Motion Picture News (Jul-Aug 1917)

648 MOTION PICTURE NEW S— Trade Annual Section Vol. 16, No. 4 county jail for a period not exceeding 90 days, or by both such fine and imprisonment. Sect. 24. (Duty ot fire marshal to enforce laws.) Sect. 25. (Providing for the entrance of the fire marshal or his deputy at any reasonable time within a picture house.) Sect. 26. (Marshal to communicate fact of operating without license.) That in municipalities having ordinances relating to the regulation and installation and operation of moving picture machines, and containing additional regulations for the safe and proper installation and operation of such machines, nothing herein shall be construed to abrogate such local regulations, but the jurisdiction of the local authorities in such cases shall be additional and subordinate to the jurisdiction and authority of the state fire marshal as hereby prescribed. (Extracts from General Statutes of Minnesota, 1913.) CHAPTER 36. Sect. 5109. Buildings used as theatres or public halls, and having a seating capacity of over three hundred shall be provided with a stand pipe running to the stage, and with hose always connected, and of length to reach all parts ol the stage; also with an efficient chemical fire extinguisher properly located to protect scenery. If, for lack of constant water pressure, the stand pipe should be impracticable, the stage shall be provided with two such extinguishers, and at least one barrel of water, with two pails, labeled, " For fire purposes only." The foregoing provisions of this section shall not apply to halls where neither curtains nor scenery are used, but all buildings used for theatres or public halls shall have exits, non-combustible stairways, ladders, fire escapes and other means of fire protection in such number and of such character and size as may be determined from time to time by the proper local authorities. CHAPTER 23. Sect 3848. No children under the age of sixteen (16) years shall be employed in any theatre, or place of amusement. CHAPTER 36. Sect. 5125. Fire Resistant Curtain — That the proscenium or curtain opening of all halls and theatres used for theatrical purposes and having a seating Capacity of 600 or more in any city in the state of Minnesota shall have a fire resistant curtain ot asbestos or some other approved incombustible material. Said curtain shall be properly constructed; shall be operated by proper mechanism and shall be raised at the commencement of each performance and lowered at the close of each performance. CHAPTER 103. Sect. 9011. The doors of all theatres or places used for public entertainments, exhibitions or meetings, which are used exclusively or in part for admision to, or egress from, the same, shall be so hung and arranged as to open outwardly, and, during any exhibition, entertainment, or meeting held therein, shall be kept unlocked and unfastened, and in such condition that, in case of danger or necessity, immediate escape from such building shall not be prevented or delayed. Michigan (Extracts from an act to regulate the construction and operation of moving picture shows and theatres showing moving pictures, to provide for an inspection fee for operating the same, and to place supervision of such shows and theatres under the department of state fire marshal. ) C ECT. 2. The entire equipment, electrical devices, rheostat and picture ^ machine in every moving picture show and theatre showing moving pictures shall be enclosed in a room or booth large enough for operator to walk freely on either side and back of machine, and not less than seven feet in height and of one of the following constructions: (a) Brick, tile or concrete booths: If the room or booth is constructed of brick, tile or concrete, it shall have walls, floor and ceiling or roof not less in thickness than eight inches except that it reinforced concrete is used the thickness need be only four inches. (c) Asbestos wood booth : The booth shall be substantially constructed of asbestos lumber of the thickness of one-fourth inch on sides and top and three-eighths inch on bottom securely supported by angle iron frame of not less than one inch by one-quarter inch, all cross joints to be securely covered by strips of iron outside and inside and securely riveted or bolted together. (d) Portable booth : Frames shall be made of at least one and one-half inch by one and one-half inch by one-fourth inch angle or tee iron. Intermediate uprights shall be spaced at least every four feet. The booth shall be covered with steel or galvanized sheet iron of not less than number twenty United States gauge. The booth may be made in a folding type so constructed that when assembled it will be rigid and all joints tight that flames may not pass through them. The base of the booth shall have a flange extension outward on all four sides provided with a sufficient number ot holes, through which booth may be fastened to the floor. Special means for ventilation need not be provided except that there shall be an opening for ventilation in the top of the booth, this opening to be at least ten inches in diameter and a metal sleeve at least eighteen inches in height, provided with a ventilating cap, shall be attached thereto. (See N. B. of F. U. Regulation.) (f) Shelves: All shelves, furniture and fixtures within the booth shall be constructed of non-combustible material. (g) Ventilation : Near the center of the top of the booth shall be an opening at least ten inches in diameter for ventilation with a pipe leading to the outer air. This pipe is to be connected to a chimney or provided with an exhaust fan, or snail itself be not less than fifteen feet in length to provide suction from the booth. Sect. 3. The moving picture machines and equipment in such shows and theatres showing moving pictures shall be installed, constructed and operated in the following manner: (a) The moving picture machines and all electrical equipment shall be constructed and installed as required by the national electrical code. (c) No moving picture machine shall be operated other than by hand power. The handle or crank used in operating said machine shall be secured to the spindle or shaft so as to prevent its coming off : Provided, however, that a motor driven machine of a type expressly designed lor driving by electric motor and approved by the state fire marshal, may be installed. (d) No films shall be exposed in the booth at the same time, other than the one film in process of transfer to or from the machine or from the upper to lower magazine, or in process of rewinding. A separate metal case made without solder, shall be provided for each film when the same is not in the magazine, or in process of rewinding said film to be kept in these cases. No material of a combustible nature shall be stored within any booth except the films needed for one day's operation. (e) Arc lamp must be controlled by double pole switch and enclosed fuse cut-out within easy reach of operator. (f) Reinforced cord shall be used for all pendant lights and all lights shall be provided with approved wire lamp guards. Sect. 4. The floor of any audience room in which moving picture exhibitions are given shall be the first or main floor of the building in which said room is located. For the purposes ot this act, the first or main floor of any building shall be held to be any floor approximately on the level with the street in front of the main entrance of such room Sect. 5. Any audience room in which moving picture exhibitions are given shall be provided with at least two exits' on the main floor, easily accessible from all parts of the main floor by means of aisles, which aisles shall have, in the aggregate, a width of eighteen inches for each one hundred of the seating capacity of such room, and for fractional parts of one hundred a proportionate part of eighteen inches shall be added ; but no aisle shall be less than two feet six inches in width, and no aisle required to exceed four teet in width. Where balconies or galleries are used by the audience, one exit from this point to the street or alley must be provided for each two hundred seats or fractional part thereof installed. For rooms one hundred feet or less in length, the main entrance may be considered as one exit and a second exit must be provided at the opposite end of the room and open upon a public street, alley or other open, unoccupied space having unobstructed access to a street or alley. Exit doors must open outward, and shall not be locked when the building is open to the public, and where only one exit in addition to the main entrance, is provided, said exit shall be not less than six feet wide and seven feet high, and in any case must not be less than three feet wide and seven feet high. Exits must open outward upon and be of easy access to a street or alley and passageways, stairways and inclines, leading from exits to street or alley, must be kept well lighted at all times and be not less than six feet wide; switch shall be an indicating type; wiring for exit light installed in iron conduit and fuses for exit circuit placed ahead ot the main line switch and cut-out. Sect. 6. Each exit must be marked by means of an illuminated red sign, containing the word " Exit " in four-inch white letters, easily discernible by the audience at any time during performance. Lights used in marking exit or lighting passageways, stairways or inclines leading from them, shall not depend upon or be controlled by switches or fuses located in room, compartment or booth containing moving picture machines, but shall be placed in easy access in front of house. Sect. 7. All seats occupied by the audience shall be fixed and immovable except in loges and boxes. Not more than seven seats shall be in any one row opening upon but one main aisle, and not more than fourteen seats shall be in any one row opening upon two main aisles: Provided, however, that any auditoriums or buildings seating two thousand or more and having satisfactory exits on two sides, permission may be given by the state fire marshal for temporary or removable seating on the first or ground floor .only. Sect. 8. No moving picture show or theatre showing moving pictures shall hereafter be installed in any building which has any roomers or families living directly over the theatre or auditorium proper. Sect. 9. All aisles and space in rear of seats and exits must at all times be kept clear and unobstructed during performances. Sect. 10. Neither smoking nor the keeping nor use ot matches shall be permitted in any booth, room, compartment or enclosure where a motion picture machine is installed. Sect. 11. No person shall operate any motion picture machine in this state unless he shall be not less than eighteen years of age and the state fire marshal whenever he shall deem it necessary may examine any operator of a motion picture machine as to his fitness to operate such machine, and if he shall find any such operator incompetent, then such operator shall not be permitted to operate any such machine in this state until such incompetency shall have been removed. Sect. 12. Whenever the state fire marshal or his deputies or assistants shall find upon an investigation or examination, that any of the provisions of this act have been violated after due notice given, then he shall communicate the fact of such violation together with any evidence he may have to the prosecuting attorney of the county in which such violation has occurred, and it shall thereupon be the duty of such prosecuting attorney to cause the arrest and prosecution of the person or persons so violating. Sect. 13. All requirements of this act relating to seats, aisles, passageways, exits and doors shall apply in connection with each open air motion picture exhibition. Sect. 15. Every motion picture show, theatre or other amusement place or audience room in the State of Michigan showing motion pictures shall be inspected by the state fire marshal, his deputy, or assistant state fire marshal not less than twice each year. The owner of a moving picture show, theatre or other amusement place or audience room showing motion pictures shall pay to the state treasurer for each inspection the sum of ten dollars, and all money so paid shall be credited to the state fire marshal fund tor the use of the fire marshal department. Provided, however, that no more than twenty dollars shall be collected for such inspection in any one year on account of any one place of amusement or other audience room. Sect. 16. Whenever the state fire marshal by himself or deputies shall find by an inspection that any motion picture show is being conducted in accordance with the provisions of this law he shall issue the owner thereof his official receipt or license to continue such operations until such motion picture show shall be next inspected; provided, however, that such license shall not be issued until said owner shall have paid the inspection fee herein provided to the state treasurer. Sect. 17. Said official inspection receipt shall be posted in a conspicuous place wher^ it can be readily seen by the public. Sect. 18. Any owner or manager of any moving picture show or theatre showing moving pictures violating any of the provisions of this act and who shall be convicted thereof, or who shall plead guilty to any complaint for the violation thereof shall be punished by a fine not exceeding twentyfive dollars and costs of prosecution, or if such fine be not paid, then by imprisonment in the countv jail for a period not exceeding ten days; tor the second offense, he shall be punished by a fine not exceeding fifty dollars and cost of prosecution, or if such fine not be paid, then by imprisonment in the county jail for a period not exceeding thirty days, and for a third offense or any subsequent offense he shall be punished by a fine not exceeding one hundred dollars and costs of prosecution, or by imprisonment in the county jail or in the Detroit House of Correction for a period not exceeding thirty days, or by both such fine and imprisonment. Sect. 19. All acts or parts of acts in conflict with the provisions of this act are hereby repealed. Sect. 20. Provided, however, that in municipalities having ordinances providing for the regulation and installation and operations of moving picture machines, nothing herein shall be construed to abrogate such local regulations, but the jurisdiction of the state fire marshal shall in such cases be concurrent with that of the municipal authorities.