New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-05-18
FACTORY FIRE DRILLS
How to Conduct Them in a Sat-
iSfaCtory Manner.
A CHIEF ON EACH FLOOR
All Operatives Should Be Made
Familiar with the
Rules.
GS1
BY Spear G. Co.

4 necessary accompaniment TO any sys7
tom OF fire drill is the installation OF a
fire alarm I'm the building which shall
warn the tenants in what part OF the fac
tory the fire has started.
The first step in the preparation Of a
fire drill is the appointment Of a chief
on each floor. He should be a person Of
cool judgment. one who Is able 10 com
mand the respect Of others on the floor.
His primary duties are TO see that there
IS sufficient aisle space and that there
are no Instructions 10 fire escapes and
other exits.
The chief selects a few capable as
sistants TO aid him IN the drill. and
each assistant is assigned 10 an exit or
stairway. Their duties shall be TO see
that the employees leave in an orderly and
quiet manner and that there is no over
crowding
When the signal TO vacate is given by
the chief these assistants are 10 hasten
10 their respective exits and TO station
themselves one on the inside, the other
on the outside or stair side. Of their re-
spective exits.
Upon the persons on guard at the exit
an important duty devolves. The assistant
ON the stair side should be on the alert 10
see that none stumbles on the stairs. II
Is the duty Of the assistant stationed on
the inside Of the exit 10 open the door
leading TO his exit when the chief gives
the signal. and 10 remain there until
every occupant has passed out. Before
leaving he must be careful to notice that
none has been left behind.
Where the stair exits have sharp bends
or turns and are not very well lighted.
additional guards should be provided at
such point.
on each floor there should be provided
an additional bell apart from the fire
alarm electric gong. which should be
under the sole charge OF the chief. Upon
the ringing Of the house gong the chief
VIII Immediately pull the floor bell, which
will be the signal for the employees to rise.
Two bells will be signal for the operatives
TO pick UP their stools. chairs or benches
and place them on top of their machines.
Three bells and the operatives form In
either single or double file and march
toward the exits away from where the
fire commenced. If double file is formed
their arms should be linked.
Under no circumstances should any per-
son be permitted to leave the line for
wearing apparel or any other article after
the march has started.
on the formation OF the line II shall be
the business Of the chief TO shut off the
power OF the machines.
After the employees have reached the
ara 81
the guards stationed there. and upon
reaching the street the line should be led
away from the building and not be al
lowed 10 clog up the entrance or the side
walk in front.
competent person should be chosen
and instructed in the use Of auxiliary fire
apparatus. such as hose on the standpipes
I'm the halls Many incipient fires that
lead to serious confagrations can be
averted II quick action is taken
Elevators are not deemed means of exit
IN case OF fire. and should remain on the
street level and await the arrival of the
fremen. When conditions warrant ele-
vators may be used TO carry down passen-
gers The elevator operators should be at
all times under the orders Of the engineer
These fire drills should be conducted at
frequent intervals when the employees
leave for their lunch. or are ready to go
home at the close OF the days work: also,
at rarer intervals during some uDexpect-
ed moment In the course OF the day. so
that the employees may be trained to go
through the drill without knowing wheth-
or there is fire or not.
The operatives should be made familiar
with the rules for the fire drill by posters
printed In different languages.