The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1904-11-04


move all the class and etc. on the floors
above, away from the noise and any
possible distraction of the pupils at
tention.
| Five large stairways lead up to the
first floor, the two in center Of front,
being located In a rotunda that extends
up to third floor; care has been taken
to locate all stairways convenient to a
/ constant ligrt. The stairways being well
| distributed avoids any possible confusion
on the first floor.
Number of Rooms.
| The eight class rooms and six recitation
rooms are well distributed along the
ample Railways, and visitors to the gym
nasium-enter the gallery from this floor,
not interfering with the work of the first
floor. At the extreme north of the halls
males widely separated. each strictly pri-
waite and perfectly convenient.
Four ample stairways lead up to the
second floor, and two fire escapes are
located at north of halls. This being the
middle of the building is the logical po-
sition for the office of the superintendent
and principal, and the reception rooms
also retiring rooms for male and female
teachers; these are grouped on the cor
ner of Seventh avenue, and extending
along the Twenty-fourth street front; be-
ing convenient to the patrons. and OF
cheerful outlook.
The library occupying a place on the
Seventh avenue front, joining the SUI
perintendent and reception room, makes
1t more easily controlled as by this ar
rangement it is under the eye OF the
superintendent and principal at all times.
The remaining five class rooms and re-
citation rooms are located on this floor
similarly to those on first floor.
Naturally the auditorium is entered
from this floor, directly from the main
corridor and has seating capacity Of
1900.
The auditorium is isolated on both sides
by the areas. and having fire proof
floor, makes it absolutely safe and in
dependent of the other construction.
The fire escapes on either side at north
end gives double security.
Lights and Ventilation.
Located between the two areas, and
the north end being exposed, the light
and ventilation is secured by natural
means saving the expense Of running
machinery to accomplish this purpose and
any expensive and unsatisfactory sky
light arrangement.
The stage entrances are in the audito-
rum, In front of and to the sides OK
the Proscenium arch, and from the rear
end of each hall by means of the iron
platforms
Dressing rooms are arranged on each
side of the stage floor and on level with
gallery floor.
The gallery has been provided with
main entrance from second floor corridor,
also stairway leading up from stage
Special attention has been devoted to
the design of the auditorium to secure
perfect acoustic results. The curves In
angles, the incline of the floor and gal
lery, together with the proportion Of the
length to the width, and the altitude of
the ceiling, have been conformed to the
most approved and successful practice.
The stairs leading up to the third floor,
on which is located the commercial and
scientific departments all properly d.
vided and classified and also the main
entrance to the auditorium gallery.
Additional security from fire is given
by the fire escapes at the north end of
the building.
Two stairways lead out on the room,
which will supply the much needed recre-
alton facilities not possible on the limited
ground area.
Means of Egress.
Commencing on the third floor to con-
slider the means of egress from the build
ing, they will be found more than suffi-
cient beyond any possible question, be-
ing as follows: Two ample and widely
separated stairs lead to second floor, and
two widely separated fire escapes at north
end of building, easy of access from
halls and also from gallery of audito-
rum.
From the second floor down to the first
there are four wide stairways, and two
fires escapes at north end of halls, which
also give egress from stage and rear Of
auditorium.
From first floor to basement there are
five wide stairways. and out of the base
ment there are eight wide doors on all
four sides of the building.
| Therefore the increasing number of per-
sons to be accommodated as the various
floors are reached in descending is thus
successfully provided for In the case OF
fire or panic.
AS a result of the scheme as elaborated
| above, we have the three grand divisions
OF the school massed as follows: Mechan-
ical department in the basement acad-
emic department on first and second
floors and the commercial and scientific
departments on third floor.
The light in all class rooms falls on the
left of the pupils, and the glass area is
| equal to more than one-fourth the floor
area.
Two dust fiues leading to basement for
the disposition of all trash are provided
| for at main corners of the halls on each
| floor.
Two drinking fountains are provided on
each floor convenient for the pupils pass
| ing along the Railways. An automatic
| yenient point for both freight and pas
senger traffic. 1t requires no expense for
service of a man.
One more class room and one more re-
| citation room has been provided than
| the requirer. ents.
| We have also added a pool in the gym
nasium.