Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1921-07-07
NEW CODE TO MINIMIZE
THEATER FIRE DANGER
Commission Throws Every Safe
guard Around Amusement
rs Places and Hotels.
GARAGES ARE rRorEcrEn
Work of Building Ordinance Body
Practically Complctcd-To Meet
Again Next "Wednesday Night 10
Finish Job.

~ =
IS Providing every possible safe
guard against fire IN theaters. no,cls
and garages, the Building Code Com
4 mission last night practically com
4 plctcd It's work of revising the
ysbuildtn2 code. and the the hour of
S;mtdnight adjourned To meet next
"wednesday night TO finish the task.
Theatcrs will not be required TO
\ have fireproor roofs, but the cell
ssiEgs are TO BE- &C r-eprocf material.
\ and ever. precGuIi"nar. measure is
ptcpided against possii lie frca at any
S5point behind Tie footlishts. Exits
S;ere to be p-,vided G,sicned ,o clear
tho auditornms of crowds within
two or thrse minutes. The asles
arc to be Of inclined rather Than
] step style construction. All prop
lrooms. paint shops and other acces-
3 series to the makeup OF a thcater.
& are 10 be surrounded by fire safe
guards.
Garages are protected in every
4 conceivable way. both in construc-
ton and in material, while public
2 garages may not be built with base
q ments for storage, unless properly
sSSentilated
Requirements for Factories.
Nonfireproof buildings for manu-
factories, foundrics. factories and
similar uses, may be built within the
q second and third-class zones. To en-
brace as much as onc-half block in
space and as high as three stories.
Various provisions are made for
foundrieS and factories TO b. used for
3 various purposes. Requirements foe
foundries are not as Imperative as
= those for cotton mills or tobacco
fnctories.
3 If l6-fashioned roofs of shingles
or any material not consistcn, with
the zone in which the buildings ar,
x located under the proposed code. ar,
turned or damaged to the extent q;
- per cent. they must be completely
& rebuilt with the material designated
in the code.
SEylishts in business buildings Al,
q 10 DE OF plain glass rather than OF
wire-glass. this material. it being
pointed out by the fire Insurance UNI
dcrwriters. Icing safer in case of lire
3 and just as valuable for purposes oi
utility.
Width OF Eats Specified.
II Exits for stairways from public
buildings ard business blocks mus,
7 hc t"r,y-four inches wide, thus per.
I uniting Two persons IL pass. The
all revolving doors be abolished. was
rejected on motion of Director "
NJ. Myers.
Director Myers offered suggestion
ihat ali rooms IN hotels used for paint
shops, storage of paper. Carpcntcl
:. Shops or similar purposes. he en-
~, closed with fireproof doors, and tn,
y matter was referred To the subcom
~ rittee for Incorporation in the ina
h draft vi the proposed code. Anothc!
~ suggestion that hose connections h,
N Placed on the outside OF large build,
X iugs. SO that tircmen might adjus
( hose and thereby save time ana en-.
{ ,sIy in handling fires in building.
e over three stories IN height. was re.
icrrcd TO the subcommittee
Chief L. :. Jones. Of the Fire Pre-.
Sentton bureau. suggested that III,
81. code require all commercial building.
TO be built hereafter be supplied will
the sprinkler system in the base
incnts Most fires riginatc there.
said Mr.. Jones. and they are hardc,
n To reach. The sprinkler would stoI
many fires and minimize loss"
VIII Not lie UctroactI,c
1t Was pointed out by members OF
S the commission that the rule. TO te-
4 come effective, would have TO he re.
"A attractive, and the suggestion was moi
IS adopted, although 1t was generally
q agreed that the projtht would prov,
II of vast Importance te' future con.
sSstruction and also TO owners of ole
buildings. 1t was not believed III,
8tcammission should impose great cx.
penses upon owners OF old buildings
Fshowevcr.
CSC T. Bisscli. OF the Association o.
q underwriters. OF New York. and Er
Inest Fox, OF Richmond. appearing 70
sspthe underwriters and the builders
,f,Conferrcd with TIA" commission ant
s4elplained many sections which ii va!
seuggested might be amended
III With but few further amend
9sments to he offered 1t is believed tn,
4 commissioners wiii complete the wort
|snext week. The subcommittee viii
Then take up the document and pm
II II into shape for action by Council.