Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-12-20
NEW FIRE ESCAPE LAW
Regulations Submitted to Com
missioners Today.
HEARING TO BE GIVEN
Objections Anticipated From Owners
Of Property Affected.
FULL TEXT OF THE NEW ORDERS
Proprietors Of Hotels and Other Large
Buildings Subjected to Strin-
gent Rules.

After an inquiry covering several months
the regulations governing fire escapes in
the District have been completed by the
building and fire departments Of the Dis
trict and were submitted to the Commits
sioners today. AS the provisions of these
regulations will, according to the Commits
sioners entail considerable expense to the
owners of the buildings affected, they have
agreed to give the latter and all other per-
sons interested public hearing when an
opportunity will be presented to submit
objections. The date set for this hearing
is December 26 next.
The Commissioners anticipate much OBJ
lection from business men and others re-
that the provisions prescribed are particu-
larly stringent and sweeping and the mem
bers of the local trade and business asso-
Citations have, on numerous occasions In
the past, voiced strong objections to them
and have shown their dislike for the fire
escape law to the extent of presenting a
bill as a substitute. This bill has been APP
proved by the Commissioners and will be
introduced at the present session.
Copies of these proposed regulations will
be sent to the Board of Trade. the Bust
ness Mems Association the Jobbers and
Shippers Association and the Hotel Keep
ers' Association. The regulations contain
provisions which will be of vital Importance
say, especially in reference to hotels where
access to fire escapes is through private
rooms which might be locked at any criti-
cal juncture.
Substance of Regulations.
These regulations are as follows:
i. Fire escapes to be installed in accord
ance with the act of Congress approved
March 10, 1906, Shall be of the type shown
by drawings on file in the Office of the in
spector of buildings. In certain cases,
however hereinafter specified, chain or end
less ladder types of fire escapes may be
used.
2. Fire escapes must be so located that
person in any part of building can reach
one without having to pass stair we'll
or elevator shaft. Chain or endless ladder
types of fire escapes may be used on build
that the standard platform fire escape
cannot be applied without obstructing WIN
dow or door openings. In such cases bal
comics of the standard type must be pro-
must be suspended over the middle of the
space between tiers of windows.
3. The fire escapes on each floor must be
so located as to be readily accessible and
must be kept free from obstructions. In
case access to an escape is had through a
room, either the door of the room must
be removed or an unobstructed passage at
least two and one-half feet wide must be
provided from the corridor or the hallway
to the fire escape Access to fire escapes
may be had through windows in case the
sills are not more than two feet three inches
above the floor and the windows are SO
constructed as to provide a clear opening
at least three feet high and two and one
half feet wide.
Landing Ladders Required.
Il. Landing or drop ladders of fire es-
capes must be provided with counterbal-
ance weight, suspended by bronze or
copper cable, capable of sustaining weight
of twelve hundred pounds. In all cases
where chain or endless ladder fire escapes
are used they must be so arranged as to
be readily prepared for operation by fire.
men from the ground. The wire for oper-
ating the escapes must be of non-eorrosive
metal at least one-fifth Of an inch in diam
eter.
Each standard platform escape should
be provided with a gooseneck fremen's lad