Metropolis Management and Building Acts Amendment Act 1878

The Metropolis Management and Building Acts Amendment Act 1878 (41 & 42 Vict. c. 32) was an Act of the Parliament of the United Kingdom, which modified the Metropolis Management Act 1855 and the Metropolitan Building Act 1855 (18 & 19 Vict. c. 122). The act was used to improve the regulation of standards in buildings, and introduced measures to protect the safety of theatres and music halls.

Metropolis Management and Building Acts Amendment Act 1878

Act of Parliament
Parliament of the United Kingdom
Long title	An Act to amend the Metropolis Management Act, 1855, the Metropolitan Building Act 1855, and the Acts amending the same respectively
Citation	41 & 42 Vict. c. 32
Territorial extent	"The Metropolis" as defined in the Metropolis Management Act 1855, in England
Dates
Royal assent	22 July 1878
Commencement	22 July 1878
Other legislation
Amends	Metropolis Management Act 1855 Metropolitan Building Act 1855
Text of statute as originally enacted

Contents

Part I contains a prescription to preserve roadways, and prevent buildings from encroaching on them by fences, walls or walls, and then continues to extend powers of regulation to both new and existing theatres and music halls, including the power to make and amend secondary regulations

Part II set rules about the requirements for foundations of buildings, and strengthens the powers of the Metropolitan Board of Works to deal with infractions.

Part III gives powers for the Board to inspect theatres, and to enter houses and other buildings to inspect them, as well as setting out penalties for non-compliance.

Limitations

The act was used to ensure safety in theatres, but only applied to the 'Metropolis' of London and surrounding areas, and whilst other areas referenced the standards, they were not legally enforceable outside London, as was seen when prosecution failed in the case of the Exeter Theatre Royal fire, due to it being in the regions.