Motion Picture Herald (May-Jun 1939)

May 2 0, 19 3 9 MOTION PICTURE HERALD 31 THEATRES AFFECTED BY CHANCES IN FILM HANDLING UNDER FIRE RULES Larger Projection Rooms Required for New and Remodeled Theatres; Exchanges, Laboratories, Vaults Affected Substantial changes in the regulations governing film buildings and in the general handling, storage and exhibition of regular motion picture (nitrocellulose) film have been made by the National Fire Protection Association, as proposed by its "special committee on hazardous chemicals and explosives," and duly approved last Thursday by the association at its annual meeting in Chicago. New Buildings Affected As the full body was voting changes further to protect the motion picture industry in its own campaign to avoid conflagrations, the City of Chicago itself was battling one of the worst fires in its history, a $4,000,000 grain elevator fire that took nine lives, almost within the shadow of the organization's meeting in the Stevens Hotel. The new regulations for the motion picture industry will principally affect new construction of theatres — some 400 new structures are put up annually. Hereafter they must provide for larger projection rooms. The rules similarly affect all theatre remodeling jobs where the present booth does not conform to the new sizes : eight feet wide by ten feet deep and eight feet high, for one projectionist and 14 feet wide, 10 feet deep and eight feet high for two operators. Standing theatres which are not remodeling are not compelled to enlarge their booths. Apply to Exchanges Also In one way or another the changes apply to the 256 film exchanges of the eight major companies and the 157 independent exchanges, also to the numerous laboratories handling nitrocellulose film, and to the storage vaults of the companies in Hollywood and New York, besides the theatres. In some places local fire or building ordinances require adherence to rules and regulations promulgated by the National Fire Protection Association. In others, exhibitors, distributors and businessmen in other fields usually find it advisable to comply in order to avoid increased fire insurance rates which follow noncompliance. In any case, it was pointed out, the major companies, in exhibition, distribution, laboratories and elsewhere in production, strictly comply with Fire Protection Association's rules and regulations, as recommended by the majors' own film fire-and-safety department, an adjunct of the Motion Picture Producers and Distributors of America and in charge of Arthur S. Dickinson. Comnnit+ee Members Some indication of the nationwide authority behind the National Fire Protection Association's committee in charge of regulating the handling, shipping and exhibition of motion picture films, can be gleaned from its membership : L. F. Adams, National Electrical Manufacturers Association; A. L. Armstrong, Eastman Kodak Company's department on fire film hazards ; C. P. Beistle, Bureau of Explosives, Association of American Railroads ; George W. Booth, National Board of Fire Underwriters ; L. K. Davis, Factory Insurance Association ; Lawrence Daw, New York Fire Insurance Rating Organization ; Arthur S. Dickinson, SH! ITS CASE OF HIDDEN IDENTITIES Paramount recently announced "without comment" plans for a picture to be titled "Heil America". Paramount last week further announced that no further announcements would he made about the picture. Said this announcement ending all announcements about the picture: "Identity of the writers who are working on the story was withheld. An effort will be made as well to shield the identity of the director, and members of the cast." MPPDA; E. E. Elm, Chicago Board of Underwriters; Cecil H. Fisher, Institute of Makers of Explosives ; Bernard Flood ; T. Z. Franklin, Conference of Special Risk Underwriters. Also, A. B. Guise, Associated Factory Mutual Fire Insurance Companies ; William G. Hayne, New York Board of Fire Underwriters ; Charles P. Holmes, Western Actuarial Bureau; Garrett B. James, Western Factory Insurance Association ; Harold A. Knapp, Mutual Fire Inspection Bureau; R. C. Loughead, Michigan Inspection Bureau; H. L. Miner, Manufacturing Chemists' Association; L. B. Newell, New York Fire Insurance Rating Organization ; Marshall Rouse, Pacific Board of Fire Underwriters ; H. S. Smith, Compressed Gas Manufacturers Association, and C. B. White, Chemical Fire Extinguisher Association. Rule Extended The aforementioned membership enacted the new rules and regulations governing motion picture film, voting to extend the rule for approving of plans for buildings to be used for motion picture film occupancy, to include the approval also of plans for installing any projection or screening room, which heretofore was not necessary, previous approval only being necessary for an actual building or remodeling of a building. Projection rooms and other rooms in which film is handled, either in theatres, exchanges or elsewhere, hereafter shall be provided with aisle space not less than 30 inches clear where walking is necessary. Fire appliances, and not the old-style water pails, are to be provided for rooms in which film is stored or handled, except film vaults. Considerable changes are made in the rules and regulations of structures or rooms housing projection machines (projection booths and such) . Provisions are made for the processing, cleaning, polishing and buffing of film, including such processes done in theatres, where they must be confined to a rewind room. Splicing of film in theatres must be made on mechanical cutting and splicing machines. The revisions made last week by the Fire Protection Association are the first since 1936, when amendments were made to the original regulations of 1931. The regulations now stand as follows. Revisions are indicated by italics. INTRODUCTION. 4. Approved of Plans. Before constructing any building for use as a motion picture film occupancy, or remodeling' any building for such occupancy, or building any film vault, or installing any enclosure for motion picture projection, or installing any screening room, complete plans of such proposed construction or installation should be submitted to the inspection department having jurisdiction for approval. These plaas shall show in detail all proposed construction and structural changes and the means of protection to be provided, the heating system with the protection for it, the electrical equipment, and the character and location of exposures. PART I. GENERAL PROVISIONS REGARMNG THE STORAGE AND HANDLING OF MOTION PICTURE FILM. SECTION II.— CONSTRUCTION AND ARRANGEMENT OF BUILDINGS. 112. Partitions, (a) All rooms in which motion picture film is stored or handled, except motion picture projection rooms and film vaults, shall be separated from each other and from all other parts of the building by partitions of suitable stability and having a fire retardant classification of not less than 1 hour as determined by the Standard Fire Test. Partitions constructed as follows shall be deemed to have the required fire retardant classification: 114. Exits. It is essential that all rooms in which film is handled be provided with adequate aisle space and safe means of egress. Aisle space should not be less than 30 inches clear wherever walking is necessary. Rooms in which film is handled and in which more than two persons work shall have two or more exits, remote from each other. Every exit shall be marked "Exit" in letters not less than 6 inches high, or by an illuminated sign with letters of the same height. lis. Vents. All new buildings erected to be used for film occupancy, and all existing buildings remodelled for, such occupancy, except projection rooms {subsection 191), rewind rooms {paragraph 212) and rooms associated therewith {paragraph 2 13 (a) 4), shall be provided in every room where film is stored or handled, with vents that will open automatically in case of fire. These should be of ample size; they may be in the form of automatic skyliglits or automatic-opening window sash. All rooms in which film is stored or handled in existing buildings shall be provided with such vents wherever practicable. SECTION 12.— ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT 122. All electrical wiring and equipment shall conform to the National Electrical Code. The wiring method shall be rigid metal conduit or other approved type of metal raceway. Fuses shall be enclosed. 123. Light fixtures shall be firmly fixed in place, and lights shall be protected by vapor-tight globes. All lights shall be equipped with keyless sockets and operated by wall switches. 125. Portable electric lights on extension cords shall not be used in any room in which film is handled or stored, other than the stage of motion picture studios, except that in emergency such portable lamps may be used if equipped with approved keyless sockets and metal protective lamp guards, and having rubber-covered cords of the Hard Surface (type S) or Junior Hard Surface (type SJ) varieties, with suitable locking plugs. 127. Motion picture projectors and other associated electrical equipment shall be of approved type and safeguarded in accordance with the requirements of the National Electrical Code. SECTION 13.— HEATING EQUIPMENT. 13J. Air conditioning, warm air heating, air cooling and ventilating systems employing ducts shall be installed in accordance with the "Regulations on Air Conditioning, Warm Air Heating, Air Cooling ctnd Ventilating Systems." In addition to the fire dampers required by said regulations, approved automatic fire dampers shall also be located at such points as rnay be necessary so that, as far as the duct system is concerned, each room in which Him is handled is cut off by dampers from every other room, including those where film is handled as well as those where film is not handled. (See Par. 191(g) regarding ventilation of projection rooms.) Any system used for air conditioning a film vault shall be extremely independent, with no duct connecting to any other vault or room. SECTION 14.— SPRINKLERS AND OTHER FIRE PROTECTION APPLIANCES. 144. Omit the words "water pails" from the Note so that the paragraph reads: 144. Every room in which film is stored or handled, except film vaults, shall be provided with first aid fire appliances of types using water or water solutions. Note. — Small hose equipment is recommended, and the following types of extinguishers are considered suitable: Soda acid, calcium chloride, pump tank, and loaded stream. See regulations on First Aid Fire Appliances, and Standpipe and Hose Systems. SECTION 19.— MOTION PICTURE PROJECTION AND SPECIAL PROCESSES. 191. Ejiclosures for Motion Picture Projectors, (a) Motion picture projectors using nitrocellulose film shall (Continued on following page)