Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-01-30
FIRES IN CHURCHES
ADDITIONAL PRECAUTIONS CON-
SIDERED BY COMMISSIONERS.
Preparation of the Draft of Regulations
Defects in Present Law to
Be Remedied.

Commissioner mcfarland stated this
morning to a reporter for The Star that the
Commissioners will consider the advisable
ity of requiring additional precautions
against danger from fire in the churches
of the city in connection with the proposed
regulations relating to protection against
fire which are now being drafted.
The regulations relating to churches at
present require that there shall be sufficient
exit space and that the doors shall open
outward An act of Congress is also IN
force in the District requiring that the
churches shall be constructed of tire-reslst-
ing material up to and including the audi
forum, but the regulations relating 10
churches are not considered so strict as
these relating to theaters and halls.
1t was learned this morning at the Dis
trict building that the building inspector
has recently been engaged in making in
spections of the local churches with the
purpose of correcting any defects tn at
might be found therein in connection with
precautions for the safety of the public.
In the case of several houses of worship
changes in construction have been recon-
nended by the inspectors. The condition
o: the churches however, is not consider y
dangerous, inasmuch the auditoriums
on the first floor, and the exits are
well known, and the aisles are kept free
from chairs and distractions.
Gathering Details.
For several weeks Commissioner Macfar-
land has been gathering detailed reports
from various sources and from many cities
relative to fires in hotels, tbeaters, churches
and other large buildings where people are
accustomed to congregate in large num-
bers. From these reports the Commits
sionefs hope to obtain many valuable sug-
geStiOnS that will ASSIST them in correcting
any defects found to exist in buildings of
the character indicated in Washington.
Mr.. Macfarland has just received a report
from the board of fire underwriters of Chi
cago relative to the Irouuois Theater dis
aster in that city. The report contains a
summary of the conditions which are be-
lieved TO have contributed to the terrible
disaster.
The corporation counsel has not as yet
reported on the changes proposed in the
building regulations, but it is expected that
the draft of the proposed changes will be
submitted to the Commissioners during the
early part of next week.
Requests for Information.
The Commissioners have recently received
a number of letters from citizens and prop
erty owners requesting information relative
to the reported changes in the building
regulations. The writers have desired to
know if the changes contemplated will af-
feet business blocks five stories and more in
height. 1t is understood that only buildings
used for residential purposes which have
only one interior stairway circling the ele-
vator shaft, will be required to put up fire
escapes, and that the changes will not ex-
tend to the office buildings
The Commissioners, however have not
decided definitely as to the exact extent
OF the changes to be made in the building
regulations and the rules governing fire
protection.