Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1913-09-24

ernmsnt. and towns shall have power
TO make regulations for protection
against fire and electrical api atus,
10 establish fire limits, to prohio!e
within such limits the erection or All
buildings. and structures of every KIND,
additions thereto. substantial alsera-
tons thereof involving partial rebuild
Ing not constructed of tire-proof ma
ter;ais. in whole or in part, as pre-
scribed by ordinance, and 20 remove or
take down any building or structure
ar part thereof erected contrary 10
such ordinances and 70 collect the COST
thereof trom The owner
Points ous Differences.
The difference between ;he prov.s-
ions II chapter 81 and section III. of
the code, for which it is \ substitute is
this:
That while the latter only authorizes
cities and towns to prohibit the ou;e:
walls ard roof TO be constructed OF
ccmbustile material, but gives no pow
er to prescribe or regulate he inter-
:ur constitution, which is quite as i'm
portant. the new law gives the munich
patty full power to pro.iue that hre-
proof material must be Used thruout
both IN the exterior and in the interior
construction.
Chatter So gives to cities and towns
The general power to adopt, by ordl-
rance. a building code. If such a code
be adopted it should set worth with
reasonable detail the requirements for
the erection of the buildings within the
particular district included within the
territory designated as the fire limit
district
Might Not Fit All Needs.
From the standpoint ii enforcibility
1 can see good reasons why such Il
code would be desirable. altho there
might arise questions as to whether or
not it could be adapted to the peculiar
needs OF all the various cities and
towns of our state.
l am. however, firmly Of the opinion
that the state should by law provide
certain minimum requirements as to
the construction of buildings within the
fire limits fixed by the people Of any
particular municipality. The statutory
provisions should lay down certain
general principles of construction,
leaving it to the particular city or
town to prepare a code or ordinance in
detail. but providing that the same
must be in harmony with the general
requirements laid down in the statute.
Suggests Basis for Law.
While ! do not wish at this time to
attempt to formulate a general plan
for such a law or ordinance. ! desire.
however, to suggest a few general prin-
ciples which ought to be kept in mind
both in the enactment of additional
legislation and in the adoption of
municipal building code or ordinance.
l. Foundation. Due attention should
be given to- the construction Of the
foundation of every building. The
thickness of the same should be based
upon the height of the building and
consequent width of the walls, and the
depth at which the foundation should
be placed in the ground should be
governed by the same principles.
2. The chimney. Minimum require
ments should be prescribed for the ma
terial. size and construction of all
chimneys in business buildings as well
as in dwellings.
3. The walls. Provisions should be
made for the minimum thickness of all
walls and also of all partition walls
and the kind of material of which such