New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-10-12
WANT LOW BUILDINGS
Fire Underwriters Tell Why
Height Should Be Limited.
SEND LETTER TO M'ANENY
Would Prevent Loss of Life
in Case of Fire, 1t Is
Asserted.


Of Fire Underwriters, and F. j. T. Stew
art. Of the New York Board of fire IN
dervriters, have written to George Nc
Aneny. President of the Borough OF Man
haitian and chairman of the Heights
Building Committee, giving their reasons
why they believe the heights OF buildings
should be limited. Their statement TO
Mr.. McAneny follows:
In response TO your favor Of Septem-
Der II. we have conferred with officers of
our respective organizations in charge OF
the subject. and We are writing you AT
some length. stating reasons why we De-
leve the heights Of buildings should be
limited. and giving the restrictions which
we believe you are justified in demand
Ing.
A reasonable limitation in the heights
of buildings along the main thorough
fares and congested districts of our city
will produce the following results: inc
conhagration hazard will be lessened: the
danger to life and property due TO $50
lated fires will be largely reduced; the
real property values more equitaoly as
tributed. and the beauty, health ana coin-
fort of the city promoted.
The impossibility Of the Fire Depart
ment. even with it's best apparatus ana
high pressure water system, successiuliy
combating from the street IRE "hicn
occurs at a height Of 100 feet or more
above street level is generally ackno"l-
edged. Therefore the only protection
available for such fires is that AFFORDED
aA from
street level. interior standpipe connec-
lions or automatic sprinkler equipment
AS the latter is seldom used except IN
mercantile and manufacturing buildings
we must depend upon the frst TWO mem
toned means of eXtinguishment TOT nFes
in the upper floors of the majority or
high buildings. Both of these methods
have their limitations, and in case OF a
sweeping fire, causing severe exterior ex-
posure. they might quickly become GRIP
pied or inefficient.
A strict classification Of most Of our
high buildings would rate them only as
fairly efficient fire resistive constructor
because Of the unreasonable opposition 70
the use Of wired glass or shutters 10 pro-
tect AGAINST exterior exposures, combined
with various other prevalent structural
defects. This fact. coupled with the large
amount of combustible contents "hlCh
such buildings always house, would not
only render them quite susceptible 10 ST.
multaneous fires on many floors when al
tackled by the intense hot blast created
nv the burning Of a block OF nearly low
grade buildings, but also makes them
of
their own walls.
The possibilities of a fearful holocaust
in the burning of such building are ap-
parent. The condition OF several huhofeo
or more persons caught in the upper
stories. with several floors below them
belching fame and smoke at every crack
and opening is not pleasant TO contem-
plate. Even though the building were con-
structed in the best manner possible with
irclosed elevators and stairways or smoke
nroof towers. the danger to life would still
he very great Suppose that the elevator
boys quit operating their cars ether
from fear or because the shafts were
filed with smoke and untenable. either
condition might easily occur. the occu-
pants would then have TO depend On inc
inclosed stairways as their only means OF
escape. Think OF this mass OF frightened
humanity fleeing for their lives down mar
row stairways from the twentieth OF
fortieth story! The physical effort IN
volved In such a flight would be very
great. The chances are that many Woulo
he overcome by physical or nervous eX-
baust,on and their helpless bodies would
block the passage for those behind.
Panic would then result, with all It's at
tendant horrors. Fire or smoke might
easily be added to this frightful condition
- tbs building were not Of the highest
grade construction.
We do not think this forecast is over
drawn or chimerical. We believe the con-
ditions stated are well. founded posi-
bIlities which have been greatly underes-
timated.
Should two or more such high build
ings get fully ahame from either OF the
causes mentioned the chances or con-
trolling the fire within them or OF pre-
venting the spread of fire from them are
correspondngly lessened. and would thus
create a great general hazard 10 both
life and property.
In view of the highly congested popu-
lation and values in the area being con-
sidered. and the vital necessity OF protect
ing this area IN order TO safeguard the
lives and property of the city as whole
we feel we are fully justified in sug-
costing that the height of all oulIdlnss
be limited TO at least rs feet, except
that buildings sub-divided by numerous
nartitions. such as office buildings and the
ike. might be allowed as high as 100 feet.
We would favor the limitation Of factory
buildings to eighty-fve feet In height.
We feel it our duty TO direct special at
tenuon TO the life and fire hazard exist
ing in large mercantile establishments,
and trust IL may receive careful consid-
GRAFTON.
In support OF unlimited height and area
in such buildings the argument was re-
Gently presented before the Buildings
Committee OF the Board OF Aldermen that
such stores in this city were really very
safe because we have no record Of large
fires in them.
Statement was made that II was unjust
10 enact special legislation restricting the
size of such establishments until events
had demonstrated that distinctive control
is necessary The logic of such argu-
ment is fallacious. The required PROOF
would doubtless exist after fire had
swept through one of these buildings dur
ing busy hours. and probably the result
would shock humanity.
Certain facts exist in connection with
l. N-