New-York tribune., 1909-07-17
FEARS SPREAD OF FIRE
architect Says Ne1c Code VIII
Limit FTeW0Ofng.

Asserting that the new building code might well
be entitled "a law to discourage the use of non
combustblc material in building In New York,
Ernest Flagg sent Acting Mayor MCGOWAN yes
teTday open letter in which he makes objections
TO the code from different point Of view than the
majority of criticisms row finding expression.
Mr.. F1agg, who the architect of the Singer
Building Of other large structures in this city.
undertakes to show the Acting Mayor that grave
wrong will be done to the city if he signs the code
He SAYS that the code requires the most expensive
KIND of freproo1ng whereas the true interests or
the city demand the cheapest practicable method
Of freproo1ing IN order that its may be ex-
tended as widely possible.
Speaking of buildings of from three to eight
stories, Of which there are hundred built 70
every skyscraper Mr.. Flagg says that the code en-
courages the of wood, because of its stringent
hreproofng provisions the prohibtive cost that
II places on Cinder concrete. Protest is voiced
against the extraordinary powers granted to the
buildings Superintendent and the composition of
the board Of examiners is criticised. ignoring sug
gestions that improper influences were used in
Shaping the code, Mr.. Flagg that just criti-
cisms can be based on other grounds
The trainers of the code" says the architect,
nave 1alien into the natural mistake of prefer
| rlhg quality 70 quantity 1t is good thing to have
buildings which perfectly built and as nearly
lnccmbustible as possible, but, bearing in mind
their great cost and the fact that comparatively
few can be of this kind it is a better thing
10 nave great quantity of buildings fairly fire
proof.
We stand in jeopardy Of a fearful catastrophe
H. under favorable conditions. a fire ever gets be-
yond the control of the Fire Department 1t NAV
pIot the whole city out of existence. In the terri
bic heat Of such conhagration ireproof and nom
freproof buildings would alike cr,ImbIe. The rem
edy Is to remove the fuel do away with the wood
and so remove the essential element of a con-
migration The new code is drawn 10 perpet1Iate
present conditions. to make them worse and |
chalenge any one to controvert the truth of what
! say
MI Flagg said that the increasing cost Of wood
meant that to use good freproof construction was
not much more expensive. and it should he encour-
aged by placing the qualifications for reproof con
strucuon within the grasp of the average builder
He added:
The law should provide for 50 70 buildings and
not concern itself with teaching builders how the
safety is to be reached"
Ihe architect suggests few provisions for 4
code which would penalize the use of wood and en-
courage the use of non-combUstibio material
In some Of these gigantic structures which are
called freproof" he says, "an amount of wood is
used that is appalling think of. In a general
confagration they would burn like tinder and scat
ter frebrands for mile around"
The live loads required by the code, Mr.. FIagg
saws. are excessive. and the stresses allowed on
steel and concrete are too low. Arguing that the
board of building examiners should be appointed
by the Mayor. Mr.. F7agg SAYS:
In the past its acts have often been arbitrary
and unfair. One member of it for years openly
advertised his services upon it. His motto was
Charges high services good He gave his advice
to clients for consideration. then sat Judgment
their plans. This board should not represent
special interests hut he chosen from architects and
engineers of high standing"