FIRE ESCAPES

Hokitika Guardian, 12 October 1929, Page 6

FIRE ESCAPES

DISTRUST OF COMMON TYPE. AUCKLAND, Oct. 10. i'o:i.;i a b 0... ilie efficiency of the common fire .sc ,.jn extensively used in in .ay ill/V hi.livings was cast by Air W. L. W’l a. sup in intendent of the Auckland Brigade, in his evidence in the “bachelor Hats” appeal to-day. Commenting upon the provision allowed in the plans for fire exits, consisting of a tire-proof staircase and fire escape ladders down the exterior walls, Mr Wilson expressed the opinion that neither of these methods could be regarded as a sale means of escape in the event of a conflagration. The chairman Air IV. M. Page: Do you mean to say that many of the lire escapes you sec so frequently in New Zealand towns would he death traps? Mr Wilson: In many cases that would he so. A. itness supplemented the remark bv saying that the act of descending a series of vertical, or semivertical ladders for a distance of <Oft. to 80ft. was a difficult matter for elderly people, and the risk oi them falling under the stress of excitement was by no means to he ignored. As iar as the flats wore concerned, he considered that there should he two exits from every flat for emergency use in case of fire.