§ 68-101-102 — Public theatrical buildings

(a) It is the duty of the corporate authorities of any city or town, in which there is located any public hall for theatrical purposes, or other house kept open for public entertainment, thoroughly to examine the same, and ascertain if such buildings are provided with all the necessary safeguards against accident by fire or panic, including suitable appliances for the prompt extinguishment of fires, and sufficient passages, inlets and outlets to the building. (b) Whenever, in the opinion of the corporate authorities, any building in use, or that may be erected, is deficient in any particular deemed essential to the preservation of life or property, it is the duty of the authorities to require the owners or proprietors of the buildings to make such alterations as will be promotive of the public safety. (c) It is the duty of all persons proposing to erect such buildings first to submit to the proper municipal authorities the plan and specifications of the proposed structure. (d) If, in the opinion of the authorities, the same shall be considered dangerous, it shall be lawful for the authorities to withhold a permit for the erection of the building until the proper precautionary measures shall have been adopted. (e) Any owner or proprietor of any theater or other public building used for public entertainment, who fails or refuses to make the necessary alterations in the building, or who fails to provide the proper protection against fire or panic, after having been duly notified so to do, in writing, shall forfeit such owner's or proprietor's license, and it shall be lawful for the corporate authorities to close the house until the law shall have been observed.

Legislative History

Acts 1879, ch. 5, §§ 1-4; Shan., §§ 3048-3052; Code 1932, §§ 5264-5268; T.C.A. (orig. ed.), §§ 53-2303 -- 53-2307, 68-16-102.