Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-12-01
TO STOP FIRE WASTE
What Can Be Done Along Such
Lines by the Public.
HOW CITY CAN LEND A HAND
Ample Water Supply That Is Avail
able for Use.
- a. Bar
RESISTANCE CONSTRUCTION
Some Of the Various Devices for Pre-
venting or distinguishing Blazes
When Once Started.
CONSTRUCTION

An authority on fire insurance subjects In
q recent address points out what the pubAo
can do and what the municipality can do
In protecting city from fire. His sugges-
tons are as follows:
Speaking of what the municipality can do.
he says that assuming that the fire depart.
ment and nre alarm service are of the high
est state OF enaciency. a municipality may
save the property of its citizens by working
without cessation in the following named
directions:
Maintaining water supply abundant in
quantity and sufficient In pressure
Arranging for distribution OF water In
every corner Of the city. particularly in dis
tricts where vaiues are concentrated. By
means Of pipes of proper size and numerous
Maintaining strict Inspection Of cellars.
streets. alleys. back yards. &C.. to prevent
tho accumulation Of infiammable rubbish.
Adopting and enforcing strict laws regu-
lating the use. manufacture and storage Of
dangerous chemicals. fireworks, gasoline
generating machines, &c.
Encouraging the people. through frequent.
communications from the department OF
public safety. to keep their premises free
from debris and to use the utmost good
sense and care In the systems employed for
illuminating, heating and ventilating
Detecting promptly and Furnishing prompt
ly all incendiaries.
Permitting the installation OF electric
wires or pipes for the distribution OF glass
indoors and out doors, only under the strict
est regulations. In electric installations IL
Is particularly essential that nothing but
the best Of materials be used and that fire.
quent inspections and alterations be made
to keep pace with the progress of the art.
acquiring exposed windows or door OPEN
ings to be protected by fire windows, doors
or shutters of patterns approved by the
underwriters or pubic authorities.
Encouraging the wider use of automatic
sprfnklers, not emitting systems for throw
ing sheets OF water over outer walls when
exposed to fire from adjoining premises.
What the People Can Do.
Build fre-resistive construction.
Build floors without openings to help along
the spread of flames: put stairs, elevators.
dumb waters &c. In separate brick towers.
Build fre-retarding floors and ceilings.
In ALI construction avoid concealed spaces;
the whole area should be open. so debris
cannot collect anywhere and the fire stream
or other fire extinguishers can reach every
where without a seconds Delay.
Build brick walls, all divisions and ex-
posed walls to be carried at least three feet
a Dove the roof. =.
When practicable do not build seven
story building in town that has six-story
fire department. .-.; ,.
When high buildings are necessary, put
in standpipes and automatic sprnklers,
with steamer connections at the street
level; hose tested and approved by the I'M
derwriters should be on every floor and a
tank of ample capacity on the roof. ray
attention to the construction OF the tank.
Build strong roofs OF fire-retarding mate
rial; do not use any roofing materials that
are not approved by underwriters There
are lot Of "bewares" in connection witn
All skyAghts should be glazed with wire
glass.
the greatest care. The underwriters will
tell you how.
Study TIE uses of concrete. terra Gotta
and other approved materials and systems .
for floors and partitions In case OF paru-
tions where passage OF light is required use
wire glass ir metal frames. Hollow tile
or expanded metal and metal lath with
plaster make good fre-stop partitions.
Give the closest attention to the protec-
ton of all metallic columns, beams, etc..
from he effects OF heat
Beware of boxed cOrnfces and other In
fammable projections. --
II necessary. do the best You can with
interior elevator shafts and hatchways.
provide. automatic trap doors (see under
writer's standards): II constructed Of wood,
avoid all use Of oil, shellac or varnish.
Much the same instruction is to be given
regarding interior stairways. They should
have separate Enclosures for each flight
and be guarded by fre-retarding doors,
kept closed BY springs or by hanging the
door out Of plumb.
Every properly owner should study care
fully the use of freproof wood. wire glass;
prism glass In metal frames. fre-retarding
Do ints tiles and terra Gotta, cement. private
fire alarms automatic sprinklers. water
tanks hvse. handy fire extinguishers Of ap-
proved types. whtswash, fire doors. fire
shutters and a large variety of other things
Particular hazards inherent In the work
carried OH or the occupancy Of the prem
ises call for special treatment. The fire In
surance e1l erts and architects should be
asked to prt scribe
In short the people should equip their
premises with every device, method and
material OF ascertained value for prevent
ing or extin&uishing fire. Thermostats.
auxiliary fire alarm boxes handy fire x
tinguishers pals chemical fire extinguish-
ers (iquid), automatic sprinklers, watch
man and time detecters, to keep the watch
man awake and walking.