New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1912-05-11
ROW OVER BUILDING CODE
Rumors That Secret Executive
Sessions" Developed SANDER.
CALL LIFE SAFEGUARDS LAX
Reports Of Many Heated Argu'
ments Leak Out of Joint Con-
ference of Civic Societies.

At least one reason why the joint con-
ferences Of the civic organizations which
are considering the new building code
have been held behind closed doors as Eek
ecutive sessions developed yesterday.
when II was learned that the discussions.
which have been announced as "amicable,"
have really led to heated controversy, so
warm at times that personalities have been
dealt in and almost scandal threatened.
The feeling has run very high at times
among certain members Of the Joint COM
mttee on City Departments. which drew
up the new code, and some representatives
of the civic organization. It was said.
Charges have been made that certain
members OF the committee represented the
fire insurance interests purely, and had no
real concern IN drawing the new code, eX-
cept for the protection Of property. II these
members had professed deep regard for
tho fire hazards I'm relation to the protec-
ton OF human life, they had, however,
showed n considerable lack OF practical
knowledge Of the methods OF construction
which were essential TO accomplish that
end, IT was said. II Is understood there
hns been general disposition on the part
OF the committee to disregard practical ad-
vice along these lines from those who are
fully competent to give 1t and who have
stood ready to afford the committee full
demonstrations Of their ideas.
The special committee OF nine appointed
at the first joint conference Of the civic Or
ganlzations 10 report In detail on the va
rious criticisms on the sections Of the new
code relating TO fire hazards and the safety
Of factory workers submitted It's report
at the last conference held Thursday IN
the rooms OF the Committee on Safety, at
No. los Broadway. The burden OF the re-
port Is said to have been that the human
element, in comparison with the material,
appeared to be sorely neglected in the pro-
visions OF the new code
Careless Of Life Protection.
Specific sections were taken up and anal
wed, with the result that the provisions
of tie instrument relating to the protection
Of life were deemed to be loosely drawn,
and certain essential standards" of build
ing construction contained in them had
been go broadened and modified as to
amount to no standards at all. A sub-com-
mittec Of three, appointed by the commit
tee of nine. submitted a report on these
matters I'm detail.
one of the provisions which was first
attacked was that which permitted o.
doubling the number Of employees on the
floors OF "a factory building IL the owner In
stalled the sprinkler system. No CONNER
cial significance was attributed 70 this pro-
vision. but II was pointed out that even
sprinkling system was not infallible, and.
at any rate, did not provide practical
means Of getting persons out OF burning
building. particularly II the number OF
workers on a floor had been doubled. The
committee was OF the opinion that the
number OF exits, the breadth Of the stair
ways and other facilities for escape should
he adequate TO accommodate the number
Of employees without reference TO the uncer-
taintics OF other fire prevention devices.
In prior discussions OF this feature OF the
new code the recent Titanic disaster had
been referred to as parallel example OF
tho terrible results directly attributable TO
insufficient means of exit. Bulkheads, like
In. sprinkler system in buildings. might be
il stalled, but they were found inadequate
when mos, needed. and the first essential
was the providing OF proper facilities for
getting away from the sinking ship.
While the new code Tor the nrst Tune
recognizes the practcablity OF so-calied
horizontal exits"-doors cut through
properly constructed fire wall within the
buildlnc. through which persons can quickly
paSs to safety from fire In different part
u the structur, without having 10 go down
the stairs in the fire zone--the objection
wa, raised that the horizontal exit was not
given sufficient prominence in the code, but
Practically placed on an equal footing with
vertical exits" or the old method OF hav-
ing to descend long flights Of stairs before
reaching safety.
Prevail Standards Vary.