New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-03-05
FIRE RETARDIKG CONSTRUCTION.
Contribution to Discussion from Chicago
Expert.

To the Editor OF The Tribune.
Sir: An important article in your issue OF Feb
ruary 25 entitled Fire Retarding Construction" is
attracting general attention in this part OF the
country. The theory and practice OF steel skeleton
construction. with its encasement OF hollow tie
freproofng while it originated in the West. has
doubtless found its highest expression in New
York.
In view OF this. we are at a loss to understand
the statement in your article follows:
It begins to hook as II the question. about the
whore d did a month ago. Equally competent eX-
perts VII probably continue 70 differ as they have
On the past Very little concrete was used in Bal
tmore but that little gave a good account Of
stone over cinders in tie preparation OF this ma
terial has found no fresh oemonstrationi; Both
vel
The writer Is ct a loss 20 account for the
sweeping EcneraIti,s contained in the above and
particularly that reference 20 cinder concrete,
plenty of which is TO be found upon every floor
OF the great Continental Trust Building, Of Balti-
more. IN a disintegrated condition. in fact the
Wrlte- has In his possession SAMPLE Of this Gin
der concreto which was caught Up in the hands
and carried away IN q newspaper. II can be
crumbled at VIII and, 50 far constituting a
structural possibility is concerned. must be con-
sdered Of the question in view Of the fact that
Il has demonstrated entire lack OF fire resisting
qualities
I-nadulterated concrete received test IN the
Guaranty Company building. a small structure
four stories in height and standing twenty feet in
front in this building the column coverings OF
concrete are broken away. the floor arches cracked
in places and, as shown by the camera, are
slightly detected. THIS. too. IN spite OF the iact
intensity Of heat which IS shown by the condlnon
the third and fourth floors. These gas and
water pipes are not even twisted and. in fact are
IN no way affected by ne heat Inc IePoIs o.
. the engineers who conducted the technical exam
nation Of the structural steel throughout the
Continental calvert and Union Trust buildings are
unanimous IN the judgment that the sJruct1Ia .
fkyscrapers enumerated, except In the case OF one
Isolated column on me elgtn EGsr v ~ AZ first
generally deceived by the fact that the bottom webs
OF the filing in the Continental Building corridors
/ and entrances reveal honeycomb appearance, as
though badly damaged. This condition, however.
/ OF completion q the structure. when the bottom
webs OF the tiles cut away by the workmen
putting IN the ornamental marble Wotk n ote.
TO raise the ceiling levels This was de!loeTate
sidered any reflection upon the structural In
sur western contingent here IN Chicago may,
perhaps be little sensitive in defence OF standard
iIsProof o1t5 T, history Subsection TO
severe heat test than that OF Baltimore ana
fact that the steel and tile skyscrapers OF that
| city standing to-day ike sentines, the only
surviving witnesses 20 the enclency ana Staol.lE
/ a supreme demonstration and practice test suii1-
cent 10 convince ny WILLIAM CIENDENIN.
Editor FIreproof Publishing Company.
The additional light upon a mooted ques-
! ton which this letter affords is welcome. The
I Trfbune's comments were based upon such tes-
timony as IL could obtain from individual ex-
perts and technical journals. but were designed
70 constitute only provisional survey while
awaiting the report Of the special committee OF
the National Board Of Underwriters. At least
one observer. Professor Ira II. Woolsor, Of Co
lumbia University, expressed the opinion that
concrete tsome Of 81 made with cindersl had
stood the test well in Baltimore, though he
frankly explained that his opportunities for
observation had not been all that he could de-
sire 1t now appears that in some Instances
Il failed. AS the efficiency OF the tile seems 10
have been lacking IN uniformity also Il IS too
soon, perhaps, 10 render final judgment. What
The Tribune wants, though. is to obtain the
fullest Information possible. It recognizes the
fact tbat Mr. Clendeniu is an expert. and thanks
him Tor his contribution 10 the discussIon.l