The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1924-10-20
TIGHTENING OF
FIRE LAWS IN
STATE URGED
Fire Marshal Reade, in Re-
port, Asks Laws Against
OVer-Insurance
ALSO ON SCHOOLS
Would Forbid Approval of
Plans That Do Not Com
ply With Fire Hazard Rues

Enactment of laws further tight
ening the lines against fire loss in
North Dakota are urged by H. l..
Readc, state fire marshal, in his
biennial report.
Two changes especially are urged
by the fire marshal. He wants legis-
lation to combat the evil of over-in-
surancc and the law made plain pro
h:biting the state superintendent of
public instruction from approving
plans for school buildings that dc
not comply with the fire laws of the
state.
81 find that one of the great
causes for fire losses in this state
is from over-insurance," Mr.. Readc
said in his report. "While in most
cases, when we are called upon to
investigate fire loss, no evidence
can be found to charge any person
with the actual burning, yet the great
motive for the loss is invariably
found insomuch as the property is
grossly over-insured. This condition
should not exist and l ask that the
Legislature be requested to take this
matter into consideration and pass
such laws as will eliminate the prac-
tice of over-insurance. This can and
should be done and would be the
means of reducing fire losses in this
state.
With regard to the approval Of new
school buildings which do not COM
ply with the state laws Mr.. Reade
said:
"The laws requiring that the state
superintendent approve all plans for
school buildings in this state should
be amended and made clear that no
plans or part of any school buildings
erected in this state can be approved
unless they comply with the laws of
the state in each and every particu-
lar and no approval of plans can be
given to any part and exempting
some part that does not comply to
the law requirements"
The practice. Mr.. Reade said, is for
wiz oSosS OSPeA SACht Va VouSoSAOH ~
approve plans with the notations sex
cept as to fire escapes, except as to
width of DOORS" etc.
|. 'There is conflict as to the inter
probation Of the law now" he said.
81 want it made plain so that plans
cannot be approved for buildings
that do not comply to the rules for
eliminating fire hazards and the
laws. The plans for the Roosevelt
and Richholt schools in Bismarck
were approved by the state depart
ment of education when the law
provides that there must be fire es
capes on these buildings. They have
no fire escapes"
Other changes urged to strengthen
the fire marshal's office include:
More funds to carry on the work of
investigation of suspicious fires;
one, if not two, more deputy fire
marshals, one to be an attorney; Civ
ing fire marshal right to name his
deputies; penalty for noncompliance
with fire drill law; closer supervi-
sion Of theaters and motion picture
houses; insurance protection for
volunteer fireman, direct taS upon
every line of insurance doing bust
ness in the state over and above the
two percent now paid to cities and
villages having an organized fire de-
partment, to defray the expose Of the
state fire marshals office and also
portion of the fund to be made a
relief or pension fund for volunteer
firemen.