A New Form of Floor.

Auckland Star, Volume XVIII, Issue 55, 4 July 1887, Page 2

A New Form of Floor.

(To the Editor.)

Sot, —A description of a floor constructed in Mr Andrew's new store in Otahuhu, and remarks thereon,may interest many of your readers. The architect has in this case introduced a method which, we believe, has ltofe been tried in this part of the colony. Beams proportioned to the spaa, and spaced about 8 feet centres, take the place of the prdinary joists, and on these are spiked 6 by. .25 thick battens, dressed ; both sides, and with a bead on the bottom edge.and grooved for a slip tongue; a stout angle fillet the wall completes thp floor. Ifc is clainiedfor this kind of floor thatit will carry the heaviest loads required with perfect safety. It will stand any amount of wear arid rough usage. Ib is, to a great rat-proof. A ceiling below is not required, as the bottom side, bein°; dressed and beaded, serves that purpose admirably, and does away with the usual space between the joists and the chances of dry-rot. It can also be either raised or lowered at very little expense, as none of the timbers are to be built in; and lastly, it will resist the action of fire lor a great length of time, especially if painted with a certain solution, and ao reduce the chances of a five extending, and the danger to those' who have to cope with it. In case it should get burned through, no damage would be occasioned thereby to the walls, as there would be no leverage exercised by timbers buijfc into-, them. Of this method, Mr John B. G as, A.X.1.8.A., in a most interesting and instructive lecture on " Some American Methods," read before the members of the Royal Institute of British Architects in March, 1886, says, " Slow burning or mill construction is in general use in all sorts of mercantile buildings, and alfords excellent protection against fire spreading, and further as a protection to woodwork. Both in 'slow burning' and ordinary construction wire cloth lathing is used-wire of No. 17 to .20 guage in § squares-and kept £ from the woodwork by pieces of hoop iron placed on edge, and held m place by staples driven over the netting and hoop iron. The netting is plastered with mortar, rather drier than would be used for wood laths. This is also used to protect ironwork, and it has had many tests of actual and severe fires, with excellent results." Mr Gas' has made notes of consultations with the chiefs of several important live brigades.whose splendid organisations are so well known, and amongst other? mentions, " For warehouse building •low burning construction is advocatecf js?3*tew •"■',; ':",'■ ~:.7.- '■ '■ •' ■"' ■■■■- ■"■■'-■ ■-:■:■ 1

where there is a good fh-e brigade, but floors should be made water-tight with a scupper round them having outlets. This prevents damage by water to the room underneath. About twice as much damage is done by water as by fire. Solid floors in all cases are better than those having spaces in." Much more might be written on this subject; but may I ask, sir, how many times more will Superintendent Hughes have to call attention to the great want that exists for some such method as is here described before it will be adopted by those who have money to spend on sound practical construction, but none to throw away upon such as is totally inefficient, nnsuiteel for the purpose, and quite behind the times ?—Yours, &c., John , Mitchell, Architect.