New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-08-31
Modern Methods of
Fire Prevention
BY EX-CHIEF CROKER.

Ever since the Newark and Triangle
factory fires, as we'll as the recent Bing-
hamton disaster. so much has been writ
ten (and so little actually done on the
subject Of fire prevention that 1t seems
like waste Of time to place before the
public any further idea upon the subject
Unless the federal government will, as
has been suggested time and again in
tervene and organize a department or
bureau with full power TO enact uniform
practical laws governing such matters,
and divorcing from the creation of such
department or bureau any suggestion Of
political influence. I am OF the opinion
that such disasters will continue to oc-
cur throughout the country.
Such department, having, as Il would,
the practical advice and experience OF
various fire chiefs. architects. builders.
engineers. etc, would be in a position TO
formulate proper laws and regulations
governing new buildings as we'll as those
already constructed, and the additional
power should be given to them 10 pass
upon the amount of FIRE insurance 70 be
insurance could not be obtained except
upon the approval of such bureau, there
would be an immediate upheaval among
the owners of property and those con-
Quoting a large business establishment,
factory. ETC.. to Immediately put into
execution necessary steps not only to
protect lives OF employees in case Of fire,
but 10 take as we'll every possible pre-
caution TO prevent a fire from occurring.
To begin with, fire departments through
out the country should be standardized as
to men, apparatus, equipment. etc. Chiefs
Of department, assistants and hremen
should be selected for merit only and
given tenure Of office and sufficient au-
thority to make them independent OF any
influence whatsoever except to act for the
best interests OF their respective commu-
mites. and in return for such service
should be adequately compensated and
granted the BENEFITS OF pension In their
old age 10 recompense them for the
strenuous and dangerous calling they are
expected 10 follow.
Proper standards should also be adopted
TO govern the supply Of water proper IN
stallation OF approved non-freezing nre
MIGRANTS. wherever practicable high
pressure service should be installed, ana
In cities having river fronts. harbors, etc.
and auxiliary hre boat service should oe
included in the cities equipment as wen
az providing the highest and best possible
type OF fire alarm telegraph system
A practicable and uniform building code
should be adopted throughout the coun-
try which would insure well built as wen
as FIRE resisting premises. and especially
should there be appointed in each city or
state director of public safety OF al ledst
ten years experience as builder, aTchl-
,ect. engineer or fire chief. with sole re-
sponsibility and power. instead OF the d.
vided authority which exists in many
cities between the different departments
many Of chem having duplication of pow
ers with unnecessary duplication Of work.
which has always been the cause OF much
friction
The volunteer fire departments are
relic of old times and should be aooi-
ished and paid departments composed OF
practical fremen substituted in theh
stead.
Every building throughout the country
used for manufacturing or business pur-
poses Of any kind, as well as hotels
asylums. theatres. department stores, etc.
should have organized under the direction
Of an expert retired member OF the flre
Department a well conducted private nre
brigade. to be given thorough ana prac-
teal instructions in the use and hanollhs
Of fire appliances, what to do IN case Oh
FIRE, and how 70 act TO prevent hre OF
panic and such premises should DC wen
provided with a sufficient number OF
standard auxiliary fire appliances, such
as fire extinguishers. hose, hooks. axes
automatic fire alarms. which will imme-
dately detect and announce the exact
location of the smallest hre WITHIN one
minute Of it's inception, sprinkler sgs
tens which will extinguish any hre WIN
out unnecessary loss Of time, ana "h*re
such installations have been approved IL
should be mandatory upon the INSURANCE
companies to allow a suitable reducuoh III
the rates. which 1n a great many cases IL
the present PRESTIGE.
Smoking in premises above mehuoheu
should be strictly prohibited ana the pfac-
tee hsrshly dealt with. Matches OF any
kind except OF approved safety type
should not be permitted TO be mannlact
urcd or sold.
Fire drills and the organization OF pll-
ssdes among the employees TO be aosoiupe-
ly insisted upon under penalty OF severe
punishment and only TO be conducteo Ny
proper experts who should besrequireo 10
submit the proper authorities with sworn
certificates stating the manner In which
drills have been carried out, and the ue-
gree Of efficiency observed as well as
certifying as TO whether or not the prem
iseS were properly equipped with auSli-
lazy FIRE appliances. as well as the conoi-
uon of same. az 10 whether or not theS
were In proper working order ready Ioi
immediate use
ny having on duty at all large pullp
ihgs A retired member OF the FIRE De
partment in charge he could be utlllzeu
az small expense to be constantly on
opty making periodical inspections OF
eacn moor. and given proper authority To
cause TO be Immediately removed danger
Gus accumulation OF rubbish etc. as vel
az instructiDg the brigade In fre matters
~ ariilns tie cmp'9,cs nirn . - e