CHAPTER VI. 

 FIRE PROTECTION. 



A building can be protected from damage by fire from ex- 

 terior sources by the use of fire-resisting shutters or wire glass 

 in steel or hollow metal frames at the windows and openings, 

 together with an incombustible cornice. Thick party walls, 

 and parapet walls extending not less than 3 feet above the 

 roof line form additional safeguards. Fires occurring within 

 a building may be confined to a limited space by the use of 

 fire walls, heavy timber floors without openings, enclosed stair- 

 ways, automatic fire doors, protected openings into power and 

 elevator shafts, protected windows near angles of the building, 

 and incombustible interior walls which extend through the 

 roof for a distance of 3 feet or over. The installation of an 

 automatic sprinkler system of a design capable of reaching 

 fire in any part of the building and supplying water in suf- 

 ficient quantities is always advisable. Not only does such 

 equipment serve as a protection from spread of fire, but it 

 allows also a lower insurance rating on the building and con- 

 tents. A dependable water supply is a necessity, and at least 

 two independent sources are generally provided from gravity 

 tanks, pressure tanks, pumps or high pressure street service. 



Standpipes and hose located in stair towers or other pro- 

 tected places offer additional safety. A steamer connection 

 on exterior of building is advisable. 



Suggestions for the typical installation of sprinklers will 

 be found on page 47. 



Details in regard to the design of sprinkler systems and 

 the arrangement of other protective apparatus are covered by 

 a special bulletin issued by the National Lumber Manufac- 

 turers Association. 



Stairways and Vertical openings through buildings have 

 Elevator Shafts proved to be the weakness which led to the de- 

 struction of many otherwise good buildings. 

 All doors and openings into stairways or elevator shafts and 

 between units should be provided with fire doors. These doors 



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