FIRE PREVENTION

New Zealand Times, Volume LXXI, Issue 4291, 26 February 1901, Page 7

FIRE PREVENTION

PBESB ASSOCIATION. CHRISTCHTJItCH, February 25. Superintendent Smith (Christc'burch) and Superintendent Gilberd (Napier) today submitted to tho Fire Brigades' Conference a report on their viait to the International Congress of Firo Brigades m 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 hold inquiries into all fires, j With regard to fire prevention, a great deal would be effected if buildings wore constructed on fire-resisting principles. Proper regulations drawn up by experts could mako new buildings 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 tho 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. I Skylights should, b© ;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 facilitatingjthe work of firemen by haying ladders going.right on to the roof. Want of caro in the fitting of steam, gas and heating pipes, and in allowing the accumulation of rubbish and so forth, 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 tho use of chemical engines, which are ;aow only iu use i* Christohurch. A number of improvements in fire plugs and 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 resard 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 tho end. The report also draws attention to the advantage of giving more instruction to young firemen.