FIRE PREVENTION

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1523, 28 February 1901, Page 33

FIRE PREVENTION

CHRISTCHURCH, February 25. Superintendent Smith (Christchurch) anci Superintendent Gilberd (Napier) today submitted to the Fire Brigades’ Conference a report on their visit to the International Congress of Fire Brigades in Paris last year. In summing up the results of their investigations, - the delegates suggest that the Government should take steps to secure information as to the total annual loss by fire, and that a department should be organised to collect such statistics and hoid inquiries into all fires. With regard to fire prevention, a great deal would be effected if buildings were constructed on fire-resisting principles. Proper regulations drawn up by experts could make new buildingsi fire-resisting, instead of, as at present, being built so as to ensure rapid combustion. Provision should also be made to prevent fires from spreading by carrying partition walls right up to the roof, by casing with heat-resisting materials, iron columns supporting floors, and by the laying of floors at a slight grade so as to allow water to get away through openings at the lower side. Skylights , should, be properly protected from falling flakes of fire. Openings for hoists should be properly protected, as they were a great help to fires spreading, by causing a strong draught to all floors. Provision should also be made for facilitating the work of firemen by having ladders going,right on to the roof. Want of care in the fitting of steam, gas and heating pipes, .ahd in allowing the accumulation of rubbish and so rortfqT. was responsible for» much loss-by fire, which proper inspection, might prevent. • It

should be the duty of all officers to urge on the authorities the necessity for a reliable alarm system. The report strongly advises the use of chemical engines, which are now only in use in Christchurch. A number of improvements in fire plugs anu hydrants are suggested. A feature of-fire prevention in older countries that might with profit be adopted here is the regular inspection of big risks by firemen. With regard to cost, the delegates found, that in the United States the cost of maintaining fire brigades in the smaller towns is about 2s a head, while in New York it ranges from 2s 6d to 5s 9d. In New Zealand the cost nowhere exceeds Is a head, while in places it falls below 6d. The delegates think it is worth considering whether a greater expenditure would not be more economical in the end. The report also draws attention to the advantage of giving more instruction to young firemen.