THEATRES AND DANCE HALLS ACT - CHAPTER 21:03.

In order to satisfy the requirements of this act.

An application is to be made through the Magistrate’s Court to the Secretary, Licensing Authority in the area in which the event is to be held (in the case of single events) or where the premises is situated.

A copy of the application is to be submitted to the Fire Prevention Officer in the area, giving sufficient time for an inspection to be carried out and any faults corrected prior to the event. A report is submitted to the Court in time for the hearing of the application.

Some of the requirements generally issued are in respect of:

• Adequate space to accommodate the expected attendance.
• Adequate means of escape in the event of fire or other emergency.
• Adequate number of clearly indicated exits.
• Seating arrangements so arranged to allow free access to exits and all passageways kept clean at all times during events.
• First aid fire-fighting equipment in place and in a serviceable condition.

Such other provisions as may be deemed necessary for the safety of patrons when present at the venue.

An inspection fee of Two Hundred Dollars ($200.00) is payable upon establishment and every year thereafter at renewal of license.

N.B.: Fire Service personnel may be required to be present during the staging of events at the venue. Details of this coverage are to be worked out prior to the event, with the Fire Prevention Officer in the particular area. Where the event is carded to take place. This measure seeks to ensure that the safety conditions are maintained during the time the public is present.

CINEMATOGRAPH LICENSE INSPECTIONS.

In order to satisfy the requirements of Chapter 20:10 of the Laws of Trinidad and Tobago - the Cinematograph Act; several conditions must be met.

Section 7 (3) of the Act says that the licensing authority shall not approve the grant of a license unless he is satisfied the premises has been certified by a competent engineer or architect or is in the process of being certified and that adequate measures have or will be made for ensuring the safe accommodating of the attending public.

Police officers, Fire Officers and Film Censors are the persons authorized to enter premises, whether licensed or not, in which there is reason to believe that an exhibition is being given to ensure that the provisions of the act are being complied with. There is a penalty for attempting to obstruct or prevent these persons from entering these premises.

The Regulations to the Act identify in part 1 all the provisions with which
a cinema must comply. Some of these are:

1. Design and construction must be certified by the Chief Technical Officer (Ministry of Works).
2. Exits must be clearly indicated with signs six inches (150mm) in height coloured green, tinted or illuminated.
3. Doors leading to dead ends or other unsafe places and which do not lead to an exit shall be marked by "No thoroughfare” signs in six inches (150mm) red letters, tinted or illuminated.

Exit directional signs shall be posted at all points where the direction of travel to an exit is not readily apparent “ To Exit: signs in six inches (150mm) letters tinted green or illuminated shall be provided.

4. Signs to be posted at least 6.9” – 2.1m from floor level above doors or passageways as appropriate.
5. Chairs or seats shall not be placed in the passageways that could impede the speedy egress of patrons.
6. There shall be no standing in the cinema during exhibitions.
7. No flammable tapestry shall be placed at a doorway that would impede the free egress of the public during an exhibition.
8. All gates, folding shelters, in the building shall be kept unlocked and fully opened during exhibitions. (Variations of this may be done subject to the approval of the Chief Fire Officer).
9. Floor coverings shall be fixed to avoid or obstruction and shall be sunk to the same level as the floor. All floors shall be of non-skid surface material.
10. Curtains shall be at least 2 inches (50mm) from the floor and shall slide freely.
11. The auditorium shall be provided with adequate lighting during performances and secondary lighting shall be available and be capable of illuminating the auditorium exit access, exit discharge and final exits for at least one hour (1hr.), in event of a mains – T&TEC failure.
12. Persons shall not reside on the premises.
13. All fires occurring during an exhibition shall be immediately reported.
14. Fire equipment shall be provided and maintained throughout the
    buildings in accordance with the Chief Fire Officer.
15. Trained and uniformed persons shall be appointed as attendants at the premises during the exhibitions.
16. Instructions as to steps to be taken in the event of a fire on the premises shall be posted.

Generally, inspections are conducted during the latter quarter of the year prior to the expiration of the license. An application can be made for an inspection of cinema premises by letter to the Fire Prevention Officer in
the particular area. A fee of Two Hundred Dollars ($200.00) is payable in advance of the inspection. A certificate of structural approval must also be submitted at that time.

The Commissioner of Police or his agent and the Chief Fire Officer or his agent has the authority to stop any cinema exhibition being held in a building if he is satisfied that there is eminent danger to the public.

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