(1) Except as provided in subsections (13) and (14), the provisions of this section shall apply to stages and ack-stage areas in all theatres and other occupancy-units in which plays, operas or other productions necessitating the use of scenery take place.

(2) In all such occupancy-units, the stage and back-stage area shall be completely separated from the auditorium by a proscenium-wall having a resistance rating of not less than 2 hours. Each permitted opening shall not exceed 2 square metres in area.

(3) Subject to the provisions of subsection (4), only three openings may be permitted in such proscenium wall other than the proscenium opening, and they shall be below the top of the proscenium opening protected by self-closing fire doors having a fire-resistance rating of not less than 2 hours. Each permitted opening shall not exceed 2 square metres in area.

(4) In addition, openings in a proscenium-wall above the proscenium-opening may be permitted with the written permission of the local authority.

(5) Every proscenium-opening shall be provided with a fire-curtain, which shall be –

a) Capable of withstanding a lateral pressure of 480 pascals; and

b) Constructed of a rigid steel framework; and

c) Covered on the stage side with steel sheet not thinner than 1,6 millimetres; and

d) Covered on the auditorium side with steel sheet not less than 1,6 millimetres in thickness or by asbestos-cloth reinforced with interwoven wire; and

i) The edges of such cloth sheets shall butt together; and

ii) The joints shall be protected by cover sheets of steel secured to the framework by screws or other approved means; and

e) Constructed so as to slide freely in vertical steel guides fixed to the stage-side on both sides of the proscenium-wall; and

f) So, arranged as to overlap the proscenium-opening by at least 450 millimetres on each side and by at least 600 millimetres at the top, when it is closed; and

g) So, arranged that, in the event of fire on or near the stage, it will descend automatically and completely, and effectively close the proscenium-opening, so as to prevent the passage of flame or smoke through such opening; and

h) So, arranged that, whenever it descends, whether actuated manually or automatically, it descends completely in not more than 30 seconds, but requires at least five seconds to descend the last 2 metres, and moves smoothly and without jerks throughout; and

i) Capable of being closed manually at any time; and

j) Provided with the following notice to be displayed on the auditorium side of the curtain in red block letters not less than 75 millimetres in height—

“THIS SAFETY CURTAIN MUST BE RAISED IN THE PRESENCE OF THE AUDIENCE BEFORE EACH PERFOMANCE”

(6) Every stage shall comply with the following requirements—

a) The rigging-loft, fly-galleries and pin-rails shall be of non-combustible materials throughout;

b) The fly-galleries shall be of meshed or slatted construction having clear openings aggregating not less than half the area covered by such galleries;

c) One or more ventilators, equipped with openable shutters or sashes, shall be provided over the stage;

d) Such ventilators shall be of non-combustible material, and their aggregate openable area shall be at least one-tenth of the floor area of the stage;

e) The ventilators shall be so constructed that they will open automatically in the event of a fire on the stage;

f) The ventilators shall be capable of being opened manually at any time;

g) The roof and ceiling over such stage shall be of non-combustible materials throughout;

h) The troughs and frames for footlights and other lights, and all other fixtures and fittings on the stage which it is practicable to make of non-combustible material, shall be made of such material;

i) All other fixtures and fittings, and all scenery and other things on the stage which it is not practicable to make of non-combustible material, shall be treated with approved fire-retardant paint or solution;

j) Every stage shall be provided with –

i) An approved automatic sprinkler system; and

ii) An approved drencher system, operating both manually an automatically, installed behind the fire-curtain referred to in subsection (5), so as to permit the discharge of water along the whole of the curtain on the stage-side; and

iii) At least two hand fire-extinguishers;

k) On the prompt-side of the stage, in a readily accessible position, there shall be provided a telephone or an approved fire-alarm system in direct communication with the fire department of the local authority.

(7) The apparatus for the operation of the fire-curtain, the stage ventilators and the stage ventilators and the stage drencher system shall likewise be located on the prompt-side of the stage, in a readily accessible position from at least two positions, one not more than 3 metres from a stage-door.

(8) The words “NO SMOKING” shall be conspicuously painted on the stage-side of the proscenium-wall on both sides of the proscenium-opening, in block letters of not less than 150 millimetres in height.

(9) All dressing-rooms, work-rooms, scenery-storey, property-stores and other rooms appurtenant to the stage shall be located in the back-stage area, occupancy-unit here under consideration by walls, floors and ceilings having a fire-resistance rating of not less than four hours.

(10) The following two categories of back-stage rooms, namely—

a) Dressing-rooms, lavatories and rooms appurtenant thereto; and

b) Scenery-stores and property-stores;

Shall be separated from each other by walls, floors and ceilings having a fire-resistance rating of not less than one hour.

(11) Doorways in the rooms referred to in subsection (10), which open on to the stage, shall be fitted with doors having a fire-resistance rating of not less than an hour.

(12) The person having control of any stage shall ensure that –

a) The fire-curtain of such stage is tested at the beginning of every performance, and lowered at the end of every performance; and

b) The telephone or fire-alarm system on such stage is tested at the beginning of every performance; and

c) No naked lights of any description are used on such stage:

Provided that such lights, if required in connexion with any performance, may be used with the permission of the local authority.

(13) any stage forming part of an auditorium seating not more than 500 people, used solely for the presentation of theatrical and similar performances, shall, if the relevant requirements of the preceding subsections of this section are not complied with, be constructed in compliance with the following minimum requirements—

a) Every such stage and back-stage area shall be separated from the auditorium by a proscenium-wall having a fire-resistance rating of not less than 2 hours;

b) Any openings in such proscenium-wall, other than the proscenium-opening, shall be protected by self-closing doors having a fire-resistance rating of not less than half an hour;

c) There shall be no openings in the proscenium-wall above the proscenium-opening;

d) Every proscenium-opening shall be provided with an approved heavy-woollen or asbestos-cloth curtain;

e) All dressing-rooms and other rooms appurtenant to such stage shall be located in the back-stage are, and shall be separated from the stage by walls of non-combustible construction;

f) Any doorways in such walls which open on to the stage shall be fitted with self-closing fire-doors having a fire-resistance rating of not less than half an hour;

g) Every such stage shall be provided with at least two hand fir-extinguishers;

h) The access doorways from such auditorium to exit-ways shall comply with the requirements of subsection (22) of section 34.

(14) Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (13) and subject to compliance with paragraph (g) thereof, a proscenium curtain may be omitted for theatres seating not more than 250 people with the written permission of the local authority.

(15) All stages, dressing-rooms and other back-stage rooms shall be provided with exit-ways, which shall be entirely separate and distinct from, and independent of, the exit-ways serving the auditorium.

(16) Every back-stage area shall have at least two doorways leading direct to an exit-way or to a street or public place

(17) Such doors shall be self-closing fire-doors having a fire-resistance rating of not less than half an hour, opening outwards, and shall be located as far as practicable from one another.