The Hope pioneer. [volume] (Hope, N.D.) 1882-1964, 1906-03-29
SAFEST MATERIALS.
LESSONS OF VALUE FROM THE
BIG BALTIMORE FIRE.
Proper Construction Of Great Build
tngs Ascertained by Committee
of Experts-Facts for
Builders.

n OF the standing committees of
the National Fire Protection associa-
ton devotes its attention to those
features of construction which are best
designed to check the progress OF a
con1lagration. Immediately after the
Baltimore disaster of February last,
reports the New York Tribune, this
committee entered upon an elaborate
investigation of the damaged property,
with a view to obtaining such fresh in
formation as might be afforded there
by.
1t was hoped that a report would be
ready in the spring or early summer.
For some reason it's appearance was
delayed much longer. The document
was distributed only a few days ago.
In spite of its hardness the opinions
there embodied will prove of immense
value to insurance men, architects,
owners of large buildings and to those
municipal officers who have occasion
to study the essentials of Dire resistive
construction.
The committee was composed Of II
Well--nown experts, and in the per-
Torrance OF this special task had the
assistance Of four others. So authori-
tative an expression as that of these
men has not appeared before in many
years. Perhaps it is without precedent
since the era of steel frame buildings
opened.
The first topic treated in the "con-
clnsions" of the committee is the
necessity for suitably shielding the
metal columns, floor beams and other
steal end iron members of a modern
structure. The committee afirms in
positive terms that nothing serves so
effectively as w%ell-burned brick, laid
in cement mortar. Hollow tile lack
stability; they do not stay in place;
they are also %perceptibly affected by
severe heat. Plaster blocks are pro-
nounced inferior to terra Gotta.
Hollow tile proved unsatisfactory for
floor arches in Baltimore for a variety
Of reasons. Sometimes the arches had
too vide d span. to insure strength.
Correctness they were net properly
oyerlaid with cement. Often the low
er layer of the tile-technically known
as the web-would break under in
tcnSo heat and thus weaken the rest
Of the tile.
Almost invariably the lower fanges
OF the l-beams in the floors showed
that they had been ~inadeouately pro-
tected. One form Of covering failed
because it was held by exncsed metal
clips. Another proved defective be-
cause the slew bachs-proiections from
the adjacent arch tile-brole and re-
leased their burden. On the whole, for
arch construction cement seemed to
stand up WE'LL" although it was not
extensively used in Baltimore.
For exterior walls. those in front
and rear nothing has been found that
is comparable with good brick. Stone
suffers much more from fire. On the
sides also the walls should be of brick
and thick ennngh to stand alone If the
adjoining buildings collapse. Even / in
partitions terra Gotta. plaster blocks
and metal lath proved unsatisfactory.
Thecommittee qualified its disapprov-
al by limiting the same to the present
methods of employing these materials.
The best type of partition tested in the
Baltimore fire was one composed of
five-inch tile. but the latter usually
became loosened, and hence ceased to
do much good. The significance of
this part Of the report is enhanced by
an additional comment of the commit
tee relative to the proper subdivision
Of large floor spaces, like those in a
department store. 1t declares that
without a sufficient number Of interior
barriers the contents of a "fre resist
i've" building are scarcely safer than
in n of the most careless construc-
ton.
In the formulation of its report the
committee of the National Fire Pro-
lection association has rendered an
important service to the country.