Evening star., 1896-04-14

tened to what We call iron laths by means
Of wire or copper nails. A slow-burning
roof is one thing; fire-proof roof is quite
another. and II the appropriation act called
for fre-prC of construction throughout, then
a mistake has been made somewhere"
An Disappointing Architects Views.
Mr. James G. Hill, who is now in business
in the city, was formerly supervising archi-
tect of the treasury. A Star reporter called
on him at his Office today and had brief
talk with him in regard t. the roof Of the
city post Office building
What has been the practice in the erec-
ton of public buildings?' asked the re-
porter. .is4
buildings by the government, both prior to
my service as supervising architect and
during my term of Office" replied Mr.. Hill
was to construct the roofs without the use
of any combustible material"
What method of construction did you
follow?"
IT followed the method which was gener-
ally that Of my predecessors which was TO
purlins about ten inches apart, attaching
the slate directly to these purlins with
patent slate fastener
will you name some of the buildings
erected by the government in this man
ner?"
1.-The State, War and Navy Department
building that of the bureau of engraving
and printing, post Office buildings at Bos-
ton, Cincinnati, st. Louis, Chicago, and
probably others that do not remember
How about protection against cold and
heat?'
IF the rooms in the roof are not to be
occupied the plaster Is placed directly on
the purlins and slate. If it is desired to
occupy the rooms, iron lathing Is placed on
the inside, leaving an air space between
plaster and slate, and thus affording ample
protection from the outside temperature"
How do the two kinds Of roof construc-
ton referred to compare in cost?"
II can't give it to you in dollars and
cents" said Mr.. HILL but the wood sheath
ing with slate nailed on costs considerably
less than the other method"
Mr.. Desxez's Comments.
Mr. l.. E. Dessez, who had charge of the
re modelling of the fire-proof building at the
northeast corner of 18th street and Penn
sylvania avenue, formerly known as the
Shepherd building, in talking with Star
reporter, said that he could not understand
why a wooden sheathing on a roof like that
of the new city post office building should
have peculiar properties for excluding heat
and cold. He thought that the ordinary
fire-proof construction; that is, the laying
of the stating on iron. with the devices
commonly employed, such as providing an
air space and a plastered ceiling, laid on
iron lathing, would accomplish much more
in the way of rendering the rooms directly
beneath the roof habitable both winter and
summer. He was of the opinion that such
construction would not increase the weight
Of the roof 10 such a degree as to make 1t
necessary to enlarge the carrying strength
of the walls. He had not seen the specifi-
cations of the post office building, and
therefore had made no calculation as to the
carrying power Of the walls, but he could
not believe that roof constructed after
III h4I ivu fhA Aotro rcvth har
ing Of the walls.
A Builders Idea.
Mr.. Frank L. Hanvey, the contractor and
builder, said: II am not SO sure that the
new roof is a bad one, providing it is fin
ished as it ought to be. That sort of a roof
is all right, in the opinion of most builders,
If it Is lined with asbestos plaster; then it
is practically fireproof AS understand it,
however. there is nothing in the speciica-
tions that calls for such a lining. The
superintendent says that 1t is intended to
put in such a lining, but there is nothing
compulsory about 1t. Then, again, Atkin-
son recommends that sort of a roof when
the sheathing is at least three inches in
in that roof Is but 1 3-S inches, and every
fraction of an inch that is taken from that
three inches makes 1t jus. that much less
desirable, OF course, and just that much
less Of a protection against the changes in
temperature. An iron or steel roof would
make the top part Of the building colder in
winter and hotter iE summer; 1t is heavier,
and I doubt whether the present construc-
strong to support the added weight. It
would necessitate some very material
changes in that part Of the structure
'But is the present roof q fire-proof one?''
Strictly speaking, 1t Is not. 1t would be
at best only a slow-burning roof. If the
act OF Congress appropriating for the build
ing called for : fire-proof construction
throughout, then I will say candidly the