Theatre Catalog (1946-47)

racks into sections not over 3 feet wide and so placed as not to obstruct distribution from sprinkler heads. Racks shall not obstruct vent openings. 175. Sprinklers.—Vaults shall be protected by an approved system of automatic sprinklers, with a ratio of one head to each 62% cubic feet of total vault space. A vault of 750 cubic feet shall have 12 sprinkler heads. Sprinkler heads shall be arranged to give uniform distribution within the sections formed by the above mentioned partitions. They shall be separated by sheet-metal baffles extending below the sprinkler deflectors. With an approved automatic sprinkler system with open heads is permitted by the inspection department having jurisdiction, the baffles between heads may be omitted. 176. Lights—AII lights in film vaults shall be at the ceiling and of the fixed type, with vapor-proof globes and conduit wiring. All switches shall be outside the vault and should be arranged with a small pilot light to indicate on outside of vault whether vault lights are on or off. 177. Heat.—Heating, when required to prevent sprinkler pipes freezing, shall be by hot water or low pressure steam with automatic control limiting steam pressure to 10 pounds and the vault temperature to not in excess of 70° F. Radiators shall be placed at the ceiling, over aisle space with pipes and radiators protected with wire guards so arranged that no film can be placed within 12 inches of such pipes or radiators. 178. All film in vaults shall be in containers, either in single-roll containers which shall be kept on edge on racks only, except that negatives need not be stored on edge, or in I.C.C. shipping containers which may be kept on the floor. Materials other than film and film cement shall not be stored in the vault. Section 18—Handling of Film 181. Film Shall Be In Containers.—All film shall be kept in closed containers except during the actual time it is being worked upon or examined. This is very essential from the standpoint of fire hazard and safety to life. I.C.C. shipping containers and individual containers for each roll of film with proper corrugations on each side are recommended. 182. Film shall not be placed or kept under benches, tables, or other surfaces which would shield it from the discharge of sprinklers. 183. Scrap Film.—Scrap film shall be kept separate from waste paper and other rubbish, and shall be kept under water at all times. It shall be collected from work rooms at least once daily, and removed to a room used for no other purpose, where it shall be kept under water in steel drums with tight covers. These drums shall be disposed of at frequent intervals. Discarded film in full or part rolls shall be kept in vaults. Serap film shall not be baled or burned. Nore—Motion picture film in the form of clippings and short lengths is in a wate neewedons form. Safe precautions in the handling of such scraps are most essential. Baling and burning of eae peewee Sa a distinct fire haz m a centr: i of burning is aicomeanagt aaa een 184. Transportation—(a) Motion pic 1946-47 THEATRE CATALOG ture film should never be transported in any vehicle or other public conveyance used for the transportation of passengers, unless enclosed in I.C.C. shipping containers. (b) Motion picture film should never be allowed in any underground subway train or station unless under the jurisdiction of the Interstate Commerce Commission and conforming to the regulations thereof. Section 19—Motion Picture Projection and Special Processes 191. Enclosures for Motion Picture Projectors.—(a) Motion picture projectors using nitrocellulose film shall be operated or set up for operation only within an approved enclosure, not less than 48 square feet in size and 7 feet high. If more than one machine is to be operated an additional 24 square feet shall be provided for each additional machine. For new construction, a size not less than 8 feet wide, 10 feet deep and 8 feet high is recommended for one projection machine, and not less than 14 feet wide, 10 feet deep and 8 feet high for two machines. (b) The walls and ceiling of the enclosure shall be built of brick, tile, or plaster blocks, plastered on both sides, or of concrete, or of a rigid metal frame, properly braced, and sheathed and roofed with sheet iron of not less than No. 20 U.S. gauge metal, or with 4-inch hard asbestos board, securely riveted or bolted to the frame, or 2 inches of solid metal lath and cement or gypsum plaster. All joints shall be sufficiently tight to prevent the discharge of smoke. Noncombustible acoustical material may be used on ceiling and walls, on top of the plaster. For new construction, it is reeommended that the walls of the enclosure be constructed in accordance with the requirements of subsection 112, paragraphs (1), (2), or (8), for partitions with floor and ceiling of equivalent fire resistance. Modern heavy equipment may require special attention to floor strength and support. In some cases it may be necessary to support the projection room independently of the structure. (c) The entrance door into the enclosure shall be at least 2 feet by 5 feet, of construction equivalent to the sheathing permitted above for rigid frame construction, and shall be self closing, swinging out, and shall be kept closed at all times when not used for egress or ingress. For new construction it is recommended that at least two doors be provided, each not less than 30 inches wide and 6 feet high. Doors should be approved fire doors of a type suitable for use in corridor and room partitions (Class C openings as defined in the Regulations on Protection of Openings in Walls and Partitions). Exits should be in accordance with requirements of authorities having jurisdiction, particularly as to size and location. At least one should be of the conventional stairway type, having a suitable landing at the top or should open directly onto a corridor. (d) Two openings for each motion picture projector shall be provided; one for the projectionist’s view (observation port) shall be not larger than 200 square inches, and the other through which the picture is projected (projection port) shall be not larger than 120 square inches. Where separate stereopticon, spot or flood light machines are installed in the same enclosure with picture machines, not more than one opening for each such machine shall be provided for both the operator’s view and for the projection of the light, but two or more machines may be operated through the same opening; such openings shall be as small as practicable and shall be capable of being protected by approved automatic shutters. (e) Each opening shall be provided with an approved gravity shutter set into guides not less than one inch at sides and bottom, and overlapping the top of the opening by not less than one inch when closed. Shutters shall be of not less than 10-gauge iron or its equivalent, or of %4-inch hard asbestos board. VIEW OF THE BAFFLE and partition, in connection with sprinklers. The sprinkler heads are separated by sheetmetal baffles extending below the sprinkler deflectors. When an approved automatic sprinkler system with open heads is permitted, the baffles between heads may be omitted. In the 750-cubic-foot vault, there are 12 sprinkler heads, arranged to give uniform distribution within the sections formed by the prescribed partitions in vaults. —————