Theatre Catalog (1954-55)

Paint Fire Hazards Away A Discussion of Some Common Causes of Theatre Fires and How Fire Retardant Paints Can Lessen the Danger BRIEF: The importance of proper fire protection ... and proper fire prevention equipment for motion picture theatres can not be overemphasized ... The end results of even a small fire in a crowded theatre building can be panic -.. and the loss of many lives. The problem of making sure that theatres are as fireproof as man can make them is one that no self-respecting exhibifor can ignore ... for even a single moment ... Equipment such as sprinkler systems ... fire extinguishers ... and smoke detecting devices should be part and parcel of any theatre ... for it is just as important as the seats ... or the projection and sound equipment. In recent years a new product has been developed which places still another weapon in the fire prevention arsenal... fire retardant paints ... This article will discuss the various uses to which this type of paint can be put... as well as to trace its development. There isn’t a theatre owner in America, [ am sure, that doesn’t realize the tremendous importance of proper fire prevention, but let’s face the facts and 1954-55 THEATRE CATALOG By A. Sopuir Sales Director, Fyr-Kote National Sales, Inc. be honest. Most of us have a “Let George Do It” attitude towards fire prevention. Most of us go about our daily work letting others assume the responsibility for fire prevention in our theatres, waiting until a Fire Inspector comes around and raises the Devil. Most of us will agree also, when we stop to consider, that “George” isn’t a very reliable person. Most of the time there just isn’t any “George.” Losses Mounting Some theatre owners still shrug off fires as being due to carelessness and do practically nothing about it because they take the position that it just can’t happen to them, It is obvious that such passive attention is expensive in money, and much more important, expensive in lives. Fires can’t be shrugged off. They must be prevented through an active program on the part of every theatre TERRIBLE FIRES, such as the one seen below, can be largely avoided if all the proper safeguards are taken, such as fire retardant paints. owner because year by year our fire losses are mounting tremendously. No one is perfect. Everyone is subject to fatigue, whether it be due to worry and tension on the job or off the job. On top of all this, some people suffer from a personality maladjustment which may be exhibited in the form of indifference, inattention, indolence, arrogance, recklessness or hostility. All of us in the theatre business have a personnel problem today. Get a large group of people working together and you are bound to find one or several of the types mentioned above. The question is, how can anyone be assured of proper fire prevention conditions if everyone else, including the theatre owner, is subject to these human weaknesses. Do you realize that every day, on the average, 34 people burn to death. Five thousand fires break out, and two million dollars worth of property is destroyed by fire. Just think of that! Every single day! That is no idle statement. Those are positive facts as issued by the National Fire Protective Association. Yet there are theatre owners who continue to resist the efforts of others who are trying to make their buildings 41