New-York tribune., 1903-05-17
FIRE SAFEGUARDS.
SOME EXPERT OPINION.
.4uth0ntatiue Suggestions IN the
Matter of Fire Construction.

As The Tribunes readers constitute so important
part especially 10 the extent and value OF their
Investments OF the property OF the country
vel Of those citizens-lay and professional
who interested in the many fine and costly
structures n course OF construction. under con-
tract, projected. il is thought they viii find the
information here furnished timely and servlceable
/; Is not possible in the limited space which the
pressure on the papers columns at this season
spares to this chapter on fire protection to treat
exhausuvely the subject-whieh comprises two dis
tinct divisions that may be generally described as
present the chief features in the progress
in securing Tor life and property, Immunity from
fhe ATTACKS OF Ire destructive element, and the
most important points suggested and discussed by
, ICES "IoZ , Ieson m o. Ihel oilcial position, or
sIecse eIliSs ilstt ana eAper1ence-nay be justly
considered authorities And even these may not all
Not the least striking feature Of the progress
mace. o. ia1e mas been the elimination from serious
consideration CT certain things that were bur YES
Serday, as Il were, deemed important factors: and
re lnaoTseet @ ~ now given to certain others which
because they had not reached their fullest develop
rnent Thus. NJ. William Anderson. superintendent
q the board Of survey Of the National Board OF
kire CncerWTiters. when seen recently. was Ques-
toned as 70 lRe Nalue OF the fire extinguisher. He
REPLIED 1s beaTg CONSIDERS the FIRE pail the best
IRE department, in case OF fire. and then use the
ready pail" Mr. Everett Z Crosby. the secretary
National Fire Protection Association and a recog-
rized authority. when asked the same Question
said: The reports ot our association show the
water pail 10 be a better fire extinguisher. and we
now completing designs for one which viii be
The sprinkler system IS an instance Of delayed IN
eOrsenent- II has had. since il first into
use. almost as much detraction as praise-and 1t
sty to pour down Devastating flood upon goods and
chattels beneath under the attack OF high tenn
eEtinggish was conspicuous by its absence,
s1nkIe- tbe Tresfast factor IN Ere nTotect5oo Il
Indeed he goes SO far TO aver that it far ex-
structural feature whatever On this last opinion
Sa 50 T5cb ,rnorsSo< @ does f io bosI5 gIee +sh
70 z sprinkler service IL has had made a huge map
buildings in which spTinklers are instaied-and
treProof buildings. as well-for its guidance in de-
plains Of and describes 'a-crying evil" the
nections and suggests that the second engine ar
irving at fire should connect with the sprinkler
maximum efficiency upon high pressure He
: leea uSO " ouI a. lIe ~
protection. because. while II may not save build
throughout the district. which, o. course. Is the
Aoetyiene gas too. most brilliant iluminant-
Hnd artificial llgnt IS. more than ever before an
struggled for years against insurance and depart
mental reSLFlctlo!ls arg aglI.s III
E1eIts OF the seVerest character Tor the reason IIll
lis generation being extremely snple-as The Tr!b-
Reet @ @ snght e Gas @ Machines ci in its issue q
april sal sorts o., poorly equipped and Ignorant
q crude inventions and might naturally be ex-
=.-o---,,c- - s-o-7-1g5 ,,,t f +ts r,,Triry
and left the field TO a few competent manufactlI-
cheney OF their machines. and the superior quali-
ues of the gas itself acetyIeRe has aItaned ne
position in public and Official favor 10 WhlcA II IS
leEtrima1ely entitled.
The Department Of Buildings recently pointed out
that the higher value OF land here, inviting the
closer proximity Of buildings. has increased fire
risks also that their greater size and height have
augmented the dangers from the spread Of FIRE and
render that element difficult control These
conditions have caused the department TO LEND It's
The Tribune in this effort TO impress upon
owners the necessity for the Introduction OF proper
and modern safeguards against fire. Commenting
UPON difficulty Of bringing about changes. anu
improvements without the cooperation OF the per
sons ultimately 1nteCested-<he owners themselves
The Department said. Legislation cannot eliminate
rhe danger from fire A careful consideration ano
thorough study Of this matter must convince every
ow-ner that the introduction OF safeguards against
fire will bring fair return for the Increased out
law In reduced insurance rates, besides meeting
the moral obligation to lessees- tenants nelghboTs
Already most Of the ManhaJtflE z
theatres have their insurance rates ma erla y
reduced. because Of changes made in them by this