Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1892-11-03
REFORMS IN BUILDING INSPECTION.
The Tex: Of the Recon- lamentations Made
by Three Repre- Bodies.

The Text Of the Recon- mendations Made
by Three Representative Bodies.
The Commissioners. stated in yesterday
STAR. have received letter from three repre-
sentative bodies interested making recon-
mendations to the building inspectors Office.
This letter, Of which . brief abstract was
given in Tnz STAR, states:
The Washington Chapter Of the American
Institute Of Architects, the Washington Build
ers' Exchange and the Association of Fire
Underwriters, District Of Columbia, ask your
consideration Of the following recommends
tions regarding the building inspectors Office,
believing that they would advance the interests
Of the community and are In fact rendered
necessary by the yearly increase in number
size and compleIity of the buildings erectedin,
this city. The present personnel and past
management of the inspectors Office they have
no intention or desire to eriticise, they simply
believe that the city has ontgrovn the present
system. Under that system the framing of the
building regulations, their construction and en-
forcemeut are virtually relegated to one and
the same individual From lack of facilities.
due to a lack of funds, no proper record of
plans has been kept BY the Office showing the
construction contemplated, for which permits
have been granted from the same lack Of funds
the force of assistants 20 the inspector is insult
cient to properly inspect the great number Of
structures continually under way. Again. in
Of disputes arising, the appointment Of
arbtrators virtually rests with one of the par
ties In interest.
AS an improvement upon the present system
they recommend:
l. That the Office of the building inspector be
placed under the control of the Engineer Com
missioner, he being from his technical training
better qualified to ait in Judgment on the ques-
tions Of construction than full board, these
mos fre0nartiy If
vsrsy. He should have power to affirm, over
rIle or modify the decisions or rulings of the
inspector.
q The primary duty Of the inspector and his
assistants being the examination Of plans sub
mitted. the issuinS of permits therefor and the
inspection Of buyings in process of erection.
alteration or repair, until those duties are fully
performed they should neither be assigned nor
permitted to assume any others.
8. A complete copy Of the plans and specifca-
tions Of all structures for which permits issue,
In 80 far as they relate to their safety and sani
tation as well their encroachment upon the
public sidewalks and parking should be required
to be filed in the Inspector Office, and remain
there part of its records, according docu-
mentary evidence Of what permits have been
granted for and a check upon unsafe or unwar-
rsnted deviation therefrom.
A. board of appeals should be established
composed Of men from the representative
bodies OF those engaged in the planning. cree
ton and protection Of buildings, and upon
them should devoive the duty of suggesting or
making subject to the approval Of the Commits
sioners changes notifications to the build
ing regulations. II such q board consisted OF
five members, one to be designated by the
local chapter Of the A. l. A., two by the Build
ers Exchange. one by the Fire Underwriters
Association. these TO be elected annually BY
their respective organizations, and the Engineer
Commissioner, or one of his army assistants, 1t
would seem fair to assume that they with their
former knowledge of the subject. reinforced BY
that gained in the frequent calls upon them in
matters in dispute. would be the best qualified
t. suggest or frame amendments or alterations
o. the existing regulations.
>. The cause Of the present deficiency in in
spection and record being the lack Of funds to
pay for the necessary assistants, the present
fees for building permits should be increased
FOR buildings costing more than 81. 600. If 81
we're charged for permit for any building up
To- that limit and IS for any costing over 81, 900
and less than 80, 900 and so for any building
costing more than 1000, the additional reve-
nues derived would pay for the increased service
asked for.