SO YOU HAVE TO INSPECT… A MOVIE THEATER
BY GLENN P. CORBETT, P.E.
Although movie theaters in the United States have been relatively free from fire disasters for several decades, their large occupant loads and “dark” environments dictate that they be inspected often and thoroughly. Whether the structure is a multiplex or a single-screen building on Main Street, the fire inspector is charged with inspecting the facility for the “generic” fire safety issues associated with all occupancies as well as those specific to movie theaters.
A list of “inspection nuggets” specifically for movie theaters follows.
The lobby. The lobby in most theaters serves many purposes–it is a waiting area for moviegoers, a game arcade play area, and a concession area. The most important point to remember here is egress–egress for those watching a movie in the theater(s) as well as egress for the people milling around the lobby. In terms of egress, these are two separate groups.
During an emergency, the people in the theaters watching the movie must have a clear egress path to the main entrance of the building without being blocked by the lobby crowd or objects in the lobby. Remember, the building code requires (for good reason) that the “main entrance” be wide enough to handle a whopping one-half of the entire occupant load of all the theaters combined. These theater occupant egress doors cannot be blocked by velvet ropes, movie advertisements, and the like.
The people waiting in the lobby must have an egress capacity sufficient for their occupant load as well. Since most theater managers want to keep the people waiting for movies separate from the people in the theaters, the people waiting usually have their own set of egress doors.
Concession stand. Since popcorn, hot dogs, and licorice are the common foods served, no cooking hood suppression is usually required. Remember, it`s grease-laden vapors that invoke this requirement. Don`t forget the fire extinguisher, though.
Theater lighting. During a performance, it wouldn`t make much sense to have the house lights turned on. People do, however, need to leave the theater during the show and run the risk of falling if they can`t see their way. The codes require pathway lighting on the order of .2 footcandle–meaning either strip lighting or lamps (attached to the end of the seating row) along the aisles. Such lighting must make the path visible, including the defining of steps. Check the lighting with the house lights off. I`m sure you`ll find burned-out lights in every theater.
Egress doors from each theater. In addition to the main entrance, each theater usually requires at least a secondary egress door. Make sure these doors are identifiable and are not covered with wall hangings (don`t forget to check the interior finish in the rest of the theater) to make them invisible. Open the door. Where does it lead? Directly to the outside or into a sticky popcorn butter-laden exit passageway? Make sure this path is clear, especially of snow during winter.
Exit signs. Can you think of another occupancy where properly functioning, properly positioned exit signs are so critical? Enough said!
Seating. Most theaters have “self-rising” seats to take advantage of reduced aisle accessway widths between rows of seats. Make sure the risers actually work and the path is clear between each row.
Occupant load. This is usually not a problem since we are dealing with fixed seats. However, I`ve encountered two problems in the past. The first involved a popular children`s movie. Since more people wanted to see the movie than the theater could handle, parents were urged to let children sit on their laps, nearly doubling the occupant load. In the second case, a large group of disabled children were placed in the front of the theater–in the exit aisle. Although you would not normally see these situations as part of a routine inspection, you should alert theater managers to the dangers and consequences of such practices.
Projection room. Since safety film is used almost exclusively today, the fire hazard has been reduced from what it was several years ago. However, even modern film projection equipment produces large amounts of heat and must be properly ventilated (usually a separate exhaust system for each projector). A sign must be posted indicating that the room is to be used for safety film only. If you find out that a theater wants to have a film festival of old films, watch out! Old cellulose nitrate films are extreme fire hazards and must be properly protected. Special precautions as outlined in the fire/building code must be taken. n
n GLENN P. CORBETT, P.E., is a professor of fire science at John Jay College in New York City, a technical editor of Fire Engineering, and a captain with the Waldwick (NJ) Fire Department. He previously held the position of administrator of engineering services with the San Antonio (TX) Fire Department. Corbett has a master`s degree in fire protection engineering from Worcester Polytechnic Institute in Massachusetts. He authored two chapters on fire prevention/protection in The Fire Chief`s Handbook, Fifth Edition (Fire Engineering Books, 1995). Corbett has been in the fire service since 1978.
