International Building Code Section 409

International Building Code 409.1

General. The provisions of this section shall apply to
rooms in which ribbon-type cellulose acetate or other safety
film is utilized in conjunction with electric arc, xenon or other
light-source projection equipment that develops hazardous
gases, dust or radiation. Where cellulose nitrate film is utilized
or stored, such rooms shall comply with NFPA 40.

Projection room required. Every motion picture
machine projecting film as mentioned within the scope of
this section shall be enclosed in a projection room. Appurtenant
electrical equipment, such as rheostats, transformers
and generators, shall be within the projection room or in an
adjacent room of equivalent construction.

International Building Code 409.1.1

Projection room required. Every motion picture
machine projecting film as mentioned within the scope of
this section shall be enclosed in a projection room. Appurtenant
electrical equipment, such as rheostats, transformers
and generators, shall be within the projection room or in an
adjacent room of equivalent construction.

International Building Code 409.2

2 Construction of projection rooms. Every projection
room shall be of permanent construction consistent with the
construction requirements for the type of building in which the
projection room is located. Openings are not required to be protected.
The room shall have a floor area of not less than 80 square
feet (7.44 m2) for a single machine and at least 40 square feet
(3.7m2) for each additional machine. Each motion picture projector,
floodlight, spotlight or similar piece of equipment shall
have a clear working space of not less than 30 inches by 30
inches (762 mm by 762 mm) on each side and at the rear
thereof, but only one such space shall be required between two
adjacent projectors. The projection room and the rooms appurtenant
thereto shall have a ceiling height of not less than 7 feet 6
inches (2286 mm). The aggregate of openings for projection
equipment shall not exceed 25 percent of the area of the wall
between the projection room and the auditorium. Openings
shall be provided with glass or other approved material, so as to
close completely the opening.

International Building Code 409.3

Projection room and equipment ventilation. Ventilation
shall be provided in accordance with the International
Mechanical Code.

Supply air. Each projection room shall be provided
with adequate air supply inlets so arranged as to provide
well-distributed air throughout the room. Air inlet ducts
shall provide an amount of air equivalent to the amount of
air being exhausted by projection equipment. Air is permitted
to be taken from the outside; from adjacent spaces
within the building, provided the volume and infiltration
rate is sufficient; or from the building air-conditioning system,
provided it is so arranged as to provide sufficient air
when other systems are not in operation.

Exhaust air. Projection rooms are permitted to be
exhausted through the lamp exhaust system. The lamp
exhaust system shall be positively interconnected with the
lamp so that the lamp will not operate unless there is the
required airflow. Exhaust air ducts shall terminate at the
exterior of the building in such a location that the exhaust air
cannot be readily recirculated into any air supply system.
The projection room ventilation system is permitted to also
serve appurtenant rooms, such as the generator and rewind
rooms.
Projection machines. Each projection machine
shall be provided with an exhaust duct that will draw air
from each lamp and exhaust it directly to the outside of the
building. The lamp exhaust is permitted to serve to exhaust
air from the projection room to provide room air circulation.
Such ducts shall be of rigid materials, except for a flexible
connector approved for the purpose. The projection lamp or
projection room exhaust system, or both, is permitted to be
combined but shall not be interconnected with any other
exhaust or return system, or both, within the building.

International Building Code 409.3.1

Supply air. Each projection room shall be provided
with adequate air supply inlets so arranged as to provide
well-distributed air throughout the room. Air inlet ducts
shall provide an amount of air equivalent to the amount of
air being exhausted by projection equipment. Air is permitted
to be taken from the outside; from adjacent spaces
within the building, provided the volume and infiltration
rate is sufficient; or from the building air-conditioning system,
provided it is so arranged as to provide sufficient air
when other systems are not in operation.

International Building Code 409.3.2

Exhaust air. Projection rooms are permitted to be
exhausted through the lamp exhaust system. The lamp
exhaust system shall be positively interconnected with the
lamp so that the lamp will not operate unless there is the
required airflow. Exhaust air ducts shall terminate at the
exterior of the building in such a location that the exhaust air
cannot be readily recirculated into any air supply system.
The projection room ventilation system is permitted to also
serve appurtenant rooms, such as the generator and rewind
rooms.

International Building Code 409.3.3

Projection machines. Each projection machine
shall be provided with an exhaust duct that will draw air
from each lamp and exhaust it directly to the outside of the
building. The lamp exhaust is permitted to serve to exhaust
air from the projection room to provide room air circulation.
Such ducts shall be of rigid materials, except for a flexible
connector approved for the purpose. The projection lamp or
projection room exhaust system, or both, is permitted to be
combined but shall not be interconnected with any other
exhaust or return system, or both, within the building.

International Building Code 409.4

Lighting control. Provisions shall be made for control
of the auditorium lighting and the means of egress lighting systems
of theaters from inside the projection room and from at
least one other convenient point in the building.

International Building Code 409.5

Miscellaneous equipment. Each projection room shall
be provided with rewind and film storage facilities.