, 1872-11-14
HOW THEY BUILD IN EUROPE.

It has, no doubt, occurred to many persons, in
view Of the frequency OF fires in American
cities. to ask why it il that no such condagra-
tions seem to be possible in the large cities OF
Continental Europe. There would appear to be
t7To prominent reasons or, rather, teries Of rea-
sons, for this:
I. Certain precautionary measures that are
adopted in the construction OF the buildinga
everywhere in Europe.
II. 4 combination Of circumstances peculiar
toms, Of the European cities.
In the consideration Of the first, it should be
stated that the greatest difference in the treat
ment Of fires in this country and those Of Eu-
rope unite their energies and invention upon
preventive measures, while We think only OF ex-
tinguiahing hres after they have broken out.
The result is that, while our Fire Departments
out fires, We have ten fires where Euro
pean cities have one. Then fire
having found foothola in Paris or
Berlin, encounters resistance in the construction
OF the buildings that it does not meet in
Boston, New York, or Chicago. 1t is probable
that new Chicago will have larger number Of
actual hre~proof buildings than the same area in
Paris; but among these in Chicago will be in
terspersed whole blocks constructed hurried
ly, loosely, and cheaply, while, in Paris, every
building presents about the same protection
against FIRE, and the same means Of resisting it.
This circumstance alone will aerve to account
for the fact that it would be next to
impossible for q fire to spread so rapidly
in European city Rs to get beyond
the control Of the Department. In the Euro
pean cities there are not only laws Of construc~
tion, which some Of our own cities possess. but
there is atrict Government supervision to enforce
their observance. With every building there is
an inspector. The walls are heavier and more
solid. Where ne have stone building that con-
siata OF Rlight Veneering over 3 thin brick wall,
the SAME building in Europe would be construct
ed from solid pieces OF stone. It is impossible,
there, under the 1aw and the strict
inspection, to allow any Of the wood
Work to come within q dangerous
proximity to any Of the Aues. Steam engines
and boilers lit WAS in the engine-room that the
Boston FIRE had it's origin) are not permitted to
be placed so near innammable substance that an
extra-hot fire would endanger conlagration.
Cement and stucco are largely used where we
use pine wood. Between the floors and ceilings
a mass Of mortar is poured, which has tendency
to hold fire in check. The parti-
ton walls, instead Of being trail pieces
OF framework, are built OF thin and
hollow brick, resembling tiles, and much Like
those which may have been noticed in tue con-
struction Of Palmer's new hotel or Kendalls
Block, in this city. The result Of these numer-
Gus precautionary measures is not only to pre-
vent the outbreak OF FIRE, but to prevent its
spread after it has started. Tie tendency Of q
fire, amid surroundings like these, is to smoul-
der instead of blazing. Encounteripg every
where the same checks, it will be readily con-
ceived how difficult it would be for any fire to
outrun the hold which the Fire Department
would take upon it. Paris ia built OF a sand
stone as soft as our own,--indeed, not unlike
the Athens stone so generally used in Chicago,
and The Maneard roofs, which We blame 40
much, are to be found everywhere, our construc-
tion being modelled after them. Berlin is q
BRICK city, With thick layer Of stucco over
evogy house. In al the Continental cities there
is as as much Of inaammabde material used in
The construction Of their buildings as there is in
what We would rank as 6rst-class buildinga here.
It fire could gain the same resstleRa head
Ray in Paris and Berlin that it did in Boston and
Chicago, Paris and Berlin would burn as our
cities did; but the precautionary measures
which We have indicated, and the enforced ad-
1erence to them everywhere, render this p1acti-
:ally impossible.
OF course, there are incidental reaEons which
sssist the precaution, enforced by the European
ire regulations. Large European cities. like !
Paris and Berlin, do not have the Same extent |
II manufacturing establishments within their !
limits which American cities have. The manu- |
acturing is done mostly in the provincos, |
md the great cities arc reserved for tho pur- !
ooses OF general marts, for the events, for tho
Irts and pleasures which attract and au,use
trangers. The climate in the majority OF Con-
mental citios, is not nearly SO severe as our own,
md the fires kept for warming purposes aro
lever SO lavish1y supplied with fuel, nor 80 often
'verheated. The porcelain oven, common to
3ezTany, fed with turf, and giving out d'f-
used heat, is never dangerous. The use OF gas
3 by no means 90 general: Outside Of the
treets, public buildings. and principal
lotels, gas is seldom carried throughout
he houses. Candles and 1ard-oll lamps
upp1y lis place. The building, aside from the
ub1ic edi6ces, which ere always isolated, is not
t the highly ornamental character which has
'een obtained in many Of our cities BY wooden
ar4ings.: There is no custom, like onrs Of
preadiue immense wooden eiens all over