The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1915-07-15
SEE NEED OF new ORDINANCES
Association Suggests Better Protection
from Fire by Repair of Electric Work
in Old Buildings and the Safeguard
ing of Buildings in the Future.

Wisconsin State Fire prevention AS
ISOLATION on conditions existing in the
city Of Kenosha was made public to-
day and the report indicates that Ke-
nosha is sadly in need Of new ordi-
nances to bring better fire protection
for the Ncity. The members of the as
sociation who made the inspection di-
vided the city into blocks and inspec-
tions were made of two hundred and
seventy buildings. One hundred and
thirty-seven defects are reported in
these buildings. The defects are
classed in twenty-one different classes
and approximately one-third of them
were electrical defects. The defects
named do not include structural de-
fects Speaking of the structural de-
fects in the main business district the
association strongly urges the adoption
of building code which will bring a
speedy remedy for these defects. The
detailed reports of the inspections of
buildings show that many buildings in
the city, which have been considered
of most modern construction, offer
many fire hazards and there was scarce
ly building in the business district
which was passed as in first class con
dition when visited by the inspectors.
That there are scores of buildings in
the city which should be classed as
70 fire traps" is shown ~ the report
of the committee and many of the
buildings used for big gatherings are
L e.
poses. In many buildings it was found
that electric wires had been hung on
nails and hooks without any attempt
being made to safeguard them against
fire from crossed wires. Crossed wires
were found in more than a score Of
buildings in the down town district.
Several copies of the long report on
IKenosha have been sent to Chief of
the Fire Department Henry Isermann
tand his inspectors have been notifying
property owners of defects and they
have been requested to follow sugges-
tions of the state association in max
ling their buildings safe. Some of the
property owners have already started
work to meet the demands of the
association.
The general statement in regard to
Kenosha and it's needs as prepared by
the officials of the association is as
Follows:
Date of nspection-March 16, 1915.
Population-2S, 900.
IArea-Four square miles.
Mayor Matthias j. Scholey.
Fire Chief-Henry A. Isermann.
City sEngineer-Ben G. Brennan.
City Electrician--None.
Fire Limits Starting at Lake
Michigan, South street west to Ashland
avenue, north to Middle street, east to
Lake Michigan.
Confagration Distriet-This is To-
Gated in the central eastern part of the
City, bounded by the harbor and Lake
Michigan, west on Market street to
Exchange street, south to South street
west to Chicago street, north to river
The large plants of the Simmons Man
lufacturing Co. and the Balm Wagon
Go. are within the confagration dis
Ftrict, themain hazard being the lumber
yards, inasmuch as the factory build
ings are equipped with automatic
sprirklers. The construction of the
district is about three-quarters brick,
but the exposure of frame buildings
scatteredsFthrough the district detracts
from the better construction.
For Full Details on city ordinances;
fwaterworazs; FIRE departments electrical
hazards; fire alarm system, and other
phases of the fire protection conditions,
you are referred ito the complete report
of the Wisconsin Inspection Bureau of
Milwaukee, Wis. This bureau is equip
ped with the expert service necessary
for complete investigation of the fire
protection facilities, and we heartily
recommend the most careful considera-
tion of their report and recommends
tions.
Water Supply System-We wish to
call attention to the inadequate water
system, which we understand to have
been constructed for city of 10000
population originally, and which is now
capable Of supplying only eight stand
ard hose4streams in excess of the do
nestle supply. Steps have been taken,
howeverte to provide new pumping
plant ands itsis hoped that in SO doing
the city authorities viii arrange to an
ticipate stheefuture growth and needs
pf the city, and likewise to improve
the present. outgrown distribution
lystem.
Fire Department-The freSsdepart.
hent is reliable and in charge of
terry efficient chief. 1t is somewhat
lndermanned for a city of this size.
70 be in line with the best equipped
Ire departments it would be advisable
b have from four to six waterproof