The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1905-04-08
BUILDING LAWS LAUGHED At.
EXPERTS VIEWS or COLLAPSE
or NEW STRUCTURES


IneOmpetent-New Laws Suggested
The committee consisting Of Thomas j.
Brady Otto NJ. Eidllts and George A. Just,
that was appointed by Borough President
Ahearn TO investigate the collapse Of eight
buildings about three weeks ago made
lie report yesterday 10 Mr.. Ahearn.
The committee holds that the contractors
In charge OF the erection Of the buildings
in question were incompetent, that the in
speotors Of the Building Department were
inefficient and that the provisions OF the
building code were generally disregarded.
The foundation walls were found to have
been built Of undersized stone and with an
inferior quality Of mortar I'm fragrant viola
ton Of the building code, II was found
also that amendments 20 the original
plans demanded by the Building Depart
msnt were generally disregarded. A. a
result Of the investigation five amend
ments to the building laws are suggested
After giving the locations and application
numbers Of the buildings examined the
report continues:
Prom our investigation we conclude that
In every case the collapse or the partial de-
struction Of these buildings was directly
due TO the failure OF their foundation walls.
we .Jund these walls full Of voids, built
Of irregular and undersiSed stone, i'm
properly bonded and imperfeotly bedded.
The mortar used was Of an inferior quality
and improperly mixed. Both the materials
and workmanship we're in fragrant violation
OF Section 20 Of the Building Code.
Although the sudden change in temper
allure which occurred on the night Of the
18th Of March may have contributed 10
the failure Of the stone foundation walls
in these various buildings. II Is, neverthe-
less a fact that these walls were Of such
inferior workmanship and materials az 70
make them insufficient 70 sustain with
safety, at any time, the superimposed loads
Our inspection revealed many violations
Of the Building Code, which, while not
contributory 20 the destruction Of the
buildings, were in themselves distinct
menace TO their permanenoy, inasmuoh as
they eliminated or reduced tho factors Of
safety which the code provides.
Our comparison Of the approved plans
with the buildings showed that the COR
rections and amendments required by the
Bureau Of Buildings, as q prerequisite for
the issuing Of the permits. were generally
disregarded in construction, although oon-
sented 10 in writing by the applioants In
their desire 10 secure such permits, The
work Of the engineering stan OF the Bureau
Of Buildings was, therefore, completely
nuifed.
The applications relating 70 the above
mentioned buildings showed that In only
one case was the architect OF record TO
superintsnd the construction. Il no case
was the name OF the builder state'. These
omissions left In question the compet ucy
Of those who were 70 supervise and the
character OF the contractors who might
be selected TO erect the buildings.
we can therefore, only conclude that
these buildings we're erected without proper
supervision, under Inefficient inspection
and by incompetent contractors; that the
proyisions Of the Luilding code were gem
orally disregarded and that a very low
standard Of work is typical in this class Of
buildings.
sIn further compliance Of your request
and in view Of these facts, we submit for
your earnest consideration the following
recommendations:
/. Architects should be required by law
70 supervise the construction OF buildings
for which they furnish plans.
tlse a Ss Sn 'S sreSitsCt should hold diploma
. recognized board 70 be created hereafter.
OF It's operation should be left 10 n commission
, composed Of representatives OF the various
architectural associations and members prom
>. A register Y thPse authorized 70 prac.
OF bullllukbt anu llfilillNl lol VIC "
alteration Of buildings should be issued by
the Superintendent Of Buildings only 10 those
30 re gistered.
4, All contractors for mason work or struct-
ural steel work should be licensed. The
cooper alton OF the recognized organizations
In these trades should be- sought In the estab-
lishment OF such board or bureau.
S. II shall be unlawful 70 permit the build
ing Of mason work or the erection OF stTuct-
ural iron work by persons not so licensed.
The substance Of these recommendations
enacted into law, would make the recur-
renee Of similar accidents practically i'm
possible, as such enRctments would secure
competent architectural supervision and
ca pable contractors for all classes Of
building operations. The rigid, conscien-
tious Inspection Of work In progress,
which the Bureau Of Buildings has failed
to secure in these cases. Is then a matter
Of secondary importance
Superintendent Of Buildings Hopper
was In Mr.. Ahearns Office for. an hour
yesterday afternoon. The committees re-
port was given to him by the Borough
President with a request that he make a
report on the committees findings Mr..
Hopper said he would be ready TO report
to-day, but Mr. Ahearn thought Tuesday
next would be better date, 40 Mr.. Hopper
agreed.
Neither Mr.. Hopper nor Mr.. Ahearn had
any comment to make on the committees
report.