Documents of the Senate of the State of New York

STATE OF NEW YORK,

DEPARTMENT STATE FIRE MARSHAL

Specifications for Fire Escapes.

Balconies shall be not less than four feet wide.

Brackets. Not less than 1/2 x 14" edgwise, or 14 x 14" angle iron and spaced not more than three feet apart with braces not less than one inch square iron and must extend two-thirds the width of the balcony with one-inch bolt ends through wall with 5 x 51⁄2" washers and nut on inside of wall.

Top Rail.- 114 x 3" iron or 11 x 14" angle iron rail around balcony not less than three feet high.

Bottom Rail.-134 x 11⁄2" iron or 11⁄2 x 14" angle iron. Rails must go through wall with washers on nut on inside.

Connecting or Filling-in Bars.- Top and bottom rails may be connected by three-quarter-inch square bars not more than three feet apart with 1 x 14" crossbars well riveted on top and bottom rail with crosses. Filling-in bars may be one-half round or square iron not more than six inches apart and well riveted to top and

bottom rails.

Flooring.- 111⁄2 x 3" iron slats riveted to batten 11⁄2 x 3" each and spaced 11/4" between slats or 1 x 1/4" slats placed edgewise not over 114" apart with three rows of thimbles strung on wrought-iron rods running through and well fastened at end. Flooring to be fastened to bottom rail with 13" wrought-iron clips not less than four feet apart.

Stairs. Stairs shall not be less than two feet wide and placed at an angle of not less than forty-five degrees nor more than sixty degrees. Stringers must be not less than 6 x 1/4" iron or two stringers 2 x 3" iron, one on front and one on back of treads and well riveted or bolted to treads. Treads to be not less than six inches wide. Riser nine inches high. Treads may be constructed the same as flooring with 11 x 14" angle-iron noses on front of tread and to be riveted to 114 x 3/16" angle iron on ends that fasten to stringers.

Stairway Openings.— Stairway openings on each balcony shal be of size sufficient to provide clear headway and in no case sla they be less than twenty-one inches wide and three feet six indes long.

Balance Drop Stairs.-Must not be less than two feet wide a must be balanced from a bracket above, cut through the wall wi bolt in same as bracket with bolt and washer and to have ir: sheaves on front of bracket for wire cable to pass through whic is attached to stairs on the end and balance weight on the othe end.

Balcony on Top Floor.- The balcony on top shall be provide with a gooseneck ladder leading to and above the roof and secure'; fastened to the building.

The foregoing describes what will be exacted and deemed a su: able means of escape from building but is not planned as a ba to devising as efficient or perhaps better escape.

Plans for escape must be forwarded to this office for approve To all Assistants of the Department:

I call your special attention to the imperative need of the utm caution in reporting and investigating incendiary fires.

Read carefully sections 354, 369, 372, 373 and 374 as ther specify your duties, powers and compensation.

Keep personal notes of your work to help your memory if your testimony is required.

Investigate every fire or explosion and determine whether it was the result of carelessness or design.

Begin such investigation immediately.

If of suspicious origin or incendiary, notify the State Fire Marshal at once.

But a fire is not necessarily incendiary merely because its ori

is unknown.

If you believe a formal investigation necessary as to a suspicions or incendiary fire, notify the State Fire Marshal immediately.

If you think a fire incendiary, give fully your reason and the facts on the back of the blank report-a blank report is abs lutely useless.

Incendiary fire investigations should be quietly conducted. giving nothing out prematurely so as not to defeat the ends of jus

tice. Under section 369 you have power to conduct the investiga

tion in private.

Collect and preserve any physical evidence of arson with notes of finding.

The importance of dating the report is evident. It will show when the fire originated, when reported, your diligence and the promptitude of the Department.

Fill out carefully the blanks and the forms sent to you. Write your reports legibly, concisely and yet full enough. Inadequate, general and inexact reports are of no service. Do not fail to sign them.

Have a photo taken of arson evidence and transmit it with your report, indorsing it properly.

Unless the report is properly made out you can not be paid Time consumed in investigating fires must be accurately stated. Payments will only be made for services actually rendered and expenses actually laid out.

Expense accounts must be made out conscientiously and in detail, giving the date, name and location of the fire and number of miles traveled.

I ask your help toward wiping out incendiarism and reducing the fire waste by your activity in these investigations, reliable reports and personal interest in the discharge of your duties.