The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-09-29
NEW BUILDING LAW.
Probable That Topeka VIII Soon
Have One.

On the surface there is nothing doing"
in regard to the proposed new building
law for the city of Topeka, which will
provide rules and restrictions on the use
of cement blocks building material
There is reason to believe, however, that
City Engineer McCabe and Fire Marshal
Wilmarth are doing some quiet work,
which will lhave its results in due time.
The question of whether cement will
withstand fire seems to be pretty conclu-
sively settled by Perez NJ. Stewart an
eastern fire authority. who read a paper
before the International Association OF
Fire Engineers in Chattanooga, Tenn. Mr.
Stewart says that cement was shown by
the Baltimore fire to be the strongest re-
sistent again both fire and water.
Fire Marshal Wilmarth is expecting TO
make some more tests of the cement
blocks in the furnaces used by the santa
Fe at their shops and further tests OF the
made. Chief Wilmarth is said to be com
municating with the officials OF other
perience with the cement block problem.
He said today:
much more than would appear on the sur
1ace. We will announce the results OF our
Investigations as soon as we have any
thing to announce
Mr. Stewart. the fire fighting author
ity, is a strong advocate of the proper
and preventive of fire loss. In a letter
to the State Journal he says:
From many years of acquaintance
with the building trade in its various as
poets, 1 am convinced that the immense
fire loss of the country-amounting. in
property DESTROYED and trade and time
lost to upwards of $250, 900 annually
will be materially reduced only through through
means for self protection A small part
of such means can be secured , by wise ie-
ton must come voluntarily. The initia-
tive, however, will be taken only when the
t. ,11,I Of
the means and personal. increment to
come through its adoption
building Construction, the Conclusions of
which deduced from investigations
art makes the following valuable sugges-
lions:
ITO put the matter briefly. the several
fire hazards and means for their reduc-
ton may be summed up in general as fol-
lows:
members loose their strength rapidly un-
der the influence of even moderate heat,
therefore should be thoroughly insulated.
Portland cement concrete and hollow tile, |
not less than inches in thickness at any
point. are most efficient against the at
2 stone of all kinds, wherever exposed
to heat. either on the inside or outside
temperature. Baked clay and Portland
cement concrete, on the contrary, are
withstanding axceilently the application
of water on their heated surfaces
s.
ings. as for stairs and elevators, rapidly
communicate fire between stories. With |
buildings of considerable height or COM |
in fire conditions beyond fire department. |
control. All such floor openings should |
be enclosed in brick walled shafts crown |
ed by thin glass skylight and extend |
ing through roof and with fire doors at
openings to stories.AH verticIe light OPEN |
ings in such shafts should be glazed with |
"a Large, unbroken floor areas assist |
he nj 1F md n
its severity Buildings of considerable |
area and having large quantities of COM
by substantial brick fire walls sufficient |
to form positive barrier to the spread of i
fire.
IS. Stair treads should preferably be of
iron or its equivalent; If slate or mar
BILE treadS are used they should be sup
ported by metal plate beneath.
&c. A large portion of fuel for combuS- |
ton in buildings having brick walls: Is
as by such furnishings as are necessary |
for occupancy. Much of this can be
avoided by the use of substitutes for wood
or of metal clad covered wood and metal
covered furniture.
az. Nearly one-third of the total fire loss |
is caused by the contribution of flame |
from one building to another through |
window openings. All windows subject to |
exposure should be thoroughly protected !
against the attack of heat. Wire glass in |
nom combustibIe frames has proven most |
efficient for the purpose, as it is always |
in position and is not subject to deteriora- |
ton.
shape of fixed equipment in the building, |
adds so much to his capacity. Fire alarms
and thermostats, standpipes, stationary /
nozzle and sprinklers all mean more |
prompt and efficient application of water, |
and should be most generously and gener- |
ally encourag ed.
20. Last and most important. and this |
applies to the whole range of fire loss re- |
duction. only such systems and devices |
as have demonstrated their efficiency |
should be specified. and only such work
manship as lives up to the most rigid |
specifications should be permitted
Meantime, the business of the cement /
block makers in Topeka is no doubt suf-
fering. People who are expecting to build i
are SuSpending operations pending some |
report on the desira bility of the new ma
terial, but even the cement men them
selves can not do much building within |
the fire limits until they know what sort |
of block the city will require.
Cement blocks well made will probably |
endure all the tests and be an exception
ally good building material.