Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-10-07

rhis draft of a building code which
Commissioners are now to CONSIDER
supposed to contain the latest and best
cas-. 1t has been printed in proof, cover
.g 2-rf pages. and submitted TO the
hamber of Commerce cOtnmittee on the
object, to architects. buiEiers, engineers
Id other experts. and copies have oeen
FINISHED to the press, in order that the
commissioners might get all the sug-
sstions possible for its Improvement
I'VE are here today to listen TO sucn
1ggestions. and will then consider what
20 shall do with the code. which. as
naIlv adopted by the Commissioners.
Lght to improve the building conditions
nd therefore add to the general welfare
f the community. We want 1t TO be the
est possible"
Chamber of Commerce Views.
B. F. Saul, chairman of the committee
building industries. Chamber of Com
1erce the first speaker, presented the
Jews of the committee as adopted unani-
aously after much Investigation.
Under the section Apartment
Iouses.' he said, reading a letter sent
y the committee to Engineer Commits
ioner Judson, "after giving careful con-
liberation to the proposed regulations
he committee still feels that 1900 square
eet of floor space is all that should be
eQuired to be surrounded by fireproof
artitions
AS to the provisions for flreproof stair
asses we feel that it IS. unnecessary to
equire them in apartments of not more
han three stories, where the area per
iOOr does not exceed 1000 square 1eet
nut agree that it is advisable to put in
lreproof stairwayS where the buildings
re four stories or over. or where they
ire three stories and the area per moor
exceeds 5000 square feet
I'VE feel that in apartm entS the pro-
visions already recommended for fireproof
partitions around stairways, elevators,
1Lmb-waiters. etc, in addition to fire
proof walls separating the area of the
Ipartments, are stringent enough and re-
trict the builder as much as is necessary
or the absolute safety of tenants with
cut putting an unnecessary hardship on
he owner.
I'VE note, under the heading of 'ex-
.erior walls the new regulations provide
hat all walls shall be thirteen inches,
md In all buildings over thirty-five feet
n other words, all three-Story buildings
he basement and first story shall be
eighteen inches and the upper stories
thirteen inches. We feel that this is an
unnecessary requirement and a waste Of
money 20 the owner.
We know that nine-inch walls are
July heavy enough in all two-story
dwellings, for party and exterior walls
above the irst-f1oor joists. The argu-
nant used in favor of thirteen-inch party
walls is danger of fire. That argument,
however, cannot be applied to exterior
walls.
"Fire does not go through them into
,ther buildings. Even in regard to party
walls. experience in this city has shown
hat there is absolutely no danger of fire
extending from one dwelling to another
through nine-inch walls.
Mr. Saul also urged upon the Commits
,ioners that the minimum size of founda-
ions, as stated In the proposed regufa-
ions, be omitted and all foundations be
determined by the formulas now given in
existing regulations. He explained that
ttOy,0 md
hat foundations of smaller size than the
minimum allowed in the proposed code
are not necessary.
Engineer Commissioner Judson said that
an amendment would be drafted to pro-
vide for such cases
Commissioner Judson Gives Way.
Mr.. Saul urged the thinner party walls.
IN the ground that It would make pos
Iible the building of more small houses.
and thus enable more people of moderate
means to buy or rent homes.
without impairing the safety. IT will
-oduce the cost of homes?" asked Com
mission Mcfarland. -ar. Saul answered
n the Affirmative.
At this point Engineer Commissioners
hudson announced that he favors allow
ing nine-ineh party walls In two-story
houses, and this will be the provision OF
the new code.
1T came out later, however. that in al
lowing nfne-fnch party walls the Engineer
Commissioner will favor toist hangers
and the use Of mortar OF half cement.
The putting Of this string to the COM
promise met opposition on the part of
several present at the hearing. One
speaker went so far as to say he would
rather have a requirement of thirteen
inch walls than the nine-inch wall with
ioist hangers.
r. Harrison Johnson OF the South Wash
ngton Citizens Association urged that
the new regulations allow for the con-
struction of two and three story apart
ment houses not flreproof. Engineer Com
missioner Judson explained that the reg
ulations will not require hreproof two
story apartments, but will require the
f1reproof construction for apartments OF
three or more stories.
Objection to Half-Cement Mortar.
Morris Fitzgerald declared that the
requirement that mortar used shall be
half cement Is unnecessary and adds
unnecessarily to the cost He declared
that he has had much experience in
tearing down walls. and that he has
found that walls in which lime mOtar
was used have been found in excellent
condition after many years.
When he declared that, in construc-
tion of 13-inch walls. rubbish is thrown
into the wide walls and makes them
weaker than the good 9-inch walls.
there was general applause around the
boardroom.
Gentlemen" remarked Commissioner
mcfarland, rapping on the desk, II
think you are not aware of the rule
that there shall be no demonstration"
William Nick. Clayton, representing the
Brightwood Citizens Association, urged
that the new regulations require, as a
matter of safety. brick walls between
frame houses built in rows. He also
thought there should he some discretion
in the application of the regulations in
the county and in the city, urging that
the restrictions for building In the county
need not he as great as for buildings in
the city.
Master Builders Recommendation.
Representing the Master Builders AS
ISOLATION, George c. Hough read list of
recommendations for notifications Of the
proposed code.
These were, in. part, as follows:
Page A. section Is. Permits should
not be required for erection or repairs of
hot-water heating nor low-pressure steam
plants. nor hot-air furnaces, as they are
no more dangerous than latrobe stoves,
coal ranges or oil lamps and a permit for
these harmless appliances seems unneces-
sary.
Page a., section 10. Charges for per-
mits seem excessive and inconsistent with
act authorizing them. as they will doubt
less produce greater revenue than
contemplated by this act The charge
for temporary shed permits of 1 per cent