LCC Fire Regulations - 1898

Recalling this incident for the Kinematograph Weekly 01/03/1917 1917 he said:

".... previous to the doors opening to admit the long queue waiting admission there were difficulties to be overcome. A representative from the L.C.C. turned up at the last moment, and insisted on the operator and whole box of tricks being iron cased. I believe this was the first instance in which this had to be done. Fortunately, the firm I had engaged in the decorating of the hall were able to deal with it, and the final nails were being knocked in as the doors opened, leaving just half-an-hour for the operators to fix up,"

Here is an account of the new regulations extracted from The Stage - Thursday 10 November 1898

"The Theatres and Music Halls Committee presented a series of revised regulations respecting the use of the cinematograph lanterns in premises licensed by the Council. The new regulations were prepared by the Council’s chemist, in consultation with the chief officer of the fire brigade, the superintending architect of the Council, and some of the principal makers and operators of the cinematograph lanterns in London.  The regulations included the following:--

No cinematograph or other similar apparatus involving the use of a lengthy combustible film shall be exhibited on premises licensed by the Council until the Council has been satisfied that all reasonable precautions have been taken against accident and danger to the public.

Notice of any intended exhibition shall be given to the clerk of the Council by the licensee of the premises in which such exhibition is to be given, and the licensee shall be held entirely responsible for the proper and safe use of the apparatus. Such notice shall be given at least six days before the first day of exhibition.

Opportunity shall also be afforded to the Council's inspector of inspecting the apparatus and seeing it at work at least three days, If possible, before the public exhibition takes place, in order to allow time for any necessary alterations to be carried out and approved by the Council before the first public exhibition takes place.

A plan shall accompany the original notice to the clerk of the Council, showing the exact position of the apparatus and the surroundings within a radius of ten feet of the lantern No gangway or exit must be in any way affected.

The cinematograph shall stand in a suitable fire proof room which shall be entirely enclosed, the floor also being fire-proof. The door shall open outwards and be self-closing.

One of the firemen of the establishment shall be in attendance near the apparatus with a wet blanket and two buckets of water. No inflammable material shall be within two yards' distance from the enclosure.

The audience and seats shall at no point be less than eight feet distant from the lantern, the audience being prevented from approaching by a suitable rail or barrier.

The body of the lantern shall be constructed of wood or other non-conducting material, and shall be coated inside with asbestos it shall also have an inner lining of sheet iron, and an air space shall be left between the iron and the asbestos lining. In the bottom of the lantern shall stand an iron tray, which shall be surrounded by a vertical edge at least one inch in depth. The lantern shall be provided with a metal shutter, which shall fall freely between the source of light and the condenser. This shutter shall be immediately dropped in the event of any accident to the apparatus or stoppage of the film, and shall only be raised when the film is in motion for the purpose of projection.

Where possible the electric arc light shall be adopted as an illuminant, the usual rules for securing safety in an electric installation being observed. Ether and other inflammable liquids shall not be employed under any circumstances for producing light. If limelight be used in the lantern the general regulations for its safety, which are issued by the Council, shall be complied with, and any additional precautions which the Council may deem necessary for securing safety shall also be adopted. The use of acetylene gas is not permitted.

The licensee shall be held responsible for the employment of competent, experienced, and trust worthy operators, and shall be prepared at any time to supply to the Council satisfactory credentials in this respect.

Smoking within the lantern space shall be absolutely forbidden at all times.

Mr. Emden moved an amendment deleting the regulations requiring 8ft. space between the lantern and the public, but Sir H.. Poland said he could not accept the suggestion, as these lanterns wero of so dangerous a character. The amendment was rejected. Mr. Remnant moved that the free space should be reduced to 4ft. Mr. McDougall said it was the opinion of many of the committee that these dangerous lanterns should not be permitted in the auditorium at all. The amendment was lost, and the report adopted."

Poem by Alphonse Courlander from The Photographic Dealer
(December 1898): P128.

This poem by journalist Alphonse Courlander is concerned with the stringent fire regulations that the London County Council had imposed for all sites where films were projected in London. The regulations included requirements that firemen should be present at any screenings, that the projector be separated by a barrier and a space of eight feet from the audience, and that wet blankets be on hand. However, in this same issue of Photographic Dealer (p. 130) it [End Page 383] was reported that the LCC was reviewing these very fire regulations. Incidentally, Courlander mentions Spring Gardens in the poem, which was where the headquarters of the LCC was located (just south of the river Thames near Vauxhall station).

In terms of style, Courlander states on the original page that the poem is “after Edgar Allan Poe”, and it is evidently a parody of Poe’s famous 1845 poem, “The Raven”, including some direct quotations (e.g. “thing of evil”). Curiously, another poem by Courlander about film fire regulations was published in a British entertainment periodical in 1901 (though labelled as from 1898), so probably he felt strongly about this issue of apparently excessive regulation. A decade later Courlander went on to write a story, “Romantic Lucy”, about film stardom, and he also mentioned the cinema elsewhere in his fiction.

The Council and the Operator
(After Edgar Allen Poe)

Once, as far as I remember, it was in dull, drear
     December,
           When the rain was pouring downward and the
              stormy winds did roar;
To Spring Gardens off I wandered – on the way I mused
           and pondered,
Till I found that I was standing just outside the Council
door.
              So I knocked – and nothing more.

As no answer yet receiving – (p’raps my ears were me
                 deceiving)
Anyhow, to make quite certain, timidly I knocked once
          more;
Then, there was no doubt about it, “come in,” someone
            gruffly shouted,
So I turned the handle slowly and I entered – through
         the door
                       Slowly entered through the door.

There the Council sat debating – regulations new creating;
Such a glorious sight of sage men in my life I never saw.
Till they asked me “What my pleasure? – Would I explain
             at my leisure?”
So I now resolved my troubles sorrowfully to outpour –
                  (And my troubles are galore.)

“Tell me, Council,” said I pleading, “Answer to this I am
            needing,
“Must we have a fireproof ceiling, must we have a fire-
    proof door,
“Must we have a fireproof grating, must we have two fire-
           men waiting,
“Must we have a pile of blankets lying on the fireproof
         floor?”
                         Quoth the Council, “That and more.”

“Council,” said I, “thing of evil, Council still, if men or
     devil –
“Will you answer me this question – Answer truly I
             implore –
“Is this now what you prohibit? Must we never more
          exhibit
“Till we have an eight foot space around each side –
        below and o’er?”
                      Quoth the Council, “Not before.”

In a manner melancholy, not to be described as jolly,
    Sorrowfully then I turned and passed out through the
         open door. So will ever trade be spoilt, though we may have worked
          and toiled.
Till the cloud from off the City pass unto the unknown
         shore
                  To menace us – nevermore!

Till the men who, trade thus baulking, understand of what
            they’re talking,
      Till the anger of the people rises in a mighty roar,
Till we burst the bonds that bind us to avenge those who’ve
          maligned us,
till the Council cease to rule the mighty city any more -
                       just till then – but not before.

Alphonse Courlander