Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1913-09-24
STATE FIRE MARSHAL TELLS HOW TO CONSTRUCT
BUILDINGS WITH REFERENCE TO FIRE PREVENTION

walls should be constructed should be
set out.
4. The roof. 1t is not sufficient that
the roof be designated as fire proof for
experience has shown that this term
admits of wide range Of construc-
ton. The ordinance or code should
snecify the general kinds or classes OF
material that should be used in the roof
and how the same should be supported.
5. Interior construction. Provision
should be made for the interior con-
struc5ion. especially as to girders, raft
ers and beams
6. Stairways and elevators. All
stairways should be Of noncombustibie
Material and ali elevator shafts should
be enclosed III the same material, ana
provision should be made for the auto
matte closing Of all doors leading to
elevator shafts.
:. Windows. Provision should be
made for window shutters or else for
wire screened windows.
g. Heating Specific regulation should
I've made for the installation Of heating
plans II stoves be used, provision
should be made for the protection OF
the floor and that no iron f1ue pass
thru wooden partitions. If furnace be
used. provision should be made for its
location and how far it should be from
the ceiling. If steam heating plant be
installed, the same general provision
as to safety should be made.
9. Lighting. If electric lights be used,
the installation and wiring should be
passed upon by competent electric
ian. If gas be used, provision should
be made for cutting off the gas on the
outside of the building in emergencies.
10. Fire escapes and water pipes.
Provision should be made for the
equipment of all buildings oe three or
more stories with ample fire escapes
and water pipes should also be in
stalled the entire height OF the build
ing.
Special Ordinance Factories.
The above outline should apply TO
business buildings in general, located
within the fire limit district, but not
TO mills elevators or factories of va
rious kinds, the construction OF which
should be regulated by specific ordi-
nance.
Special ordinances should also be
provided for the construction and
equipment of opera houses moving
picture shows and pther places where
large numbers OF people gather. the
point to be kept in view in all such
cases being the safety Of life. as well as
the protection Of property.
am of the opinion that cities should
limit by ordinance the height Of all
business buildings to be erected there
in, and that no building should exceed
eight stories in height unless the same
is absolutely fire proof. BY that 1
mean that no wood or combustible ma :
terial should be used In any part Of its
construction For sanitary reasons as
! well as for safety no school building
should be more than two stories high.
Law Enforcement Needed.
shall! not enter upon discussion
OF the question as to the ACCESSIBILITY
of adopting a comprehensive building
code by act of the legislature In my
opinion the time will eventually come
when city building will have to be reg
ulated by statute to a greater extent
than it is today. The great difficulty,
both in relation to city ordinances and
statutory provisions. is the enforcement
Of such provisions. 1t is Of little use