MEANS OF EGRESS

Dominion, Volume 37, Issue 230, 27 June 1944, Page 4

MEANS OF EGRESS

Building Bylaws Code ADOPTED IN WELLINGTON Fart 7 of the New Zealand Standard Code of Building By-laws, which establishes minimum requirements in respect of the means of egress from buildings other than private dwellinghouses and buildings used for public meetings, was recently adopted by the Wellington City Council and came into force on April 1. “The requirements of the code are based on the fundamental principle that, iu general, a building should be so designed that in the event of an emergency the occupants may leave it by one of two or more properly-constructed means of egress, remotely separate from each other, free from obstruction, and protected throughout their length by adequately fireresistant materials.” states a preface to the code. “Special requirements are included in respect of boardinghouses, hotels and similar premises, hospitals and shops. “The required means of egress for which the code provides consists of protected passageways, stairways, horizontal exits, ramps and similar arrangements. The vertical and steep ladders and narrow platforms commonly known as fire escapes are not regarded as satisfactory means of egress. Indeed, such so-called ‘tire-eseapes’ are considered by competent opinion to be a source of danger rather than a safety measure.

“Experience has shown that, under the stress of emergency, people will seek to leave a building by the means by which they entered. The requirements have, therefore, been so framed that, wherever practicable, the required means of egress will also constitute the normal means of ingress. In the case of fire, the most likely cause of panic, the required means of egress will, therefore, be the safest portions of the building and will provide complete protection for the .occupants till they reach the open air or other place of safety.

“This part of the code is not a complete fire protection code, but when read in conjunction with the parts relating to structural stability, already issued, and those dealing with fire resistant construction and the provision of fire-fighting appliances, yet to be published, it will constitute a comprehensive code of practice, adherence to which will afford to the occupants of a building adequate protection against the dangers of fire and other hazards. While these hazards have in the nast resulted in some loss of life. New Zealand has fortunately been free from disasters of any great magnitude. Overseas experience, however, emphasizes the need for adequate precautions, and it would be unwise to the point of gross negligence not to heed this experience till maior disasters occur in the Dominion.” The requirements apply to all buildings erected after the by-law comes into force. They do not apply to existing buildings, except when the means of egress are considered by the local body engineer and an officer of the fire brigade to be inadequate for the safety of the occupants, in which case the engineer may direct improvements.

The city engineer, Mr. K. Luke, said yesterday that many existing buildings in Wellington did not meet the requirements of the by-law. Inspections would be made as opportunity offered, and in those cases where it was considered danger existed improvements would be directed.