The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1904-01-01

proach TO the theater is from F Street
through a lobby which is % by 20 feet,
which branches off into two entrances
at the end of the lobby, and which form
the entrances into the theater proper
The auditorium proper has forty-hve
feet of solid exits and both balconies
empty direct into the street on the
Twelfth Street side. The gallery, bal
cony and floor are practically in one I'm
this theater and anyone can go from
the lower floor to the top gallery with
out going outside of the theater.
There is not a lock on any door in
the Columbia Theater, with the excep-
ton of the front door and stage door,
which are locked at night The doors
all open outward and are only barred
by an ordinary bar, which a child could
open without the slightest effort The
theater is amply provided with fire es-
capes of the most modern kind, empty
ing into the alley on the Twelfth Street
side. The exits of the theater are all
plainly marked with signs and are
capped by red lights. which are always
kept lighted and which are controlled
from the box office
The management of this theater, for
it's own satisfaction, has timed audi
ences leaving this theater. and has
found that it can be emptied when
crowded to its fullest capacity. in three
minutes or less. In addition to the
Twelfth Street exits, there is a lobby,
entrance to which can be- gained through
two exits on the F Street side. The
aisles and standing space back of the
seats are unusually large and an in
spection shows conclusively that such
an accident as happened at Chicago
would be impossible in this theater.
Academy of Music.
]. w. Lyons. manager Of the Acad-
envy. said of that theater:
THE precautions at the Academy are
of the best, as the house is equipped
with fireproof asbestos curtain, and on
the stage is installed a sprinkler sys-
tenn. by which the entire stage could be
flooded at a moments notice.
In the matter of exits the arrange
ment could not be bettered as the en-
tire front of the house on all floors can
/ be thrown open and a capacity house
/ emptied in from three TO four minutes.
/ With 1900 persons in our theater Tues
day night. the building was emptied I'm
less than four minutes"
Lyceum Theater.
]
THE Lyceum has more exits than any
other theater in the city. 1t is the
most easily vacated. 1t has, also, a
complete equipment on the stage suffi-
cient TO stop any fire that could arise
there We have ready for use six sets
of hose fifty feet long, six fire extin.
guishers. a pipe so adjusted at the top
of the arch that it can flood the stage
like a curtain. and an asbestos curtain
which absolutely separates the stage
! from the auditorium
| Empire Theater
Manager E. J. Bulkley. of the Empire
said:
In the Empire Theater every possible
| precaution is taken against fire, and
also to guard against any possible con-
gestion of people in aisles. Hobbies. OF
exits. On the stage strict rules pro-
hibit smoking, and particularly during
performances. In addition TO the regu-
lar stage employees, a member Of the
| Washington Fire Department, who is or
duty at every performance, watches for
| every violation of this rule. Lines OF
fire hose, thoroughly tested. are at
tached to fire plugs, both on each side
of the stage floor, and in the upper fly
galleries. in addition to numerous pals
OF water always filled and placed al
| convenient points ready for instant use
The asbestos fire curtain in this the
alter IS OF the roller variety, is fire.
quently tested to see that it is in per-
feet working order, and in case of a
fire on the stage, one flyman is special
ly detailed to chop the ropes holding Il
with an ak, instantly dropping it, thus
affording absolute protection against the
spread of flames to the auditorium.
There are fourteen convenient exits
TO this theater, all opened by the slight
est touch. and all denoted by red lights
During every performance ushers are
constantly stationed at each aisle. and
are drilled to throw every exit wide
open at the first Indication Of fire or q
panic of any description.
Several tests have been made wher
capacity audiences have been present
noting the time necessary for them &c
leave the theater. Using the regular
exits only, the house has been com
pletely emptied IN three minutes, thus
demonstrating its absolute safety II
each Individual remains cool and follow:
the directions of the trained employees OF
the theater in any emergency.