The Waterbury Democrat., 1942-11-28

| dusN tlVW lo lIle AfTly new Qlm- out regulations affect ME? This is
 a question heard more and more as
 the date hears when the new re- strictions become effective one half hour after sunset on Novem-
 Der 30.
 Every person in New England's
 dsmout zones comes under the regu- lationS. This means: Windows in
 their homes must have tk,, shades
 down quarters of the way
 from the top so no direct light will shine out. Their store windows
 must not have more than ore l5-
 watt light for each eight linear feet i of sEow window opening. Their
 automobile lights must have the
 top-half of the headlights blaeked out or taped out. All exterior lights are to be drastically curbed, No out side advertising lights or signs are allowed. In short, this means that in some of thnse ways, every resident of the newly-extended dimout zones will be affected by the new regulations.
 The primary source of enforce ment is the loal air raid warden, and the state enforcement agencies These are the ones who will tell you whether your lights ale all right or need something done to them. They will not. however, seek to interpret the regulations, that rests with the Army.
 The window shade problem is one affecting nearly everyone. The rsa= son for the three quarters down from-the-to top-rule is to prevent di- rect rays of light shining directly out, to add to skyglow or serving as an air beacon. Tn addition all inside lights must be shielded so that are are not visible above the horizontal
 Then there is the question of venetial blinds. Under the new regulations, these are permissible provided they are closed and the windows do not face the s'.a. If they face the sea. other shades need to be used. This is because p:ne- tian blinds do not cut of enough light.
 Regarding drapes that are on draw cords, these are permissible they overlap and are heavy enough to eliminate direct light.
 Here are some typical questions which have come into Army head with their answers, ap- proved by Colonel Harold c. Storke, director of internal security:
 1. e. Am I allowed to leave my porch light on at night?
 A. Only If it has bulb not in excess of l5- watts, and is covered by an opaque shield or cone which throws the light directly downward and allowes it to spread only 90 degrees.
 ?. Q. Are doctors illuminated l signs allowed?
 A. No, these are classified as ad- signs and must be ex- at night.
 3. e. Do I have to put up blackout shades If my windows are visible from the sea?
 A. No, but you must have heavy shades or drapes which will cover your windows completely. so that no direct gteam or reflection is visi- ble from the seaward side. The same treatment must be carried out even though you are located S-y- eral miles inland, if any windows are directly visible from the sea.
 4. c. What lighting is allowed under theater marquees or canopies2
 A. None whatever. Such lights are classified as display or advertis- ing lights and must be extinguished.
 5. e. How do these regulations affect lights in greenhouses?
 A. Greenhouses are classed as skylights. If they have lights in- side they nay be treated in either ore of two ways: First, the glass may be painted or shielded so as 10 be completely opaque, or. sec- ond. the necessary interior illumi- l