The record-union., 1891-12-15
NO MORE DEATH-TRAPS.
Chief Engineer Guthrie Has His
Weather Eye Open.
He Offers Stringent Ordinance tc
Govern the Erection of Buildings
Within the Fire Limits.

AT yesterday afternoons session of the
City Trustees Chief Engineer Guthrie of
the Fire Department presented an
amended ordinance regulating the con-
struction of buildings within the fire
limits. 1t is intended to put a stop to
methods that menace not only human life
but the safety of the city. The proposed
new ordinance
FIXES THE FIRE LIMITS
AS follows, in which nothing but build
ings Of brick or stone may be erected:
The western boundary commences at
point opposite the center of H, runs
thence through H to the center of Sixth;
thence south through the center of Sixth
to the alley between II and [; thence east
erly through said alley to the center of
Seventh; thence southerly through the
center of Seventh to the center of /;
thence easterly through the center of
to the center of Tenth, to point opposite
the center of said alley to the center of
Twelfth; thence southerly through the
center of Twelfth to point opposite to
the center of the alley between K and L:
thence westerly through the center of
said alley to the center of Tenth street;
thence southerly through the center of
Tenth to the center of l. street; thence
through the center of L street to the
center of the alley between Front and
Second; thence through the center of said
alley to the center of NJ street; thence'
through the center of NJ street to the west
boundary line of the city; thence north
erly along said line to the place of begin
ming.
HOW CONSTRUCTED.
All buildings hereafter erected within
the fire limits, the ordinance provides.
shall be constructed in the following
manner: The foundation and all extra
walls shall be of brick or stone. the
foundation not less than four feet wide,
the basement walls sixteen inches thick,
the first and second story wall not less
tnan twelve inches thick where the build
ing stands by itself; eight-inch walls may
be used where the building is between
other brick walls owned by other parties;
but In no case shall studding be used un-
less by the consent OF the Chief Engineer.
All lintels over six feet long must be of
iron or steel; columns must be OF iron or
brick. All exterior ornamental finish for
windows, cornices, ETC., shall be OF gall
vanized iron, brick or any other tre-proof
material. Rear porches and outbuildings
must be well-framed together and the
exterior walls covered with corrugated
iron No. "A. All roofs must be covered
with tin or iron.
POWERS OF THE CHIEF ENGINEER.
The ordinance further provides that be-
fore any building OF brick, stone or wood
shall be enlarged, raised, altered or built
upon, the same shall be first examined
by the Chief Engineer to ascertain if the
same is in good condition to be enlarged,
raised, altered or built upon, who shall
certify to the safety Of making such re-
pairs.
The Chief Enpiueer has mower to rncrII-
late the removal of buildings. He shall
also have power In passing upon ma
terials used in the construction. altera-
tions or repairs of buildings
The ordinance was read the first time,
and under the rules, laid over one week.