already taken steps to comply with the requirements will be expected to do so within a reasonable time. GLASS SHATTER The protective measures suggested for theatres and kinemas are as follows : — 1. — In the case of skylights, lantern lights and laylights either — (a) the glazing should be removed and replaced by non-splintering material, or the openings thereby made covered by a light weather-proof roofing ; or (b) the glazing should be guarded on the underside with small -mesh wire netting or expanded metal so arranged as to intercept broken glass, and in addition the glazing, if not wired glazing, should be covered with stout cardboard or paper or its equivalent, pasted direct to the glazing, or otherwise rendered less liable to fragmentation to the satisfaction of the licensing authority. 2. — All large windows to foyer and vestibules, and glass doors to the street should be protected. (N.B. — It is not considered necessary to require that the vestibule entrance to the street shall be protected by sandbags.) 3. — Chandeliers and other heavy glass fittings should be removed if possible or else protected in such a way that no broken glass or splinters can strike any member of the audience. 4. — Shelter should be provided for the staff and performers. VENTILATION AND LIGHTING 5. — Ventilation plant should be closed down on a gas alarm or any evidence of smoke. 6. — Refrigerating plant (other than ice-cream refrigerators) using a toxic or inflammable refrigerant should not be used and the refrigerant should be removed. 7. — The licensing authority's usual standard of lighting of internal exit -ways and staircase should be maintained, windows being screened so as to prevent the light being visible from outside. 8. — All external exit passageways should be indicated by white directional arrows, which, during the hours of darkness, should be illuminated so as to be visible to persons using the passageways. Secondary lighting should be retained for this purpose where required by the licensing authority, but the light displayed must be dimmed to the minimum required to show the position and direction of the arrow, and so screened that no light is displayed from above. FIRE GUARDIANS 9. — There should be a qualified fireman or a man specially nominated in writing by the management to take charge of fire appliances. He need not necessarily be employed exclusively on fire protection duties, but he must not during a performance be given other work which would take him away from the building or otherwise prevent him from being immediately available in case of danger or alarm of fire. When any performance is taking place which requires the use of scenery or costumes, the man above mentioned shall remain within the stage risk. This man shall have been adequately instructed in the use of all fire appliances contained in the building. Attendants and other employees should be properly instructed in the use of the fire appliances provided. This training may be undertaken by the man specially employed to be in charge of fire appliances. FIRST AID AND AUDIENCE CONTROL 10. — The whole staff should also receive training in first aid and anti-gas precautions, and the local authority should, if necessary, be asked to make special arrangements for training at times when the staff is able to attend. The expenses of such training will be met by the owner. 11. — The arrangements for the control of the audiences in the event of an emergency are the responsibility of the management of the kinema. 12. — Standing should not be allowed in the gangways. 13. — No objection should be taken to the admission of children unaccompanied by adults, but the kinema industry should be asked not to hold special children's matinees in evacuating areas. AIR RAID LISTENERS 14. — During performances a member of the staff should be constantly stationed at a point from which he can hear the public warning signals. When a warning is received the audience should be informed verbally by the manager or some other responsible person from the stage, where he can be seen by the audience. It should be made clear to the audience that the warning does not necessarily mean that a raid will take place, and that in any case it is not likely to occur for at least five minutes. The advice to be given to the audience in the event of an air raid warning should be arranged in consultation with the police. It is considered that as a general rule the advice should be to recommend them to remain in the building, but it should at the same time be made clear that anyone who desires to leave is free to do so. The entertainment should, if possible, be continued.