The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-04-20
OUR HOUSES ARE FIRETRAPS.
Conclusions Drawn from Long Obser-
vations by Former Fire Chief.

Conclusions Drawn from Long Obser-
vations by Former Fire Chief.
+. o. Jones. in Good Housekeeping.
If our modern builders were offered a
prize for the most rapidly burning house
they could hardly improve upon the pres
ent method of construction The spaces be-
tween the studding serve, in case of fire, as
so many fues up which the smoke and
flames quickly ascend to the floors above.
Through the joist spaces the fire often
crosses from one side of a house TO the
other and breaks out at unexpected places.
What the fire does not reach is ruined
by smoke or the great amount Of water
which it becomes necessary to use in such
. cases.
The remedy obviously is to make all
walls and partitions solid. This is the
first and perhaps most important step
toward preventing the spread OF q hre.
In wooden dwellings the spaces between
the studding should be filled with some
kind of ireproof mixture. Mineral wool
is excellent for this purpose, but II is not
always readily obtainable. The ordinary
cement and sand mixture answers every
requirement, but its use in partitions is
open to objection, as the great weight is
pretty certain to make them settle. a
superior substitute is cement and sawdust
In about the same proportions. It's weight
is fully One-half less, and there would be
a cost i'm saving in some localities. Coarse
hardwood sawdust is preferable, but any
kind may be used. Before mixing the
SawduSt should be thoroughly soaked in
a strong solution of alum. Properly pre-
pared. the mixture is fireproOf so far as
practical requirements are concerned. II
is also proof against all kinds of vermin
and gathers little moisture. Such mix
lures have the less important property of
assisting in equalizing the temperature
of a house, making ii warmer in the
winter and cooler in the summer.
The joist spaces are not so easily rene
died. If they are filled in solid, even with
a mixture as light as cement and sawdust,
the weight of the floors becomes too great.
This difficulty may be escaped by making
the ceiling of each room freproof. The
best way to do SO is by using metallic lath-
ing securely Stapled to the lower edges or
the joists and covered with not less than
one-half inch Of good cement plaster. The
ornamental steel ceilings may be used II
desired, but. unless backed by a layer OF
nonconducting material. they do not hold a
fire in check very long. While the metals
will not burn. most Of them are fairly good
conductors of heat. Wherever they touch
woodwork in fireproof construction a layer
of some good nonconductor. such as asbes-
tos, should be interposed.
In order to prevent a fire from gaining
access to the joist spaces through the floor
above d~eadening boards should be placed
two or three inches below the top edges
of the joists and the space thus made filled
in level with the hreproof mixture. The
upper joists should also be protected from
attic or roof fires in the same way and
enough of the mixture used to entirely
cover them. 1t will then answer every pur-
pose as a floor in case the attic is used as a
storage room. Any opening into the attic
from below must be closed by a fireproof
cover which fits into the opening. Greater
safety between ceilings and floors may be
insured by a solid filing Immediately over
every partition and for a few inches out
from the walls.
The next important point in the con-
struction of a house are the stairways and
Railways. AS generally arranged they are
in effect a shaft up which the flames and
smoke rapidly ascend. often cutting OF
all interior escape from the upper floors
in the earliest stages of the fire. This has
caused more deaths than any other single
feature of modern house architecture.
While no genius has yet devised a way
whereby we can do without stairs, the
danger may be minimiZed. Even in two
! story houses | would recommend that the
stairs be constructed entirely OF f%reproof
material and that metal replace the sur
rounding WOODWORK. II the house is TO be
three stories or over, this precaution be-
comes of the utmost Importance. Iron
should be used for the stair Stringers, and
iron, slate or any other suitable stone for
the risers and treads. The rail and BAN
listers should be of metal, which may be
had in various kinds and forms. Oak could
be substituted for the iron stringers if
wholly and securely inclosed by d fire
proof mixture, but the cost would be fully
as great. l cannot too strongly urge front
and rear stairs IN every house. 1t is q
matter Of convenience as well as safety.
Better sacrifice space somewhere if neces-
sary in order to make them possible.
There should be no direct connection be-
tween the two stairs, but if they must
open on the same hallway, let it be divided
by a f%ireproof partition and a fireproof,
seIL-closing door. The self-closing door is
recommended for such places because any
other kind would be found open at the very
time when il should be closed. Besides
hreproof partitions on each side of the
Railways and its castings should be fire.
resisting. About the most satisfactory
kind of door is made of oak and covered
with steel. Sheet steel is now pressed into
almost every shape and design, and such
doors need not detract from the general
interior finish.
There is one thing in the construction
of a house which should have careful at
%tention, yet seldom gets 1.-THE chimney.
II you want a good one, you will probably
have to engage a competent disinterested
person to supervise its construction. Every
chimney should begin in the cellar and
have the joints well filled and smoothed
on the inside. If it is not dcuble-ccursed,
1t ought to be inclosed by galvanized iron
boxing in the attic. This boxing should
reach from the lower edge of the joists to
the top of the rafters and may be made in
sections like a stOvepipe for convenience.
With such chimneys and a slate or metal
roof, an attic fire would be d rarity indeed.