Theatre Catalog (1946-47)

Fire Underwriters’ Film Safety Standards All of the National Board's Regulations On the Use of Nitrocellulose M. P. Film NOTE This pamphlet supersedes the edition of August 15, 1931 as amended by the supplement of Septeniber 15, 1936. DEFINITIONS The word “approved” as used in these standards means acceptable to the inspection department having jurisdiction: it means installed in accordance with standards of the National Board of Fire Underwriters pertaining thereto and, when referring to appliances, means tested and found suitable for installation and use. The inspection department having jurisdiction will determine the correctness of installation and use. Underwriters’ Laboratories, Inc., tests devices and materials for compliance with the standards of construction and performance established by the Laboratories and with regard to their suitability for installation in accordance with the appropriate standards of the National Board of Fire Underwriters. Such devices and materials are listed in the following publications: List of Inspected Fire Equipment and Materials, List of Inspected Gas, Oil and Miscel laneous Appliances, ‘ List of Inspected Electrical Equipment, List of Inspected Appliances Relating to Accident Hazard, Automotive Equipment, and Burglary Protection. Copies may be obtained from inspection departments or from Underwriters’ Laboratories, Inc., Chicago, New York or San Francisco. Many products may be identified by the Laboratories’ label, indicating both listae and factory inspection of current out Lt. A device or system having materials or forms different from those detailed in these standards may be examined and tested according to the intent of the standards and if found equivalent may be approved. In these standards those provisions which are considered essential for adequate protection of life and property from fire are indicated by the words “shall” and “must.” _ The words “should” or “preferably” indicate advisory provisions, concerning which the inspection department having jurisdiction should be consulted. INTRODUCTION 1. Application of Rules.—These regulations are intended to apply to the storage and handling of nitrocellulose motion picture film, in all places except establishments manufacturing such film and storage incident thereto. They are not intended to apply to the storage and handling of film having a cellulose acetate or other approved slow-burning base nor to photographic and X-ray film. (See Separate regulations on Photographic and X-ray Film.) 2. Scope of Regulations—(a) These regulations are intended to provide reasonable provisions for the storage and handling of motion picture film, based on Protection 1948-47 THEATRE CATALOG TABLE OF CONTENTS Introduction SECTION Application of Rules hed Scope of Regulations. = Arrangement of Regulation: Approval Of PLANS ...cccecccssneennee Definitions. esses Part I; General Provisions Regarding the Storage and _Handling of Film Construction and Arrange ment of Buildings... Electrical Equipment ........... Heating Equipment Sprinklers and Other Fire Protection Appliances Storage of Film... eeae: Film Cabinets ............. Film Vaults ene Handling of Film....... Motion Picture Projection and Special Processes............. Part Il: Special Provisions for Special Occupancies Motion Picture Theatres and Other Oceupancies in which the Principal Use of Film is in Motion Picture Projection. ........... eC ES. Motion Picture Film ExCHATS OS ease cece Motion Picture Film LabOL RUOTICS i iumpece cases Motion Picture Studios............ minimum requirements for safety to life and property from fire. (b) It is strongly recommended that film exchanges, laboratories and studios be permitted only in sprinklered buildings of fireproof* construction. In buildings of non-fireproof construction which have been adapted to such occupancies, automatic sprinklers should be installed as hereinafter specified and suitable fire cut-offs provided between each room in which film is handled or stored and other sections of the building, and adequate exit facilities provided. Suitable requirements will be found in the Recom *The term “fireproof” is ised as defined in the Building Code of the National Board of Fire Urderwriters and as having in these regulations the same meaning as the term ‘‘fire-resistive” as used by the National Fire Protection Association. The accompanying reprinting of the National Board of Fire Underwriters’ Pamphlet No. 40—and the use of the illustrative material — has been made possible through the cooperation and by permission of the National Board and its assistant chief engineer, C. A. Hutson. mended Building Code of the National Board of Fire Underwriters. 3. Arrangement of Regulations.—(a) These regulations are divided into two parts: Part I gives general provisions regarding the storage and handling of film; Part II gives special provisions for special occupancies as motion picture theatres, exchanges, laboratories, and studios, which apply in addition to any and all of the general provisions which may also be applicable. (b) The grouping of the special provisions under the heading of special occupancies is merely for convenience in the application of these regulations. Any particular process or operation in any type of occupancy shall be governed by the provisions given for that process or operation, whether under the heading of that occupancy or any other heading, unless otherwise specifically provided herein. For example, any process in a studio which, from the standpoint of the authority enforcing these regulations, partakes of the same nature as some process covered under laboratories, shall be governed by the provisions for that process given under laboratories. 4. Approval 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 plans 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. 5. Definitions. — Whenever used in these regulations the following words shall be construed as having the meanings given below. ; (a) “Film” or “motion picture film,” motion picture or sound recording film having a nitrocellulose base, whether in the form of unexposed film, positives, negatives, scrap, or used film. (b) “Vault,” a vault constructed and equipped in accordance with the requirements of Section 17. (c) “Cabinet,” a cabinet constructed and equipped in accordance with the requirements of Section 16. (d) “Standard roll,” a roll of film 14% inches (35 mm.) wide and 1,000 feet long, weighing approximately 5 pounds, used as a unit in calculating the weight of film. Nore—This detinition is intended to establish a measure of length and weight and is rot designed to prohibit the use of double rolls (2,000 fect) of film in theatres and exchanges. 489