The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1909-05-13

electric supply to the building, but will
not pc permitted to be operated cleo
trically in connection with dry cells.
In addition to an electrical supply.
or in the absence of the same, gongs
shall be operated by pull wire.
The means for operation Of these
gongs must be so constructed as to be
operated from the Office of the ground
floor.
The working and efficiency of these
gongs shall be tested at least once ev-
cry week by the hotel manager and by
inspectors on their visits.
Watchmen.
The time recording device to be
used by the night watchman, which
are required to be provided in hotels
containing fifty or more sleeping
rooms. must be a standard device ap-
proved by the National Board of Fire
Underwriters, or have the approval
of the local fire marshal or fire chief;
and the size and condition of the
hotel shall be the guide for the fire.
chiefs APPROVAL providing that no
portion of the hotel from the base
ment to the top floor shall be visited
less frequently than once every hour
from p. m. to a. m.
Fire Escapes.
Fire escapes shall be well fastened
and secured, and shall be of such num-
Der and of such material, design, and
construction as shall receive the ap-
proval of the local fire marshal or
fire chief, as provided herein, and shall
have a landing not less than six feet
in length and three feet in width,
guarded by iron rails, the first of
which shall be not less than twelve
inches from platform. and the second
not less than thirty inches from plat
form, and in lieu thereof may be
guarded by a single rail not less than
thirty inches from the platform, with
heavy screen wire or grill from rail
to platform, the screen or grill to be
securely fastened to platform and rail,
at each floor above the ground floor.
Such landings shall be connected with
each other by wrought or mallea.ble
iron or steel Stairways not less than
two feet wide with steps OF not less
than six inches tread, placed at an
angle of not more than 10 degrees,
protected by two or more well secured
hand rails, on both sides of such stair
ways, and reaching to the first floor
above the ground floor, and with a
drop ladder not less than eighteen
inches wide, from the lower platform
reaching to the ground. Such fire es-
capes shall be sufficient II perpen-
dicular iron or steel ladder be used
between the platforms instead of the
stairways, provided, such ladder is
placed at the extreme outside of the
platform and at least three feet from
the wall Of the building. and provided,
said ladder is equipped with iron
rounds not more than fifteen inches
apart and not less than three-fourth
inch in thickness and the side rails
of which are not smaller than three
eighths by two inches If rectangular,
or one and half inch gas piping if
round. In all cases there shall be a
ladder extending from the top-most
platform to at least three feet above
the fire wall or coping on the roof.
In no event shall ladders or stairways
pass directly in front of an opening in
the wall. The provisions of the law
as to Instructions to egress and the
posting of notices must be literally
observed.
Provided. that all iron or steel fire
escapes which were constructed prior
may receive the approval of the local
fire marshal. may be approved as COM
plying with the provisions of this law
Fire escapes must be kept adequate
ly painted at all times to preserve
metal parts from rust
Fire Extinguishers.
Each and every hotel shall be pro-
chemical or other efficient fire ex-
tinguisher of approved pattern. for |
every 1900 square feet or less of |
Hoor area on each floor. Chemical
aXtinguishers of the breaking bottle |
type, nor hand grenades will not be
NPP ~ ONCN- OuSLl snail
De placed in convenient permanent
ocations. in the public Railways out
side of the sleeping rooms and with
n easy reach, and shall be charged at
of not more than six |
months. Extinguishers shall be pro-
bear the date on which extinguisher
vas last charged, written in ink. and
oy whom charged.
Hotels equipped with standpipe and |
nose as provided by the law are not
'equired to have the chemical ex-
inguishers.
Blind Rooms.
The use for sleeping purpose. by
guest or any other person of a So
,alled blind room or room without at
east one direct exit to the outside of
he building or light wells, air shaft,
n courts, is absolutely prohibited.
Rope or Rope Escape Devices.
Every hotel shall provide in each
DOM or sleeping apartment above
he first floor, a rope not smaller
han three-fourths inches in diameter
attached to an iron cna1n; the chain
ong enough to reach outside the
window sill, which chain shall be Sc
'urely fastened to the casing or wall
1t point not lower than three feet
Lbove the window sill, the rope to be
If sufficient length to reach the
ground.
In lieu of the above described rope
md chain, there may be used any
orm of rope fire escape device or
portable ladder approved by the
tate board of health.
Such chain and rope or escape de-
ice shall be kept in plain sight at
Ill times and shall not be covered by
curtains or other distractions
Rope must be so reeled a. to insure
reedom from tangle or knots when
'ut to use, and be kept within easy
each.