The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-03-21
Vertical Openings in Many Buildings
Are Unprotected-Cond of
Housekeeping" Municipal
and Private, Poor, He Says


assertion of the report designated as
inspection pointers" This condition, 1t
is said is largely due to the fact that no
ordinance Is in effect providing for clean
ing fiues or chimneys twice per year.
The report handles Birmingham roughly
in some places, while otherwise the city
is treated with great consideration. The
motor apparatus and the personnel of the
fire department is complimented, and it
is pointed out that Chief Bennett needs
at least three additional assistants
The statement follows:
Originally boom town, with rapid
and careless building construction, re-
gardless of stability or protection from
fire, resulting in the presence of weak
walls, many large areas of single or null
tiple occupancy, which still continue to
dominate many of the principal business
blocks within the congested district.
Practically same method of lily con-
sidered construction has prevailed up to
within the past six or seven years, at
which time a building Inspector was ap-
pointed, who was compelled to work I'M
der the provisions of an antiquated and
patch work building code, until the adop-
ton Of a revised and more modern code
in April, 1912. Under the supervision of
the building inspector from his appoint
ment and under the new code, the class
of structures within the city, erected DUR
ing this period of advanced adminstra-
ton, are decidedly superior to the older
and prevailing class, but in several in
stances these good qualities are nullified
through absence of proper protection to
windows exposed to like conditions exist
ing in the boom structures which en-
viron them, while in other instances the
provision of wired glass windows to-
ward such exposures is 20 be commended
as evidencing progress.
Window Openings Exposed
I'm city blocks dominated by the older
class of structures, as many Of them
are, the existence of blind or pocket
alleyways or light courts, inaccessible 10
the fire department present many mutu-
ally exposed and unprotected window
openings, which even under normal con-
ditions preceding or accompanying con-
f1agrations, are a menace to the possi-
bility of successful control of a spread
ing fire by the efforts of a highly
equipped department, even when afforded
the advantage due to the presence of
comparatively wide streets, as is the case
in this city, hence, in my Judgment. con-
fining serious fire within the limits of
any one city block in this city would be
commendable, if not praiseworthy.
The presence of so-called .fireproof'
structures in the various blocks of the
city would serve as being at least partial
fire breaks and probably would merit
such rating had more attention been given
to proper protection of exposed window
openings. Unfortunately, many of such
structures are lacking in this essential.
and serious damage to the interior of
same may be anticipated In case of fire
in the closely exposing ordinary struc-
lures which environ them.
Vertical Openings Unprotected
The practical absence of proper en-
closure or other protection to vertical
openings, such as elevators and stairways
in majority of the business sections of
the city serves to emphasize the danger
OF spreading fires. as in addition to the
menace due to unprotected and exposed
window openings above referred to, as
there appears to be no ruling through
which defects existing in the matter in
the older structures may be corrected
under the new code.
The general condition of 'housekeep-
ing, both municipal and private aver
ages poor. as laxity in the enforcement
of the ordinances relating to same results
In dangerous Accommodations of combusti-
BILE rubbish in and outside of structures
within the congested district; frequent
night inspections of the public and pri-
vate alleyways developing the presence
Of much such material piled under unpro-
tected window and other openings.
Provision is made for the services Of
only one fire inspector, who is under the
supervision of the chief of the fire de-
partment, and. on whose reports delin-
quents are hailed to court under bond, but
II appears to be difficult to secure pun
ishment by imposition of substantial fines
provided for under the ordinance con-
trolling, many cases passing through trial
as under probation after one or more
postponements for the accommodation Of
the offender Li
Single Roofs Source of Danger
The prevalence of wooden shingle
roofs on structures in the city, particu-
larly in the groups of the cheaper class
of structures which closely environ the
congested section of the, city on all sides,
carries with 1t menace of possible con-
fiagration in a large section, as at times
many roofs are fired at approximately the
same time, and unusual concentration of
fire apparatus becomes necessary to con-
troll the condition, thus depicting the num-
Der of companies which should attend
fires occurring elsewhere at about the
same time. This is unfortunately not an
infrequent condition. and in my judg'
ment too much emphasis may not he
brought to bear upon it, as under the
building code sufficient restriction against
the use and repair of wooden shingles Is
not provided for.
"The record of spark fires on roofs in
this city is simply appalling in its mag
nitude, and is largely due to the fact
that there is no ordinance in force which
compels the cleaning of fues and chim-
neys at least twice a year, an ordinance
provides for the prosecution of those who
permit chimney fire, but it appears to
be more closely observed by avoidance
than otherwise.
THE fire alarm system of the city Is
one of confusion and delay through the