The Washington times., 1906-07-08
Good Progress Made by
the Special Com
mittee.
WILL EXTEND FIRE LIMITS
Materials, Light, Sanitation,
Protection of Life and
Property Considered.

Considerable progress in the extensive
work OF revising the present building
regulations has been made by the com
mittee OF revision. which, under the
-Aairmanship of Building Inspector
Ashford, has been holding weekly meet
lngs IN the board room OF the District
Building. Although but four meetings
have so far been held, and by unani-
nous agreement the committee has ad-
iourned until the first Tuesday in Sep
tember. the work 10 this point has en-
braced up TO section 81 OF the regula-
tons This section pertains to the steel
construction Of buildings. covering the
matter Of concrete flooring and the
stability and quality of materials. 1t
viii be taken UP in detail at the Sep
;ember meeting Of the committee. when
L is expected certain radical changes
d the present regulations Will be sug-
Eested
Will Extend the Fire Limits.
As the result of the committees first
Sficial recommendation, the prepara-
ion OF which occupied a greater part Of
he four meetings. the District Commits
sioners will order the extension of the
Ire limits from Second street northeast.
eastward 10 and including 90 feet east
,f the Baltimore and Ohio railroad
tracks and north from r street north
east TO Rhode Island avenue This ex-
tension is IN line with what was urged
oy representatives, of the lexington
Citizens Association, and it was with
he understanding that II had the in
lCTsement of a majority OF the residents
If that section that the Commissioners
gave their approval The new order will
lot go into effect until the task Of re-
rising the regulations as a whole Is
,CMpleted.
The most important question so far
aiken up has been that contained in
iection So of the egulations-covering
he discussed subject of light and
5entilation In dwelling and apartment
houses. Rather than come to hasty
md perhaps ill-advised conclusion in
his matter. the subcommittee having
IN change, composed Of DR.. George
II. Kober. as chairman; Nathaniel VII
ION, and Leon r. Dessez. will hold
heir recommendations in a abeyance until
he fall meeting. DR.. Kober, who Is re-
garded as an authority on the subject.
. expected by that time to have studied
he light and ventilation problem as
handled in other cities and his report
awaited with much interest by his
colleagues.
Study of Scientific Ventilation.
Before adjouning, the committee of
revision, through Chairman Ashford
submitted 10 Engineer Commissioner
Biddle what course its subcommittee
aad mapped out for this summer in the
investigation of the light and ventila-
ion problem. The committee pointed
'ut that it would go into the size and
lhape OF lots. as they affect light and
Fentilation, the alley provisions. the
best method of measuring the height
md length of courts and air shafts.
particularly whether air shafts should
De from ground TO roof or from first
door and ceiling TO the joists of the top
ioor. It is the design OF the committee
aot to discourage a reasonable height
II air space at the roof of a building
ind in this connection they wish TO pre-
7ent the air sTace or attic from being
converted into bedrooms or servants
quarters where the ceiling heights are
insufficient and Immediately under the
'oof without an air space above.
1T is our desire" said Building In
pector Ashford. in discussing this mat
ier, Ito agree upon some Limitation Of
Iir space, say not less than four feet,
y more than fee in any dwelling or
iomicile. Many speculative houses have
seen built with air spaces, which have
afterwards been converted into bed
rooms. and this is what We wish to pre-
vent"
The committee on light and ventiIa-