586 PROCEEDINGS OF SECTION J. 



fell from the upper story set the floors below alight, and that if only one 

 of these had been fire-proof, the conflagration might have been more 

 readily stayed The wooden staircase also burnt rapidly, and formed 

 another channel of communication between the different stories. 



The means of obviating such disasters are, primarily, the placing of 

 vertical communications as lifts and stairs outside the walls of a building, 

 or at any rate enclosing them within walls through which there are only 

 small openings shut by self-closing doors ; and secondarily, by the adoption 

 of more or less fire-resisting or fireproof floor and supports. The first 

 is a matter of planning, to which I would most earnestly draw the 

 attention of property owners, and my fellow-architects, for although it 

 may at times involve a little inconvenience, and possibly waste of space, 

 the resulting safety would m.ore than compensate. The second is a 

 matter of cost, which in the more simple forms recommended in my paper, 

 is so moderate that the total outlay on a building is not appreci- 

 ably increased, and in the more perfect would not increase the cost 

 of an ordinary warehouse or store by more than 10 per cent, to 15 per 

 cent. ; while in more extensive structures, such as the new principal office 

 of the Mutual Life Association in George street, now erecting, the addi- 

 tional outlay amounts to about 5 per cent. When it is remembered that 

 this secures practical immunity from fire, or at any rate rigid localisation, 

 and hence easy extinguishing in a city with a well-organised fire brigade 

 and good supply of water, it will, I think, be seen that such a system of 

 construction would pay for itself in the reduction of insurance premiums 

 and the increased rent obtainable for the security given. 



In the late fire there was fortunately no loss of life, but should one occur 

 during the hours of occupation in a building of similar construction used 

 for work, amusement, or residence a calamity would be inevitable,. If 

 people choose to store their goods in inflammable buildings and insure 

 heavily, it is to a great extent their own lookout, but when it comes to a 

 question of human life the building laws of the city should define the limits 

 of safety. This subject, I am glad to hear, is being considered by the 

 City Council, and the sooner the new rules come into force tlie better, for 

 all round us we see lofty buildings being erected in the matchbox style I 

 have described, which would be nothing less than death traps to their 

 unfortunate occupants should a fire get a hold before discovery. Broadly 

 and generally, these rules should divide buildings into classes, according 

 to risk involved and the number of people likely to be gathered therein. 

 The most dangerous, such as theatres, should be completely fireproofed. 

 Halls and churches should have at least fireproof stairs and passages as 

 required in London ; and hotels or buildings in separate occupation on 

 each floor should not only have fireproof stairs, and passages, but fireproof 

 floors as well. A few rules as to ample exits are also essential, and stairs 

 and lifts should be especially dealt with. A good hint might also he taken 

 from the Swedish building laws, which compel the insertion of a fireproof 

 floor or ceiling under every roof, and I have no doubt Superintendant Bear 

 will confirm me when I say that so long as the roof is intact there is a 

 chance of preservation, but when once alight the building is doomed. 



I am, &c., 

 November 30. JOHN SULMAN. 



Appendix C. 



(From the Sydney Morning Herald, December 4th, 188S-) 



' Before the impression created by the recent fire in Mai ket-street fades 

 away, the questions which the disaster has raised should be seriously 

 considered. The chief thought in the public mind at first was one of 

 surprise. A large building, full of valuable property, situated almost 



