The Building Situation in San Francisco.

Progress, Volume I, Issue 12, 1 October 1906, Page 351

The Building Situation in San Francisco.

Of the many accounts which have appeared in the British and American press of the devastation wrought by the great earthquake and fire at San Francisco, one of the most interesting is that contributed by the special correspondent of the New York Carpentry and Building, who

was an eye-witness of the conflagration. He confirms the statement oi other observers to the effect that the great steel-frame buildings are those best adapted to resist both fire and earthquake. The Palace Hotel, for instance, which was among the first of the buildings to use iron in its construction was designed to be both fire and earthquake proof. The earthquake test was successfully passed. Not a square glass fell from the glass roof of the immense court, and guests were breakfasting m the grillroom when the second shock, about 8.30, drove out the timid ones. The effect of the earthquake and the fire upon many of the most notable buildings of the city is described and illustrated, and the writer concludes with an estimate of the building situation as it appeared in the early part of June, when his communication was despatched. Considerable delay has been caused (he says) by the uncertainty as to the provisions of the new building regulations, but the Board of Public Works will not revoke any of the permits for new buildings granted previous to the fire. It is held by the Commissioners that the rules of the committee appointed to revise the municipal building laws cannot affect cases already decided. Work on several buildings in process of construction will be continued immediately In addition to these about sixty permits had been granted for buildings where actual work had not commenced The plans call for structures of classes " B " and " C." They will be built of brick, with wooden interiors, in most instances. The Board has been notified that construction will commence as soon as material is available. A big seven-story hotel will be built by Charles Stewart on Geary street, opposite the Francis hotel. The building will be a class "B " edifice. A six-story brick structure, originally intended as a storehouse, will be erected on the corner of Jackson and Drumm streets. A six-story building will also go up in East street, between market and mission. No class " A " permits are out, except for buildings which were partially erected before the fire. No permits will be granted from now on until the new laws are formulated and passed. Applications for building permits of all kinds received daily by the Board of Public Works are being kept on file pending developments. The Commissioners have requested that City Architect Shea be allowed to confer with the Commission on Revision of the Building Laws. The architect does not favour the drastic regula tions proposed by many. He believes that unless some latitude is allowed in the use of inflammable material the building industry will be paralysed.

San Francisco Building Regulations The following are the building rules in San Francisco for the temporary period until new building laws are completed, as adopted by the Reconstruction of Buildings Committee and Board of Public Works :—: — Rule i. Permits will not be required to erect temporary one-story structures of galvanised iron or wood, but they must be removed at ninety days' notice. Rule 2. All permits for permanent structures must be obtained from the Board of Public Works. Rule 3. Permits will not be required for repair of chimneys or roofs damaged by falling chimneys or other causes, but permit for use of said chimney must be obtained from the Building Committee before any chimney can be used or fiie started. Rule 4. All buildings outside burned district which were badly damaged by being thrown off their foundation or out of plumb must secure a permit for repair of said buildings from the Board of Public Works. Rule 5. All matters pertaining to side sewers must be referred to the Board of Public Works. Rule 6. Permits for operation of factories using steam or other power except electricity must be obtained from the Building Committee. Rule 7. All factories operating by electrical current must obtain a permit from the Department of Electricity, and a further permit from the Committee, before operating their plant. Capital is also waiting for the new building ordinance. So far there is no inkling as to what the new permanent restrictions and limitations will be. But there is not the slightest doubt that new skyscrapers will be built. The State Board of Architects makes a number of suggestions in relation to the restrictions of the coming building ordinances. Thorough inspections and investigations have been made through the burnt district, and it has been found that safety is not a question of style of architecture, but quality of workmanship. Cornices and arches need not be excluded from the new city. Where they were properly anchored and built they withstood the shock and the fire both. It is the opinion of the Board that the city need not be without its picturesque cornices and decorations.

We learn that since the above was written the Council on Building Laws have decided to recommend the following ordinance — " On streets 800 ft. wide, or over, the height of buildings facing thereon shall be unlimited. On streets 80 ft. wde, or over, the height of buildings shall be limited to 200 ft."