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Misc Other equipment
Projection Box Fire Shutters (UK)
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In the days of the very flammable Nitrate film, the Government fire regulations stated that there must be, fitted to the projection and viewing ports, fireproof automatic closing shutters
This was to seal off the projection box from the outside world, and prevent fire spreading into
the auditorium
Shutters. One closed, and one open
The shutters were held open by a quick release catch that went over a peg fitted into a
horizontal bar that ran the complete length of the front wall of the box
This bar was spring loaded, and could move a few inches, propelled by the spring, to release
the shutters
Tension spring
If the film caught fire then the fusible link fitted in the cable above each projector would melt
at about 200 degrees Fahrenheit
Fusible link
The cable was connected to the horizontal bar, and when broken by the link melting, release the spring, and thus close the shutters, and cover the ports
The shutters could also be closed manually by pulling on a quick release handle
Manual quick release handle
The box lantern light was also connected to the same cable as the shutters, and would also open
The idea behind this was to let out the smoke
This was not an idea liked by the Fire Brigade because it gave oxygen to the fire, but there was nothing that they could about this as it was part of the Government fire regulations.
The projectionist would have to close the shutters every night before he went home, and naturally, open them on returning the next day.
This was done by manually, by simply lowering, or raising the vertical bar connected to the shutter, and a counterweight was fitted to make this operation easier
Shutter counterweights
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