Section 28 in Rules Issued Under Sections 36 and 39 of the Chennai City Police Act, 1888
28.
(1)No licence shall be granted under the Act in respect of any building or enclosure unless the provisions of sub-rules (2) to (8) are complied with.(2)Inside the building, there shall be gangways or passages all round and at such other place and of such width, not less than four feet, as may be determined by the Commissioner. Such gangways and passages shall, at all times, be kept clear.(3)If there are galleries in the building, they shall be strongly built to the satisfaction of the Engineer. The stairs or approaches to such galleries shall be at least 4 feet in width. There shall be at least two staircases or approaches to each gallery and if the sitting capacity of the gallery is more than 500, there shall be one extra staircase or approach for every additional 250 persons accommodated in the gallery. The seating arrangements in such galleries shall be divided into blocks by gangways running from the front to the rear and across the building of such width, not less than four feet and at such intervals not more than 30 feet apart, as may be determined by the Commissioner. Such gangways shall, at all times, be kept clear. Parapets or rails shall be at least 3 feet high. If the main seating accommodation is situated on any floor other than the ground floor, the requirement in respect of seating arrangements and provision of stairs or approaches shall be the same as for the galleries.(4)(a)The licensee shall not permit a greater number of persons to be accommodated in the building than the number prescribed. Such number shall not exceed that arrived at by calculating at the rate of 20 persons per 100 square feet of floor area in respect of such portions as are provided with chairs having backs and arms, and at the rate of 25 persons per 100 square feet of floor area in respect of other portions after excluding the area of the entrances, the passages and gangways, the stage, the staircases and all places to which the public are not admitted.(b)The licensee shall cause a board to be hung in a prominent place in the licensed premises, the maximum number of persons who can be accommodated in the building under these rules:Provided that when more than one class of accommodation is provided in the premises, the maximum number of persons who can be accommodated in each class shall be indicated by means of a board or otherwise.(c)The licensee shall provide separate and reasonably sufficient accommodation for women.(d)The following provisions shall be observed in providing seating accommodation: -(i)Chairs shall be battened together in complete lengths.(ii)In all cases, there shall be an intervening space at least one foot between the back of one seat and the front of the seat immediately behind it, measured between perpendiculars.(iii)No seat shall be more than ten feet from a gangway.(iv)The seating accommodation in every building shall be so arranged as not to interfere with free access to the exits, gangways, passages leading to exits and staircase. All such gangways, passage and staircases shall, during the presence of the public in the building, be kept free from obstruction.(5)Such building or place shall have at least two main exits of not less than eight feet in height and not less than six feet in width. Where these exits are closed by doors, the doors shall be so made as to open outwards. Such exits shall be so arranged that they can be pushed open easily and at once from inside.(6)When the area of such building or place exceeds 1,000 square feet, at least one additional special exit per 500 square feet of additional space shall be provided in the exterior walls of such building or place of suitable distances. Each of such special exits shall be eight feet in height and not less than eight feet in width. Such special exits may be closed whilst such building or place is being used as a place of public entertainment or resort, but the means adopted for using them, in cases of emergency, shall be specified in item 5 of the licence. The special exits may be made of covered or closed by mat, screen, tatties on split bamboo frames and fastened by twine, or similar material which can be removed by a slight pressure from inside the building:Provided that where the building or enclosed place is not an entirely roofed or covered structure as in sports stadiums, the number of special exits may with the permission of the Commissioner, be provided at the rate of not less than one special exit for every 500 persons prescribed as the maximum seating capacity under these rules.(7)Every exit including the additional special exits referred to in sub-rule (6) shall be indicated by a board on which shall be painted in large and legible letters the word "Exit" and its equivalent in Tamil or Telugu.(8)The licensee shall provide ample space for parking at least 25 motor cars or 50 motor cycles and 200 cycles or 20 motor cars, 5 motor cycles and 100 cycles and employ watchman at the rate of one for every 25 cars or 50 motor cycles and 200 cycles or 20 motor cars, 5 motor cycles and 100 cycles.The Commissioner may, when special circumstances require, insist on any applicant to provide space for parking of more than 25 motor cars and other vehicles and to provide watchmen to look after the vehicles in the interest of the public.Every person who has obtained a licence under this Act for the use of any building or enclosed place for public entertainment or resort may collect fees for parking of motor cars and vehicles in the space provided thereof at the rates indicated below: -(i)Motor vehicles, including motor cycles......... 12 naye paise.(ii)Vehicles other than motor vehicles.......... 6 naye paise:Provided that such fees shall not be charged where the owner has his own driver or attendant to look after the vehicle.
