The Washington times., 1907-08-19
Commissioners Notice.

OFFICE OF TIE COMMISSIONERS or
THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. Washing
ton August I6 1907. Ordered: That the
order of January "A. 1907, relative 10 the
erection Of tre escape appliances. Is hereby
amended 70 read as follows: That fre es-
canes to be installed In accordance with the
Act Of Congress approved March Is. 1900.
entitled. An Act 20 require the erection or
fire escapes in certain buildings In the Dis
trict OF Columbia and for other purposes.
as amended by Act Of Congress approved
March ?. 1907 shall be Of the type shown BY
drawings on file IN the Onice OF the Inspector
Of Buildings In certain cases, however
hereinafter specified, chain endless lad
der types OF fre escapes may be used. %
Fire escaoes must be so located that a Per
son in any part Of a building can reach one
without having to pass a stair well or ele-
vator shaft. Chain OF endless ladder types
OF IRE escapes may be used on buildings or
parts Of buildings, 50 constructed that the
standard platform fire escape cannot be
applied without obstructing window or door
openings or without giving the ladders a
pitch OF more than 60 degrees. In such
cases balconies Of the standard type must
be provided and the chain OF endless ladder
escape must be suspended over the middle
Of the space between tiers OF windows. go
The FIRE escape on each floor must be 50
located as 10 be readily accessible and must
be kept FREQ from obstructiOns- In case ac-
cess to escape Is had through a room.
either the door OF The room must be removed
or an unobstucted passage at least two anu
one-half feet wide must be provided from
the corridor or the hallway 20 the firs escape
Access 20 FIRE escapes may be had through
windows IN case tho sills are not more than
two feet six inches above the door and the
windows are 50 constructed as 70 provide a
clear opening at least three feet high and
two and One-haH feet wide. in buildings
where certain rooms are always rented en-
suite ana affidavit Is furnished 70 that effect.
the entire suite will be considered as having
proper access TO a hre cape n any room
in II has access required aboVe. 80 Land
ing or drop ladders OF IRE escapes must be
provided with a cOunter-balancsd weight
suspended by bronze or copper cable.
capable of sustaining a weight Of twelve
hundred pounds. In all cases where chain
must be arranged as 70 be really pre-
pared for operation by freuaen from he
ground. The wire for operating the escapes
I must he OF nOn-CoTTOsiye metal AT least one
fifth Of an inch IN diameter. Each standard
platform escape should he provided with
Roose-neck nreman's ladder extended from
the upper platform n a point az least three
feet above the roof. 90 All halls. corridors.
I passage-wsys. stairs, and exits TO fire es-
capes in buildings used and occupied az
night must be lighted from sunset 10
\ rise as follows. White light Al head and
| foot Of each flight OF stairs. same ~ inter
section OF halls. corridors or passa,e-w'ays.
/ of each hallway when same r. more than
forty feet long and one at Zach guide sign.
A red light 70 be placed In each hall cor
/ ridOr, or passaEe-way at each approach 10 a.
! fire escape except when the fire escape is
designed 10 serve only the room or suite
which has direct access 10 II. 90 In all
sleeping rooms the following notice. IN red
letters one-quarter Of an inch high, on
white card. shall be consp5cuously placed
| Notice: Red lights indicate location Of Fire
Escapes" Such notice wiz not be required
sients % At the intersection Of a hall
approaching a fire escape and the corridor
on each floor a sign shall be placed with
letters two inches high. 70 be read from
either side. with the words. FIRE Es-
lCAPE." In cross halls a sign shall be
placed with letters two inches high. with
I a printed or painted hand Indicating the
| direction Of the same Near the center OF
the main corridors end halls. standDipeS ar
\ least two inches in diameter shall be placed
with sufficient hose OF the same diameter
/ 20 reach either end Of the corridor or hall
way and with satisfactory connections TO
7 The city water service Tliis viii not apply
to halls. theaters or plar IS Of amusement.
/ in which standpipes az lest three inches IN
diameter shall be installed as required at
present. nor Will II apply anv buildings
already erected in which existing standpipe
/ systems prove satisfactory In each hallway
| on each floor and in the public kitchen, 81
] there be one. shall be placed at least one
thrse-Eallou fire extinguisher. In freprOof
/ buildings and buildings of moderate size
standpipes viii not be required provided fire
[ eNtingulshers are installed required above.
! 80 Elevator shafts and stairways In base
/ mentE shall be inclosed with hre-ressting
I material in such manner as 20 make the
same snaoEe-proof. This inclosure or com
partment 10 have self-closiag nreDroof doors
1
not being used. t9j All halls. passage-way-
| corridors and openings 20 fire escapes and
! stairs must be kept free from baggage
| furniture. cans. or any other obstruction
whatsoever. All openings to fire escapes
must be arranged that they can be
operated without key other instrument
| Go) Fire alarm gongs shall be installed in
| all buildings coming within the pur view OF
| the Act OF March 1e. 1906. which are used
| and occupied for sleeping purposes One
/ eight-inch alarm gong shall be placed near
the center OF each hallway or corridor on
| each floor Gongs are 20 be operated from
/ automatic striking stations placed as follows:
| One near the front door. one at the head
Of the stairs on each hoor; one In the offce
| or fanitor's room: and one in the public
! kitchen. II there be such room All shall
/ be placed on one circuit-and all gongs shall
| operate simultaneously from any and all
stations. All operating switches are TO be
| protected by glass cases The alarm gonE
/ system shall be supplied with an approved
/ type Of dry cell battery which supplies cur
rent Tor no other purpose and which shall
he renewed At least once year. Telephones
| VIII not be considered as a substitute for
alarm g0nEs. HENRY L. WEST JAY J
| MORROW. Commissioners. y. c. It