1 General safety provisions.E+W+S

(1)No premises shall be used for any purpose to which this Act applies—

(a). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . F1

(b)unless the premises are provided with such means of escape in case of fire as the local authority may reasonably require, and such means of escape are maintained in good condition and free from obstruction;

(c)if the premises are situated underneath premises used for residential purposes;

(d)if the premises are so situated that a fire occurring therein might interfere with the means of escape from the building of which they form part or from any adjoining building;

(e)where the premises form part of a building, unless such part either—

(i)is separated from any other part of the building by fire-resisting partitions (including fire-resisting ceilings and floors) and fire-resisting self-closing doors; or

(ii)is so situated and constructed that a fire occurring therein is not likely to spread to other parts of the building, and its use for the purposes to which this Act applies is sanctioned in writing by the local authority and any conditions attached to such sanction are complied with;

(f)unless the regulations set out in the First Schedule to this Act are duly observed;

(g)unless any regulations are duly observed which may be made by the Secretary of State with respect to the use upon the premises of any cinematograph or other similar apparatus.

(2)In the case of premises used for any purpose to which this Act applies at the date of the commencement of this Act, . . . F2the provisions of this section requiring means of escape in case of fire to be provided shall not take effect until the expiration of such period as may be reasonably necessary for enabling the occupier to comply with any requirements of the local authority in that respect.

(3)Any person aggrieved by any requirement of a local authority, or the refusal of the local authority to grant any sanction, or by the conditions attached to any such sanction, may, within seven days after being notified of such requirement, refusal or conditions, appeal to a court of summary jurisdiction, provided that he has given not less than twenty-four hours notice in writing of such appeal and of the grounds thereof to the local authority, and the court on any such appeal may make such order as appears to the court to be just, including any order for the payment of costs.

(4)The Secretary of State may by order, made in accordance with the provisions contained in the Second Schedule to this Act—

(a)make regulations with respect to the use of any cinematograph or similar apparatus upon any premises used for any purpose to which this Act applies; and

(b)modify or add to the regulations set out in the First Schedule to this Act, and those regulations shall thereupon have effect as so modified or added to.

An order made under this section may apply either generally, or to such classes or descriptions of premises as may be mentioned in the order.

2 Purposes to which the Act applies.E+W+S

The purposes to which this Act applies are—

(1)the keeping or storing of raw celluloid—

(a)in quantities exceeding at any one time [F350 kilograms]; or

(b)in smaller quantities unless kept (except when required to be exposed for the purpose of the work carried on in the premises) in a properly closed metal box or case; and

(2)the keeping or storing of cinematograph film—

(a)in quantities exceeding at any one time twenty reels, or [F337 kilograms] in weight; or

(b)in smaller quantities unless each reel is kept (except when required to be exposed for the purpose of the work carried on in the premises) in a separate and properly closed metal box or case:

3 Penalties for infringement of foregoing provisions.E+W+S

(1)In the event of any contravention in or in connection with any premises of the foregoing provisions of this Act, the occupier shall be liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding [F10level 3 on the standard scale] and, in the case of a continuing offence, to a further fine not exceeding ten pounds for each day on which the offence is continued after conviction thereof.

(2)In the event of the contravention by any person employed on any premises of any regulation contained in the First Schedule to this Act or of any regulation made under this Act, he shall be liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding [F11level 1 on the standard scale].

(3)The provisions of [F12section 161 of the M2Factories Act 1961] (which relates to the power of an occupier to exempt himself from fine on the conviction of the actual offender), shall apply to offences under this Act as it applies to offences under that Act.

4 Execution of Act by local authorities.E+W+S

(1)It shall be the duty of local authorities to see that the provisions of this Act are duly complied with.

(2). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . F13

(3). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . F14

5 Power of entry.E+W+S

(1)An officer duly authorised by a local authority may, at all reasonable times, enter and inspect any premises which are used, or which such officer has reasonable cause to believe are used, wholly or in part for any purpose to which this Act applies.

(2)Every such officer as aforesaid shall be furnished with a certificate of his authorisation by the local authority and when visiting any such premises as aforesaid shall, if so required, produce the said certificate to the occupier of the premises.

6 Power to take samples.E+W+S

An officer duly authorised by a local authority may, at any time, take for analysis sufficient samples of any material which he suspects to be or to contain celluloid.

7 Obstruction of officers.E+W+S

If any person refuses to permit any officer authorised under this Act to enter or inspect any premises, or hinders or obstructs any such officer in the execution of his duty under this Act, or refuses to allow any officer to take samples in pursuance of the last preceding section or to give him facilities for the purpose, that person shall be liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding [F15level 2 on the standard scale].

8 Power of county court to modify agreements and to apportion expenses.E+W+S

(1)If any occupier of premises is prevented by any agreement from carrying out any structural alterations which are necessary to enable him to comply with the provisions of this Act, and is unable to obtain the consent to those alterations of the person whose consent is necessary under the agreement, he may apply, in accordance with rules of court, to the county court, and the court, after hearing the parties and any witnesses whom they may desire to call, may make such an order setting aside or modifying the terms of the agreement as the court considers just and equitable in the circumstances of the case.

(2)Where in any premises any structural or other alterations are required in order to comply with the provisions of this Act and the occupier alleges that the whole or part of the expense of the alterations ought to be borne by the owner, the occupier may apply, in accordance with rules of court, to the county court, and the court, after hearing the parties and any witnesses whom they may desire to call, may make such order concerning the expenses or their apportionment as the court considers just and equitable in the circumstances of the case, regard being had to the terms of any contract between the parties, or in the alternative the court may, at the request of the occupier, determine the lease.

9 Definitions.E+W+S

For the purposes of this act—

• The expression “celluloid” means and includes the substances known as celluloid and xylonite and other similar substances, containing nitrated cellulose or other nitrated products, but does not include any substances which are explosives within the meaning of the [F16Manufacture and Storage of Explosives Regulations 2005]:

• The expression “raw celluloid” means—

(a)celluloid which has not been subjected to any process of manufacture; and

(b)celluloid scrap or waste:

• The expression “cinematograph film” means any film containing celluloid which is intended for use in a cinematograph or any similar apparatus:

• The expression “local authority” means [F17the council of a county [F18or county borough] or London borough or the Common Council of the City of London][F19and in a metropolitan county means the [F20 fire and rescue authority ]].

10 Application to Scotland and Ireland.E+W+S

(1)This Act shall apply to Scotland subject to the following modifications:—

• The Secretary for Scotland shall be substituted for the Secretary of state;

• “Court of summary jurisdiction” and “county court” shall mean the sheriff;

• “Local authority” shall mean [F21a council constituted under section 2 of the Local Government etc. (Scotland) Act 1994] . . . F22

(2)This Act shall not apply to Ireland.

11†Short title, commencement, &c.E+W+S

(1)This Act may be cited as the Celluloid and Cinematograph Film Act 1922, . . . F23

(2)This Act shall not apply . . . F24 to the [F25area of the former] city and royal burgh of Glasgow.

(3). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . F26

SCHEDULES

FIRST SCHEDULEE+W+S

Part IE+W+S Raw Celluloid Stores

The following regulation shall be observed in or in connection with premises where raw celluloid is kept or stored:—

All such celluloid shall be kept or stored in a fire-resisting store-room, and subject to the regulations applying to such store-rooms.

Part IIE+W+S Premises where Cinematograph Film is kept or stored

The following regulations shall be observed in or in connection with premises where cinematograph film is kept stored or manipulated:—

1E+W+SAll stock except when actually being used or manipulated shall be kept either in a fire-resisting store-room and subject to the regulations applying to such store-rooms, or in fire-resisting receptacles which shall not be used for any other purpose and shall be plainly marked “Film.”

2E+W+SEvery reel of film shall, except when required to be exposed for the purposes of the work carried on in the premises, be kept in a separate and properly closed metal box.

3E+W+SNot more than 10 reels or [F2718 kilograms] of film shall be exposed at any one time.

4E+W+SThe following provisions shall apply to every room used—

(a)for the storing, or

(b)for the examination, cleaning, packing, re-winding or repair of film:—

(i)the room shall be used for no other purpose;

(ii)the room shall be kept properly ventilated;

(iii)adequate means of extinguishing fire, having regard to the amount of film on the premises, shall be kept constantly provided and readily available;

(iv)the furniture and apparatus shall be so arranged as to afford free egress to persons in the room in the event of fire;

(v)no open light or fire shall be allowed;

(vi)the fittings shall, so far as is practicable, be of non-inflammable or fire-resisting material;

(vii)the doors shall be self-closing, and shall, except in the case of sliding doors, be so constructed as to open outwards;

(viii)no person shall smoke in or take matches into the room;

(ix)there shall be kept posted up in large characters in the room—

(a)a printed copy of Parts II and III of this Schedule;

(b)full instructions as to the action to be taken in case of fire; and

(c)full directions as to the means of escape from the room in case of fire.

5E+W+SAll celluloid waste and scrap on the premises shall be collected at frequent intervals and placed either in a fire-resisting store-room, or in a strong metal receptacle fitted with a hinged lid and marked “Celluloid Waste.”

Part IIIE+W+S Fire-resisting Store-rooms

The following regulations shall apply to fire-resisting store-rooms:—

1E+W+SThe store-room shall be constructed of fire-resisting material in such manner as to prevent as far as is reasonably practicable any fire occurring in the store-room from spreading to other parts of the premises or to other premises, and any fire occurring outside the store-room from reaching the contents thereof.

2E+W+SThe store-room shall be properly ventilated.

3E+W+SThe fittings of the store-room shall, so far as is practicable, be of non-inflammable or fire-resisting material.

4E+W+SAdequate means of extinguishing fire shall be kept constantly provided and readily available.

5E+W+SNo open light and no means of heating shall be allowed in the store-room.

6E+W+SIf electric light is used, all conductors and apparatus shall be so constructed, installed, protected, worked and maintained as to prevent danger. Vacuum-type lamps only shall be used, and shall be in fixed positions and fitted with substantial outer protecting globes.

7E+W+SNo person shall smoke in or take matches into the store-room.

8E+W+SThe doors of the store-room shall be self-closing and shall be kept securely locked, except when articles are being placed therein or removed therefrom.

9E+W+SThe store-room shall not be used for any purpose other than the keeping of celluloid or cinematograph film, and shall be clearly marked “Celluloid” or “Film.”

10E+W+SNot more than [F281 tonne] of celluloid and not more than five hundred and sixty reels or [F281 tonne] of cinematograph film shall be kept in one store-room:

11E+W+SWhen both celluloid and cinematograph film are stored in one store-room, the aggregate quantity therein shall, at no time, exceed [F291 tonne].

Section 1.

SECOND SCHEDULEE+W+S Procedure for making Orders, &c.

1E+W+SBefore the Secretary of State makes any order, he shall publish, in such manner as he may think best adapted for informing persons affected, notice of the proposal to make the order, and of the place where copies of the draft order may be obtained, and of the time (which shall be not less than twenty-one days) within which any objection made with respect to the draft order by or on behalf of persons affected must be sent to the Secretary of State.

2E+W+SEvery objection must be in writing and state—

(a)the draft order or portions of the draft order objected to;

(b)the specific grounds of objection; and

(c)the omissions, additions, or modifications asked for.

3E+W+SThe Secretary of State shall consider any objection, made by or on behalf of any persons appearing to him to be affected, which is sent to him within the required time, and he may, if he thinks fit, amend the draft order, and shall then cause the amended draft to be dealt with in like manner as an original draft.

4E+W+SWhere the majority of the occupiers of the premises affected by the proposed order dispute the reasonableness of the requirements in the proposed order, and the Secretary of State does not amend or withdraw the draft order, he shall, before making the order, direct an inquiry to be held in the manner hereinafter provided. The Secretary of State may also direct an inquiry to be held in regard to any objection, though not made by the majority of the occupiers, if he thinks fit.

5E+W+SThe Secretary of State may appoint a competent person to hold an inquiry with regard to any draft order, and to report to him thereon.

6E+W+SThe inquiry shall be held in public, and any person who, in the opinion of the person holding the inquiry, is affected by the draft order, may appear at the inquiry either in person or by counsel, solicitor, or agent.

7E+W+SThe witnesses on the inquiry may, if the person holding it thinks fit, be examined on oath.

8E+W+SSubject as aforesaid, the inquiry and all proceedings preliminary and incidental thereto shall be conducted in accordance with rules made by the Secretary of State.

9E+W+SThe fee to be paid to the person holding the inquiry shall be such as the Secretary of State may direct.

10E+W+SThe order shall be laid as soon as possible before both Houses of Parliament, and, if either House within the next forty days after the order has been laid before that House resolve that all or any of the provisions of the order ought to be annulled, the order shall, after the date of the resolution, be of no effect, without prejudice to the validity of anything done in the meantime thereunder or to the making of any new order. If any of the provisions of an order are annulled, the Secretary of State may, if he thinks fit, withdraw the whole order.

11E+W+SNotice of any order having been made and of the place where copies of them can be purchased shall be published in the London and Edinburgh Gazettes.