Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1882-01-14

strengthed at the expiration of the present sea
son of assemblages.
At Sheldon's hall we propose that both sets Of
exit doors at entrance and the one on second
door between the back rooms be changed To
open outward and hand-rail placed on the
west side of the main stairway
AT the Congregational church we suggest that
all the exit doors be changed TO open outward,
and as matter Of precautiOn in the event OF
their being crowded to place an iron post under
the circular corners Of each OF the galleries.
At the deaf and dumb asylum. with the ey-
ception OF the west section, the buildings are of
ordinary construction. The stairway floor joists
and portion of the partitions are of wood. Ii
IS well provided with water in case Of fire, but
as precaution TO check and control one, should
1t occur. we recommend the placing of enc of
Martin Barnes Automatic Fire EXtinCuShers,
or any other equally 80 efficient. with sprinkler
attachment, in the eastern portion of the build
ing.
The insane asylum buildings are of ordinary
construction-the floor. joists and stairways
| except two small ones). the roofs and
portion Of the partitions are OF
wood. The buildings are provided with
water and have attachments at various points.
but containing such large number OF persons.
nearly all of whom are incapable of taxing care
| OF themselves in case OF fire. we would suggest
| that as fast as practicable the s;airways and
| hoorS OF corridors be reconstructed with fire
| proof material. and to prevent general fire
| the buildings, where connected 10y corridors or
doors, be fitted with iron partitions whore there
are no brick ones, and iron doors at all Onnect-
| ing openings. The steam coils in basement are
enclosed by long lines of board partitions. ey-
| tending from floor to ceiling. forming hollow
chamber. which is not only combustible, but II
once on fire perfect conductor from one por-
| ton of the building to another, and to the
| floors. which are of wood. immcdatelyoy them.
| We would recommend that all these partitions
| be removed. and the chambers be form ed by
| four inch brick walls with iron doors in same,
| for use TO repair or replace the coils.
The reform school, on account of its Isolated
condition and construction, needs special atten-
| ton. The water. supplied by two tanks In the
| fourth story. and the hose and connections are
| totally inadequate if a fire should get well
started especially if one should occur at night.
The dormitores aIe on the top floor in what
may be termed story formed by mansard
roof The v hole construction of this story, over
the entire building. is of wood. The only
Chance Of exit is by a narrow door at one corner
OF each dormtory. which opens In each case
INTO narrow passage. which leads to the stair
way. If either of these PASSAGES or the stair
way should be blocked by fire, the loss of life
would be great. We would suggest that an adj
diton be constructed at the rear of each OF the
wings with ample starways in each from base
ment to top floors, connecting at each floor
with doors of sufficient size, thus affoTding
escape from fire If the passage or stairway be
INSTRUCTED at tbs other extreme end of the
room. AS this building, if on fire. is out of
| reach Of the fire department, and in its present
condition and facilities would no doubt be en-
tireiy consumed we recommend that an ample
fire extinguisher be placed in the building as
speedily as possible, and the walls Of the upper
story be built Of brick TO take the place OF the
present wooden construction.