New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-03-21
PRECAUTIONSIN BROOKLYN
ALL POINTS OF THE LAW COMPLIED
WITH IN WELI-KNOWN HOTELS.
FIRE ESCAPES. LADDERS. PUMPS. TANKS. En-
GrNEs. HOSE AND wATCHMEN ALL PRO
vIDED FOR THE SAFETY OF GUESTS
INVESTIGATION CAUSED BY THE
WINDSOR HOTEL DISASTER.

INVESTIGATION CAUSED BY TIE
WINDSOR HOTEL. DISASTER.
Since the Windsor Hotel calamity In Manhattan
so much questioning has arisen to the safety
or danger from fire i'm the hotels OF this borough
that n Tribune reporter yesterday investigated the
conditions in several Of tho larger hostleres here
All were found 10 have complied with the law. and
in most cases to have taken extra precautions not
specifically called for.
The Hotel Margaret. Columbia Heights and
Orange-st.. with extension in Willow-st.. has wide
nre-escapes at several points outside the building.
and iron staircase leading from the roof 70 the
ccer ut the corner furthcst from the intersec-
ton Of the streets. 1t has automatic a.arm,
tested each day. at noon and a standpipe and hose
in each hall. the hose Of sufficient length TO he
put into any room on the floor There Is also an
automatic apparatus I'm the kitchens storerooms
and trunkrooms. Tho elevator has no woodwork
about IT, and the halls all Of marble or tiles.
There three engineers and several hremen, and
always one Of each at his post, with the others
near by 10 respond I'm case OF an alarm There Is
a fire tank on the roof and fire pump In the en-
gine-room. This is not left to chance working IN
Of fire. but Is operated every day. o.
The captain or the fire district goes through the
hotel each month 10 keep himself thoroughly IA
milinrized with the place But the greatest pre-
caution exercised by the manager, Mr.. Bates. IL
keeping everything perfectly clean and not allow
Ing any accumulation OF newspapers. waste paper
or greasy rags anywhere about the premises
Every night the Waterman patrols the building
reporting by time clock certain number OF times
an hour.
Mr. Van Cleaf. Of the Mansion House In Hicks
ST. between Clark and Pierrepont SITS. considers his
house unusually safe. because Il has hre-escapes,
is open on both slles and iremcn working from
outside can put hose into every room and hall In
the house This house has .arge garden at the
back that In summer IS like park. and all the
free fba hpfa n
on the borders Of this open space. the laundry
b, kerry. kitchen and engine-room all being outside
the main building Fire buckets are placed at sta
lions In the hall. and fire extnguishers Kept IN
the office while automatic fire signal IS wired
throughout the entire building. and IS frequently
tested The standpipe. with connecting hose, can
food every room in the building at short notice
The hotel being old Is not compact. but compare
tive.y low and long, It's frontage measuring 10
feet Because OF the space to be covered TWO men
are duty each night who report BY a watch
mans time clock three times an hour.
The Hotel st. George. because OF its height and
size has plans Of the building showing lre-escapes
posted in prominent places IN the rooms and halls
and in the latter red cards and redglobed mean
descent lights indicate the direction 10 be followed
to reach them. Eleven hre-escapes are placed on
the outside OF the buildings. and hreprooi STAR
case runs from roof 10 cellar through hals con,
sidered hreproof while the elevators are surrounded
The usual standpipes are posted throughout the
escape An efficient fire corps OF twelve men is
constantly on duty. and the watchmen report to
the office by time clock. T. {. Niblo head clerk
reels sure the place is as safe as human inteh-
gcnce make it. .,
Tho men in charge Of all these hotels SAID they
could speak from experience Of the efficiency or
their precautions for they had all had occasions
70 put fires caused by the explosion ol aIconoi
'c,irler'' lamps or by matches. there are some
times careless guests. These fires mad however
generally been confined TO one room, and had been
nut ont without calling In the Fire Department
The men also spoke ~ tho need for increased pre-
mi IN u-h
houses or when n parade passed by. In either
case servants Will leave their posts unless specially
commanded n remain them, and yet at Such
times undesirable persons are the most likely % get
in seeking opportunities 10 steal
harlan fire is eagerly awaited by Brooklyn hotel
keepers.