Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1872-11-12
goRCEsTER
TUESDAY. NOVEMBER le, 1879.
rIansara Root. &c.

A gentleman well known as an architect and
builder in a communication to us, comes to tho
rescue of Mansard roofs. He maintains that
they are not dangerous, when properly built. In
his view, galvanized iron should be used in con-
structiug them, and when it is used, they are no
more dangerous than any other kind of roof.
He saws, the trouble is that those who own the
buildings constructed with Mansard roofs, too
often study cheapDeSs rather than security;
they omit the use OF galvanized iron, because
using it would add something to the cost, say
ing to architects and builders that they "will
take the risk of the cheaper method of making
the roofs Undoubtedly there is truth
in this: but we hope, nevertheless,
10 see the ManSard roof 90 out of fashion. The
taste which admires it seems 10 us very much
like that which admires the "Grecian bend" or
those infnitesimal bits of silken material which,
at one time, were called bonnets. These roofs
are, in our eyes, ugly beyond all expression,
and, as most of them are built, they are certain
~ dangerous. so far as concerns fire. The use
of galvanized iron, which, it is claimed, would
make them safe, has not been common, and the
strong temptation of cheapness is constantly
liable to prevent using it, We suspect that
their existence among us is largely due to this
consideration Of cheapuess and that tLey would
be much less common in future constructions,
if law requiring the use of galvanized iron
should be enacted and enforced against them.
Our friend makes one suggestion which we
fully approve. In his judgment no block Of
buildings should be more than four stories high
The fifth story, properly built, will cost more
than either of the Others, while it will be worth
much less for business purposes. In case OF
fire, the nth story is too much beyond such
command of the firemen as would enable them
10 deluge it with wafer rapidly. 1t is difficult,
if not impossible 10 cxtngush fire quickly in
the top of a five story building. The powerful
streams Of water from the engines become spray
before reaching it; and the danger of a spread
of the contigratiOn is very much greater, when
the top of such building is a wooden Mansard
structure, especially if the tops of other high
buildings near it are of the same kind. In a
city like this it is quite unnecessary TO carry up
any building more than four stories high We
have space enough for all practical purposes,
and may build with view to safety against
fire. Undoubtedly the great spread of the fire
in Boston is largely due to the wooden
Mansard tops of high buildings. Most of
these buildings were very solidly constructed
below the tops; but at their tops were masses OF
combustible material, very easily inhamed, and
not easily reached by the firemen. The gentle
man TO whose communication ereler thinks the
city council should take this matter into consid-
Grafton, and prohibit the construction of any
building more than four stories high. 1t is a
matter which deserves careful consideration.
We are rapid, go-ahead, driving people, and
frequently need 10 be checked a little at many
points, by precautionary measures. Precaution-
airy measures against destruction by fire should
not be omitted by the city council, which has
ample authority to regulate the construction Of
buildings, and will be sustained in adopting and
rigidly enforcing any measures which the safety
of the city may require.