Reinforced Concrete. (Mr. C. F. Macdonald's Letter concluded.)

Progress, 1 October 1908, Page 423

Reinforced Concrete. (Mr. C. F. Macdonalds Letter concluded.)

Continuing. Mr. Lewis writes: — "Reinforced concrete is said to be fireproof but ■everyone connected with the building industry know> that it is not." Surely this statement is not made seriously, but I shall refrain from comment •mid submit the following evidence: — After the San Francisco fire and earthquake, the National Hoard of Fire Underwriters called for a report, which was supplied by Mr. Albert Reed, the Board's Consulting Engineer. According to this report, there were 31 fireproof buildings in San Francisco built of ferro-concrete all of which -went through the fire with but very slight damage. The Age (Melbourne) commenting upon this subject, says: — "San Francisco is at present being largely re-built with this new material, as it is admitted that the fire, more than the earthquake, which was the main cause of that city's disaster. could not have occurred had the city been built with reinforced concrete." The Daily Telegraph (Napier) April, 3rd, 1908:— "The value of ferro-con-crete buildings from the point of view of protection from fire was testified to yesterday, by Captain Hennah, Government Fire Inspector, in connection with the new Caledonian Hotel. Learning that Captain Ilennah was in town, a representative of this journal asked him if he had seen the new building, and. if so,, what he thought of it as a fireproof building. Captain Ilennah replied that he happened to have thoroughly inspected the new hotel, and had formed the conclusion that it was the most up-to-date fireproof building south of the line. "Of course," he said, "the absolutely ideal fireproof building has yet to be evolved, for in that, no portion, however small, would be combustible. In the new building, it seems to me that all that science has been able to achieve in that direction has been carried out. I would have preferred

no fireplaces." he continued, "all the warming being carried out by a system of circulating hot water, but people like fireplaces, and w ith that reservation. I think the new Caledonian is as perfectly fireproof as it is possible for a building to be. " Under date .March 18th. 1908. Mr Frank B. Raniby. Chief Fire Department. Department of Public Safety. Da>ton. Ohio, writes: — ■ "In reply to \ our favour of the 10th in which \ou refer to the 1 recent tire m the new Reinforced Concrete Building at the Dayton .Motor Co. 's plant. I would state that this being the first fire we have had m a building of concrete construction. I am very highly pleased with the results of this fire. When I arrived on the scene, the fire had extended over the entire fourth Hoor. The entire contents of this floor were destroyed. The building, however, escaped with slight damage. "Through the absence of fire doors and the inability of our Department being able to withstand the intense heat and smoke, the fire communicated itself through an opening into the adjoining five-story brick building, and was confined to the two upper floors. The biggest fight was carried on here, and it was in this building that the greatest loss was sustained. The lower floors being occupied by the offices and warerooms of the Company, suffered greatly from water. "The new building being of concrete construction aided us greatly in preventing the fire from wiping out the entire plant, as we were able to concentrate practically our entire force on the old building, it requiring but a small force to subdue the fire in the concrete building." Mr. Lewis says. "Actual photographs tell the truth," and I enclose a photo of the buildings above described, taken after the fire. I am tempted to continue, but must not encroach further upon your space. I leave

the evidence produced to bear testimony as to the value of this material, and as further e\ idence of its worth is made manifest b\ the erection of other buildings in our midst. Mr Lewis will have his best answer. Yours faithfully, C. FLEMING McDOXALD. Dunedin. July 28. 1908 I The photograph shows the result of a \evy remarkable and complete fire test for Reinforced Concrete It shows how the tire started on the fourth floor of a reinforced concrete building, and burnt itself out as narrated in the text without spreading to Hie floors above and below. — Ed. P.]

Theio :ue 2-40,000 wrieties of insects. Uee->e in migiatmg often tia\el o\er 6000 miles. The Letchwoith Garden City lias now a population of 5000, of Y\hieh 900 aie employed in model factories.

The air is so pure in the Arctic regions that aftectious of tl'e throat and lungs are unknown theie. The legion is also entirely free from contagious maladies.