Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1909-06-10
soHooLBUILD1NG FIRE ESCAPES.
New Law Compels Many Changes in
Buildings.

n The Reflector has frequently called
: attention to needs Of the Abilene
school buildings In fire escapes.
new state law covers the ground com.
pIetely and compels many changes In
the buildings as now arranged. The
legislature did good thing in bring.
ing about reform in this direction.
The law is:
Sec. 1. That the doors of all pub
lie or private schoolhouses Of more
than one story shall open outwards,
and all doors of schoolhouses snail
remain unlocked while school is in
session.
Sec. 2. That in every public or pri-
vate schoohouse Of two or more sto-
ries every story above the first shall
be provided with either two or more
exits from the upper floor separate
and distinct from the exits Of the
lower floor, or shall be provided
with sufficient and suitable flre-es-
capes, which shall be built OF iron or
steel.
Sec. 3. That the tops of all fur
naces in public and private school,
houses shall be covered with asbestos
covering or masonry, and the top OF |
such furnace shall not be nearer than
eighteen inches to the nearest wood
work above. The ceiling above said
furnaces shall be covered with as
bestos.
Sec. 4. That no contract shall be
let for the erection of any school
building NOR shall any public funds
be paid out for the erection of school
houses of two or more stories, until
the plans for such buildings shall
have been submitted to the state ar {
,hitect and approved as to all the l
'equirements of this act. Ii
Sec. 5. That each county superIn- Z
endent shall annually inspect each /
'ublic school building, including the
ounty high school building, in dis '
riots under his supervision; and the c
mayor or fire marshal shall annually n
inspect all public and private school, .
In cities Of the second class, I
nd the fire marshal shall annually a
inspect all public and private build a
ngs in cities of the first class. The s
officer under this section Z
hall report to the respective school Il
cards having Jurisdiction any viola q
on Of this act, or any conditions b
'hich he may deem dangerous, or m
'hich will In any way prevent N
Deedy exit from the building, and 1t W
iall be the duty Of said school board G,
he nthus notified Immediately to 81
AXE such changes as are required
= this act, and such boards are here CO
? authorized to draw upon the gen. N
al revenue funds, without further 81
to comply with all the
iqulrements Of this act. al
Sec. 6. That in every public or
'ivate school having more than one
inbred pupils Except colleges and az
a fire-drill and sum- ne
airy dismissal from the building Of
all be practised at least once each 70
onth at some time during school n,
urs, aside from the regular dismiss
at the close OF the days session.
Sec. Z. That any officer or mem is
r Of school board who mi
all permit any provision Of this RI
to be violated for sixty days may ~,
removed from his office by q civil Ii,
Ion. Independent Of such civil act me
/, any officer, member Of school al
ard, city superintendent, principal ="
teacher violating any provision OF
s act shall be guilty Of mlsdeamor, .
4 shall be punished by fine OF no. NJ ~,
S than fifty dollars or more thaA an
} hundred dollors, or BY imprison- tor
Mt in fall not exceeding six months, SIC
by both such fine and imprison- an
mt; provided, however, that this S S,J
shall not prevent the prosecution
! punishment Of an officer or other
son under the ordinary provisions
the crimes for death or injury 70
! child IN public orprivats school