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Story
March 24, 1908
The Pacific Commercial Advertiser
Honolulu, Honolulu County, Hawaii
What is this article about?
Edward G. Keen, Honolulu building inspector, details fire safety precautions enforced at moving picture shows, including fireproof machine enclosures, separate wiring, outward exits, and secure seating to minimize risks.
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PRECAUTIONS AT THE MOVING PICTURE SHOWS
"Chief Engineer Thurston, of the fire department, representing the county, and myself, representing the Department of Public Works, have visited all the places in the city where moving picture shows are being given and have enforced a number of rules that do away with all unnecessary risks of fire at those places. I want the people to know this so that it will not be thought that those places are fixed up by the ones running them in any haphazard way," said Edward G. Keen, building inspector, yesterday, in reference to an editorial on the question in the Advertiser.
Of course, the regulations under which we have to work will not allow us to go as far in the matter as we would wish. If we had it our own way we would, for one thing, refuse to allow any of the shows in buildings where there were tenants living on the upper floors. We have made the operators build iron boxes for the machines with iron shutters to close in case of the ignition of the films, making that part of the buildings perfectly fireproof. We have also insisted on the wiring of the places so that the lighting wires are distinct from those that supply the light for the pictures and the lights at the entrances are also on a different wire, so that there can be no accident that will shut all the lights off at once. We have seen also that all the doors of the various exits open outward, making a jam impossible.
"The wiring of the places has been found satisfactory by the local electrician representing the National Board of Underwriters and according to the Board's rules.
Of course, there is always danger in such places, but we have taken all precautions to make those in Honolulu as little dangerous under the circumstances as possible. If the supervisors want to pass stricter ordinances we will put them into effect.
"Other rules that we have put into force compel the proprietors of the shows to fasten the seats securely together and to provide for aisles of a sufficient width."
"Chief Engineer Thurston, of the fire department, representing the county, and myself, representing the Department of Public Works, have visited all the places in the city where moving picture shows are being given and have enforced a number of rules that do away with all unnecessary risks of fire at those places. I want the people to know this so that it will not be thought that those places are fixed up by the ones running them in any haphazard way," said Edward G. Keen, building inspector, yesterday, in reference to an editorial on the question in the Advertiser.
Of course, the regulations under which we have to work will not allow us to go as far in the matter as we would wish. If we had it our own way we would, for one thing, refuse to allow any of the shows in buildings where there were tenants living on the upper floors. We have made the operators build iron boxes for the machines with iron shutters to close in case of the ignition of the films, making that part of the buildings perfectly fireproof. We have also insisted on the wiring of the places so that the lighting wires are distinct from those that supply the light for the pictures and the lights at the entrances are also on a different wire, so that there can be no accident that will shut all the lights off at once. We have seen also that all the doors of the various exits open outward, making a jam impossible.
"The wiring of the places has been found satisfactory by the local electrician representing the National Board of Underwriters and according to the Board's rules.
Of course, there is always danger in such places, but we have taken all precautions to make those in Honolulu as little dangerous under the circumstances as possible. If the supervisors want to pass stricter ordinances we will put them into effect.
"Other rules that we have put into force compel the proprietors of the shows to fasten the seats securely together and to provide for aisles of a sufficient width."
What sub-type of article is it?
Historical Event
What keywords are associated?
Moving Picture Shows
Fire Safety
Honolulu
Regulations
Building Inspector
Public Works
Fire Department
What entities or persons were involved?
Edward G. Keen
Chief Engineer Thurston
Where did it happen?
Honolulu
Story Details
Key Persons
Edward G. Keen
Chief Engineer Thurston
Location
Honolulu
Story Details
Building inspector Edward G. Keen reports on inspections and enforcement of fire safety rules at moving picture shows, including iron boxes for machines, separate wiring for lights, outward-opening exit doors, secure seating, and sufficient aisles.