The labor journal. [volume] (Everett, Wash.) 1909-1976, 1913-09-05
.RAvACES OF FIRE.
Means Should Be Provided For
Preventing Panic.
FIRE DRILLS IN FACTORIES.
Tend to Lessen Danger When Alarm Is
Given-System of Drill Adopted by
Large Chicago Manufacturing Firm.
Some Valuable Hints,

Given-System OF Drill Adopted by
Large Chicago Manufacturing Firm.
Some Valuable Hints.
In view of the great loss of life in
the clothing factory in Binghamton,
N. Y, recently and the still more dread
full holocaust that occurred at the Tri-
angle factory in New York city about
year ago the following from the Chi
cago News is pertinent:
When corporation has erected a
sanitary building for its employees to
work in, building comparatively safe
from the ravages of fire, it has not done
its full duty 1t still remains to pro-
vide means for preventing panics and
their attendant mortality and injuries
when the alarm of fire is given. Be
cause this is a subject that ought to
interest all human employers the sys-
tenn of fire drills adopted by perhaps
the largest firm which makes mems
clothing in Chicago may contain val
liable hints. This summary is written
by the company's fire marshal:
"rhe floor chief has immediate charge
of all employees or operatives employ
ed on his floor in all matters pertaining
to exit drills. He is held responsible
for the enforcement of all rules and
reports to the chief engineer any EN-
ployee who willfully neglects proper
observance He sees that each move
ment corresponding to the alarm signal
is promptly and properly executed and
personally supervises the sounding of
the general building alarm on his floor.
He is further responsible for the con-
dition of all aisles and passageways
and sees that chairs, benches and stock
are promptly removed to insure unob-
structed passageways.
whenever doors are subdivided into
two or more rooms the floor chief is
assisted by the room captains. For
floors Of large area the floor captains
designate a supervisor for every fifty
employees, to assist in maintaining the
necessary control and discipline. For
these latter positions it may frequently
be found desirable to make selections
from the forewomen.
Room captains are chosen from
those highest in authority. preferably
foreman or work boss. They per
form the same general duties in their
respective rooms as are prescribed for
the floor chief, subject to the latters
direction and supervision. excepting
that they have no authority to change
the assignment of exits nor sound the
general building alarm unless under di-
rection of the floor chief. For these
positions men are preferred who are
strong and alert. capable of acting
quickly in emergencies. Two men Sc
lected from each floor are assigned to
each exit or stairway
Guards are subject to the orders of
the floor chief or room captains and
see that the march from the rooms and
in descending the stairway is orderly
and without crowding and at uniform
speed, with careful observance of spac-
ing between files. They are especially
watchful of persons stumbling or fall
ing to prevent trampling, and no con-
ditions are allowed which require a
halt after the exit march has started.
Guards are stationed as follows:
One guard on the room side of the
door leading from the room, who sees
that the door is opened promptly after
the first signal and is kept open until
all the occupants have left the room
and then closed. and one guard on
landing midway on staircase descend
ing to the next floor below. Where
stairs exits have sharp bends or are
poorly lighted, additional guards are
provided as required.
"Searchers Immediately after the sig
nal visit the toilet rooms and any room
in which there may be occupants who
cannot hear the signal. They look out
for any people who may become hys-
terical and faint. They also see that
all doors leading to stairways or exits
open outwardly in such way as not
to obstruct the passageway and imme-
diately report any found locked or OBJ
structed to the floor chief or chief en-
gineer.
During the winter season attention
is given to any existing fire escapes
where exposed to accumulation of ice
or snow, and. whenever so found, i'm
mediately steps are taken for its
prompt REMOVAL
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