SAFE BUILDING

Gisborne Times, Volume LXXIII, Issue 11827, 7 January 1933, Page 2

SAFE BUILDING

PROTECTION jt'ROM FI Hr;.

Dangle in cities,

SjIEICtIE BY-LAWS NEEDED

i-he necessity for the standardisation of building by-laws in New Zealand for purposes of fire protection as well as earthquake resistance, is emphasised in the annual report of the Inspector of Fire Brigades, Air R. Girling-Butche-r. It is shown that the loss from, fire for the Dominion last calendar year was £1,292,094. "The modern' tendency in building construction is toward the erection in business areas of buildings with reinforced concrete frame—either monolithic or steel frame type—with floors of concrete throughout and curtain wall otT;,tiler brick or concrete with steel-framed windows,” says Air Gir-ling-Butcher. "If properly designed and constructed, this type of building can he made not only earthquake resisting, but also highly fire-resisting both with respect to the limitation of the effects of fire on any floor and flic passage of fire from floor to lloor or from adjoining buildings. ‘‘ln addition to their internal fire resistance, such buildings form very valuable fire-breaks and prevent the spread of fire, from other buildings through a block. It is, unfortunately, a fact that many buildings of this typo which have been ©reeled in New Zealand within reoent years have been poorly designed from the point of view of fire resistance. A, considerable number of instances has been observed where the fire resistance character of the building itself has been largely nullified by the presence of unprotected stair way» arid the use of ordinary glass' -in light, areas and : on the sides of the building exposed to fire in adjoining premises. "The question is not one of expense, .sirie o defects referred to could have been corrected at little or no cost ii the necessary installations had been made while the building was being erected. Experiment and experience have shown that wired glass when properly fitted is an effective protection against exposure to fires and it is just as satisfactory as ordinary, glass with respect, to light and visibility. In th 6 same way the separation and subdivision of the different floCTs of large buildings i s inexpensive if provided for in the design. “The’so facts arid defects in chimney construction, show the necessity for the standardisation of building bylaws in New Zealand not only from point of view of earthquake resistance, but also with respect to protection against fire. The question is not one of the economic loss only involved in bad construction, but in buildings of any considerable height there is also the possibility of danger to life owing to tho difficulties of exit front the upper floors.” ' _ Although it has not boon passed by Parliament, the Building Construction Bill is at, present on the- Order Paper of the House of Representatives and when given efect to this irieasui'e will provide a very much more stiingent set of regulations throughout the Dominion. The BUI Taa ' framed following upon investigations of a special committee appointed by the Government after the Napier earth-. quake, and the.wide powers contained to fire resistance methods ; ;of construction as well as earthquake resistance.