Evening star., 1960-09-29
Commissioners OK
New Building Code
Disputed Rule
On Fire Safety
Is Included

A new building code for the
District, which includes con-
troversial fire safety provision,
was approved today by the
Commissioners.
The new regulations, which
replace the 1851 code, are de-
signed to catch up with ad-
vanced construction methods.
The Commissioners action
today was taken without dis
cussion. The code was the sub
ject of a public hearing last
June.
Except for the measure to
improve fire safety, the revised
building code received general
Endorsement from most wit
nesseS at the hearing.
The controversial provision
requires owners of certain build
ings which went up before
March 8, 1916, to comply with
the same structural regulations
on fire safety as have been in
effect since that date. The cate
gorieS covered under the new
regulation include buildings of
more than three stories or 80
feet in height and all buildings
used for public assemblies, re-
gardleSs of height.
Ruin Feared
At last June's hearing, a rep
resentative of the Merchants
and Manufacturers Association
warned that the retroactive fire
safety provision would put
some members out of business.
The associations president,
oscar I. Dodek, called the rec
ommendation unfair and un-
democratic. He stated:
Washington buSin m en-
and property owners simply
cannot pay these sums of
money and keep their doors
OPEN"
He suggested that the ret
roactive clause be eliminated
and that existing regulations
for the older buildings be main
tained. Under this procedure,
| he argued, the businessman
can continue to make reason
able changes when necessary"
to assure needed safeguards.
The controversial provision
covers such matters as exits
and enclosed Stairways.
Mr.. Dodek estimated that
some store owners would have
to spend several hundred
thousand dollars to comply.
Mclaughlin Not Present
Today's vote by Commits
sioner Mark Sullivan, jr., and
Engineer Commissioner Fred
erick j. Clarke came after ]. J.
IlgenfritZ, director of the De-
partment of Licenses and In
Spections, urged adoption of the
new code. Commissioner Robert
E. Mclaughlin is recuperating
from a heart attack and was
not present.
The new regulations are
based on a conSultant's report.
They were drawn up during a
five-year study by city officials
and advisory groups.
From a technical standpoint,
the city's new regulations pro-
vide a performance" code in
place of the 1851 specification"
requirements. This means that
builders will not be required to
use specific materials, but in
stead will have to meet end
result criteria on fire resistance
and other tests.
Slow Enforcement Seen
Mr.. Ilgenfritz today explained
that enforcement of the ex-
panded fire safety regulations
will, of necessity, be a slow
process. He said his depart
ment does not have the man
power to conduct a speedy
operation.
Mr.. Ilgenfritz said that the
usual procedure for enforce
ment of city fire regulations
will be used. This involves a
notice giving a businessman a
certain period of time in which
to comply.
In line with the Districts
policy in such matters, the
businessman who shows pro-
gresS in complying with the
regulations will not be taken
to court. Prosecution will be
instituted only against a
merchant who refuses to take
any action to bring his building
into line with the new re-
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