TO AVERT PANIC

Evening Post, Volume CIX, Issue 74, 28 March 1930, Page 12

TO AVERT PANIC

WINTER SHOW BUILDING

FREE EXITS NEEDED

IN CASE OF FIRE

That, in his opinion, the plans submitted by Mr. K. T. M. Edmonds (secretary to the Wellington Manufacturers' Association) for the utilisation of the area allotted in the Wellington Show Buildings for the forthcoming Winter Show, should be reconsidered in order to provide for easy and free exit from tii^ building and to obviate any obstructions that might lead to confusion in the event of panic or fire, was the view expressed by the City Fire Brigade Superintendent (Mr. J. Creeke) in a report forwarded by him to the general manager of the Wellington "Winter Show Association (Mr, G. Mitchell). A copy of the report was submitted to and approved by the board at its meeting to-day, and it was resolved to forward a copy to the City ■Council, the show licensing authority. In his report, Superintendent Creeke advised that all passage ways running north and south and east and' west should be set out. to extend as far as possible to the full length of the building in each direction, so that the areas for the stalls woultl be square iv section —instead of constituting something of a maze, as he informed the board was the case in the original plans. The proposed rearrangement, ho pointed out, would involve no reduction in the space available for stallholders, but it would greatly simplify the means of escape from the centre of the building and reduce the chance of confusion to a minimum in case of panic. PRESENT PROVISION INADEQUATE. Taking the x)as>t two years as a guide for the future, said Mr. Creeke, ho was convinced that, in view of the nature of the exhibits and the flimsy construction of the stalls, the present provision for fire escapes on the main floor was inadequate. He recommended, therefore, that a 12ft. escape be installed in the northern wall and the southern section, respectively, and au additional escape on the eastern side. "These," stated Mr. Creeke, "would provide for reasonable means of escape." He recommended also that permanent and readily visible" indicators for the fire escapes and fire hose should be printed in largo letters on the walls of the building immediately above the exits and the lire hydrants; and that a clear right-of-way 2ft 6in wide be provided between the stalls from the main passages to the hydrants, this space to be kept clear and to be used for fire purposes only. It was pointed out, too, that the provision of iron rubbish bins ■in convenient positions for the disposal of waste paper, sweepings, etc., and the regular sweeping of all passageways would prevent the accumulation of. inflammable waste material on the floors. . The Fire Brigade Superintendent recommended, further, that the erection, as in the past, of a cinema picture-hall in the main building be discouraged, since "a temporary structure, consisting of wooden frames covered with scrim and paper, and extending as high as the rafters, is exceedingly dangerous and constitutes a" considerable fire hazard. Such extensive and highly flimsy structures should' be discouraged as much as possible." Attention was culled to the need for better panic bolts on the fire-exit doors. "In the past," concluded the report, "fire hoses have been loaned from the brigade during the progress of the show or at times when the premises are used for public, entertainments. I would .suggest that the association consider the matter of providing its own hoses." - ■ . . .