New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1872-11-13
FIRE-pRoOF MANsARD ROOTS.
DEPOsIrORS MAKING ANXIOUS INQUIRIES IN RE
GARD 10 BANK BUILDINGS-TwO NOTABL
EDIFICES.

DEPOsIrORS MAKING ANXIOUS INQUIRIES IN RE
GARD 10 BANK BUILDINGS-TWO NOTABLE
EDIFICES.
Public attention having been called during
the last few days the insecurity OF Manssrd roots in
case OF fire. a TRIBUNE reporter visited VI tho
largest buildings having such roofs, ~ ASCERTAIN bow
much danger was to be anticipated from them He Wis
Ited among Others the building belonging TO the Mutual
Lie Insurance Company. the basement OF which 10 occu-
pied by che Safe Deposit Company Of NewYork" In
answer inquiries Mr. jerks the President OF the lat
ter Company said that he had received letters from
anxious depOstos regarding the Mlnsard roof on the
Mutual Building He stated that they now had 5000
names on their books all interested In the safety Of the
building having property 70 the value Of millions Of
money deposited there. Io claims that tn building Is
absolutely hre-prOof." He said:
Is built of brick laid IN cement (which is harder than
brick) and faced with marble -four stores bi2h. Tue
interior divided from front 10 rear by three massive
walls OF hard brick laid IN cement Two rect wiIe,
running to the coping OF the bnins i1e OUTSIDE o MAILS
The top laid short and heavy IRON beams not
FIVE walls thus making short beams with little power to
contract expand. twist These iron beams are con-
ON top level and overaid with marble, The ceilings
plastered upon iron latniug The wlndow-casings
and frames OF iron well as the snrbases OF every
floor.
the Fret NJ tiOna Bank and the American Bank Note
Company, wuO occupy other portions OF the building
be closed IN short time with iron shutters In order
20 accommodate the American Bank Note Company, who
had leased the upper bali OF the building before its
last year. the side and back walls beng carried 20 its
roof for protection the two sides contiguous 70 other
buildings There Ia wood used in It's construction
uglde or outside including It's external ornanenatOn
The sang occurred 90 the corrugated iron by copper
nails cnched on the inside. The Bank Note Company
dong a part Of the Government bond AID currency
printing could not afford 20 run any risk from hre ana
Inc extraordinary strength OF the building Intended
TO meet their need for storage Of their steel plates and
the pressure Of their presses. 800
Mi jerks further said that he believed the building to
DO strongest world Of any devoted 10 business
purposes. -, - ..
The reporter also visited the Equitable Life Assurance
COmpanys building tho next block below Tue base
ment of this edce IL occupied by the Mercantile Loan
and Warehouse Company who asO have vast amount OF
valuable property Entrusted 70 their care Mr WESTON
a civil engineer and auditor Of the Equitable Life Assr-
ence Society stated that the Mansard roof 10 their build
ing was wholly OF covered with slate tackled % iron
srps The roof deck consists OF iron beams with brick
wanting covered with concrete. ALI the partition walls
from tO 20 bottom OF either brick iron studdnR
aud athng The floors OF iron beams, connected by
brick Vaultng, filled IN with concrete, Oyefisd with
wood or marble flooring.