Wisconsin Legislature: SPS 377.03

Ch. SPS 377 Note Note: Chapter Ind 162 was renumbered chapter ILHR 77 under s. 13.93 (2m) (b) 1., Stats., Register, June, 1995, No. 474; chapter ILHR 77 was renumbered chapter Comm 77 under s. 13.93 (2m) (b) 1., Stats., and corrections made under s. 13.93 (2m) (b) 7., Stats., Register, May, 1998, No. 509. Chapter Comm 77 was renumbered chapter SPS 377 under s. 13.92 (4) (b) 1., Stats., Register December 2011 No. 672.

SPS 377.001 SPS 377.001 Scope, theaters. Under this classification are included all buildings or parts of buildings used for theatrical, operatic, or motion picture performances.

SPS 377.001 History History: 1-2-56; renum., Register, September, 1974, No. 225, eff. 10-1-74.

SPS 377.01 SPS 377.01 Assembly halls. Under this classification are included all buildings or parts of buildings not included under theaters, where more than 100 persons assemble for entertainment, recreation, instruction, worship or dining purposes.

SPS 377.01 History History: 1-2-56; renum., Register, September, 1974, No. 225, eff. 10-1-74.

SPS 377.02 SPS 377.02 Capacity.

SPS 377.02(1)(1) The capacity of a theater or assembly hall shall be established by the actual number of permanently fixed seats. Where permanently fixed seats are not provided, the capacity shall be established by allowing 10 square feet of floor space per person in areas used as dining rooms and dance halls, 15 square feet per person in gymnasiums, skating rinks and lodge halls, and 7 square feet per person in all places used for seated assembly. For bleachers and grandstands, one person per 18 inches of seat board will be allowed.

SPS 377.02(2) (2) No greater number of persons than the number thus established shall be permitted in any theater or place of assembly.

SPS 377.02 History History: 1-2-56; renum., Register, September, 1974, No. 225, eff. 10-1-74.

SPS 377.03 SPS 377.03 Exits.

SPS 377.03(1)(1) Number. Every theater or assembly hall shall have 2 or more exits, places as far apart as practicable, and so located that if any exit is blocked, some other exit will still be accessible from every part of the theater or assembly hall. This order shall apply separately to the main floor and to each balcony or gallery which accommodates more than 50 persons, and also to the stage, dressing room section and other employees' rooms.

SPS 377.03(2) (2) Type. Each exit shall be either a stairway, or a fire escape, or a horizontal exit (s. SPS 375.12), or for the first floor only an outside stairway with steps or incline to grade.

SPS 377.03(3) (3) Location. If a theater or assembly hall is located above the second story, all interior stairways shall be enclosed with not less than one-hour fire-resistive partitions and fire-resistive doors (ss. SPS 375.08 to 375.09), each leading to a separate exit door.

SPS 377.03 History History: 1-2-56; renum. and am., Register, September, 1974, No. 225, eff. 10-1-74; corrections made under s. 13.93 (2m) (b) 7., Stats., Register, June, 1995, No. 474; correction in (2), (3) made under s. 13.92 (4) (b) 7., Stats., Register December 2011 No. 672.

SPS 377.04 SPS 377.04 Fire escapes. Fire escapes hereafter constructed shall be stairway fire escapes as described in ss. SPS 375.13 to 375.23. If the theater or assembly hall accommodates more than 125 persons, such fire escape shall be a “B" type fire escape. Existing stairway fire escapes complying with these requirements will be accepted if strongly and properly built and in good condition. Ladders are not accepted as exits under any conditions.

SPS 377.04 History History: 1-2-56; renum. and am., Register, September, 1974, No. 225, eff. 10-1-74; correction made under s. 13.93 (2m) (b) 7., Stats., Register, June, 1995, No. 474; correction made under s. 13.92 (4) (b) 7., Stats., Register December 2011 No. 672.

SPS 377.05 SPS 377.05 Stairways.

SPS 377.05(1)(1) Inside stairways at a steeper angle than 45º with the horizontal are not accepted as exits. No stairway will be accepted as an exit if it is necessary to go up stairs in order to reach the head of the stairway.

SPS 377.05(2) (2) Outside stairways heretofore constructed on buildings not more than 2 stories in height will be accepted if properly constructed and in good condition.

SPS 377.05(3) (3) Stairways and steps which have more than 3 risers shall have handrails on both sides. Rails shall be not less than 2 feet 6 inches vertically above nose of treads, or 3 feet above a platform.

SPS 377.05(4) (4) If a closet is located under any non-fire-resistive stairway which serves as an exit from a theater or assembly hall, such closet shall not be used, but shall be kept empty and locked.

SPS 377.05 History History: 1-2-56; renum., Register, September, 1974, No. 225, eff. 10-1-74.

SPS 377.06 SPS 377.06 Exit doors.

SPS 377.06(1)(1) Exit doors shall be as required by s. SPS 375.24, but no rolling, sliding or revolving door shall be used as an exit from any theater or assembly hall.

SPS 377.06(2) (2) For exit lights and signs, see ss. SPS 377.14, 377.15.

SPS 377.06 History History: 1-2-56; renum. and am., Register, September, 1974, No. 225, eff. 10-1-74; corrections made under s. 13.93 (2m) (b) 7., Stats., Register, June, 1995, No. 474; correction in (1), (2) made under s. 13.92 (4) (b) 7., Stats., Register December 2011 No. 672.

SPS 377.07 SPS 377.07 Width of exits.

SPS 377.07(1)(1) The total width of exits from every theater and assembly hall, and from every part thereof, shall not be less than the following:

SPS 377.07(1)(a) (a) Buildings of fire-resistive construction, 36 inches per 100 persons.

SPS 377.07(1)(b) (b) Buildings of ordinary construction, 40 inches per 100 persons.

SPS 377.07(1)(c) (c) Buildings of frame construction, 44 inches per 100 persons.

SPS 377.07 History History: 1-2-56; renum., Register, September, 1974, No. 225, eff. 10-1-74.

SPS 377.08 SPS 377.08 Seats.

SPS 377.08(1)(1) Where fixed seats are not used, the chairs or seats shall be fastened together in groups of 4 or more. There shall be not more than 12 seats in a row between aisles, nor more than 6 seats in a row which has an aisle on one side only.

SPS 377.08(2) (2) All seats, chairs and benches shall be placed not less than 32 inches back to back measured horizontally, except that this requirement does not apply where fixed seats have already been installed.

SPS 377.08(3) (3) Loose chairs or seats shall not be used unless a special permit is secured from the department.

SPS 377.08(4) (4) The requirements of this order do not apply to restaurants, dining rooms or dance halls.

SPS 377.08 History History: 1-2-56; renum. and am., Register, September, 1974, No. 225, eff. 10-1-74.

SPS 377.09 SPS 377.09 Aisles. No wall aisle shall be less than 3 feet wide and no other straight aisle shall be less than 3 feet 6 inches wide except that where fixed seats were originally installed, the above dimensions may be reduced 6 inches.

SPS 377.09 History History: 1-2-56; renum., Register, September, 1974, No. 225, eff. 10-1-74.

SPS 377.10 SPS 377.10 Obstructions.

SPS 377.10(1)(1) All lobbies, aisles, passageways and doorways shall be kept free from furniture, drapes, display equipment, merchandise and other obstructions, and no person except an employee shall be allowed to stand in or occupy any of the aisles, foyers or passageways during any performance or public gathering.

SPS 377.10(2) (2) No vending equipment, booths or counters shall be placed in any lobby, foyer or other public space except as provided for in the state building code.

SPS 377.10 History History: 1-2-56; renum., Register, September, 1974, No. 225, eff. 10-1-74.

SPS 377.11 SPS 377.11 Proscenium curtain.

SPS 377.11(1) (1) In every theater or assembly hall having a stage which is more than 6 feet higher or wider than the proscenium opening, the proscenium opening shall be provided with a rigid metal curtain or a curtain of asbestos conforming to the following specifications, or of equivalent approved construction.

SPS 377.11(1)(a) (a) Asbestos curtains shall be substantially woven of asbestos fiber not less than 95% pure and shall weigh not less than 21/2 pounds per square yard. There shall be incorporated into the yarn before weaving, either monel metal, nickel, brass or other metal or alloy, having no less strength than these metals at temperatures up to 1700º Fahrenheit and no less resistance to corrosion at ordinary temperatures.

SPS 377.11(1)(b) (b) All seams shall be vertical, shall be lapped not less than one inch and sewed in 2 rows with not less than 1/ 16 inch pure asbestos twine. At the top and bottom of the curtain a 21/ 2 inch (or larger) steel pipe shall be placed and shall be securely fastened in and covered by the curtain. The curtain shall overlap the proscenium wall not less than 12 inches at each side and at the top, and shall be guided at each side by metallic loops or rings sliding on a 3/8 inch steel cable or No. 6 U. S. Standard gauge wire.

SPS 377.11(1)(c) (c) In addition to any decoration, the curtain shall be painted on both sides with a mineral paint, having a silicate of soda binder, which will completely fill the cloth. Filler paint shall have not less than 4 parts of casein in each 10 parts of silicate of soda. The paint shall be well brushed into the cloth so that no light or smoke can come through.

SPS 377.11(1)(d) (d) For curtains of any type, the connections between curtain and wall shall be made as nearly smoke-proof as possible. Smoke grooves or pockets shall be of structural steel shapes and plates not less than 1/4 inch thick. These grooves or pockets shall be not less than 14 inches deep and 6 inches wide and shall be set back from the face of the arch at least 6 inches. They shall extend from the stage floor to a point 3 feet above the top of the raised curtain, and shall be securely bolted to the proscenium wall.

SPS 377.11(1)(e) (e) Provisions shall be made to prevent the curtain from leaving or binding on the guides under any conditions. Appropriate limit chains shall be provided to stop the downward travel of the top of the curtain at a line not less than 12 inches above the top of the proscenium opening. No part of a curtain, nor any of the curtain guides, or equipment, shall be supported by, or fastened to, any combustible material.

SPS 377.11(1)(f) (f) The hoisting apparatus for the curtain shall be designed with a factor of safety of 8 or more.

SPS 377.11(1)(g) (g) Besides the regular operating mechanism there shall be an emergency device which will allow the curtain to drop by gravity. The device shall be so arranged that it can be easily operated by hand from each side of the stage and from the fly galleries, and also that its operation will be controlled by 135º fusible links, or other approved heat release devices, placed on each side of the stage, and when thus operated it shall descend at its normal rate of speed.

SPS 377.11(1)(h) (h) The curtain and its operating mechanism shall be so designed and constructed at all points, whether specifically mentioned or not, as to form an efficient and reliable barrier against fire and smoke, according to the best practice.

SPS 377.11(1)(i) (i) Detailed plans and specifications for all curtains and their operating mechanism shall be submitted to the department for approval before installation.

SPS 377.11 History History: 1-2-56; renum. and am., Register, September, 1974, No. 225, eff. 10-1-74.

SPS 377.12 SPS 377.12 Automatic smoke outlet. Where a proscenium curtain is required or provided, the stage shall be provided with one or more automatic smoke outlets, constructed of metal or other incombustible material, placed near the center and above the highest part of the stage, and having a combined area equal to not less than 8% of the area of the stage floor. Vertical louver openings shall be placed not less than 3 feet above the roof and shall be not less than twice the area of the shaft. The smoke outlet shall be designed and constructed so as to open by gravity, and so as to effectively overcome the effects of neglect, rust, dirt, frost, snow, heat, twisting, or warping of the framework. The louvers or dampers, in the openings shall be held closed by cotton or hemp cords running to the stage floor close to each stage door. Fusible links, or other approved heat release devices, shall be inserted in each cord near the outlets.

SPS 377.12 History History: 1-2-56; renum., Register, September, 1974, No. 225, eff. 10-1-74.

SPS 377.13 SPS 377.13 Lights, oil and gas. No oil lamp or gas lighting of any kind shall be used on or about any stage containing scenery.

SPS 377.13 History History: 1-2-56; renum., Register, September, 1974, No. 225, eff. 10-1-74.

SPS 377.14 SPS 377.14 Exit lights and signs.

SPS 377.14(1) (1) In every theater and assembly hall, except church auditoriums, exit lights shall be provided immediately over all exit doorways, and in such other places as may be necessary to direct the occupants to exit doorways and to a street, alley or exit court. The installation of such exit lights shall comply in all respects with the provisions of the Wisconsin state electrical code.

SPS 377.14(2) (2) Every light over an exit doorway shall be a red illuminated sign bearing the word EXIT or OUT in plain letters not less than 5 inches in height.

SPS 377.14(3) (3) All exit lights shall remain lighted during each occupancy and until the occupants have left the building.

SPS 377.14 History History: 1-2-56; renum., Register, September, 1974, No. 225, eff. 10-1-74.

SPS 377.15 SPS 377.15 Ventilation. In all theaters and assembly halls a heating and ventilating system complying with the requirements of the heating, ventilation and air conditioning code shall be provided, maintained and operated.

SPS 377.15 History History: 1-2-56; renum., Register, September, 1974, No. 225, eff. 10-1-74.

SPS 377.16 SPS 377.16 Fire extinguishers.

SPS 377.16(1) (1) Standard fire extinguishers (s. SPS 377.27) shall be provided as follows: