The Donaldsonville chief. [volume] (Donaldsonville, La.) 1871-current, 1914-05-09
FIRE PREVENTION REPORT.
Results Of Inspection in Donaldson
Vile by Members of Society for
Reduction OF Fire Waste-General
e Conditions Good.

Vile by Members of Society for
Reduction OF Fire Waste-General
e Conditions Good.
Through the courtesy of President
Alonzo Church of the Louisiana State
Society for the Reduction of Fire
Waste, The Chief has received from
Secretary T. D. Wharton of that or
ganizatlon a copy Of the report of
the inspection made in this city by
members of the society April "a and
%. 6 The report contains detailed in
formation of an interesting nature
regarding the condition of the vari
Gus premises visited, with reference
to fire hazard, and is on file at our
office, where it may be seen by any
one interested. The general remarks
and recommendations Of the inspect
ors are summarized as follows:
General Remarks.
Construction. = Donaldsonyille is
largely built of wood and the con-
flagration hazard, particularly on
Railroad avenue, is unusually severe
and in somewhat less degree ex-
tends to the entire town, including
the principal dwelling house district.
This conflagration hazard is greatly
Intensified by the general use of
shingles for roofing. Many of the
roofs being in poor to dilapidated
condition, greatly increases the spark
hazard.
This spark hazard in turn is ag-
gravated by the unusual number of
defective, Or non-standard flues.
Many of the principal buildings hay
ing metal, terra Gotta, tile or brick
on-edge flues; some in poor condition.
That portion Of Donaldsonville swept
by the conflagration of 1911 has been
largely rebuilt with substantial struc-
lures, which are credit to the town.
Cleanliness. - General conditions,
good. Very little rubbish found, oW-
ing no doubt, at least in part, to
recent activities of authorities.
Streets.-Generally of good width
and about mile of pavement; other
streets very muddy in wet weather.
WaterWorks and Fire Department
Town has new fire PROCEED pump
ing and electric lighting central sta
ton and fair hydrant system and
volunteer fire department, but when
the Mississippi river is low, the lift
for the pumps is excessive, thereby
greatly diminishing their efficiency
The new station is badly exposed
by old plant of wooden construction
LaWs.-The commission council re-
Gently adopted an ordinance prohibit
ing shingle roofs on all new buildings
and requiring renewals of shingles to
be of approved materials. Otherwise
either have no adequate building and
fire prevention laws or same are not
enforced.
In addition to unusual number of
non-standard and defective flues
noted, several instances are pointed
quantities of gasoline are kept i'm
properly and in a dangerous manner
upon premises in the thickly built-up
section of the town.
recommendations.
/. Rigid enforcement of law
nal, but speedy elimination. Prom
ised.
2. Removal of numerous defective
and non-standard flues and enforce
Inent Of law permitting only standard
ehimneys.
s. Adoption and enforcement OF
standard ordinances covering con-
struction of buildings and governing
fire hazards-such as electric wiring,
keeping OF volati1es and explosives,
etc.
4. Improve fire protection:
(a) BY removing old wooden pow
erhouse which adjoins and exposes
new central station, and is a men
ace to the new. station.
(b) BY providing adequate reser-
voir to afford a water supply when
the river is too low for pumps to be
operated efficiently;-2,5 5000 gallon
reservoir suggested.
(c) BY installing an adequate fire
alarm system.
(d) By providing for three pai6
firemen, to be at all times on duty
in fire stations.
S. Correction Of specific defects
pointed out in various buildings in
spected and referred to herein.
Special thanks are due for courte-
sizes extended by Mayor Waiter Lem
ann and to r. s. Vickers, of the Don
aldsonviile High School, who released
seventeen boy students from duty IN
the afternoon, SO they could accom-
pany the inspectors. Those students
showed particular interest in the
work and evidenced an aptitude for
discovering and pointing out hazards
which promises well for the future
fire record of the town.