The Bridgeport evening farmer. [volume] (Bridgeport, Conn.) 1866-1917, 1909-05-08
FEATURES OF NEW
BUILDING CODE
First Draft of Proposed
Laws Is About Com
pleted.
Thorough Consideration
Given Matter of Concrete
Block Constructions Pub-
tic Hearings to Be Held.

The committee appointed by former
Mayor Marcus L. Reynolds to revise
the building laws and regulations of
this city and to formulate a code gov
erning building operations in general.
after about a year and one-half's work
have completed the first draft Of the
laws, and the same are now being pre-
pared for the printer.
In the compilation of these laws
which are to be known as the Build
ing Code" the codes of somefffty 9th
er cities were considered and the best
features found therein were adopted
with such changes as were necessary
to make than apply particularly to
this city. For the most part, how
ever, the proposed code consists of
original work of this committee, conn
posed of men of recognized standing
in their various occupations.
Bridgeport has never had what you
might call a code of building laws
! There have been ordinances of diner
emit kinds adopted at various times in
the past, but no effort has, ever been
made to provide a. set of laws, by
which architects. builders, owners of
property and others could be govern
ed in building. In order to treat ev-
cry one fairly and alike, there should
be such a code rs the proposed one,
not only for the property holders in
terests, but also that of the city.
1t has been the aim of this commit
tee to make laws which will be bene-
fetal to the city, and, at the same
time, not to make building operations
prohibitive. OF late it has become
very apparent, not only through OBJ
servation, but also on account of the
various catastrophes throughout the
country, that the protection Of the
public is not properly safeguarded
when gathered together in places of
large assemblage and in public halls OF
theatres. It has been one of the chief
aims of this committee to protect the
citizens while in such places in every
reasonable way.
This committee has also gone very
thoroughly into the matter of concrete
block construction and reinforced con-
crete, which seems to be very pron1in-
ent in the building operations of to-
day. The committee was of the opin-
ion that not only a. very great injuS-
tice, but also grave disasters could re-
sufficient materials in this class of
construction; and they have endeavor-
ed to guard against any possibility of
accidents or unfortunate occurrences,
and have tried to draft laws which
will meet this end.
Plumbing regulations have also been
adopted, looking for the public health
and safety. 1t is very essential that
plumbing work be properly installed in
buildings, for the health of the occu-
pants depends very largely upon this
branch of the building construction.
There are also many other features
connected with this proposed code, but
nothing drastic has been contemplated
at any time.
The committee will hold hearings, at
which they propose to have the con-
tractors in various lines and any 9TH
ers interested present and go over the
laws relating to the various branches,
SO that every one may become ac-
quainted with the proposed laws; and
also in order to give the committee an
opportunity to embrace such sugges-
tons as may be made and will prove
beneficial to the CITY