New Britain herald., 1929-12-05
FIRE ESCAPES NOT CHANGED BY STYLE
(ContinUcd From First ragc)

GeSts great likelihood of accident
 we have heard Of none in this or any other city. attributable 10 trip ping or catching of heels in the spaces between sections .of fire cs- capcs. The commission also apprc-
 ciates that this is not assurance that none will happen.
 Local and state laws require ap- plication 10 the building department and to the state police department before any theatcr fire escape may he constructed or altered, Before
 permission is given to proceed. a careful investigation is made to de- terminc the type of fire escape best suited 10 the particular needs Of the structure. In this determination, the opinions of the enforcement officers afcf Inc measures prescribed by the following statute; Such stair ways and fire escapes shall be 50 constructed of such number, Of such size and in such location as to give, in the opinion of the officer charged with the enforcement of this section, safe, adequate and con venient means of exit. in view ot the number of persons who may need to use such stairways or fire
 escapes.
 Guard Against snow and Ice 'State statutes provide that the
 building inspector in each munici-
 pality shall enforce the law.
 "One of the most important con- alterations in determining what
 
 constitutes safe fire escape and
 landing is the safeguards employed
 10 prevent accumulatjons of snow
 and ice. Even with the present
 type of construction spaced as it is. has not been wholly satisfactory and some difficulties With snow and ice have been encountered
 The method Of construction "Iu- played in theatcrs here has been
 gwen the approval of the stat" po-
 Ice department. and that depart mcnt supcryises the construction. One local thcater was approved for
 use this month.
 Alteration Of present fire escapes 10 meet the requirements of any new
 ordinance which might change the requirements would of necessity in- yolvc the expenditure Of large sums
 Of money; and, f judged unsafe for
 theater construction, consistency would require the same manner of change for all other public build ings.
 supported hy state Police "An inquiry made to inc statc po- lice department on this budding ordinance discussion, brought the following rosponsc.--
 "'Dear Mr. ~ItutherforE-- "This Will acknowledge receipt Of your favor of recent date enclosing copy Of q resolution recently intro dgced into the commou council Of New Britain relative 10 fire escapes and their inspection, with the re- quest for advice as 10 whether or not this department will nou,iuuc 10 ap- prove the present type of fire cs- capcs.
 Ton may hg sure Iha. this office will approve the first s,n'"nco O. the proposed resolution. that is. that tho building inspector look into the con- s'ructiou Of fire rsear,s al local th"aters Wc have ncy,r 2is,n srri- ous consideration 10 ohHnliuc tho style Of trcads usci ordinarily on fire escapes.
 IT is desirable to uu'I these de- vices of metal in orI.r [" insure pcrmaucure and strength. and il is dcsirabIc 10 maEc -ucH construction Of such design as 10 s1,- all thr weight possible and if i- d.-iraulc 0 have the trcads 90 bu.G as 70 r"taiu as little as possible all the snow and ice that is uabic-to fall upon them. "'Wc do not favor solid tr"ads that will be inclined 10 change th" ordinary requirements that have proved scrviceabie in tn" past until
 something definite is exhibited that will prove moro satisfactoIy Considering the rrft"r from all
 angles, and bearing in n,Ad, the fact
 that the stato' poIirc- department
 will continue 10 approve the present
 type construction. the building com-
 mission is of the opinion that no
 ordinance change shOuId he adopt
 ed. However. should if be tbc wish
 't tIt COuHClI lo 'tdCI hil olI'HdIlA''
 this department stands ready 10 bend
 every effort toward onforc, mcnt.
 "'Ciosc supervision of all exit
 doors. aisles. fire escapes Ind courts leading thereto is being given by ho building department. with eXce"ent cooperation on tho part Of the police and fire departments. Added to these safety measures are thousands of --doifuts cXpcntett tty~ theatrical inter-