The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1907-06-16

mauequate, the greatest trouble OF all /
the FAC, that 80 little attention is paid +
protecting the exterior openings in a build
irS. Even a very inefficient type of fir
shutter would probably have saved some o
the buildings in San Francisco which were
as a matter of fact, burned out A ligh
metal shutter combined with a window
aprinkler would probably resist quite
hercc lire for a long time.
The protection OF external openings il
by all odds the most important constructive
problem involved in the, efforts TO max,
cities proof against confagration. and il
seems probable that at the present tint
adequate protection Of windows and door
IL available at a reasonable cost.
In my judgment, windows protected II
the following way, even without sprinklers
might keep out the fire, even though the
building were shut up and abandoned
Protect the outer opening with some form
OF rolling steel shutter or. preferably, with
a shutter composed OF sheets Of steel sliding
IN very deep rebates In the walls.
Make the windows entirely OF wire glass
In sheet metal or metal covered sash, hung
in metal or metal covered frames. Clear
wired glass can be used il desired. On the
inside Of the window use a sliding shutter
either Of wood covered with sheet metal OF
else OF sheet metal.
Under a fairly bad exposure fire it is pos
sible that the outer shutters would be so
damaged that they would have to be re-
moved. In a confagration it Is probable
that they would be warped to such an ex-
tent as to let in, and probably in many cases
soften the wire glass and damage the win
dows themselves, so that they also might
have to be removed. at least so far as the
sashes are concerned.
But it is very doubtful il any confagrs-
ton would ever get through the window
entirely, much less through the inside shut
tiers. The damage to the window protec-
ton in any case would be a very small mat
ter compared with the total destruction Of
the contents of the building, together with
a damage Of from 65 to so per cent. to the
building itself.
San Francisco and Baltimore both have
demonstrated that all the exterior openings
of even fireproof buildings need protection.
The time has arrived when building ordi-
nances should require it,
On the same general subject OF fire pro-
lection Prof. Soule says:
of a buildings entire fire damage the
risk from fire within the building is esti-
mated on the average at 40 per cent, the
other 40 per cent. of the risk being from fires
exterior TO the building. This risk for inte-
rior fires should be reduced to a minimum
by ample provision for fire protection.
Wooden floors have proved to be dan
gerous and Objectionable, but in some in
stances n~oncombustible wood may be used
for them and for the exterior trim, as for
example when the heat could never be very
great. Metal trim, doors, windows, sash
and castings, together with plate glass, or,
better, wire glass, may confine a fire to a
single room, preventing a general COM
Adequate fire extinguishing apparatus,
as fire hose always connected with
good water pressure. wells and automatic
pumps and tanks in the basement or filed
upon the roofs with pipe connections
lacking in nearly all OF San Francisco's
buildings, even in those of the highest
class.
"In the case of the California Electric
buildings the standpipes with
hose, the well, pump and tank
the basement and the roof tank, together
with the metal sash and the wired glass
windows proved the value Of such a private
;ystem, saving that property from the hot
ire around it. AS this building was not
ireproof the value Of the fire extinguishing
can be well understood, and had all
veil equipped the confagration would have
oeen quickly checked and a vast amount Of
saved.
while the danger from exterior fires
o a given building is ordinarily estimated
Ls 90 per Ger it practically becomes
100 per cent, Of course, in case Of a great
,onhaRrRion. San Francisco had little pro- |
from exterior fires.
There we're few metal shutters or steel
oller shutters, and those were usually
4 imperfect design, that proved unsatis-
when tested. The openings in
valls were fatal points Of weakness in all
4 the great buildings.
Wire glass windows, though few in
lumber. behaved well; but wooden instead
( metal sashes were great sources OF
yery c%ontagion. Metal covering over wooden
oors and window frames was generally
Inefficient.
. --.II, a-I lnNyatn nhnffa T1tnninn |
D through many stories should be guarded
v brick or reinforced concrete walls.
tied with double metal rolling doors.
olted to the walls to allow for expansion;
r with automatic sliding doors and wire
lass partitions. There was little or no
revision for cutting off the draft Of air
nat will ascend through such a shaft during
fire and great destruction resulted in
consequence.
4The importance and value Of real pro-
will be appreciated when it is stated
nat a third class building with such COM
lete fire prevention plant is insured for
ss than a first class one not having il.
his lesson is one that should be taught
} all capitalist owners by their architects
nd engineers. Moreover, all parts Of an
Establishment should be equally protected,
IT the fire may begin anywhere.
Concrete floors with metallic mesh
enforcement are strongly recommended
,r strength and freproof character.
Double windows Of wire glass in hollow
Ietallic frames are recommended: or
here such material would be Objectionable
Y cutting off the view double plate glass
considered next best.
sInterior doors should be of metal. or
any rate metal covered. in t%ireproof
lildings. and the light for corridors and
Ais should come through wire glass.
AS the installation of wire glass, metallic
ling shutters and metal sash is only a
nall percentage Of the cost OF the building
I'd has proved such excellent fire pro-
ctiop, when of the best material and
a wise economy demands its
,e in every important fireproof building.
Capitalists and owners must under
and that perfect fire protection for struc-
raj steel is nece sirily expensive. Any
called f~ireproofihg that is cheap and
msy is a delusion and will not serve. The
.plication Of an effective method insures
rmanenoe OF the structure, n at the
me time is a great reducer Of the rates OF
france
4KED STATUES AT VERSAILLES.
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