Lexington gazette. [volume] (Lexington, Va.) 1871-1962, 1911-12-27

Sether Too Indiffsrent-Not So In
Europe.
Fire waste in the United States and
Canada Is about ten times that Of
western Europe. says Powell Evans In
the Survey. 1t averages broadly $780,
100000 yearly. with $50. 900 600 added
expense for protective measures imper.
stively demanded by this great. contin
uous and increasing loss
II all buildings burned last year In
the United States were placed together
on both sides Of a street they would
make an avenue Of desolat ton reach
Ing from Chicago to New York
This ire loss averages 50 per capita
In America each year as against 80
cents In Europe. About two-thirds of
this waste in life and property In this
country could easily be avoided by
means similar to those employed in
western Europe. where the loss is
about one-tenth OF ours.
There are certain conditions In these
foreign countries that operate to Of
feet lower fire loss than would rea-
sonably be possible here, VIZ, the
larger use Of noncombustibIe mate
rails. due to the higher cost Of wood:
better building codes. in letter and in
practice; the lower height and smaller
areas involved In city construction.
and. finally. the intangible influence of
older civilizations. which makes peo-
pie more careful OF small savings In all
their affairs and generally more eau
dous than We have yet become.
Allowing duly for these fundamental
differences between the countries com.
pared. II is yet apparent that the differ
ence In fire loss in the United States
over that of the principal western Eu-
ropean countries is outrageously and
criminally greater than It should be.
and this condition must arise largely
inhabitants. Ignorance. carelessness
and the indifference OF this country's
Inhabitants. Ignorance. carelessness.
or isolated self interest, when they
result in the tremendous sacrifice of
life and property now habitually &C.
curing among us from this one cause.
become nothing less than criminal.
1t has been argued by some that so
far In our national development the
total gain to national wealth arising
from the permissible construction OF
buildings below the desirable standard
OF fire resistance 0hus enabling men
with limited capital to engage in bust
ness operations without undue expen
diture on property has been greater
than If too restrictive building laws
had been operative. There may have
been some merit in this argument ap
piled to times and conditions which
have passed. but we should now un
Questionably. on the evidence befor,
US, begin TO enforce in our cities, and
enforce rigidly. higher standard o.
fire preventive building construction.
protection and occupancy. In many
European cities a fire is held substan-
tally q crime. and the owner OF the
property where it occurs. regardless
OF size, must report the facts to the
authorities and may be penalized-
Reference has several times been
made TO the terms OF construction. pro
lection and occupancy Of buildings:
Construction covers the form and CON-
plete specifications OF the building itself
and embraces the height OF structure the
fire control areas. the elimination OF con-
ceaieo spaces and exposed vertical open
ings and generally of avenues for the
spread OF flames within the building: the
character, form and strength OF materi
ais. the elimination OF such as are in
fiammable. the provision OF fireproof roof
ing and wire glass in safe metal frames
and generally determines all details OF the
nature. amount and form OF materials
that Will endure for the use intended an,
under possible heat and water exposur.
caused by conhagration
Protection.-Next in Importance to the
nature OF the building itself for limiting
successfully comprises the risk OF fire Ell.
Their within or without comes the problem:
OF equipping II properly to give the alarm
ana to eStinSuish fire II IL occurs The
automatic sprinkler is the most important
OF these agents and an absolute essential
Tor low rate insurance for buildings and
contents. II has become legal require
ment in many states in theaters and 9th
er buildings for large asse mblages and fOl
dangerous parts OF hotels and it's use
SHOULD certainly become obligatory in ali |
cellars in consested city areas and in all |
buildings. including those used for Offices
OF height beyond successful control Of fire
streams from the ground.
Occupancy.-Thist term covers two sub
jects-hrst. the nature OF any business
and. second the manner In which any |
business is conducted. This last meaning
Is best expressed by the term house |
Keeping as applied to the home or the |
factory. IL covers the whole rationale OF |
thrifty and cleanly living In /
buildings so as not uselessly to cause fire |
For example rubbish filed cellars. halls
and adjacent yards were. according TO |
former Fire Chief Croker. responsible foI
3.co0 out OF 200 fires In New York city In |
1909. Last year in Chicago loo fres were 1
directly traceable to the use and abuse of
the match. Uncovered lights near our
tains are cause OF a constant series of