The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-08-15
DANGER OF
GREAT CITY FIRE
New Building Code Provides Efficient
Fireproofing and for Safety
of Tenants Lives

ally changed so as to enlarge the OPEN
ings or 20 change the purpose OF the
openings Is required to be enclosed as in
n new building. fhe provisions are not
meant to apply to frame buildings and
are not to he applied to chimneys, hues
OF ducts.
Mate ials and construction to be used
In shafts are che same az required for
fire pa rtitions. The smaller sized shafts
may be constructed of approved ma
sorry reinforced concrete Or any ma
terial or form of construction not less
thar two inches thick permitted COR CO.
called firepiOuf partitions when set In an
angle frame or suitably reinforced with
metal bowels or in such other manner
as may be approved by the Superin-
tendent Of Buildings. This requirement.
for ~fireproof construction does not APP
ply {, existing shaf.s excep; where tney
are enlarged.
Non-flreproof construction is permit
ted for vent shafts In non-fireproof resi-
dence buildings, provided they do not
extend through more h the top story
Of the building. and for duinbwaiter
shafts that do not extend more than
three stories above the cellar or base
ment In one and two family residence
buildings. For these latter ~dumbwaiter
shafts. however. "A brick enclosure IL
required for the portion extending into
the cellar. Provision Is also made for
the construction In existing residence
buildings having not more than fifteen
sleeping rooms OF n shat OF lighter
construction when the space available
for the installation of a new elevator IL
! not sufficient for the regular fireproof
construction.
Existing elevators In non-fireproof
public buildings are required to be en-
closed the same as new elevator shafts
Existing d~umbwaitcr shafts that extend
into the cellars or Easements and are not
enclosed with some nreproof construction
must be enclosed in the basement; or eel
lar with eight inch brick walls. The
windows or other openings into open
shafts are required to he fire windows
when such shaft has a cross sectional
area of thirty-six square feet or less.
In e shafts. except non-fireproof
shafts, all openings must be protected
with fire windows. In elevator shafts
the openings must be protected with
self-closing fire doors. No other open
Ings are permitted except windows OPEN
ing directly TO the outer air. Dumb
waiter shafts must lie provided with
self-closing fire door and shall have no
other openings.
Fire doors or shutters or fire windows
are required OF all openings above the
hrst story in freproof and no~n-fireproof
business buildings which are more than
forty feet In height. unless any such
openings are more. than thirty feet from
any other exterior opening or more than
ifty feet above the adjoining roof.
Where fire shutters are required on
streets they must be arranged 10 be
readily opened from the outside by fire.
men. but openings to nre escapes will
practically have to he Quilt of ire win
dows. inasmuch as the fire shutters or
fire doors that might he provided must
be made self-closing and so arranged
as TO not obstruct. Provision Is also
made for the closing OF all fire doors
and shutters at night by tenants. unless
they are equipped with automatic de-
vices.