Motion Picture Herald (May-Jun 1946)

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A scheme for a lobby adapfed in character and plan to the Residential Area Plan on page 20. hangs the rear rows of the main floor. A stadium upper level of seating consists of platforms on steep levels, the low^est level often being as little as 2 feet, approximately, above the level of a crossover aisle between the main floor seating and the stadium. When the stadium is set as low as this, a considerable portion of the area under it becomes waste space because of lack of headroom. There are, therefore, many examples of stadiums raised sufficiently to create headroom underneath for lonnges, foyer, toilet rooms, etc. A further development of the stadium is the type in which the first few rows of seating overhang the crossover aisle, behind the main floor seats, thereby bringing all of the stadium seats closer to the screen. This enables reduction of the picture size and permits double use of the floor area normally devoted to a main floor crossover only. This latter scheme is one which appears to be a balcony, but actually is a modification of the stadium. (This scheme is illustrated in Diagram 2.) Upper level seating creates more seating area on a plot of ground that is short in depth, and upper level seating schemes of the projecting stadium type create more main floor area for the lobby, foyer, lounge, etc. The extra cost of the upper tier is almost entirely offset by savings effected by not having to extend the main floor area for the various auxiliary spaces required outside the auditorium proper. CODES AND SAFETY Building codes and other governmental regulations applying to theatre construction must of course be borne in mind in planning; but even where there are no such local regulations, the general liability of the theatre operator for the safety of his patrons, both morally and legally, and the business significance of safety and convenience, urge certain practices. A 400-seat theatre with all seats on one level should have at least one emergency exit on either side of the screen end of the auditorium. There should also be at least two entrance ways at the point of entry farthest from the screen. Each exit or emergency door should be at least 5 feet in clear width, measurement being taken between a pair of doors swung open at right angles to the wall in which they are set. No exit door should obstruct any exit in swinging into the passageway. All doors should open outward toward a street or alley, or safe passageways terminating in a street or alley. Balconies should have stairways not less than 4 feet in width, with emergency exit stairways as well as entrance stairways. Where there are 100 seats or less in the balcony, there should be at least one entrance stair and one emergency stair. Extra stairs should be added when this capacity is exceeded. All stairways should lead to the street or alley or safe passageway to a street or alley. In no case should they lead onto any part of the main floor. SEATING AREA DIMENSIONS The width of the projected picture is determined, for best viewing conditions, by 18 BEHER THEATRES. JUNE I, 1946