The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1902-03-09

Willie the larger portion of the atten-
iion and interest in the matter of fire
prevention, awakened by recent destruc-
tive fires in Richmond and elsewhere.
has had to do with property loss, many
have at the same time had in mind the
large risk to human life. In this matter
Richmond has been peculiarly fortunate,
while the loss of life in other cities has
been very great. In the great fires OF
the last twelve months in Richmond-the
Jefferson. Myers, Cameron,s, Cordes q
lost, that of SIr. L. e. Slaughter at the
Meyers store fire in April last.
There has been considerable discussion
as TO whether the fire escapes on Rich
1nond buildings are adequate and of the
latest pattern and design. Chief Fuller
has been anxious to have spiral ilre
upon some Richmond building, for, trial
and test. The device comes hlghty re-
commended and the American Iopacco
Company has asked the Street Commit
tee for permission to construct Such an
escape on the Allen & Ginter building. at
Seventh and Cary Streets. As the fire
escape would enorouch upon the side
walk this permission has not yet been
granted. but it is hoped that such an eS-
cape will be tested upon some high build
ing in Richmond in which there are a
number of female employees at work.
THE NEW DEVICE.
The fire escape is a device of recent
patent known as tic kiSker-Bender FIRE
Escape it consists of u chute or spiral
slide. so constructed that it controls the
speed of the body descending, which Is
no greater at the bottom than at the top
strated by hundreds Of tests, more than
100000 people of all ages and sizes having
made trips through these fire escapes
without injury or even d i;da i,fo1dsd II;
sheet steel cylinder. six feet in diane
ter. with a heavy angle iron ring at the
bottom. which rests on a brick tounda-
ton six feet eight inches in diameter
and two feet deep. The spiral slide is
made of soft box annealed steel securely
and smoothly riveted to the cylinders and
supported in centre by an iron stand-pipe
three inches inside diameter. The stand
pipe extends entire length of the es-
cape and has brass hose connections at
the bottom and top. The escape is con-
nected with the building by iron run
ways which are protected with heavy
wire ratings. All doors are made IN
pairs of sheet steel well hraced with half
oval iron. The entrance doors have pro-
jecting frames so that they can open
inward and not interfere with the slide
These doors close automatically 10 pre-
vent the entrance of smoke and heat.
The exit doors open outward. a very
light pressure of any object Siding
the doors. The slide comes within esh-
teen inches Of the ground. Escaping per-
sons get up as If rising from chair on
reaching the exit.
A sheet steel roof covers the escape
which keeps it dry and free from snow
and ice. The entire work is mechanical
1y and substantially constructed and
painted with two coats of best mineral
paint. The escape is set between the
windows so as not to obstruct Nentila-
ton and light.
In case of fire in a tail building. a fire.
mans ladder may be put on the out
side of the escape; also hose connections
at each Of the floors and pulleys with
for priS will
save much valuable time ordinarily lost
In carrying hose up ladders.