New-York tribune., 1902-03-14
REPORT on P4RK-4TE. FIRE.
CONCLUSIONS OF BOSTON EXPERT ON
FIREPROOF CONSTRUCTION.

Perez NJ Stewart, Superintendent OF Buildings
received yesterday advance copy Of a report on
the Park Avenue Hotel prepared by Edward Atkin-
son. OF Boston. Mr.. Atkinson is an acknowledged
expert hreproohng and the fireproof construc-
tIon Of buildings. The report is the result Of
thorough inspection Of the Park Avenue Hotel
made by Mr.. Atkinson personally on March 3 and
was prepared 10 be sent out 10 the policy holders
OF the Boston Manufacturers Mutual Fire Insur-
anCe Company OF which Mr.. Atkinson is president
Mr. Stewart was pleased 10 observe that some of
the important conclusions drawn by Mr. Atkinson
were substantially the he had previously
called attention Mr. Stewart said that so far
he aware the proprietors OF hotels for
which changes have been recommended were show
ing disposition 70 comply with the suggestions of
the Building Department as far and promptly
they could without undertaking work which would
be ruinous TO their business. Regarding frequent
inspection Mr.. Atkinson says in his report;
l might venture to suggest that the proprietors or
landlords Of the principal hotels in New-YOrk and
inspection for The purpose Of dndng out where the
points Of danger are and applying the remedy
diabIe dangers which have been disclosed in this
case. In our experience as underwriters have
factor. a risk OF the second class under the
charge of a man who recognizes the necessity of
constant care is safer than the best risk in control
spect 10 the latter We always call for absolute pro
lection and for sprinkiers wherever n sprinkler
occupant is absolutely sure that no fire can ever
construction is grave danger to that class of fire
hazards
Mr. Atkinson gives detailed account Of what he
had seen at the hotel. The origin Of the fire may
have been due he says, to a hot bearing. which IS
not proba BILE: fragments Of burning wood from
the armory. from spontaneous combustion among
the rags and used for wipng the elevator
machinery. The theory that burning fragments
might have been sucked down through tube or
air duct he says. cannot he sustained, because al
though there ducts in the walls the
system never developed In this connection
he says that a sprinkler head a large one at
tached 10 each side wall to throw a large
volume Of water directly the mechanism of the
elevator could have failed TO stop this fire He
recommends that such mechanism be provided for
all elevator wells and also for factories to flood
the chief motors in case they become heated the
oil gnites He adds
The FIRE resisting qualities Of the main elements
of this building have been fully Justified in
this fire The large loss of life and the small loss
of property may be attributed to remedial faults i'm
construction. and a recurrence may he absolutely
guarded against by suitable safeguards at mod
cost
He declares that there ought to be automatic
sprinklers through all the main Railways and eIe-
vator shafts. The hotel could be made almost alb
solutey safe hy such sprinklerS. The report also
emphasizes the need for frequent fire drills and
the who calls the trains in front q he
way station at New Haven. This that the
watChman each floor should he supplied with
phone with which 10 give warning and direction 10
that the glass inclosnS elevator shafts should be
wired plate glass