New York Laws
Article 19 - Public Entertainments or Exhibitions by Cinematograph or Any Other Apparatus for Projecting Moving Pictures
19.03 - Construction of Booth; Approval of Plans and Specifications.

§ 19.03. Construction of booth; approval of plans and specifications.
The booths provided for in section 19.01 of this article shall be
constructed according to plans and specifications which shall have been
first approved, in a city, by the mayor or chief executive officer of
the city department having supervision of the erection of buildings in
such city; in a village, by the mayor of such village; in a town outside
the boundaries of a city or village, by the supervisor of such town.
Provided, however, that no plans and specifications for the construction
of such booths shall be approved by any public official, unless the
following requirements are substantially provided for in such plans and
specifications:

1. Dimensions. Such booths shall be at least six feet in height. If
one machine is to be operated in such booth the floor space shall be not
less than forty-eight square feet. If more than one machine is to be
operated therein, an additional twenty-four square feet shall be
provided for each such additional machine.

2. General specifications. In case such booth is not constructed of
concrete, brick, hollow tile or other approved fireproof material than
asbestos, such booth shall be constructed with an angle framework of
approved fireproof material, the angles to be not less than one and
one-quarter inches by three-sixteenths of an inch thick, the adjacent
members being joined firmly with angle plates of metal. The angle
members of the framework shall be spaced not more than four feet apart
on the sides and not more than three feet apart on the front and back
and top of such booth. The sheets of asbestos board or other approved
fire-resisting material shall be at least one-quarter of an inch in
thickness and shall be securely attached to the framework by means of
metal bolts and rivets. The fire-resisting material shall completely
cover the sides, top and all joints of such booth. The floor space
occupied by the booth shall be covered with fire-resisting material not
less than three-eighths of an inch in thickness. The booth shall be
insulated so that it will not conduct electricity to any other portion
of the building. There shall be provided for the booth a door not less
than two feet wide and five feet ten inches high, consisting of an angle
frame of approved fireproof material covered with sheets of approved
fireproof material one-quarter of an inch thick, and attached to the
framework of the booth by hinges, in such a manner that the door shall
be kept closed at all times, when not used for ingress or egress.

The operating windows, one for each machine to be operated therein and
one for the operator thereof, shall be no larger than reasonably
necessary, to secure the desired service, and shutters of approved
fireproof material shall be provided for each window. When the windows
are open, the shutters shall be so suspended and arranged that they will
automatically close the window openings, upon the operating of some
suitable fusible or mechanical releasing device.

Where a booth is so built that it may be constructed to open directly
on the outside of the building through a window, such window shall be
permitted for the comfort of the operator, but such booth shall not be
exempted from the requirement of the installation of a vent flue as
hereinafter prescribed. Said booth shall contain an approved fireproof
box for the storage of films not on the projecting machine. Films shall
not be stored in any other place on the premises; they shall be rewound
and repaired either in the booth or in some other fireproof inclosure.
The booth in which the picture machine is operated shall be provided
with an opening or vent flue in its roof or upper part of its side wall
leading to the outdoor air. The vent flue shall have a minimum
cross-sectional area of fifty square inches and shall be fireproof. When
the booth is in use there shall be a constant current of air passing

outward through said opening or vent flue at the rate of not less than
thirty cubic feet per minute.