New-York tribune., 1873-01-21
PRECAUTIONS AGAINST FIRE.

CONSIDERATIONS FOR LOCAL PLAY-GOEkS'
rxsprcrIoy OF wALLAcK's THEATER, THE
UNION SQUARE THEATER, AND THE M MGhAnp
OPERA UOUsE-CAN THE INMATES ESCAfE
IN CASE OF A PANIC ]
The Fire Commissioners received, yesterday,
the following reports OF the results Of inspections OF
three thesters and one hotel;
walacks Theater was inspected January 10, 1873 ahd
was found TO be substantially constructed Ihere arc
two furnaces under the stage which supply heat 10 the
rear of the theater. There Is buckets hled Win
water distributed In the space beneath the stage ~
provide additional OF escape in case OF necessity
an iron ladder has placed in the area on the FOURTH
ave- SIDE leading to the sidewalk. Five pals, filled
with water were found in the flies. There IL
small gasstove, for heating glue, in the carpenters
room which is we'll protected the stove in the scene
painters room is protected with zinc, and is at ais
tance from any wood work. the border lights are MADE
tin and are well projected with iron bands ana "re ;
fre-ex tingusher is kept In the rigging io'' 10
in order and is rechatged from time TO time by the max
ers in the OF the stage floor there Is a hre
hydrant, to which is attached 100 rect Oh
combination hose capable Of reaching to any part Oh 'e
stage and always ready for instant use Every nenI
about the theater and dresngrooms is protected with
wire baskets. There are two watchmen on duty at
night whose vigilance Is atested half hourly Dy tee
graph connected With Mr.. Wallacks residence LUG
house seats persons and ii requires ordinarily Iour
minutes empty 1t. There two doors opening from
the family circle, each Of which Is six feet widei
the doors open out upon stairway eight feet "lle
leading to Thirteenth-st. One door, six feet WIDE
also ope ms into this stairway from the dresscrcle Two
DOORS each xix feet wde furnish passage-way to tho
main entrance in Broadway by a stairway eight feet
wide The main entrance in Broadway s eighteen feet
wide that In Thirteentt-st Is also OF the same width
The building has iron shutters all the windows eX-
cept in the in Fourthave, and two over the win
.l.o - hulfh
The Union Square Theater inspected Jan. l6 ls73
and great precautions against fire found In the
basement there'is horizontal boiler for heating the
theater and also for pumping water in case OF nre'
The oven the basement heated with coal there Is
a space Is inches in width over Its top for the
circulation OF air The smoke-pipe from the range
is here carried along too close TO the cellngi
the p-oprietors promised TO have the ceiling
covered with zinc and the pipe lowered. The gallery
has doors leading out OF 1t. six feet in width and
stairs OF corresponding width leading into Fourteenth
ST. and Fourthave. The parquette has doorway nlne
feet In width to the main entrance In Foureenths one
door, feet wide, leading into the hotel; and one
door, two feet wide. TO the boxofice and thence INTO
the street. The house will hold 1900 persons, ana re-
quires six minutes to empty.
The Grand Opera House was inspected January H. ana
also found well provided with appliances for safety
The theaer has four doors opening out OF the family
circle, each five feet wide, one doorway leading
into the Erie offices, and two doorwsys, four
feet wide, In the lobby which lead into the
Erie Offices The salrwsy leading tnehce Zoe, ide tno
The dresscrce has three openings, each feet inches
width; also two doorways leading into private boxes
and thence the stage; aud window which affords
access to an alley-way in Twenty.fourth-st The
parquette has door opening into the alley
Way in Twenty-fOurtl-st; one window opening
ont upon yard; three doOrways opening out into the
vest6ue, each feet 6nches wdei four windows open
ing out into yards on the Twentythirdst. side. Ihe
main stairway from the dress circle IL IL feet inches
WIDE The vestbule is 6x72 feet, and the main outlets
to Eghtave and Twenty yhrdst each Is feet wide.
Arrangements making to connect hose with water
main Twenty fourth-st, and to get an independent
xpatar for
full quantity Of hose, and numerous improve
ments are to be made. Ninety-four fire.
buckets are distributed through the building
room near the rggingloft wants cleaning The house
accommodates 1850 persons, aud IL can be emped III
six minutes.
The Brevoort House inspected January l6, and
ample safeguards against fire found to be IN use