Los Angeles herald., 1892-07-07
FIRE MATTERS,
The Estimate of the Expenses
for the Year.
Fire Escapes Ordered on New
Buildings.
A Discussion of the Bryson-B Bonebrake
Block Fire-New Alarm Boxes
Ordered-The Fire Es-
3 cape Matter.

The fire commissioners met yesterday,
with Messrs. Brodrick, Kuhrts and
Stillson present. Mr.. Kuhrts occupied
the chair.
Chief Moore presented the following
estimate of expenses for 1892-93 Sala-
ries, $4,000; rents, $1,000; expenses,
$4,000; fire alarm. $4,000; engine house
and lot on Belmont avenue, $3250;
money transferred to sinking fund $3.50 !;
ten callmen forty all told), $3.50; one
Ariel truck. $4,000; horses and harness,
5000; salaries, rent and expenses, $4,000;
total, $S7,500. On suggestion of Mr..
Kuhrts the number of callmen was re-
duced to five, that being considered suf-
ficient. The estimate was then referred
to the city auditor.
The chief reported the presentation to
the fire department OF $3.50 by Bryson &
Bonebrake, in recognition of the good
services of the iremen in saving their
business block. 1t was ordered placed
in the relief fund and thanks rendered
the donors.
An informal discussion of the fire re-
ltTIcQ W lOllOWcO duu bl0 0COLuiHlSblUu6Tb
expressed entire satisfaction with the
work of the department. 1t had been
claimed by some that there was more
water thrown into the block than neces-
sary, doing some needless damage, but
the members of the commission ex-
amined the scene of the fire thoroughly
and agreed that none too much water
was used; if anything not enough. Mr..
Kuhrts said that if the fire had been
allowed to get more headway then the
criticism wnnld have been made that
more water should have been used. 1t
is easy to find plenty of critics at fires.
The chief said he was determined not to
lose that fine building for few hundred
gallons of water or the damage it might
do. Mr.. Brodrick said anyone who ex-
amines the place where the fire was will
soon be convinced of the necessity of the
rush of water.
Mr.. Kuhrts called attention to the
necessity of police protection and aid at
large fires and the revival of the old law
requiring the members OF the police
force, whether on duty or not. to be at
| big fires for the purposes named. Mr..
Kuhrts and the chief were appointed a
| committee to confer with the police COM
mission relative to regulations requiring
the police to stretch ropes for fire lines
| at large conhagrations, and such other
work and protection as will enable the
| firemen to work unhampered by the
pressure, shouts and suggestions of the
crowds of spectators.
The petition of the Unity church, re-
ferred from council, asking for permits
sion to build an addition of wood and
brick within fire limits, was referred
back to the council, the commission de-
Gliding that it would be violation OF
the fire ordinance.
1t was decided that the chief notify
the proprietors of the Westminster hotel
to Immediately put fire escapes on the
hotel, and if not put in by reasonable
time, action to be taken to compel it.
/ 1t was ordered that the council be re-
quested to advertise for bids for 5000
feet OF fire hose.
1t was decided that all hotel proprie-
tors be requested to put notices in the
halls of the location of the fire escapes.
The matter of placing an alarm box at
Adams and Main streets, in accordance
with the motion OF Councilman Rhodes,
was referred to the chief.
The motion of the same councilman
was read as referred to this board 'that
the city attorney draft an ordinance
compelling owners of buildings, or any
in course of construction, or that may
hereafter be constructed, who have not
already provided the same, to put up
modern fire escapes to be approved by
the chief of the fire department and SUI
perintendent of buildings, on all build
ings over three stories high, with stand
pipes connected to attach hose thereto
on each story for putting out fires.
The chief said this was already pro
vided for in city ordinance No. 1928,
and it was ordered that the council be &C
informed.
This ordinance was approved July %
1889, and provides that all buildings ex-
cepting such are used for private resi-
dences exclusively, OF three or more
stories in height, shall be provided
with one or more metallic ladders or fire
escapes, with balconies and railings to
extend in front of and to communicate
with one window in each story, extend
ing from first story to upper stories o
such buildings above the roofs and or
the outer walls. They shall be Of such
locations and numbers, and of such ma
terial and construction as the superin
tendent of buildings, fire chief or firt
commissioners may determine. Afte
such determination the superintendent
of buildings, by notice in writing to tn,
owner, lessee. or occupant to cause sucf
metallic ladder or fire escape to b,
placed on buildings within thirty day
of the serving of such notice. Provided
however, that all buildings more thai
two stories in heighth, used for manu-
featuring purposes, shall have one me
tallic ladder or fire escape for ever,
twenty-five persons or less employed
above the second story.