Sec. 36-3.3. Theatres with stages—existing

This section applies to theatres built before July 1, 1957.

(a) Exits.

(1) Main floor entrance and exits. The provisions of paragraph (1) of subdivision (a) of section 36-3.2 for new theatres shall apply except subparagraph (iii) thereof.

(2) Stairs serving balconies and galleries. The general provisions of section 36-2.3 covering interior stairways shall apply.

(3) Waiting space. The provisions of paragraph (4) of subdivision (a) of section 36-3.2 for waiting space in new theatres shall apply.

(4) Stage exits.

(i) The stage shall be provided with not less than two means of exit remote from each other, each of which shall be accessible from all parts of the stage.

(ii) Each tier of dressing rooms shall be provided with a means of exit therefrom other than openings to the stage or through the proscenium wall.

(iii) From the fly gallery and gridiron, at least one means of exit shall be provided.

(iv) Each means of exit shall include a way to a street.

(b) Seats and aisles.

(1) Seats.

(i) Seats except those in boxes accommodating not more than 16 persons, shall be at least 30 inches from back to back and shall be firmly secured to the floor.

(ii) The maximum number of seats in any row with egress at both ends shall be 15, and the maximum number of seats in any row with egress at only one end shall be eight.

(2) Longitudinal aisles.

(i) Aisles with seats on one side only shall be at least 30 inches wide. Aisles with seats on both sides shall be at least 36 inches wide.

(ii) Steps in balcony and gallery aisles shall extend the full width of the aisles.

(3) Crossaisles on main floor. The provisions of paragraph (3) of subdivision (b) of section 36-3.2 for crossaisles on the main floor shall apply except that the minimum width of such crossaisle shall be 36 inches. It may be 30 inches if it is necessary to remove more than one row of seats in order to widen the aisle to a width of 36 inches.

(4) Obstructions and standing room in aisles. The provisions of paragraph (6) of subdivision (b) of section 36-3.2 relating to obstructions and standing room shall apply.

(c) Fascia railings.

Where the fascia of a balcony or gallery is 22 inches or less in height from the floor, a substantial handrail, the top of which shall be not less than 26 inches from the floor, shall be provided, unless it cuts the line of vision, in which case it may be not less than 24 inches from the floor. Where aisles are extended to the fascia, the rail at this point for the width of the aisle shall be increased in height to not less than 30 inches, unless the aisle is level for a distance of two feet from the inside of fascia. Where open rails are provided, a curbing not less than six inches high shall be provided, and if the space between the curbing and the uppermost railing exceeds 16 inches an intermediate rail shall be installed.

(d) Proscenium wall and curtain.

(1) Proscenium wall. The stage shall be separated from the orchestra or auditorium by a wall having a fire-resistance rating of at least two hours, extending from the foundation to at least three feet above the stage roof, or the auditorium roof if the latter be the higher, except that where the roof construction has a fire-resistance rating of at least two hours the proscenium wall is required to extend at least to the underside of the roof.

(2) Openings in the proscenium wall. The provisions of paragraph (2) of subdivision (d) of section 36-3.2 for openings in the proscenium wall shall apply.

(3) Fire curtain. The provisions of subdivision (d) of section 36-3.2 regarding fire curtains in new theatres shall apply to all fire curtains hereafter installed in existing theatres. Existing curtains shall be replaced unless they furnish substantially equivalent protection.

(e) Stage section.

(1) Scenery, workshops and storage rooms.

(i) Workshops and storage rooms. Workshops and storage rooms shall be enclosed at the top and sides by construction having a fire-resistance rating of at least one hour and shall have a floor finish of incombustible material. Protection by an automatic sprinkler system may be substituted for such enclosure. Openings connecting such spaces to the stage shall be provided with fire doors having a fire-resistance rating of at least three quarters of an hour.

(ii) All stage scenery, curtains and decorations of combustible material and all woodwork on or about the stage shall be treated so as not to ignite readily nor support combustion.

(2) Dressing rooms.

(i) Dressing rooms, when so used, shall be ventilated by one or more windows or skylights, or shall be ventilated with at least six air changes per hour.

(ii) Dressing rooms, unless enclosed by partitions and a ceiling having a fire-resistance rating of at least one hour and with doors either self-closing fire doors or metal-covered self-closing doors, shall be protected by an automatic sprinkler system.

(iii) The maximum distance from any dressing room to a grade exit, horizontal exit, exit stairway or passageway shall be 75 feet.

(3) Sanitary facilities. The provisions of paragraph (6) of subdivision (e) of section 36-3.2 covering sanitary facilities shall apply.

(4) Ventilators in stage section. The provisions of paragraph (7) of subdivision (e) of section 36-3.2 on ventilation of stage section shall apply.

(5) Extinguishers and fire tools. The provisions of paragraph (10) of subdivision (e) of section 36-3.2 on extinguishers and fire tools shall apply.

(k) Smoking.

The provisions of subdivision (f) of section 36-3.2 regarding smoking in new theatres shall apply.