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L.S. 10.17 Regolamenti dwar il-Pellikoli u l-Palk

[ S.L.10.17 C I N E M A A N D S TA GE 1 SUBSIDIARY LEGISLATION 10.17 CINEMA AND STAGE REGULATIONS 28th September, 1937 GOVERNMENT NOTICE 430 of 1937, as amended by: Government Notices: 54 of 1939, 504 of 1940, 108 of 1943, 66, 202, 240 and 440 of 1944, 384 of 1945, 730 of 1949, 349 of 1953, 552 of 1954, 334 of 1956, 495 of 1957, and 54 and 265 of 1958; Emergency Ordinance VII of 1958; Legal Notices: 49 of 1959, and 22 and 46 of 1960; Ordinance XXV of 1962; Legal Notices: 72 of 1968, 43 of 1973 and 5 of 1975; Act XVI of 1977; Legal Notice 94 of 1981; Acts XIII of 1983 and VIII of 1990; Legal Notices 82, 126 and 194 of 2000, 407 and 435 of 2007, 346 of 2008, 335 of 2009, and 415 of 2012; and Act XXXIV of 2014. Incorporating also GOVERNMENT NOTICE 418 of 1957. 1. The title of these regulations is the Cinema and Stage Regulations. Title. Added by: L.N. 22 of 1960. 2. No building shall be used for cinematograph exhibitions unless - Building. Amended by: G.N. 440 of 1944. (

  1. a)the premises in respect of which a licence is applied for are, in the opinion of the Commissioner of Police, not open to objection on the ground of proximity to a church; and (
  2. b)it is provided with waiting rooms and adequate permanent and emergency exits, to the satisfaction of the Director of Public Works. The exits shall be at all times maintained in the manner approved by the Commissioner of Police and shall be provided with luminous red or semi-obscured signs (EXITS and EMERGENCY EXITS). All doors shall open outwards: Provided that where in some particular case the Commissioner of Police, with the advice of the Director of Public Works, considers it expedient so to do, he may dispense with such requirement in writing and may impose such conditions as he may deem fit. 3. The seating in the building shall be comfortable and so arranged as not to interfere with free access to the exits. The gangways and the passages leading to and from the exits shall have no steps, and shall, during the presence of the public in the building, be kept clear of obstructions. During the performance, the public shall not be permitted to stand in the gangways or passages. Seating. 4.

(1)Every seat in any building licensed for the giving of cinematograph exhibitions shall be marked with a number and seats shall be so arranged that the number marked on them proceed in consecutive order beginning with number one
(1). Marking of seats. Added by: G.N. 108 of 1943. Substituted by: G.N. 66 of 1944.
(2)Every ticket issued in respect of any cinematograph exhibition by or on behalf of the licensee of that building shall have a number corresponding to that of the seat to be occupied by the person to whom the ticket is issued. 2 [ S.L.10.17 C I N E M A A N D S TA G E
(3)The licensee of any building licensed for the giving of cinematograph exhibitions shall, by every booking office, put up a plan showing the seating accommodation in the building and the prices payable for each set of seats.
(4)The number of persons admitted to any cinematograph exhibition shall in no case exceed the number of persons indicated in the licence in terms of regulation
  1. Fire appliances.
  2. Fire appliances adequate for the protection of the building and especially on the stage, where one exists, shall be provided. Near the entrance to the stage there shall be a chemical fire extinguisher, of not less than three gallons capacity, with spare charges, a hydrant under pressure complete with flexible hose and nozzle, two large buckets of water and other two buckets filled with dry sand and ready for immediate use. In the enclosure for the cinematograph apparatus there shall be similar fire appliances and a damp blanket; but the hydrant shall be installed outside and close to the door of the enclosure. Hoses and nozzles.
  3. Hoses and nozzles shall be kept in the immediate vicinity of the hydrant for which they are intended, and in a way as to be readily accessible. Hoses to be of sufficient length.
  4. The hoses provided with each hydrant shall be of sufficient length to convey the water to the whole area to be covered by the hydrant. Bucket hand pump.
  5. A bucket hand pump of a type to be approved by the Commissioner of Police shall be held in readiness near the buckets, as provided for in regulation
  6. Trained fireman.
  7. A trained fireman licensed by the Commissioner of Police, or in his absence a member of the Police Force detailed to act as such by the Commissioner of Police, shall be in attendance at all the performances. The fireman is to wear a distinctive uniform to be approved by the Commissioner of Police. The expense incidental to the attendance of such fireman or policeman shall be borne by the management. Cinematograph apparatus.
  8. The cinematograph apparatus shall be placed in an enclosure of substantial construction, made of or lined internally with fire resisting material and of sufficient dimensions to allow the operator to work freely. The enclosure is to be properly ventilated. The vent holes to be communicated to the exterior of the auditorium and to have metal shutters that may be easily closed from outside the enclosure so as to stop any escape of fire or smoke. Entrance to the enclosure.
  9. The entrance to the enclosure shall be suitably placed, and shall be fitted with a self-closing door, constructed of fire resisting material. Enclosure to be efficiently bushed.
  10. The openings through which the necessary pipes and cables pass into the enclosure shall be efficiently bushed. Opening of enclosure.
  11. The openings in the front face of the enclosure shall not be larger than is necessary for effective projection and shall not exceed three in each enclosure. Each such opening shall be fitted C I N E M A A N D S TA GE [ S.L.10.17 3 with a screen of fire-resisting material, which can be released both inside and outside the enclosure, so that it automatically closes with a close-fitting joint.
  12. The door of the enclosure and all openings, bushes, and joints shall be constructed and maintained as to prevent, so far as possible, the escape of any smoke into the auditorium. Enclosure door and openings.
  13. If the enclosure is inside the auditorium, effectual means shall be taken to prevent the public from coming into contact with the enclosure. Contact with the enclosure.
  14. No smoking shall at any time be permitted within, or in the vicinity of, the enclosure, or on the stage. Posters to this effect printed in Maltese and English and shall be put in conspicuous places. Prohibition of smoking.
  15. No inflammable article shall unnecessarily be taken into, or allowed to remain in the enclosure or on the stage. Inflammable articles.
  16. Lanterns shall be placed on firm supports, constructed of fire resisting material, and shall be provided with a metal sliding shutter which can be readily inserted between the source of light and the film-gate. Lanterns.
  17. The film-gate shall be of massive construction and shall be provided with ample heat-radiating surface. The films shall be placed in metallic boxes so constructed as to prevent flame travelling upwards or downwards from the light opening. Film-gate.
  18. Cinematograph projectors shall be fitted with two metal film-boxes of substantial construction, and not more than thirtyfive point five centimetres in diameter, inside measurement, and to and from these the films shall be made to travel. The film-boxes shall be made to close in such a manner, and shall be fitted with a film-slot (fissure) so constructed as to prevent the passage of flame to the interior of the box. Cinematograph projectors.
  19. The spools may be chain or gear driven, and the films shall be wound upon spools so that the wound film shall not at any time reach or project beyond the edges of the flanges of the spool. Spools.
  20. Only that film in use can be kept in the enclosure during the exhibition; all other films shall be stored in closed metal boxes in a safe place outside and away from the enclosure. No material that is not essentially required in the enclosure shall be stored therein. Storage of films when not in use. 23.
(1)There shall be separate and independent means of control of the general lighting of the auditorium, exits, and enclosures, from a convenient place at or near the main entrance of the building. Control of general lighting of auditorium.
(2)There shall also be a sufficient number of red or semiobscured lights in the auditorium during the exhibitions. Candle lanterns shall be kept ready for immediate use in the auditorium in the event of failure of the electric light.
  1. All emergency lamps shall be kept alight whenever the building is open to the public. Emergency lamps. 4 [ S.L.10.17 C I N E M A A N D S TA G E Exit and emergency exit lanterns.
  2. The exit and emergency exit lanterns shall be illuminated by means of candles or paraffin lamps, the lanterns to be made entirely of non-combustible material. Combustible material.
  3. No combustible material shall be allowed within a radius of one point five metres of the exit lanterns. Asbestos sheet to be placed above lantern.
  4. When combustible material is necessarily placed above a lantern, a one point two metres square asbestos sheet is to be provided at a height of not less than one metre above the lantern. Type of light used within lantern.
  5. No illuminant other than electric light or lime light shall be used within the lantern. Insulating material.
  6. Within the enclosure the insulating material of all electric cables, including leads or lamps switches, fuses, terminals and all other electric materials shall be covered with fire resisting material and each lamp shall have its own fuse. Slack cable.
  7. There shall be no unnecessary slack electric cable within the enclosure. Cabling, etc., to be approved by Enemalta. Amended by: XVI. 1977.
  9. Repealed by Act XXXIV. 2014.
  10. Metal work.
  11. All metal work carrying cables or in any way connected with the electricity supply are to be firmly connected to earth or to a water main of not less than three point eight centimetres diameter, earthing wire being not less than 7/16 S.W.G., all joints being well soldered. Lime light.
  12. Where lime light is used in the lanterns, the gas cylinder, containers and tubing shall not be used without the previous approval of the Commissioner of Police. The gas cylinder and containers shall be installed outside the enclosure. Design to be submitted for approval.
  13. The owner of a cinema theatre shall submit for approval a design of the whole building showing all details including the seating accommodation, gangway, passages and exits. Granting and renewal of licence. Amended by: XVI. 1977.47; XXXIV. 2014.
  14. 35.
(1)No licence for the use of a building for cinematograph exhibitions shall be granted or renewed except on a report signed b y t h e D i r e c t o r o f t h e P u b l i c Wo r k s , s h o w i n g t h a t a l l t h e requirements of these regulations have been complied with.
(2)The licence shall indicate the number of persons to be admitted in the pit, galleries and boxes. Sanitation.
  1. No such licence shall be granted unless the premises are r e p o r t e d b y t h e C h i e f G o v e r n m e n t M e d i c a l O ff i c e r t o b e satisfactory from a sanitary point of view. Ventilation, cleanliness, etc.
  2. It shall be the duty of the licensee to keep every part of the b ui ld in g i n a g oo d an d pr op e r s t a t e a s r e g a rd s ve n ti la ti on , cleanliness and all other conditions that affect health. In particular, it shall be the duty of the licensee or his representative to furnish the auditorium with electric fans or other similar devices to the satisfaction of the Chief Government Medical Officer and to cause C I N E M A A N D S TA GE [ S.L.10.17 5 them to be kept working at all necessary times. 38.
(1)It is prohibited to hold any interval of more than eight minutes’ duration during a cinematographic exhibition, and an interval shall in no case be held during the showing of the main feature film without the written permission of the Commissioner of Police. Intervals. Added by: G.N. 202 of 1944. Substituted by: G.N. 334 of 1956. Amended by: L.N. 72 of 1968.
(2)Between one cinematograph exhibition and another there shall be an interval of not less that ten minutes during which the hall in which the cinematograph films are projected onto the screen shall be kept clear of every person other than permanent employees and members of the Police Force or other than government officers on duty. During this interval all ventilating, openings in or leading to the hall shall be kept wide open and electric fans shall be kept working.
(3)Where any hall in which any cinematograph film is being p r o j e c t e d i s p r o v i d e d w i t h a n e f f i c i e n t a n d a d e q u a t e a i rconditioning system to the satisfaction of the Superintendent of Public Health, the provisions of sub-regulation
(2)shall not apply if such system is efficiently maintained and is in operation during the projection of such film.
  1. The Sanitary Authority shall have a right of entry at all times to any part of the premises to ascertain that the ventilation of the building, the cleanliness and all other sanitary conditions are satisfactory. Right of entry.
  2. It is prohibited to introduce dogs into the auditorium or to keep or allow to be kept any dog therein. Prohibition of dogs.
  3. Licences shall be issued by the Commissioner of Police and shall be valid till the 31st December of the year of issue unless previously suspended or revoked for any infringement of these Regulations, or for any alteration made in the building or enclosure without the sanction of the Commissioner of Police. Validity of licence.
  4. (Deleted by Legal Notice 415 of 2012). Board of Film and Stage Classification. Substituted by: L.N. 22 of
  5. Amended by: L.N. 46 of 1960; L.N. 43 of 1973; L.N. 94 of 1981; L.N. 82 of 2000; L.N. 126 of 2000; L.N. 407 of
  7. (Deleted by Legal Notice 415 of 2012). Classification of films. Amended by: L.N. 22 of 1960; L.N. 126 of
  9. (Deleted by Legal Notice 415 of 2012). Application for examination. Amended by: L.N. 126 of
  10. 6 [ S.L.10.17 C I N E M A A N D S TA G E Examination by classifiers. Amended by: G.N. 730 of 1949; L.N. 22 of 1960; L.N. 5 of 1975; L.N. 126 of 2000; L.N. 435 of
  12. (Deleted by Legal Notice 415 of 2012). Issue of certificate.
  13. (Deleted by Legal Notice 415 of 2012). Review of decision of examining classifiers. Added by: L.N. 22 of
  14. Amended by: L.N. 46 of 1960; L.N. 126 of 2000; L.N. 335 of
  16. (Deleted by Legal Notice 415 of 2012). Observance of the principles of good administrative behaviour. Added by: L.N. 346 of
  17. 47A. (Deleted by L.N. 335 of 2009). Where film has not been passed by Board. Added by: L.N. 22 of
  18. Amended by: L.N. 126 of
  20. (Deleted by Legal Notice 415 of 2012). Exhibition of film. Amended by: G.N. 54 of 1939; G.N. 504 of 1940; G.N. 384 of 1945; G.N. 495 of 1957; G.N. 49 of 1959; L.N. 126 of
  22. (Deleted by Legal Notice 415 of 2012). Admission to film exhibition. Substituted by: G.N. 730 of
  23. Amended by: L.N. 5 of
  24. Substituted by: L.N. 126 of
  26. (Deleted by Legal Notice 415 of 2012). Films which may be shown in the same programme. Added by: G.N. 240 of
  27. Substituted by: G.N. 730 of
  28. Amended by: G.N. 495 of 1957; L.N. 5 of
  29. Substituted by: L.N. 126 of
  31. (Deleted by Legal Notice 415 of 2012). Proof by licensee. Added by: G.N. 349 of
  32. Amended by: L.N. 46 of 1960; L.N. 126 of
  34. (Deleted by Legal Notice 415 of 2012). C I N E M A A N D S TA GE [ S.L.10.17 7
  35. (Deleted by Legal Notice 415 of 2012). Commission of offence. Added by: G.N. 349 of
  36. Amended by: L.N. 46 of 1960; L.N. 126 of
  38. (Deleted by Legal Notice 415 of 2012). Exhibition of poster. Amended by: G.N. 730 of 1949; L.N. 5 of
  39. Substituted by: L.N. 126 of
  40. Amended by: L.N. 194 of
  42. (Deleted by Legal Notice 415 of 2012). Stills. Amended by: L.N. 126 of
  44. (Deleted by Legal Notice 415 of 2012). Meaning of ''film''.
  45. (Deleted by Legal Notice 415 of 2012). Reservation of stalls for classifiers. Substituted by: G.N. 334 of
  46. Amended by: L.N. 126 of
  48. (Deleted by Legal Notice 415 of 2012). Responsibility of licensee.
  49. (Deleted by Legal Notice 415 of 2012). Suspension of exhibition.
  50. (Deleted by Legal Notice 415 of 2012). Duration of exhibition. Added by: G.N. 334 of
  51. Substituted by: G.N. 54 of
  52. Amended by: VII. 1958.2; XXV. 1962.5; L.N. 72 of 1968; L.N. 126 of
  54. (Deleted by Legal Notice 415 of 2012). Closing time of cinematographs.
  55. (Deleted by Legal Notice 415 of 2012). Extension of closing time.
  56. (Deleted by Legal Notice 415 of 2012). Where film is shown in two cinemas. Added by: G.N. 334 of
  57. Amended by: G.N. 265 of
  59. (Deleted by Legal Notice 415 of 2012). Dramatic and other stage productions. Added by: L.N. 22 of
  60. Amended by: L.N. 126 of 2000
  61. (Deleted by Legal Notice 415 of 2012). Use of cinema for dramatic or other stage production. Added by: L.N. 22 of
  62. 8 [ S.L.10.17 Offences and penalties. Added by: G.N. 495 of
  63. Amended by: XIII. 1983.5; VIII. 1990.3; L.N. 407 of
  64. C I N E M A A N D S TA G E
  65. Any person who is found guilty by the Court of Magistrates (Malta) or the Court of Magistrates (Gozo) of an o ff e n c e a g a i n s t t h e s e r e g u l a t i o n s s h a l l b e l i a b l e t o a f i n e (ammenda) of not less than eleven euros and sixty-five cents (11.65) for each contravention, provided that in the case of a second or subsequent offence committed within six months from the date of any previous conviction under these regulations or any other regulations relating to cinemas, such fine shall be of not less than twenty-three euros and twenty-nine cents (23.29) and not more than forty-six euros and fifty-nine cents (46.59) for each contravention.

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AI explanation based on the official legal text. Indicative, not a substitute for legal advice.