House and Garden 
Figure 10 PLASTER OF PARIS ENRICHMENT 
In the fireproof division are included such 
types of construction as aim to eliminate 
from the supporting parts all combustible 
materials, thus rendering impossible the 
destruction of the building in the event of 
the occurrence of a fire. A further improve¬ 
ment consists in making not only the struc¬ 
tural parts fireproof but the finished features 
as well, such as the interior and exterior trim. 
It may be well to mention at this stage that 
the popular criticism, so often expressed, 
questioning the fireproof quality of so-called 
fireproof buildings, is largely due to the mis¬ 
representation of the press concerning fire¬ 
proof structures. What is advertised as a 
fireproof building is frequently far from being 
fireproof in the scientific meaning of the word. 
Notwithstanding steel, iron and terra-cotta or 
concrete may be used in the structure, it 
requires more than the mere use of these or 
other non-combustible materials to constitute 
a fireproof building. It requires scientific 
placing of the materials and the thorough 
covering of the steel 
or iron, together with 
a successful test of 
the construction in an 
actual fire under super¬ 
vision of experts before 
any construction can 
be declared fireproof. 
There are a number 
of types of fireproof 
construction which 
comply with the above 
requirements and 
which are being sue- 
cessfully used in build¬ 
ings of all classes, the 
description of which 
will be taken up later. 
1 he structural ele¬ 
ments of a house re¬ 
quiring consideration 
from the fi reproof 
standpoint are the 
walls, floors, partitions 
and roof. Of course, 
the walls should be 
built of some non¬ 
combustible material, 
and this element of 
the house in the better 
grade is usually so constructed; the remain¬ 
ing elements are the ones usually neglected, 
hence, we will discuss these in detail. 
Floors.—The floor consists of girders, 
beams, and the covering over the beams- 
The last mentioned element of construction 
when of wood may consist of the “ under 
Figure 9 
I 5 6 
