The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1922-06-21

course. OF con structi TO see that
are adopted LOT Inc
safety Of theSp public and the a joinl-s
ing properties:
There is no supervision even en-
TO sac that2the few yague Srequtre-s
ments we do have are compiled!
with Since there is no Inspection
to see that buildings are satistac-
torf1y erected, there is great dan
ger of structures going up that are
fire-traps. Buildings may be put
up which will fall down in a few
years There is wonderful op-I
portunity in Fairmont to duplicate
the Washington theater disaster OF
last year.
Even in cities where there is
building inspection, disasters occur,
due to faulty construction, and they
are apt to be aggravated wherel
there has been no supervision of
building
las conditions now exist theres
are no coming requirements to prof.
tect residence properties from theI
intrusion of business. No protec.
ton of any sort is offered. Since
there are no districts set apart forI
residences only, there is no actual
zoning system. Any kind of al
noisy business may be started next
door to valuable residence prop
erty. The zoning feature could be-
nicely worked out in modern build
ing code
When asked what remedy hei
would offer for present conditions,
Mr.. Kern replied:
Suggests Plan for Code.
Il would suggest the assembling !
of the various building codes OIL
leading cities A commission, to
include builders. architects and 9th.
ers who are interested, should bel
appointed by the city to thresh out
all problems and to work out a
complete system Of building regu-
lation for Fairmont. An official toI
inspect buildings should be provid-
ed for in the CODE
When questioned as to the neces-
sity of such a code and whether
Fairmont was ready for it, Mr.. Kern
said:
ut is urgently needed in thel
city's development. Small tempo
rary buildings are being erected !
which are menaces to other proper
ty. These small buildings often
constitute fire-haZards. A modern
building code for Fairmont should
mean reduction of fire insurance
rates and an ultimate profit for
the city's residents.
Every municipal project means 7
the expenditure of public funds. In |!
connection with mode rn building
code, it would be practically neces- |
sary to have a building inspector |
who would devote all of his time !
and attention towards seeing that !
the privisions of any code which /
may be adopted are followed
This would mean, of course, an t
additional expense to the city. The !
question to be determined is wheth |
er the city should go the expense
of having a building inspector and !
a modern code.
Considered Before
"The matter has been more or
less considered at the City HALL
but as yet nothing definite has
been done toward providing for an
up-to-date building code.
In most cities that are progress
sive such codes are in effect 1t !
might be a very good thing for our
builders and architects and the pub
lie generally to give voice to their
sent ments in this matter for the
becomes more urgent as
the city expands and more build /
1ngS are erected.
The Importance of the subject
can readily be perceived and sooner
or later the city VIII undoubtedly
have code, SO that the principal |
question now is when should the
matter be started?"