The Washington times., 1908-07-31
THEATERS SUBJECT
TO STRICT LAWS
New District Building Regu-
lationS Provide for Pub
lie Safety.
EVERY PRECAUTION
IN CASE OF FIRE
Walls Must Be of Brick and Iron.
Exits Through Fireproof
Passageways.

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Among the most important changes
in the revision OF the building regula-
tons. which were published exclusively
in yesterdays Times, are the sections
relating 70 theaters.
These have received the approval Of
the COMMISSIONER and will replace sec
tons I73, ia, 10. I7e, III. and lis OF the
present building regulations. They viii
affect only theaters erected IN the fu-
ture.
The new regulations provide that
every theater building shall have at
least one front on a public street ap-
proximately parallel TO the proseeniCm
wall, and in such front there shall be
main entrance and exits On all other
sides of the building not facing on
public street or alley there shall be
clear open space not less than eight
feet wide where the seating capacity is
not over 1900, and increasing the width
Of said open space in the ratio OF 21z
inches for each additional hundred Of
seating capacity.
Fire-Proof Passageway1-
Such open spaces shall correct with
the public street from the rear line Of
the auditorium. by direct open alley
ways or freproof passageways through
a fireproof building, and such passage
ways shall be kept free from obstruc-
ton There shall be no connection what
ever between a theater building and any
other building which IS suspzctible for
the transmission OF fire.
- - N-rnff
entirely Of hreprOof material cOnstruc-
ton and shall be OF the first class. All
interior finish shall be Of the oest type
Of hTe-resisIing materials. including
trimmings. DOORS windows. gallery, and
box fronts - all architectural and
decorative features.
AL floors shall be constructed 50 as
10 be capable OF carrying g superficial
distributed load exclusive OF ali con-
struction. furnishings, and httings) OF
100 pounds per square foot
The main floor shall not be. ar its
highest level. more than seven inches
above the street level at the building
line. and 4 on account OF grade OF
street il should be necessary 10 intro
duCe steps. then the floor shall start
at the highest point OF the main en-
trance.
Two Separate Exits.
Each section OF the auditorium IN ev-
cry theater above the first floor shall
have two separate and direct means OF
egress from the building into the street
and these exits shall be arranged on
each side OF the auditorium
Ali exits. openings, passages md cor
than twenty inches FOR each 100 people,
but no door or passage ii the Inns OF
exit shall be less than four feet six
/ inches wide
| be provided separately Tor each floor
and balcony. box or gallery on each
side of the auditorium Each section
I Of the auditorium shall have two sep
crate staircases communicating directly
with the street. Winding stairs shall
not Be used Not more than thirteen
seats shall be placed in any one VOW
| between aisles, and no seat shall be
placed more than six seats removed
| The number OF banks OF seats IN the
balcony OF gallery shall not exceed ter
unless an Intervening or cross aisle Is
| provided between each ten bank OF
| seats or an independent series OF exits
provided for each hank Of ten seats.
The minimum width Of aisles shall be
/ 3 feet at one end near the stage en-
/ trance. increasing II inches IN width
! for every 5 feet in length
Stage Regulations.
J The stage shall be separated from the
I
! wall not less than Il inches thick. The
| decorations and enrichments forming
/ the prosceuiurn frame shall be Of in
| counbustible material The main pros
| ceniuu shall have a vertically operated
| steel curtain, which shall. when Il IS
/ lowered. completely close such proscen
/ rum opening and overlap the brick wal
/ at least foot on each side The curtain
shall be raised and lowered BY mechan
f--z- of "a y
shall be controlled from not less thar
| trrO points in the theater, one OF whicl
shall be designated by the inspector o.
| buildings
| to the street or alleys shall be provided
| with two independent exits as remote
/ from the stage as possible and in n,
case shall il be permissible to enter th'
4 dressing room section across the stag
The use OF ordinary hot air furnace
| Is prohibited
Authority Vested In Inspector.
In a letter to the Commissioners
Harding & Upman, architects, sugges
| the concentration OF authority and re
sponsibiiity BY giving the inspector o
buildings jurisdiction over such relates
bureaus as the I,lumbing and electrical
departments
The proposition to license all build
ers and architects is commended b
| Messrs Harding & Upman-
I'VE at least urge they say. ''th
| enactment OF a regulation requiring Al
| applications for building permits 10 b
| accompanied by properly prepare
! drawings and specifications, instead 0
! permitting the owner to submit cru6
| sketches or vague drawings shown
| work not in conformity with the build
! Ing regulations or on lines OF safe con
! struction.'
| The architects Will be Informed tia
| their suggestions will be given consid
I Grafton when changes in the office o