The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1910-01-27
QUEER PROVISIONS
 OF BUILDING CODE Fire Proof Construction Required for Business Center==Any Body Can Erect Therein Graf Elevators, Coal Pockets and Ice Houses Not Fire Proof.
Other Clauses Are Interpreted to Place Ob= . <stades in Way of Private Lighting Plants =- Building Commissioners May Refuse Permits to Install Boilers, and Purpose to Install Engines and Dynamos Must be Advertised.

'The Building Code'', a.s its framers have designated the proposed ordi- nance to govern building in Bridgeport, title indicates.
 The code proposes many regulations l evidently designed to decrease fire haz- ard, to diminish risk by explosion and to promote sanitation, that are not, except by the most liberal interpreta- tion concerned with building at all. Undoubtedly the code contains with in the almost universal scope of it's 50.000 words many provisions that are desirable and beneficial if they should be enacted.
 But the scope of the document is ex- tra ordinarily great. Its provisions touch many interests. It may we'll be that on further study many of the regulations proposed may be proftably eliminated. There are some provisions of the in- strument which seem to require ex- planation.
 Notable among these is section in the chapter providing an inner fire dis trict, in which all structures are re- quired to be fireproof. Curiously enough certain structures are to be permitted within these inner
 
 fireprOOf materials.
 They are grain and coal elevators and pockets and ice houses" It would seem that code would be improved which should prevent the erection within the 'inner fire limits'' of grain elevators, coal pockets or ice houses.''
 Such structures are c1assed as haz- ar6ous beyond the average by insur- ance companies Their presence in the business district, which is proposed to be constituted an inner fire limit would be a threat to the safety of the dis trict.
 rule, would be always source of dan- ger, and nearly everybody is at loss to understand the reason behind the exception.
 Until an explanation is offered the question will quite naturally be asked "Who desires to construct grain ele- vators, coal pockets, or ice houses in the inner fire limits?'' Another question that is raised by the code is also interesting.
 Many of it's provisions apply to buildings already constructed and quite a number apply to dwellings oc- cupied as tenements
 There are detailed restrictions as to the setting and use of cook stoves and small gas stoves and gas ranges. Other restrictions apply to the hanging and use of gas fixtures, and others to furnaces.
 Most of these restrictions are design ed to prevent fires.
 But the adoption of the code may very probably so change the relation of the insured to his policy of insur- ance that a fire occurring by reason of something ordered to be done by the code, and not done. as to prevent the payment of the insurance
 Certain other sections of the code are objected to upon the ground that taken in their totality they are calcu- lated to prevent the installation of private electric lighting plants, and thus check a form of competition which the lighting monopolies very much deplore.
 Of such a nature are the provisions which appear to give to the commits syoners power to refuse to permit the installation of a furnace, or boiler