PROBLEM 104

ESTIMATING THE ACTUAL LOSS DUE TO FIRE

Problem: In 1923, the Board of Education of Johnstown, N. K., placed before the citizens a program for new building construction. The literature issued by the Board of Education indicated the need for a new high school because of the overcrowding in the elementary schools. It was pointed out that the old high school must be converted into an elementary school and a new high school building erected to care for the upper six grades. After a ten-month period, during which the need of a new school building, as well as the amount of the bond issue which should be voted, were common topics of conversation in the community and were given considerable space in the press, a public meeting was held at which bonds were voted. The amount which was voted made it necessary to build a "Type C" building,' which is a building with masonry walls, fire-resistive corridors and stairways but with ordinary construction otherwise, that is, combustible floor, partitions, roofs and finish. The building was first occupied late in September, 1925. It was in large part destroyed by fire October 8, 1925.

The Morning Press of October 8, 1925, of a large city adjoining Johnstown carried the following item concerning the Johnstown High School.

1 For construction purposes, the American Institute of Architects has grouped buildings under five types as follows:

Type A-A building constructed entirely of fire-resistive materials, including its roof, windows, doors, floors, and finish.

Type B-A building of fire-resistive construction in its walls, floors, stairways, and ceilings, but with wood finish, wood or composition floor surface, and wood roof construction over fireresistive ceiling.

Type C-A building with masonry walls, fire-resistive corridors and stairways, but with ordinary construction otherwise, i.e., combustible floor, partitions, roofs, and finish.

Type D-A building with masonry walls, but otherwise ordinary or joist construction and wood finish.

Type E-A frame building constructed with wood above foundation with or without slate or other semi-fireproof material on roof.

NEW HIGH SCHOOL NEAR WESTFIELD, N. K., BURNS

$175,000 Loss CAUSED WHEN FIRE DESTROYS STRUCTURE,
WAS IN USE BUT NOT COMPLETED

TWO FIREMEN OVERCOME

Westfield, N. K., Oct. 8.-The new high school of Johnstown borough, adjoining Westfield on the west, was destroyed by fire early to-day with a loss estimated at $175,000. Only walls remain. The school, a two-story brick structure, costing almost $250,000, was opened September 28 for the first time, with 501 pupils, after completion of the main building. The auditorium and the gymnasium had not yet been completed.

Two Johnstown firemen narrowly escaped death. One, Thomas Burke, was overcome on the roof by smoke. Burke toppled over, falling at the edge of the roof. Philip Martin, chief of the Johnstown company, the only other fireman on the roof, held him until firemen on the ground hoisted a ladder and carried both to safety. Joseph Smith, another Johnstown fireman, was trapped in a second-story room, when the collapse of the roof blocked all exits. Companions raised ladders to the window and pulled him out.

At 2:30 A.M., John R. Rodgers, supervisor of the Johnstown schools, and members of the school board, held a special meeting on the grounds of the burning building. It was decided to appeal to churches and organizations in the town to lend the use of their auditoriums for school purposes. It was agreed sessions could not be resumed before Monday.

There was $185,000 insurance on the building.

Assignment

1. What are all of the items which make up the total community loss due to this fire?

2. As the community makes an effort to place the responsibility for its loss, where should this responsibility fall?

3. Estimate the total amount of loss to the community. 4. At the time of the fire, this building had not been completed. What parties involved in the contract for the erection of this building are responsible for carrying insurance during the period of construction? What amount of insurance is it wise to carry during this period? Is the issuing of a fire insurance policy usually made part of such a building contract?

5. If you were superintendent of schools in this community, would you advocate the rebuilding of a "Type C" structure? 6. If the community proposes to erect a more highly fireresistive structure, what are the steps which must be taken and what new factors must be given consideration?

7. Was the proper amount of insurance taken out for this building? If not, on what basis should such insurance be purchased?

BIBLIOGRAPHY

AMERICAN INSTITUTE OF ARCHITECTS. Document 107. Office of the Secretary, The Octagon, Washington, D. C., May 10, 1914.

AMERICAN INSTITUTE OF ARCHITECTS. Contract Forms. Office of the Secretary, The Octagon, Washington, D. C., May 10, 1914.

DONOVAN, J. J. ET AL. School Architecture-Principles and Practices. Macmillan, 1921.

MELCHIOR, W. T. Insuring Public School Property. Bureau of Publications, Teachers College, Columbia University, 1925.

STRAYER, G. D. AND ENGELHARDT, N. L. Standards for High School Buildings. Bureau of Publications, Teachers College, Columbia University, 1924.

PROBLEM 105

INSURING SCHOOL BUILDINGS

Problem: The Board of Education in the city of Briggsville, 25,000 population, in the western state of N. K. has been urged by the superintendent of schools to reconsider its policy of insuring school property. In this growing western town, insurance costs are high. This is naturally felt to be true, as Briggsville has never had a school fire and the three thousand dollars spent each year on premiums seem wasted. On the other hand, severe criticism would be meted out to the administration if a fire should occur and it should turn out that only half of the loss was recoverable. The subject has been presented at a Board meeting for discussion.

The Board of Education owns fourteen buildings including elementary and high schools. These buildings may be divided into four types:

Type A.-Fireproof.

Vocational High School buildings.

Type B.-Brick Buildings of More Recent Construction (fire-resistive but not fireproof).

Lowell

Gymnasium and Heating Plant.

Academic High School.

Harding.

Coolidge.

Dawes.

Type C.-Brick Buildings Built Several Years Ago (veneer on

joist construction).

Washington.

Jefferson.

Jackson.