Section 17 in Bihar Cinemas (Regulation) Rules, 1974
17. General suitability of the building.
(1)No building shall be licensed unless the licensing authority is satisfied that it is structurally sound, and that in particular all galleries and stair-cases lending to galleries are strong enough to bear the weight of the maximum number of persons who can be seated in the galleries.(2)No portion of the building which contains the auditorium shall without the consent of the licensing authority, be occupied or used-(a)as a hotel, boarding or lodging house or for residential purposes by day or night;(b)as a factory or workshop or for storage purpose.(3)No building shall be licensed unless the licensing authority is satisfied that the arrangement of the building is such that it can be emptied of the audience immediately on the occurrence of fire or of any other sudden emergency.(4)There shall be annexed to the licence-(i)a plan of the auditorium showing the dimensions of the gangways, the number and situation of the exits, the number of persons, which may be accommodated in each portion of the auditorium, and(ii)a single line writing diagram showing details of the entire electrical installation the point of supply to the last light and fan.(5)The licensee shall not, during the currency of the licence, make any alteration or addition in the auditorium except with the consent in writing of the licensing authority.(6)No person in excess of the number specified in the licence shall be admitted into any portion of the auditorium nor shall any number of the audience be allowed to sit or stand in any of the gangways during the performance. All seats in the auditorium shall be serially numbered and where seating accommodation is provided on benches there shall be set apart for such number of the audience a seating space of not less than twenty inches measured on straight lines along and at right angles to the front of such seat. Line demarcating each seat on a bench shall be pointed twenty inches apart.(7)The auditorium shall be provided with exits sufficient in size, number and situation to enable the audience to leave the building at once on the occurrence of any emergency. All gangways, stair-cases and passages leading to the exists shall be kept clear of all obstructions(8)All exists shall be fitted with doors with open outwards. The exit doors shall be kept unfastened during the performance. In all building licensed for the first time after these rules come into force, the exists shall be at least 4 feet 6 inches wide measured between the leaves of the doors when opened. In other buildings, the exit doors may be of smaller dimensions, provided that the licensing authority is satisfied that the requirement of sub-rule (7) are satisfied.(9)Any exit sign shall be provided on the wall of the auditorium above every exit consisting of the word "exit" in plain letters at least three inches high framed in transfluent lighted from the back of the glass, and if lighted with an electric lamp, that shall be connected with an emergency lighting circuit. Every exit sign lamp shall be kept continuously lighted during the period for which the public is admitted to the auditorium. The word "no exit" shall be pointed in white letters on a black ground over all doors in the auditorium which do not lead to exits.(10)All stair-cases and means of approach to galleries shall be constructed of masonry or other non-inflammable material and shall direct to the open air and not to any portion of the building which is used as an exit for the main auditorium. All stair-cases shall be fitted with handrails on both sides, and shall be reasonable inclination.
