108 Mr Fairbairn on Fireproof Warehouses. 
which divide the houses, the utmost security is afforded to 
that description of property. In contiguous buildings, these 
partitions have their full value; and it not unfrequently oc- 
curs that the property on each side has been saved from con- 
flagration when a centre building has been completely de- 
stroyed : hence the necessity of complete separation in every 
case where the buildings are contiguous. In the construc- 
tion of warehouses these precautions are the more important, 
from the increased value of the property therein deposited, 
and the greater risk to which, in some particular cases, they 
are subject. All warehouses should, therefore, be carefully 
separated from each other ; and in forming the partition walls, 
it might be a great improvement to have an open space of 
two inches up the middle, with proper binders, for the pur- 
pose of ventilation—as air, being a non-conductor, would, in 
case of fire, prevent the walls from being overheated, and af- 
ford a free communication with the atmosphere by the 
ascending current of air. They should also be built to some 
height above the roof, in order to prevent the possibility of 
communication with the adjoining stories, and to effect a 
complete separation of the different compartments into which 
they are divided.* 
To render the different flats or rooms of warehouses se- 
cure, it is a desideratum to have as few openings in them as 
possible. The plan adopted in those of Mr Brancker’s, in 
Dublin-street, Liverpool, appears to be not only well calcu- 
lated for the admission and transmission of goods on each 
side, but having no more windows than are absolutely neces- 
sary for the admission of sufficient light to effect the deposi- 
tion and removal of merchandise, they are exceedingly well 
adapted for the double purpose of convenience and security. 
In every situation, the iron doors and iron window shutters 
already described should be used. 
It will be observed, that the security afforded by the iron 
doors and shutters will be of no use, unless they be closed 
and fastened every night before the warehouse is shut up. 
* The Liverpool Building Act has now rendered it compulsory that 
parapet walls shall be built up 5 feet above the gutters. 
