I. General
540.1 Scope. The provisions of this article apply to motion picture projection rooms, motion picture projectors, and associated equipment of the professional and nonprofessional types using incandescent, carbon arc, xenon, or other light
source equipment that develops hazardous gases, dust, or radiation.
FPN: For further information, see NFPA 40-2007, Standard for the Storage and Handling of Cellulose Nitrate Film.
540.2 Definitions.
Nonprofessional Projector. Nonprofessional projectors are those types other than as described in 540.2.
Professional Projector. A type of projector using 35- or
70-mm film that has a minimum width of 35 mm (l 3/s in.) and has on each edge 212 perforations per meter
(5.4 perforations per inch), or a type using carbon arc, xenon, or other light source equipment that develops hazardous gases, dust, or radiation.
II. Equipment and Projectors of the Professional Type
540.10 Motion Picture Projection Room Required. Ev ery professional-type projector shall be located within a projection room. Every projection room shall be of permanent construction, approved for the type of building in which the projection room is located. All projection ports, spotlight ports, viewing ports, and similar openings shall be provided with glass or other approved material so as to completely close the opening. Such rooms shall not be considered as hazardous (classified) locations as defined in Ar
ticle 500.
FPN: For further information on protecting openings in projection rooms handling cellulose nitrate motion picture film, see NFPA 101-2006, Life Safety Code.
540.11 Location of Associated Electrical Equipment.
(A) Motor Generator Sets, Transformers, Rectifiers, Rheostats, and Similar Equipment. Motor-generator sets, transformers, rectifiers, rheostats, and similar equipment for the supply or control of current to projection or spotlight equipment shall, where nitrate film is used, be located in a separate room. Where placed in the projection room, they shall be located or guarded so that arcs or sparks cannot come in contact
with film, and the commutator end or ends of motor generator sets shall comply with one of the conditions in 540.11(A)(1) through (A)(6).
(1) Types. Be of the totally enclosed, enclosed fan- cooled, or enclosed pipe-ventilated type.
(2) Separate Rooms or Housings. Be enclosed in separate rooms or housings built of noncombustible material constructed so as to exclude flyings or lint, and properly ventilated from a source of clean air.
(3) Solid Metal Covers. Have the brush or sliding- contact end of motor-generator enclosed by solid metal covers.
(4) Tight Metal Housings. Have brushes or sliding con- tacts enclosed in substantial, tight metal housings.
(5) Upper and Lower Half Enclosures. Have the upper half of the brush or sliding-contact end of the motor- generator enclosed by a wire screen or perforated metal and the lower half enclosed by solid metal covers.
(6) Wire Screens or Perforated Metal. Have wire screens or perforated metal placed at the commutator of brush ends. No dimension of any opening in the wire screen or perforated metal shall exceed 1.27 mm (0.05 in.), regardless of the shape of the opening and of the material used.