New Building Laws for Washington, D. C.

New Building Laws for Washington, D. C.

Some important changes have been made in the regulations as to the erection of buildings in Washington,D. C. The one most materially affecting large buildings is that which provides that “ buildings hereafter erected or increased in height, except churches, if exceeding a height of seventy-five feet to the square, shall be constructed in a fireproof manner, as herein named, to wit: all joists, beams, rafters, purlins, jack rafters, plates, studs, ties and arches shall be made of cast or wroughtiron, or some other metal, stone, brick, cement, mortar or other incombustible material, and covered with corrugated iron, sheet or cast-iron, tin, copper, zinc or other metal, or slate, stone, brick, cement, mortar or other incombustible material.” The previous regulation required that only the addition above seventy-five feet in height should be made fireproof. Architecture and Building considers the change a beneficial one that will insure greater safety to the city now that the structures in the business sections are becoming of such large proportions. The moving of frame buildings from one site to another within the fire limits is prohibited under the new regulations. Formerly there was a clause in the regulations providing that “ for satisfactory reasons, permits approved by the Commissioners of the District may be given to move wooden buildings from one place to another within the fire limits.” This clause is omitted. Hereafter the underpinning of walls will be conducted under the immediate supervision of an officer of the building department.

Some important changes have been made in the regulations as to the erection of buildings in Washington,D. C. The one most materially affecting large buildings is that which provides that “ buildings hereafter erected or increased in height, except churches, if exceeding a height of seventy-five feet to the square, shall be constructed in a fireproof manner, as herein named, to wit: all joists, beams, rafters, purlins, jack rafters, plates, studs, ties and arches shall be made of cast or wroughtiron, or some other metal, stone, brick, cement, mortar or other incombustible material, and covered with corrugated iron, sheet or cast-iron, tin, copper, zinc or other metal, or slate, stone, brick, cement, mortar or other incombustible material.” The previous regulation required that only the addition above seventy-five feet in height should be made fireproof. Architecture and Building considers the change a beneficial one that will insure greater safety to the city now that the structures in the business sections are becoming of such large proportions. The moving of frame buildings from one site to another within the fire limits is prohibited under the new regulations. Formerly there was a clause in the regulations providing that “ for satisfactory reasons, permits approved by the Commissioners of the District may be given to move wooden buildings from one place to another within the fire limits.” This clause is omitted. Hereafter the underpinning of walls will be conducted under the immediate supervision of an officer of the building department.