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THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT GAZETTE, JULY 17, 1931.
EXECUTIVE COUNCIL.
Hong Kong.
No. 443.
Regulations made by the Governor in Council under section 6 (1) of the Places of Public Entertainment Regulation Ordinance, 1919, Ordinance No. 22 of 1919, on the 9th day of July, 1931.
The Regulations made by the Governor in Council under the Places of Public Entertainment Regulation Ordinance, 1919, set forth on pages 769-785 of the Regulations of Hong Kong, 1844-1925, are hereby amended as follows:-
(1) by the deletion of the heading "Special fire precautions at cinematograph displays", and of regulation 41 (on pages 777 and 778) under such deleted heading, and by the substitution therefor respectively of the following head- ing and regulation,-
Special fire precautions relating to cinematograph operation and cinematograph films.
41.-(1) In this regulation,-
(a) The word "building" shall be deemed to include any booth,
tent, or similar structure.
(b) The expression "new building" means a building newly erected or adapted after the date on which this regulation comes into force for the purpose of cinematograph exhibitions.
(2) No building shall be used for cinematograph exhibitions unless it be provided with an adequate number of exits clearly indicated and so placed and maintained as readily to afford the audience ample means of safe egress.
(3) The doors of all exits shall be so constructed and maintained as
easily to open outwards on being pressed from within.
(4) The seating in the building shall be so arranged as not to interfere
with free access to the exits.
The gangways, the staircases, and the passages leading to the exits, shall, during the presence of the public in the building be kept clear of obstruction. No person shall be allowed to stand or sit in any of the gangways intersecting the rows of seats, or in the space between the front row of seats and the screen; and if stand- ing be permitted by the licensing authority in any other gangway or portion of the auditorium, sufficient room shall be left to allow persons to pass easily to and fro.
(5) The licensee or some responsible person nominated by him in writ- ing for the purpose shall be in charge during the whole time of any exhibition and there shall also be during that time a sufficient staff of attendants in the building for the purpose of securing safety. (6) All persons responsible for or employed in or in connection with the exhibition shall take all due precautions for the prevention of accidents, and shall abstain from any act whatever which tends to cause fire and is not reasonably necessary for the purpose of the exhibition.
(7) Fire appliances suitable to the character of the building and adequate to deal with an outbreak of fire shall be provided and maintained in good working order. During the exhibition such appliances shall be in the charge of some person specially nominated for that purpose who shall see that they are kept constantly available for use.