New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1877-10-03

tlRE-PROOf ROOtS AND fLOUSs.
A STATEMENT FROM GENERAL MEIGs IN REGARD TO
THEM AND THE PATENT OFFICE FIRE.
tBY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIDUsE.I
WASHINGTON, Oct. 2.-An article published
in The Ereng star last week regard tho construc
ton Of the roof OF the Interior Department building and
OF other public buildings in washingon,was widely cop
led and the assertions contained were generally
cepted as correct This fact induces
eral Meigs to correct In letter to The EUenin0 Star,
some of the misrepresentation which grew out OF that
article The following his remarks in regard to the
construction of roofs OF several public buildings:
The roof OF the General POst-Ofrce building more
than half OF the whole constructed entirely OF iron and
enters into its composition and the ceilings of the upper
story are entirely OF metal OF metal and brick com
corridors which connect the wings with the old centre
buildings also Of metal wroughtro frames support
ing wrought iron purns and In the skyght OF wrought
iron sash bars which rest the roof covering OF CORFU
gated copper aud IN the skysht 81 t Thick
Since the original construction Of the roofs Of the egsla
pastering as non-conductor has been introduced below
The copper so take IL for granted That tue plaster Is
equally ncOmbustble; but have not visited the roof
since the plasterng WAS introduced into 1t.
General heigs also calls attention to the fact that all
metals commonly used in building more or less CON-
busble and that with free supply OF and plenty Of
heat wrought iron. copper and zinc Will burn freely and
fercey and that red heat all these metals soft
and flexible that any composed Of them must when
in this condition, fall. lie also says that SO
called arcproJf hoors constructed the French sys
tenn generally fail from 1exure Of the iron beams, when
a great mass OF inaammaDle goods stored below them
takes fire. Referring to the upper floor Of the Patent
Office. he says:
The upper floor OF the Patent Office resisted very
fierce fire above II. 1t III beam and brck-arched
floor IL IL doubtful whether had similar floor covered
mOdelrOOiu, IT could have escaped destruction mad
the fire originated therein but the fire originated III
the roof above the ceiling would probably III ts case
have saved the model-rOOm and :ts contents.
General Megs also cali attention to the fact that
floor Of stout wooden beams filed In with concrete or
masonry, that circulate through it, or fame
haye access to sides of the beams VIII resist fire.
whether above below, longer than ne usual iron and
brick iire-provf floors He adds The whole Of the two
model rooms destroyed ut the Patent Office burned out
IN sixty minutes In that time brick aud wooden beam
ceiling would not have been materially diminished IN
strength" In conclusion he says:
freproof ceiling would have saved the model rooms
OF tie Patent Office from fire originating III The roof but
the walls Of tuat bWdng are much more costly ana val
liable than the and ceilings ana, TIE nfe having
taken OF the models the costly DarOe IacllE
of the walls the marble paaters and capitals ana cor
nice were saved from caclnatOn and destruction, ana
generally IT, DETACHMENT Oh smoke by tho nee vent
which the flames Obtained GA tIe iaihnS OF Tue
roof n draft inward prevented he hdnes bursting OUT
through the windows In the West WING, except IA the
c8se OF inc windows which, on the moran, west anu
sutnWest corners ngntcd Two small corner rooms. Ol
these tue ceIg did not at nrst , ana lohS amer TIE
lire was declining body Of tho nall these two
rooms barst at the same moment into names men
pushed OF Windows, aud, 10 SOME tc9iec' ua-
ased and greatly biacAenod The narOie ABOUT theh'