National Republican., 1876-01-18
TIE STEVENS SCHOOL BUILDING.
Report Of Inspector Plowman as to its Condi-


Inspector Plowman has made 6 report to AS
sstant Engineer B. Oertly of the condition Of the
Stevens school house, recently on fire. He states
that "on the 1lth instant (the day on which the
fire occurred) visited the building at 80 O'Clock,
and made careful and minute inspection Of the
same. The room in which the FIRE occurred Is on
the second floor, the northwest room. This build
ing is heated with steam by indirect radiation;
the radiating surface for this room is attached to
the ceiling, under the floor, and cased on the
sides and underneath with wood, and lined with
tin, and opening into the room with register
Immediately over the radiating surface. The
cause Of the fire without any doubt or question
in my mind) was, that in sweeping the 4 DOR the
radiating surface has been made a receptacle,
and necessarily so, for paper, lint, or bers OF all
kinds accumulated in q schooLroom, and settling
upon the top OF the radIating surface, and by the
intense heat had become very combustible, and
that some time in the past, er perhaps recently,
n match or matches have been swept in, and CON-
ing in contact with the heating surface and paper
ighited at the southeast corner of the hot-air
chamber, Immediately under the floor or JoiSts;
the deposits had apparently been SO great as to
make heat SUFFICIENT to melt the solder or tin Of
the lining, causing an aperture for draft, setting
fire to the iolst and floor, and charring two OF
them TO considerable extent, as well as the
lining TO the chamber.
"It is fortunate for all concerned that the alarm
was given promptly, and the fire so quickly
checked with but so little damage. Aside from
the damages sustained by the fire and in addition
thereto the rail Of the stairs was broken down by
the pressure of the children during the excite
ment. That there was no loss Of life was a.tribu-
table chiefly to the cool and deliberate manner
in which the teachers controlled the children
during the excitement; and TO the citizens who
were attracted to the building by the valuable
assistance rendered by them. The inspection Of
this building was made by me, with Mr.. Superin-
tendent Cook Mr.. Johnson, of the trustees, who
fully agree with me as to the cause of the ire.
The loss will not exceed $50 or $780, which is
fully covered by insurance
Under the emergency Of the case Immediately
proceeded with repairs and have consulted with
The representatives Of the insurance companies,
who will pay the bills In regard to the con-
stTuction Of the Stevens schoOlhouse building,
which was erected some twelve years ago, under
what supervision l am not informed, the capacity
Of which is about eight hundred and fifty chill
dren, and is composed OF wood except the exterior
walls, and shows signs Of weakness. Egress and
lngress from the upper floors are insufficient,
having but ole staircase, and that of limited pro-
portions. The interior indicates unmistakable
evidences Of weakness, and should during the
summer vacation have brick partition walls con-
structcd in lieu Of the present wood ones, and an
additional staircase, which recommend. l fur
tier recommend that the chambers inclosing the
radiating surface be reconstructed in such man
ner as to allow q circulation Of air between sur
faces and inclOsure; and l further recommend
that in all school buildings where registers are
placed under the floor that there be suspended q
shield or conical pan under the register as a re-
cep;acle box for sSeepings, to prevent IRE in the
future from the Aforesaid cause"