WELLINGTON HOTELS

Dominion, Volume 33, Issue 229, 22 June 1940, Page 5

WELLINGTON HOTELS

Report On State Of Fire Equipment CRITICISM BY BRIGADE SUPERINTENDENT A report by the superintendent on the state of fire-escape provision, alarm bells, and fire equipment in licensed premises (a copy of which has been forwarded to the Wellington Licensing Committee) was before members of the Wellington Fire Board yesterday. “As in past years the physical condition of the existing escapes is satisfactory, though they are in most cases not up to the full standard of our requirements in regard to construction,” the superintendent said. "In the majority .of cases vertical ladders are much in evidence, whereas we call for special inclined stairways, fitted with suitable handrails. At the moment there are no by-laws which specify the stairway requirements, and it appears that in the past the vertical ladder has been recognized by the authorities as a suitable means of reaching the ground level from the upper floors. With this view Ido not agree. The detailed report shows clearly the inadequate protection in most of the hotels —a large number of rooms with no escape, unprotected light.areas, and iu some cases light areas leading to a 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 io low batteries or dirty contacts. The alarm bell plays a very important part in the event of fire, and it is essential that this part of the equipment should bo in first-class order. The fact that seven systems were not up to the standard this year shows neglect somewhere, and it is evident that some arrangement for regular testing of batteries by some responsible authority should be insisted upon. “The private fire equipment installed in the hotels is under brigade annual services, and is. in good order and serviceable condition, with the exception of one hotel, where the hand chemical extinguishers were removed during alterations and renovations to the buildiug. It was recommended that hydraulic hose-reels be established in this building, but so far this recommendation lias not been given effect to. nor have the extinguishers been reinstalled. “Also noted iu the course of inspection was the lack of proper indication of escapes, exits, lire alarms, etc. To the transient public this feature is most essential to avoid unnecessary negotiating of long passages and corridors leading to Wind ends, light areas, narrow stairways, and in some eases windows with a sheer drop to the street below.

“Points to be particularly noted are as follows: (1) The necessary provision of the platform type of fire escapes from all bedrooms above ground-tloor 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 of 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 lire-traps; (5) the clearance of all stairways or escapes from obstructions in any shape or form.

“In view of the conditions existing,” added the superintendent, “1 desire to go on record as disclaiming any responsibility in the event of fatalities due to fires in hotels.”

The report was accompanied by a detailed report on the condition of each hotel in Wellington.