460
THE HONGKONG GOVERNMENT GAZETTE, NOVEMBER 7, 1919.
11. The treads of each flight of steps shall be of uniform width and the steps shall be pinned into brick walls at both ends.
12. The several flights of such steps shall be supported and enclosed at the sides by brick walls not less than 9 inches thick.
13. No staircase shall have more than twenty-four steps without a turn.
14. All landings shall be at least 6 inches thick, be square upon plan and shall be so constructed as the Building Authority may require.
15. Every staircase shall have a roof of fire-resisting materials to be approved by the Building Authority.
16. A continuous handrail shall be fixed on both sides of all steps and landings. supported by strong metal brackets built into the wall. Such handrails shall be chased into the walls where the thickness of the walls will permit, but in all cases where the flights of steps return, the newel wall shall be chased so as to allow the handrail to turn without projecting on the landing.
Gangways.
17. A clear passage or gangway not less than 3 feet 6 inches wide shall be formed at the sides and in the rear of the seating in every part of such premises, and gangways not less than 3 feet 6 inches wide shall be provided intersecting the rows of seating in such a manner that no seat shall be more than 10 feet from a gangway measured in the line of the seating. Such passages or gangways shall at all times be kept free from chairs, flap seats, or other obstruction whether permanent or temporary.
Chairs.
18. Where chairs are used in such premises, they shall be battened together at a distance of not less than 1 foot 8 inches from centre to centre and in lengths of not less than 4 or more than 12 in a section.
Entrances and Exits.
19. Two separate exits shall be provided from every tier or floor which accommo- dates not more than 500 persons, and where a tier or floor accommodates more than 500 persons, an additional exit shall be provided for every 250 or part of 250 persons above 500. Each of such exits shall be not less than 5 feet wide between the walls at any point or between the leaves of the doors when open. Two of the exits from each tier or floor shall lead into different streets.
If any tier or floor shall be divided into two or more parts, exits as set out above shall be provided from each of such parts.
Exits shall be arranged so as to afford a ready means of egress from all parts of each tier or floor, and shall lead directly into a street.
Vestibules,
20. Where vestibules are provided in such premises not more than three tiers or floors or (where such tiers or floors are divided into two or more parts) not more than three of such parts of tiers or floor shall communicate with one vestibule.
The aggregate width of all the doorways or passages that lead from a vestibule towards a street shall be at least one-third greater than the aggregate width of all the exits required by the Regulations that lead to such vestibule.
Exits.
21. The united width of all the doorways or passages that lead from a vestibule towards a street shall be at least of the same width as such vestibule.
22. Not more than two exits from each separate part of a tier or floor shall be used as entrances.