HOTEL FIRES.

Auckland Star, Volume LXXI, Issue 150, 26 June 1940, Page 9

HOTEL FIRES.

WELLINGTON RISKS. CONDITIONS CRITICISED. SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT. (By Telegraph.—Own Correspondent.) WELLINGTON, this day. "In view of the conditions existing, I desire to go on record as disclaiming any responsibility in the event of fatalities due to fires in hotels." This was the concluding sentence of a report on the state of fire escapes, alarm bells and firo prevention equipment in Wellington's licensed hotels which the superintendent of the fire brigade, presented to a meeting of the Wellington Fire Board. The report, which was accompanied by details regarding each hotel, has been sent on to the Licensing Committee.

The physical condition of the existing escapes, said the superintendent, was satisfactory, but in most cases they were not up to the full standard of requirements in regard to construction. Vertical ladders in the majority of cases were much in evidence, whereas inclined stairways with hand rails were much to be preferred. There was no by-law, however, which specified stairways, and vertical ladders were recognised as a suitable means of reaching the ground level from the upper storeys. With that, commented the superintendent, lie did not agree. "My detailed report," added the superintendent, "shows clearly the inadequate protection in most of the hotels —a large number of rooms-with no escape, unprotected light areas, and in some cases light areas leading to n dead end. "The house alarm bells were checked and in seven cases were found to be defective, three out of order and four functioning weakly, due no doubt to low batteries or dirty contacts.

"Also noted in the course of inspection was the lack of proper indication of escapes, , exits, fire alarms, etc. To the transient public this feature is most essential to avoid unnecessary negotiating of long passages and corridors leading to blind ends, light areas, narrow stairways and in some cases windows with a sheer drop to the 6trcet below. "Points to be particularly noted are as follows: (1,) The necessary provision of the platform typo of fire escapes from all bedrooms above ground floor level; (2) the - condemnation of all classes of windows other than a type which can be opened fully and easily and thus provide a suitable means nt egress; (3) that hydraulic hose reels be installed in these'buildings to provide a modern means of fire protection within; (4) the use of. fire-resisting materials, a proper enclosure of shafts, and attention to other structural defects likely to become fire traps; (5) the clearanco of all stairways or escapes from obstructions' in any shape or form."