Evening star., 1951-06-26
Nursing Homes
Building Code
Delay Urged
Community Service
Group Asks Stoy;
Lists 3 objectives

Lists 3 objectives
A six-months delay in the
enforcement of building code regu-
lations for convalescent and nurs-
ing homes faced with extensive
alterations or closing was urged
on the Commissioners today.
At public hearing in the Dis
tffct Building, Nelson T. Harrison.
chairman of the Chronic Illness
Committee Of United Community
Services, asked the stay with these
objectives:
/. A study by the District of its
responsibility of providing for dis
placed patients who would look to
the city forfcare.
2. An investigation of the steps
which private nursing homes could
take.
8. A restudy of the classification
of nursing homes, with standards
for each suitable to the type of
persons housed.
A Choice of Risks.
Mr.. Harrison said UCS had no
quarrel with the fire protective
regulation, but did see an alterna-
tive problem from the community
standpoint if patients in the
homes are displaced.
'It becomes a choice of risks.
really. and you can't ignore either
one, "he said.
Fire Marshal Raymond c. Rob-
erts said, however, that while he
saw the difficulties faced by the
homes needing expensive altera-
tions to comply with the building
code. he could not see relaxa-
ton of the protection for helpless
people.
Mr.. Roberts contended a six
month delay in enforcing the reg
ulations would result only in an
other delay at the end of that
period.
Assistant Corporation Counsel
Milton Norman, in describing the
regulations, cited the June Is fire
at the Home for Orphans and the
Aged in Montreal. Canada, which
took many lives.
"We don't want such things to
happen in the District"
Standard Definition in Code.
The revised building code, effec-
tive last February I, included a
standard definition of what con-
|stitutes a nursing or convalescent
home.
Regulations previously were
listed in the code for these homes.
but enforcement was handicapped
Iby the absence of a clear defini.
| ton.
Assistant Engineer Commits
Esioner Thomas j. Hayes III said
/ that since February /. 81 homes
were found in violation and served
notices to comply. OF these, II
discontinued operation.
Director of Inspections Robert
II. Davis said his department has
mo alternative but to enforce the
regulations. Some of them are
restrictive, he admitted, "but we
must bear in mind that there are
people to be protected"
He estimated the cost of repairs
to bring the homes in compliance
at an average of $1,000.
r. Donald Kinney, department.
engineer. emphasized that in most
cases, the buildings were erected
originally for some on-commer-
cial use. He said that so many
times when people call on us and
think we are prosecuting them,
they forget that they, themselves,
set up the circumstances"
Has Room for Others.
Welfare Director Gerard M.
Shea said the Districts Home for
Aged and Infirm could take SO
or so more persons, but it would
have to use the second floor Of
its inf1rmary which itself is a
"firetrap."
Taking the additional patients
would entail a tremendous bur-
den," requiring additional staff
and repairs to the building to
make it safe. Mr.. Shea said.
John B. Duncan, vice president
Of the Federation of Civic Associ-
ations, said his group always
favored protective regulations,
but said he felt the Commissioners
should do everything possible un-
der their. authority to keep the
homes. open.
DR.. Roscoe C. Brown, chairman
of the advisory board of the Cor
don Convalescent and Rest Home,
421 T street NV. presented a
petition to the Commissioners to
relieve that home of the alterna-
tive Of meeting the regulations or
closing.
He said the rules imposed in
Surmountable difficulties on the
nine-year-old non-proflt institu-
tion caring for % Negro aged or
infirm persons. He suggested the
home be permitted to continue OPP
Grating by making certain struc.
tural protective alterations imme-
diately.
Additional Time Urged.
Mrs. Viola Lutz, operator Of q
small home at 1909 Park road
NV, said the requirements would
cost her about $4,000. She said
additional time should be allowed
to get the homes in shape to pass
the code requirements.
Carius Davis, who operates a
home at 1884 S street NV, de-
clared emphasis should be placed
on care rather than fire regula-
tions. While it took District of
ficials a long time to arrive at q
definition Of convalescent home,
they are asking for haste in get
ting compliance.
Mr.. Davis said if the regulations
are enforced at this time, hun
dredS of old persons would be put