The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1904-01-26
HIGH BUILDINGS
REQUIRE ESCAPES
Means of Exit Inadequate
on Apartment Houses.
VIEWS OF COMMISSIONERS
Regulations Will Be Amended and Com
pliance With Law Enforced in In
terests of Public Safety.

"As a general proposition. every apart
nent house in the District, more than
I'VE stories high and having only one
interior means of exit. which is a stair
way encircling an elevator shaft, should
be equipped with fire escapes, regardless
of the fact that such houses are built of
alleged fireproof material
This significant statement was author
lied this morning by Colonel Biddle.
Engineer Commissioner of the District.
Commissioner West informed The Times
that he would heartily indorse such a
recommendation, and Commissioner
mcfarland said he would approve what
ever came to him through the Engineer
Commissioner and the Building In
spector.
To Amend Regulations.
Furthermore. The Times has been au-
thorized to announce that the present
building regulations, relating to fire es-
capes, are to be repealed or radically
amended. in order to correct some ex-
listing defects, and provide for contin-
gencies now overlooked. The new law
will contain clause providing that fire
escapes be erected on all hotels, apart
ment houses or other buildings used for
residential purposes, over five stories in
height, and where the only means of
exit is down stairs which encircle an
elevator shaft.
Such law as this will mean an ex-
about $500 The Building Inspector
says IL will cost each apartment house
from 5000 10 s. 900 TO comply with the
law, and there are about twelve large
buildings which will be affected
The first case TO which the attention
of the Commissioners will be directed is
that Of the Iowa, on the corner of Thir-
teenth and o Streets northwest. The
Commissioners today ordered fire es-
capes constructed on the Coywood. al
1923 L Street northwest. Complaints
have been received against the F'arragut'
the Olympia. and the Mount Vernon.
The Building Inspector has other names
on his list. and ii is understood each
case will be treated individually.
The entire question centers upon the
means of exit now provided. whether
within or without the buildings
Conditions Have Changed.
The Commissioners are awake to the
fact" said Colonel Biddle today, that
conditions are changing from time to
time. and that ideas concerning fire
precautions are not the same as they
were ten. OF even FIVE years ago. The
law gives the Commissioners discretion
in the matter of requiring fire escapes.
and 1 am in favor of having them
placed on all apartment houses not now
so provided"
Commissioner West said there was no
doubt that these conditions were
dangerous, and he would gladly approve
any recommendation emanating from
Colonel Biddle's Office. Commissioners
mcfarland will do the same. so it
would appear that the legislation is as
good as adopted. The apartment houses
will have sixty days. after the regula-
ton has been approved. to comply with
IL. The petalty for noncompliance, It
is understood. will be a fine OF not more
than 800 nor less than $50 for each day
the law is disobeyed.
The Commissioners are also empower
ed to have the fire escapes constructed.
under the supervision of the Building
Inspector. and charge the amount
against the property as tax.