Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1872-12-04
DISTRICT ARCHITECTUBE
Annual Report Of M. Adolf Cluss,
Inspector of BuildiEes

with absolutely
OBSOLETE AND DEFECTIVE LAWS,
sh1 mat IN consequence difficulties and ques-
tons arose both a. 10 construction and mi~u ndeT-
standing OF their provisions and requirements
and the result was the present building regua-
uons. Referring to the large number OF unsafe
necessary To enact cOercive measures. There
must be means for the authorities To inte.cede,
Il the building tends to damage or interfere
with the safety of the community. or of neigh
b0Ts, or TO disfgure city or public place.
THE NRw BUILDING REG ULATIoNs.
The feature introduced by our building reg
9lnuons now IN force may be recapitulated a.
follows They require that a permit re OBJ
tanned before any new building or alteration OF
consequence Is commenced, so as to facilitate,
control and collect statistical inform alton
They prescribe the use OF proper building ma
terials, determine the minimum thickness, and
limit the mode Of construction for walls of diff
f6Tent kinds and heights.
NECESSARY PRECAUTIONS.
hey prohibit that nine-inch party walls be
deci sased in thickness by building rrCesseS
hIts end fre-places in them instead of against
them They require party walls to lie brought
~ L rough aud above the roOf-cOyerin-. thus
preventing tie connection OF the roofing OF anv
two q more houses; They require the ioCr
b. brick work. Thy prohibit single or other
con.bustible roofing materials.
ADDITIONAL SAFEGUARDS.
They regulate minutely the construction and
s4tcgu lids OF chimney hues and hearfhS hot
AR huts, smoke pipes, furnaces. and registers.
They introduce wholesome restrictions upon,
and SAFE guards in, the construction OF frame
buildings, and prescribe brick partitions for
rows OF frames at distances Of forty feet.
WOODEN BIILDIEGs PROHIBITED.
They prohibit wooden buildings in the dense
ly-rCIulated sections and principal streets of
Washington. They define the delicate questions
relating to party walls, as far as this can be
done without resort to litigation.
They make the safeguards required by the
publfcAganst dangerous structures more etfac-
tive. They prohibit unventilated houses and
wster-clOsets. and put restrictions on the erec-
tlOn OF dwellings and rooms intended for human
LabitatlOn.
THEATERs, PUBLIo HALLS, &c.
Finally they make regulations on the subject
OF safety to life in theaters public halls, and so
or, by controlling the mode of egress and All
the essential arrangements of said buildings,
preventing the admission of a greater number
OF persons than the building is capable of seat
ing, and securing good ventilation and the
greatest possible security.
GOOD ENOUGH TO BEGIN WITH.
Ii Is believed that with our wide streets
houses OF moderate height, the pressure of our
aqueduct water, and the efficiency OF our fire
department, these regulations are sufficiently
strict to start with, without unnecessarily en-
numbering their enforcement.
USE OF BUILDING REGULATIONS.
Whilst 1t is illusory TO expect that confsgra-
lions will ever be entirely prevented in cities
these reforms tend materially TO increase the
safeguards against fire and accident. AMI to coz
fine the fire TO the building in which it orig
mates. This desirable result can never be al
tanned while the present custom continues Of
loading the roofs OF any stvle, cornices, and
other exposed portions OF buildings with wood
work. The substitution of galvanized iron can
DC made at small advance on the cost of wood,
WHAT THRY PROVIDE FOR
The provisions Of the present law in that re-
Spect have been initiated with a view to meet
the ordinary mechanical causes OF fire to wit
Detective heating apparatus, defective fues,
defective gas pipes, spontaneous combustion.
under circumstances fayOrug il: friction OF
machinery, spread by in1ammaJle material
stored within the city limits, and So ON. Incen-
dlarism, careless use OF kerosene. &C. come in
directly under this head.
SUBSTANTIAL BUILDINGS.
Inc system OF inspection will secure the erec-
ton Of substantial buildings, inuring to the
credit OF the national metropolis, place builders
upon an equal footing, and protect purchasers
from imposition. This course has met the APP
prevail of the prominent builders OF the city,
who have mainly shown their sympathy and Co
OF the law, have endeavored to act fairly and
lmpaTtiaily, to give promptly all desired in
formation or advice.
OUR PROGRESS IN ARCHITECTURE.
In regard TO the progress made in architecture
in the District, Dir. g. says: A praisewortby
rivalry as to beauty, finish, convenience, ami
adaptation to the business requirements OF an
Increasing and progressive population Is mani
lest. Referring to the
THICKNESS OF BRICK WALLS,
be says;-FoTty years ago, fourteen inches were
considered the least thickness that brick wall
should be erected for thTee-story buildings, but
this thickness has been gradually diminished
until nine inches have become the usual thick |
ness. and the advent of this department has met
whole
ROWS OF SHAM STRUCTURES
separated by mere screens OF brick work Of fou-
nches thicknesS-e efforts frauduently TO eyaJ,
;he law regarding party walls-and b. rows OF
frame buildings running through whole squares
v IthOut any incombustIble par ItiOns, AMI sJme-
JiIneS even covered with shingles, The sliyhtI,-
outlay necessary for the accanf j;.L-
ment OF the great object OF safety mos by anv
means come into account, especially in the !
heart Of the CITY.
BUILDINGS ERECTED DURING TIE YEAR |
The regulations OF the board were impcrfectIv
undertook. and leniently enforced up 10 date |
! he erection Of Sj4 brick buildings ana SIS |
frame buildings Is recorded from January ! to |
November I, OF this year, lis Of which are re- |
corded with inansard roofs, and .9l with lat tin
roofs.
BUILDING sTATIsTICs
Arrangements are made to have statistical in
formation in relation To the erection OF new
buildings hereafter. much more complete and
detailed. The District owns quite a number or
valuable buildings, which are AT present in care
81 the various organizations who occupy them,
and a. ..vv~--a., ..atrs have to be paid out
o. their contingent funds.
SUGGESTIONS.
In closing, MIR. Cluss saws: "NOt to multipIy
offices, the inspector OF buildings should be
charged with examining them annually, and
besides, at any time, al the call of the occupy
keeping buildings in repair could then be sys-
empatically reported TO the legislature the
whole subject would be brought concisey before
the personal attention OF the concerned COM
nrtees, the small appropriations required would
enter into the regular appropriation bills, and
economy al public safety be largely promot sd.
he various arrangement Is necessary to accom-
modate houses and the parked spaces In our
modelled streets adjoining them, and numerous
matters in connection with the general improve
medts going on in the District, were mainly at
tended 20 by me, in addition to the regular du-
ties OF the office, as detailed in This report.
The 5. p. G.. A. AT WORK Fines for DTiria1
O-eH nth Sore F,et.-Last evening, about |
0 clock, MIR. Gatchel, president OF the ). p G.
a, Dotlced two OK teams (eacl team consisting
VI two yoke being driven along street, be-
tween 9Th and eth. Mr.. q. says the animals |
showed unmistakable evidences OF intense sut-
iering from sore feet, and he followed the teams |
to their stable. in an alley between 9th and 9Th |
and r. ard streets, and called upon officer |
/ cit, and together they arrested the drivers
and George Reid, the owner OF the teams, and |
all were taken TO the station house. In cOnse-
Guence OF the lateness OF the hour, Mr.. Gatchel |
50 collateral from each OF the drivers
and SlcO from MIR. Reid for their appearance
before Justice Reese this morning; but IL WAS
not furnished, and the men were locked /
up until this morning, when they were
brought before Justice Reese for examin alton.
Dir. Gatchelis testimony showed that the oxen
bad been suffering with sore feet several DAVIS
and that on Friday last he ordered them off the |
street and warned the drivers not TO take them |
m R0l H,vxaA .N.e~