Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-03-25
Power of Commissioners.


rected to require any alterations or changes
that may become necessary in buildings
now or hereafter erected in order to prop
ery locate or relocate fire escapes or to
afford access to fire escapes, and to re-
quire any changes or alterations in any
building that may be necessary in order, IN
provide for the erection of additional FIRE
escapes, when in the judgment of the Com
mlssoners additional fire escapes are nee
eSsary. -
Each elevator shaft and stairway extend
ing to the basement of the buildings bore
toiore mentioned Shall terminate !n A fire
proof compartment or inciosura sanarat,re,
the elevator shaft and stairs from other
parts OF the basement. and no openin.r sf,aII
De made or maintained in such coInra RI
nent or Enclosure unless the same be rro-
plded with fireproof doors
1t shall be unlawful to obstrlIct anv han
pdssdgeWay, corridor stairway in any
pudding mentioned in this act with har
gage, trunks, furniture, cans or with any
other thing whatsoever
No door or window leading to anv fire es
cape shall be covered or INSTRUCTED by any
fixed grating or barrier and no ne,son
snall at any time place any incumbrance
or obstacle upon any fire escape or unon
any platform, ladder or stairway LEADING
to or from any fire escape.
No license shall be issued to any person
10 conduct any business for which a IL
cense Is required in any building meutioned
III this act until such building has been
provided and equipped with a sufficient
number of fire escapes and other appliances
required by this act.
Penalties to Be Imposed.
Any person failing or neglecting to pro-
vide fire escapes, alarm gongs, guide signs.
fre hose, fire eXtinguishers or other anpli
ances required by this act, after notice
from the Commissioners SO to do. shall.
upon conviction. be punished by a fine of
not less than $40 nor more than $780, and
shall be punished by further fine OF 81
Tor each day that he fail TO comply with
the notice. Any person violating any other
provision of this act shall be punished.
, upon conviction, by fine of not less than
$40 nor more than 500 for each offense
The said notice requiring the erection of
f1re escapes and other appliances shall spec
lfy the character and number of fire es-
capes or other appliances to be provided
their location and the time within which
such ire escapes or other appliances shall
be provided, and in no case shall more
than ninety days be allowed for compliance
with said notice unless the Commissioners
shall, in their discretion deem II necessary
to extend their time.
A method for the serving of notices is
prescribed and 1t is then provided that in
case of failure or refusal of the owner
lessee, occupant or person having posses-
specified in this act to comply with the
requirements of the notice the Commits
sioners are empowered and it is their duty
to cause such erection of lire eScapes and
other appliances mentioned in the notice
provided for, and they are authorized to
assess the cost as a tax against the build
ings on which they are erected and the
ground on which the same stand, and to is
sue tax-lien certificates against such build
ing and grounds for the amount of such
assessments, bearing interest at the rate OF
10 per cent per annum, which certificates
may be turned over by the Commissioners
to the contractor for doing the work
The Supreme Court of the District of
Columbia, in term time or in vacation. may,
upon petition of the District of Columbia,
fled by its Commissioners, Issue an in
junction to restrain the use or occupation
OF any building in the District in violation
OF any of the provisions of this act.