In all buildings of a public character, such as hotels, churches,
theaters, restaurants, railroad depots, public halls and other buildings
used or intended to be used for purposes of public assembly, amusement
or instruction, and including department stores and other business
and manufacturing buildings where large numbers of people are congregated,
the halls, doors, stairways, seats, passageways and aisles, and all
lighting and heating appliances and apparatus shall be arranged as
the Fire Commissioner shall direct, to facilitate egress in cases
of fire or accident and to afford the requisite and proper accommodation
for the public protection in such cases.
All aisles and passageways in said buildings shall be kept free
from camp stools, chairs, sofas and other obstructions, and no person
shall be allowed to stand in or occupy any of said aisles or passageways
during any performance, service, exhibition, lecture, concert, hall
or any public assemblage.
The Superintendent of Buildings may at any time serve a written
or printed notice upon the owner, lessee or manager of any said buildings,
directing any act or thing to be done or provided in or about the
buildings and the several appliances therewith connected, such as
halls, doors, stairs, windows, seats, aisles, fire walls, fire apparatus
and fire escapes, as he may deem necessary.