HAZARDS IN HOMES

Press, Volume CI, Issue 29748, 15 February 1962, Page 19

HAZARDS IN HOMES

Some Heaters A Danger

“A gross earthquake hazard” was how Mr A. W. Smith, an Auckland architect, described any heater which could be tipped over with a pull of less than 61b on a spring balance. Mr Smith, who was presenting a paper about seismic damage to the annual meeting of the New Zealand Institution of Engineers, said heating appliances, particularly ones which might be readily tipped over and start a fire, were a special earthquake hazard. Some of the usual services and appliances in New Zealand houses could be modified to aisist in reducing earthquake damage and hardship. Although sewers might be ruptured in the ground, most common damage was a fracture between the water closet and the ground. It was time that an adequate flexible coupling between the pan and the sewer outfall was approved, he said.

Hot water systems in all buildings should include a storage tank of such capacity to provide 10 gallons of water for each occupant, and fitted with an emergency draw-off tap so that there would oe enough pure water to last an average family for a week or more.