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Show J MOVIE HOUSES ARE FIRE TRAPS Result of State Survey Shows Dangerous Condi tions Exist SALT LAKE, Feb. 26. That some theatre of Utah are veritable fjre- i raps la shown in a report made to the state hoard of health by Pcroiv.il Young, architectural engineer, wbo ha9 been engaged in an examination of the theatres of the state from the standpoint 6f health and sanitation. For the tylOBt part, according to Or. T. B. Beatty. stale health com-missioncr. com-missioncr. there has been evidenced on the part of the proprietors a srUl- ngness to get their playhouses lnro E i ompliance w'th tbc state law. wh"ii 9Kj matter w s brought to their at- tentjon There have been a few notable no-table exceptions. However, on the whole, the theatres of the state are in considerably bettor sh". as re- tf :;ards sanitation and safety and comfort com-fort of the public, than they were when the campaign of the .state board was started some months ago. Mr, (r young's report follows "In accordance with your request for a desc ription of some of the more defective and dangerous public buildings build-ings encountered Jn my investigations for the state board of health. I BUb- mit the following as among the worst . I BUILT OF WOOD. ' In the northern part of the statu wub found a theatre of about 2."i0 ca pacity winch was constructed entire!; of wood. It had but one exit, in th rear center of the house. Over t li i-one i-one exit was a nonfireproof Inachini booth, built from mat-hod lumber All aisles in this theatre were un der 30 inches in width. The spao. jndcr the stage was filled with rubbish, rub-bish, old posters, straw, etc Wit hit 30 days after the management received receiv-ed your recommendations, t'.i- bootli had been flreproofed, two additional exits provided and the aisles widened "In an amusement hail in Sail Lake ounty the following conditions -.v.-r. found. The hall is located on the second sec-ond floor of a nonfireproof building. The only exit was 51 inches wide, opening to a steep set of wooden stairs. The hall was heated by mexna these being pla in hail in such n manner that at the least sign of confusion they would be overturned Had this occurred. H great number of occupants would be apt to jump out of the windows to the sidewalks below. An additional exit i- now being provided. i wt.FJtoi s Tin vi nr.. iaal ' "The most dangerous theatre yot examined was found last week In the southern part of the state It is a nonfireproof building und Incited on a second floor over ;torc rooms, its exits consisted of two djiiow ttair-w.iys. ttair-w.iys. built of wood. The door leading lead-ing to one of the exi'.s is locked by ji .i stove, (here being oof over 16 P tear an cc around uiis ?tove to V the door The chairs are all IoOsi j .ind the aisles were as narrow as 12 Inches in some place?. The trusses supporting the floor arc defective in .design and the .tension members have already sprung considerably. Failure .-ff of these trusses would cause the oc- sf H i upants of the theatre be prei ip- W f' itated into the room below. It has t been customary for the management B . . of this house to pick the place until all aisles and seats an IpQJH a persons stacked on -he oulsioc 1 nailing admittance. In It y of panic iii tin house HF would be small chance for Ihe occu- mck paute to clear the building b tbi t, FEW MEEK hW Kflfc peri B the 150 places of amusement cxaihtll- 9H d were found to comply with the hearing and ventilating and other EH the state board of health, also, m BjH nearly every Instance there was re- EPJ -."ealed some dangerous structural de- KH foots, such as exit doors .'winging in, B9 nonfireproof machine booths over ex- Its or aisles too narrow. I&S "In addition to the regulations of HH the state board of health, there is an jSfl Imperative need for a state building QrV code in Utah, and until such a mea- El , sure is adopted there will be constant RBJ danger from fires and other dlsas- |