Motion Picture Herald (Jul-Aug 1945)

Fl I k^A E I D I" Since the February issue of Better Theatres, in which the following precautions regarding film fire orig I *■ 1 I K C inally appeared, requests have come from exhibitors representing thousands of theatres for reprints to _ . A Q I ^ ^ post in projection rooms. In the belief that others may like to make similar use of this material, it is jTw AK K N I N W republished below in the form in which reprints have been made available. Meeting the Danger of FILM FIRE [Reprinted from BETTER THEATRES] WHAT TO DO IN CASE OF FILM FIRE URNING nitrate film is dangerous. It can kill — it has killed. The slower it burns, the more dangerous it is. Burning nitrate film produces nitrous oxide; in air this gas quickly becomes nitric oxide; breathed into the lungs, nitric oxide is compounded with the water of the body into nitric acid, which burns the lining of the lungs, causing injury likely to endure for years if it does not soon result in death. When film is ignited in a theatre projection room, only one proper course of action remains for the projectionist: TO GET OUi:— INSTANTLY I WHAT TO DO TO PREVENT FILM FIRE URATE film is always a potential source of disaster when not handled properly both in equipment operation and in storage. The reels on which the film is to be wound should have the sides perfectly straight, with no sharp edges. Reels that are defective will cut into the sides of the film during rewinding, and in the projector cause breaks that can result In fires. Exchange reels used for shipping the film should never be used on a projector; they are not properly aligned, due to rough handling of them during shipment. In rewinding film one should make sure that it is started slowly and evenly, with no excessive loop dragging on the table or floor. Careful inspection should be given the film while it is being rewound, so as to spot any defect which might cause a treak. Weakened patches or sprocket holes that do not look right should be repaired before screening. These defects have a way of showing themselves up while in the projectors; then it is too late to remedy them. A tricky home-made rewinder, especially when the motor pulleys and belts have been picked up in a junk shop and adapted to rewinding purposes, should be looked upon as very dangerous and a potential fire hazard. SPLICING, REWINDING, HANDLING FILM Film splices should Invariably be clean and free of oil, and the sprocket holes should match perfectly, with the sides lined up and the entire patch flat. Only sharp scraping blades, and fresh film cement of the best quality should be used in making splices. Whenever possible, use only a proven type of mechanical splicer, which is more accurate than hand splicing. Never leave any film, either loose or on reels, laying on the bench or near the projector. Film not in immediate use should be stored in approved film cabinets having tight-fitting doors and Individual reel compartments that are properly Insulated. When changing reels on the projector or carrying them to the rewind table, never let the film end drag on the floor. In threading the film in the projector use very good judgment in allowing the proper slack to reach the lower magazine without having excessive film coiled up on the floor. Scrap film should be put into an approved film scrap can. and no other material, such as oily rags, paper, etc., should be thrown into this receptacle. in every case, the lamphouse arc should not be burning when the film is being threaded in the projector, and the hand dowser on the lamphouse should be closed. When one projector has completed its run it should not be threaded immediately, but only after the head, heat shields, aperture plate, etc., have had a reasonable time to cool off. To help neat dissipation, all projector doors should be left open during this Interval. PROJECTOR ADJUSTMENTS AND TESTS The tension on the lower magazine should always be such that the last few feet of film are taken up evenly and without any jerks. The magazine doors should always be closed with the film in the projector and they should have firm latches. These latches are very important, for In case of fire they will tend to hold the burning film confined long enough for the projectionist to move clear of the machine. Defective or worn sprockets, strippers, guide rollers, film guides, tension shoes and film valve rollers should be immediately repaired or replaced. Always make sure that the automatic fire shutter mechanism is operating properly at the starting and stopping of the projector. Where the projector head has an automatic trip arm at the first film loop from the upper magazine, it should never be tied back because it is not operating properly. In most cases in which this trip arm is giving trouble the reason is that too big a loop is made In the film. If the arm trips even after shortening the film loop, the only thing to do is to have It repaired immediately, or to have a new arm installed. In no case should this arm be tied to the head permanently. Make sure that the exhaust fan in the projection room always is operating properly and is of sufficient capacity to carry off all the smoke and gases that accumulate in case of fire. TEST PORT SHUTTERS REGULARLY It is very important that the fire shutter apparatus over the port holes on the front wall be operating properly and that the openings are sealed off air-tight when the shutters are dropped. It is a good idea to drop all the shutters periodically, after a day's run, and to make a close and careful inspection as to just how well the ports are closed. Any shutters or tracks loose, warped or Ill-fitting should be repaired immediately. Check carefully the master trip lines to see that they are connected properly to the manual trip hook, the automatic switch (if one is installed) controlling the room exhaust fan, the hooks on the upper film magazines, and also the hooks on the individual shutters. Make sure that an approved type of fusible link Is inserted in this trip line and that all links are located at the proper points, such as in the chain hangers on the shutters, at the upper film magazines, and at the main trip hook. When the shutters are in the up position, and the projectors are in operation, never place .an oil can, pliers, screw driver, etc., inside the port opening, even for a short time; such things can be forgotten, and in case of a fire they will prevent the shutter from closing the port opening tightly. Remember that should a fire occur, the shutters must drop instantly over all the port openings so that the audience will not see any flash of flame or puff of smoke — tfiat might create a panic! BEHER THEATRES, AUGUST 18, 1945