New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-11-11
SCHOOLH0USES SAFE.
NEW ONES FIREPROOF.
Citg Takes Utmost Precautlon to
Guard School Children.

Large loss of life by fire in a public scnool Oh
the modern type is almost an imposslolllty' anu
a panic resulting from any cause Is aliroSt %
,,rI;l,elv according to the officials of the De-
nartment of Education. AS proof Oh the4F
statements they point TO the facts Ihat ioi
many years no school of this city mus sNI0s
s~eatI, from, fire in school hours and that no
child has been seriously hurt in panic ms
only fatal accident from fire in the schoolS
o4 late was at a Christmas celebration. when
little girl allowed her dress 70 come into con-
tart with one Of the flaming candles whlch was
used in decorating the tree. Since TINS occur
renee faring candles have been aooHsheu Ia
the schools Of this city.
Schools have been made freproof in Manhat-
tan and The Bronx since 1892. Since 1898 IRE
proofing has also been required in BROOKLYN
Queens and Richmond. Since the law mas re-
o,;red that such close care be paid to the
safety OF pupils. great changes ana rehoVd'1oiiS
have been made in the old schoolhouses-
An ,,n-+odate school is without anything of
coyybustible nature, except the boarding OF IT'S
floors window frames and desks, and the chafts'
hooks and other schoolroom supplies II chlld
sbo,,Id set his desk on fire the janitor woulo De
on the scene with a bucket Of water before inc
flames could start on the hard. polsheo wood
work Of the nearest adjoining DESK a 1oo' oE
more away. ~
The floors walls and ceilings OF inc Oi070
rooms are composed of brick, terra Gotta olocAs
or concrete all Of which are able to Withstand d
much greater heat than is likely to be caused
nv a few scattered desks. When a hFe starts
in . room # is the teachers duty to march her
children out and close the door.
The railways of the modern school are tiled.
The stairways are Of iron framework covered
by slate steps. The fights Of stairs are car
ried down TO stone courts and Fairgrounds. The s
ecb0o1housa has numerous exits situated IN dlL-
ferent parts of the building and opening on dlI-
ferent streets, where possible. Every scnool can
he traVersed IN almost any olrectlon BECAUSE
OF rolling partitions and the classroom DOORS.
Every school has fire escapes, that extend from
the roof TO the ground Lhese escapes ar, are
The glass which permits the light to enter, IS
covered within and without by a fine steer net,
work The wires are covered with asDestos ana
r,revent slivers Of the glass from raining upon
The childaa when flames or bricks approach.
The old building now have Hreproof mans
and stairways, fire escapes and more exits Fire
extinguishers have been placed in some, ana
hosepipas and water connections nave neen
placed in others
Particular precautions are taken against
manic in the schools. The little children are
nlaced on the lowest floors: the steps OF the
stairs are scientifically made in height and
breadth Cor children: each floor has practically
will not interfere and cause Jam; all doors are
made TO open outward. All exits are inspected
daily The chief preCaution against panic from
fire is the emergency drill
The children are trained to expect enler
eency call for q drill at any time and under
the most trying circumstances To empty
school Of $500 children takes on the average
two minu-es and a fraction
The only danger that the school authorities
really fear is that from hysterical mohs Of par
ents The plea OF the school officials to the
parents of this city IF there is fire, keep two
blocks away from the school. and we promise to
restore your children 10 you in safety"