Bureau of Fire Inspection in Providence.

Bureau of Fire Inspection in Providence.

The Board of Fire Commissioners of Providence, R. I., in a report to the common council, sets forth the reasons for its recommendation of the creation of a bureau of inspection and combustibles for the more systematic inspection of buildings. The recommendation conies as a result of investigations made by the board in connection with the resolution adopted by the city council directing the board to consider and report to the city council relative to the advisability of formulating such regulations of the fire department as will require each fireman to personally inspect and familiarize himself concerning buildings in his district. The resolution was referred to the ordinance committee. After pointing out that the regulations of the department already make provision for the very inspection desired, the report points out that much more is to he done on similar lines which could better be accomplished by the creation of a special bureau vested with proper authority. Speaking of the inspection of buildings by firemen. the report says: “The object which the resolution is intended to accomplish has already been provided for by certain regulations of the lire department which are now in force. "Rule 35 provides that the district chiefs ‘shall acquaint themselves with the construction and arrangement of all buildings within their respective districts, that are used for business purposes, and shall, from time to time, cause the same to he inspected by the officers and members of the various companies under their command. They shall also, under the direction of the chief engineer, make details of firemen to the various theaters, and shall inspect all such theaters within their respective districts once each week, and promptly report anything found therein that will, in their opinion, he liable to cause fire, or that will result in the loss of life in case of fire.’

"Ruls 36 provides that the district chiefs ‘shall make, or cause to be made, monthly visits of inspection to all hospitals, asylums and other institutions of like character in their districts, and shall inform themselves regarding the condition of such applianceas may be found therein for use in case of lire, and shall also ascertain what means have been provided for the removal of the inmates in such ca-es and they shall also, from time to time, make such recommendations to the relative to the better protection of such institutions as they may consider advisable.' “Rule 81 provides that each captain 'shall familiarize himself, and see that the members of the company become familiar with the construction and arrangement of all buildings, within the limits of the company district, that are used for the purpose of business, noting the situation of all elevators, stairways, hatchways, standpipes, etc., and also the means of entrance to or exits from such buildings, lie shall also make, or cause to lie made, special note of anything connected with any such building which would be liable to cause fire, or to endanger the lives of the persons employed therein in case of fire.’ "These rules practically cover all the points named in the resolution, and while the board is willing to consider, and would gladly incorporate in the regulations, any suggestion which would tend to lessen the danger to life, or to better protect property from damage by fire, yet it cannot see wherein the adoption of further rules would secure better results under the present system. Inspection that not only inspects but which also provides means to remedy defective or dangerous conditions is what is needed, and the proper way to attain this end is by having a special force employed for this purpose, and by vesting in one department full authority to enforce such regulations as may be established. In the opinion of the board this can be best accomplished by creating a bureau of inspection and combustibles, which should be made a branch of the fire department. Such a bureau, if provided with a proper complement of men; entirely distinct from the present force, would insure complete and systematic inspection of all buildings and would bring to the attention of the hoard any violation of existing laws that might be found. There is ample opportunity for valuable work in this direction for. without question, conditions exist in many buildings which would, most assuredly, prove dangerous to both life and property in case of fire. In order to render the service effective, however, the board should be authorized to order such conditions to be rentedied and should also he fully empowered to enforce any and all orders that might be given concerning such matters. Believing that a device of this kind would prove of incalculable value, tbe hoard would recommend that action be taken whereby such a board of inspection and combustibles may be established.”