Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1901-07-09
THE BUILDING REGULATIONS
COMMISSIONERS NEARLY THROUGH
WITH WORK OF REVISION.
Important Changes Made in Clause
Relating to Steel Construction
Height of Buildings.

The District Commissioners have COM
pleted their revision of the building regu-
lations, and it is expected that the new IS
sue will be ready for distribution within
the next five six weeks at the latest
The manuscript is all in hand and ready
for the printers The idea that the new
issue is entirely different from the last one,
brought out in 1897, is a mistaken one.
Il will simply include the amendments and
the acts of Congress regarding buildings
in the District made from time to time dur
ing the past four years, and such other
changes as experience has shown to be
necessary or desirable
Since the last regulations were issued
Congress has passed number of import
ant laws on the subject of buildings, espe-
cially in regard to the height OF struc-
lures The heights now allowed are In
proportion to the width of the street. On
residence streets the buildings are limited
in height to the number of feet the street
measures in width, except that in no case
can they exceed ninety feet. On ordinary
business streets the maximum height Is
10 feet for fire-Droof buildings, WnHe on
streets and avenues 100 feet in width the
maximum for fireproof structures is lou
feet.
Probably the most important changes
made in the regulations are those clauses
relating to the employment OF steer iraIhe
construction, such as was employed In the
new Evening Star building, the new gov
eminent printing office and other modern
structures. The old regulations did not
have any specifications in regard to TINS
class of latter-day construction. Another
change is in regard to what Is known as
Ransome construction, allowing building
to be erected with concrete walls and steer
rods, such was done in the case OF the
Century building, on 9Th street, facing City
Hall Square.
The Regulations of '97.
AS stated above, the last issue of build
ing regulations was made in 1897, the edi-
ton of that year being printed because
former edition had become exhausted.
similar situation exists at present. There
is not a spare copy of the regulations In
the city, and architects, builders and others
interested in building matters are contin-
ually calling at the office of the building
inspector seeking copies which cannot be
had.
1t has been necessary to amend the reg
ulations from time to time to meet the re-
quirements of acts of Congress affecting
building matters, and also, as stated, to
meet new conditions which have arisen
since the former edition was issued, or to
make clear some requirement which con-
troversy has proved to be of doubtful mean
ing.
The act of Congress regulating the height
of buildings was passed March l, 1899, and
another act was also passed giving the
Commissioners authority to declare a thor
oughfare a business street. when more
than one-half of the property upon 1t is
business property. The use of gasoline and
kerosene in engines has also assumed such
proportions as to require public SuperviS-
Ion. 1t has also been found advisable, in
order to get safer construction, to increase
the thickness of walls in certain cases. The
regulations concerning the erection and use
OF market houses, brick yards, slaughter
houses, etc, have also had to be amended
for the better protection of the public. Eiec-
trio wiring regulations have also had to be
given attention and expression. 1t will
thus be seen that changes have been made
only as exigencies have required, and they
continue to arise during the progress of
city the size of Washington and must con-
tinually be met, it is stated.
Always in Demand.
There is always a great demand for
copies Of the building regulations. 1t Is
absolutely necessary that each contractor,
architect and builder shall possess a copy.
new edition at this time has been rem
dered absolutely necessary, and while it
was being issued the Commissioners have
thought 1t best to revise all the regulations
and to insert the amendments where they
should be made.
Last summer Mr.. Snowden Ashford, the
assistant inspector of buildings, was de-
tailed to get the regulations in shape for
reprinting His work was reviewed by
Capt. D. D. Gaillard, U. S. A former as
sistant to the Engineer Commissioner, and
stands an evidence of his painstaking
care of the engineering departments of the
District government with which he was
intrusted. Capt. Gaillard Is now detailed
as engineer in charge of Lake Superior i'm
provements at Duluth, Wis. The edition
as compiled by Mr.. Ashford and reviewed
by Capt. Gaillard. therefore, has now been
approved by the board of Commissioners
oy,1 will +.