At Cry of “Fire!”

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 1062, 28 August 1930, Page 10

At Cry of “Fire!”

Better Facilities for Escape

HOW an outbreak of fire may run through a building 'with startling suddenness so that even in their waking and working hours persons may be in peril of their lives was amply illustrated in a City fire last week. A number of employees were fortunate to quit the burning factory with minor injuries only, but had it been night, the way to the ladders and windows poorly lighted, or the escapes inadequate ... The Superintendent of the City Fire Brigade, Mr. \\ . L. Wilson, has been long dissatisfied with the escape facilities on many buildings, particularly those used by a colony of persons. He is given wider powers to require improved escapes in a reconstruction of by-laws adopted yesterday by the Auckland Fire Board.

A curious anomaly concerning fire escape provision has existed since the Municipal Corporations Act was amended in 1921. It was provided in that amendment that a council could appoint an inspector of fire escapes, but exempted any borough that was a fire district or part of one. Auckland City is a fire district, and so for 12 years there has been no power of inspection. The only authority exercised in this matter has been over the provision of fire escapes in new buildings. It is understood that the Fire Board would nave been willling for the City Council to undertake the responsibility of inspection embracing alll buildings, but this was declined, and now the Fire Board has acted.

If, in the opinion of the fire superintendent, safeguards other than fire escapes are provided, he may waive compliance of any requirement of the new by-law, provided no such waiver shall restrict the right of the superintendent at any time thereafter to exqet full compliance. No waiver, however, may be made to permit an access door or window to open other than by swinging outward or sliding laterally, to allow a ladder with rungs to be used where the by-law requires a stairway, or to allow the use of rope or other perishable material for the purpose of an escape.

Buildings exempt from the provisions of the by-laws are those of a singled storey, licensed premises whi which are under the authority of the police, factories which are under the authority of the Labour Department, and public buildings and places of entertainment, for which special authority exists. The superintendent will have power to approve escape provisions on new buildings and is empowered to order improved facilities on existing buildings. With a change in the use of a building or upon alterations the superintendent may require a different standard, and may make fresh computations of nominal capacity based upon a unit basis that is detailed. In a building providing sleeping accom-

modation for from 20 to 100 people, each person shall be reckoned as a unit and a-half: where accommodation is for over 100. each person is to be reckoned as two units. These standard are increased in certain cases, including institutions used for sick or infirm people or children. For every 100 units or part thereof, a separate fire escape must be provided. Where the nominal capacity of any storey exceeds 100 units, a separate escape may be required. The escapes must have one-third greater capacity than the nominal capacity of the building. There are provisions as to the number and size of exits, the unimpeded distance to which must not exceed 100 ft. Guiding notices are required. The sill of an exit must not be more than 6in above the footway of the escape, and in the case of 100 unit buildings, it must be flush w T ith the floor. If over 12in above the floor it must have an interior step.

Fire escapes are to be strong enough to support on every part of the footway a live load of 1501 b to the square foot. There must be a landing at the top giving access to the roof or an adjacent building. The bottom of a fire escape must end in a public or private road, or in an open unimpeded space of given dimensions. The lower landing must not be more than 15ft above the ground level. Where the lower end is more than 6in above the ground it must be connected with the ground by a telescope sliding ladder, cantilever ladder or counter-balance stairs or other efficient contrivance other than a hinged drop ladder or folding ladder. Footways must not pass across any window' or opening, and no footway must be less than 30in in width and the width must not diminish. In front of any exit the footway must be in the form of a landing or platform with a pitch not exceeding one in ten. The pitch of any stairway must not exceed one in three-quarters or be less than one in one and three-quarters. Hand rails are to be required where the side is not against a wall.