OFFICE BUILDINGS OLD AND NEW
The old-fashioned idea of drowning out a fire belongs to the past. More science, more intelligent action, is needed, and this depends upon a thorough knowledge of at least the elements of building construction. All this is necessary to reduce the heavy losses by fire and water, and accidents and fatalities among firemen.
Office buildings in this city, and in general, are commonly grouped under two classifications: fireproof and non-fireproof. The non-fireproof class are usually from four to seven stories high, of brick and wooden joist construction. In most of these buildings will be found open wooden stairways, open elevator shafts, wooden lath and plaster partitions and ceilings, and large light shafts, generally in center. The contents of offices are nearly all highly combustible, and in many cases the electric wiring is exposed. These buildings were erected years ago, all the timbers are dry, and the spread of fire therein is very rapid. When fire occurs in one of the offices, should it extend to the halls, you can see the immense danger of the entire building being involved, and of possible communication to exposed adjoining buildings. The thing to do, of course, is to confine that fire within the room of origin and extinguish it with as little water as possible. If this is not done and the fire extends into the hall, other offices are immediately involved, the fire travels at high speed along the hallway, up through the light shaft and open stairway, the elevators are cut off, the building becomes a furnace and a most serious condition arisen.
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