The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-01-21
MORE SAFEGUARDS
 AGAINST FIRES
City Building Inspector Makes Import ant Recommendation In Annual
 Report To Mayor and Council.

Building Inspector Matthews. in his annual report. the figures of which were published in The Age-H Herald some weeks ago. makes some very important recommendations. among them being the following:
 Since my incumbency in this office. through the assistance of your hon orable body. there have been several important changes made in the build ing laws that I consider marked inn provements and would respectfully suggest that the following additional sections be changed and amended so as to more thoroughly cover the con ditions for which they are intended as follows:
 1. That section AS be amended so as to require all building permits to be kept at the building auth orized by that permit while same Is under course of construction This will greatly facil- itate your building inspectors work and can be compiled with without incon- venience to anyone.
 2. That section AS be also amended so as to require a permit for all repairs in the fire limits. In great many in- stances even $25 worth of repairs can greatly increase the fire hazard and should be provided against as far as possible.
 8. That section 56 be amended so as over 100 feet in length, where there are no cross walls and brick veneered walls be made thicker. 4. That section 77 be amended so as to require fire proof doors in party walls to comply with laws of national board of fire underwriters.
 5. That section ST be amended so as to require standpipes in all buildings over 55 feet high rather than 75 as at present.
 6. That section 100 be amended so as to require fire escapes on all buildings three or more stories high, regardless of purpose for wh ich they are used.
 z. That section 11O be amended so as to allow stove fiues to be erected on base plate and swung from the joists at the discretion of the building inspector. permit and inspection to be required for same.
 8. That the law covering the founda- tion and construction of frame build ings be more specific. I consider this very important as we have a great deal of this kind of construction and only laws of the most general charac- ter to govern the same.
 g. That the fire limits be divided into an inner and outer district, in the inner district, which will cover the
  rigid compliance with such laws as have or many be enacted in making all buildings as near as practicable fire proof. In the outer district pursue more liber policy by allowing frame buildings to be repaired but require fire proof material for roofing and such other preca utions as will tend to im- prove general fire hazard conditions. find this rule obtains in most cities and l am sure will prove more practi- cable and satisfactory here than our present methods.
 TO- That the ordinance covering con- crete block construction be changed so as to allow only two classes of buildings "a ther than three as at pres- ent, and that the walls be made the same thick ness are required for brick walls, and that the voids shall not constitute over 25 per cent of the block and that no building over two stories high be allowed until we get such tests as will demonstrate satis- factorily the fire resistant qualities of this class of material.
 II. That an ordinance be drawn regu- lating the erection and maintenance of tents in the fire limits.
 During the year l have endeavoreds to faithfully perform all of the duties. attached to my official position, pro- tecting the interests of the public to the extent of my ability, and studying the interests of the city at the same tme
 In conclusion I wish to heartily thank his honor the Mayor, and the members of the board for their many kindnesses and consideration. Respect- fully sub mitted,
 w. O. MATTHEWS,
 Building Inspector.