Kinematograph year book (1944)

214 The Kinematogtaph Year Book. rate irrespective of variation in lamp load, supply voltage, or condition of the battery. It also affords " lump " charge at a constant rate after heavy discharge and eliminates contactors between the battery and lights, and increases the life of the battery indefinitely. HewittiC Electric Co., Ltd.— Hewittic battery charging rectifiers have been developed during the past year in new, compact and easily installed types. The equipment is the most modern installation for emergency lighting, charging of batteries and all services where direct current is required for an A.C. supply. AIR CONDITIONING. Drastic economies in the use of fuel has presented the main difficulty to exhibitors possessing a modern ventilation plant, and even the small exhibitor who relies upon radiators to supplement his simple inlet and exhaust roof fans has been unable to turn on the heat at as early a period of the year to which he had been accustomed. On the whole, however, thanks largely to the mildness of the autumn and winter, patrons have had little reason to complain of the lack of the heating component of air conditioning plant. Considering the huge increase in patronage during the war years it is to the credit of the ventilation specialists. There have been so few criticisms of the healthiness of the kinerna as a place of popular resort. In the past some local regulations dealing with this matter may have been regarded as unnecessary and irritating, but current circumstances have proved the general soundness of their theory. The important effect of fuel restrictions was the banning, in September, of oil as a heating medium. Efforts made by the I.C.E.A. to obtain concessions in hard cases were unsuccessful. The Ministry of Fuel suggested that coke, of which there was a good quantity all over the country (thus reducing transport) might be used, or gas where no facilities for storage of coke existed. In addition to the storage problem exhibitors were faced with the difficulty of converting present heating plant to use coke or gas, and also of the extra man-power needed where coke was used. Another point raised was whether in connection with taxation, the expense of conversion would be chargeable against revenue and E.P.T. Various health authorities have displayed concern at the possibility of airborne infection among kinema audiences. The subject was brought up in Parliament by a member who suggested a short daily closing of theatres to permit of more effective ventilation ; the Minister of Health, however, inferred a tribute to the air conditioning arrangements of our kinemas when he rejected the request on the ground that adequate continuous ventilation was more effective than ventilation between sessions as a practical method of reducing the spread of infection. When an epidemic of scabies occurred at Bootle exhibitors were asked to exclude children during school hours, but on it being pointed out that restrictive powers lay with the Ministry of Health, the education authority decided to place upon parents the responsibility of keeping children excused from school attendance away from kinemas. At the same time exhibitors in their own interest regularly disinfect their kinemas as an additional safeguard, even where a modern plenum installation is functioning efficiently. There are difficulties in disinfection of large places of entertainment by means of aerosols, but there are a number of germicide preparations upon the market which it is claimed afford a safe protection against infection when used in medium-size establishments. One very popular brand is the Liptozol germicide essence. Another efficient development in this field are the Germstroyd products which are still available in bulk to exhibitors. In addition to spraying essences and disinfectant fluids the company has done a great deal to further the development of air-conditioning in this country with the introduction of an electric portable Humidifier, which combines high efficiency with a current consumption costing only M. for 83 hours of continuous service.