Lewiston evening teller. [volume] (Lewiston, Idaho) 1903-1911, 1907-06-25
FIRE PROOF
CONSTRUCTION
Govt. Making inquiry Into
Protection Of Life and
Property

WASHINGTON, D. c., June ga
great fire, resulting in the sacrifice of
hundreds of human lives and the loss
of many million dollars worth of
property is possible in every city of
the United States. The calamities of
Chicago and Baltimore might be dupli-
Gated in New Orleans or st. Louis.
An earthquake in New York equal in
| intensity to the one in San Francis
co would cause an appalling loss Of
| life and property. Investigations made
by three of the most competent struc-
tural experts in the country have led
them to the conclusion that there are
no absolutely freproof buildings. Not
that fireproof buildings are impossi-
BILE, for, according to these experts,
structural materials may be SO select
ed and used that adequate fire protec-
ton is practically assured; but in the
effort to cheaper construction in or
vestments, owners of buildings have
neglected or ignored perils to lives and
fortunes.
Government inquiry Started.
Soon after the san Francisco earth
quake, the interior department at
washington, through the United States
geological survey, assigned to Richard
L. Humphrey. secretary Of the national
advisory board on fuels and structural
materials, and Prof. Frank Soule, dean
A. - fvsa. ~
the University of California, the task
of investigating the action Of the fire
and earthquake upon so-called fire.
proof buildings.
At about the same time the war de-
partment assigned similar task to
Captain John Stephen Sewell, engineer
corps, United States army, whose rep
utation as an expert on fireproof
building construction is international.
After q thorough investigation these
officials have prepared careful re-
port, which has just been submitted to
the interior department and will soon
Be published by the geological survey.
conclusions presented in this report
are of great interest and value.
Mr. Humphrey, emphasizing the fact
that the lessons Of the Chicago and
Baltimore fires are still unlearned, de-
clares that a remedy for existing con-
ditfons can be had only by the enact
ment of strict building laws which will
compel fireroof construction. Profess
sor Soule estimates that the earth
Ia
per cent of the total loss at San Fran
cisco, and that of the subsequent and
Indirect effects-the paralyzing of the
water supply and it's distributing sys-
tenn, the starting of fire impossible
to extinguish with the means at hand,
destruction of $5OO,OO0,Oo0 worth of
property and the remoter damage to
business, commerce and labor-nearly
all might have been prevented by wise
foresight and provision. Captain Sew
ell points out the fact that fires and
fire tests have proved conclusively the
inadequacy of commercial methods of
| fireproofing as at present applied.
Concrete a Factor.
I
The recommendations of the experts
as to the essentials of ffreproof con-
struction are definite and positive.
High steel-frame Office buildings,
properly braced, are declared to be
stable and reliable, and concrete and
reinforced concrete structures are
placed high among materials well
adapted to withstand earthquake and
fire, while hollow tiles and hollow con-
crete, although not in the past uni
versally successful may be so en-
ployed as to yield most satisfactory re-
suits. Concrete floors with metallic
mesh endorsements are strongly
recommended for strength and fire re-
sistanee, and wire glass, metallic roll
ing shutters and metal sash have prov
ed such excellent fire protectors that
wise economy demands their use In
every important building. Other ma
terials and measures equally important
are enumerated, and 1t is believed that
their adoption, while involving in
creased cost of construction, will in
sure permanence of structure and at
the same time greatly reduce rates of
Insurance..