SR-700-004 (3)
1-C1!J- OtO i
,,-Y
JUN 2 3 1987
CM:JJ:JG
city Council Meeting, June 23, 1987
Santa Monica, California
TO:
Mayor and City council
FROM:
City staff
SUBJECT:
Report of Industrial Hygienist Regarding Asbestos at
201 Ocean Avenue and Reco:mmendations Regarding
Options for Safe Installation of Fire Sprinkler
Introduction
During the City council meeting on January 20, 1987, the City
Council requested that City staff retain the services of an
industrial hygienist to investigate the asbestos hazards present
at 201 Ocean Avenue and to present recommendations regarding the
feasibility and safety of installing a fire sprinkler system
throughout the building given those findings.
The following
presents the information as requested.
Background
On October 14, 1986, several residents of 201 Ocean Avenue (Ocean
Towers) requested that the city council consider alternatives to
fire sprinkler installation for the building as part of the
allowable requirements of Fire Safety Ordinance Number 1217 due
to the laboratory-certified presence of asbestos in ceiling
coating used throughout the building, Residents were concerned
11-8
JUN 2 J 1987
- 1 -
that installation of fire sprinklers would disturb the coating,
thereby resul ting in the release of asbestos fibers into the
building's atmosphere which would pose a health threat to the
residents. Building representatives argued that the Type I
construction rating of 201 Ocean Avenue combined with the
building's "state of the art" fire alarm system rendered a fire
sprinkler system non-essential, particularly given the potential
dangers of asbestos.
Based upon the exemption requested by representatives of the
residents, and after initial city staff response to questions
raised by the City Council relative to this case, the City
Council instructed City staff to obtain the services of a
licensed industrial hygienist to assess the relative risks of
life-threatening fire in Type I buildings such as 201 Ocean
Avenue versus exposure to asbestos which might result from
installation of a fire sprinkler system~ to comment on the danger
posed by the level of asbestos in the ceiling materials certified
by a licensed laboratory; and to make recommendations regarding
fire sprinkler installation options, if any, given the level of
asbestos present in the building.
staff contracted with International Technology Corporation (I.T.)
in February, 1987, to perform an assessment of 201 Ocean Avenue
as requested by the city Council. Frederick Mlakar, Manager of
Industrial Hygiene services for I.T. conducted the evaluation.
- 2 -
The City previously utilized the services of I. T. in March of
1986 to perform a risk assessment of the asbestos in the Main
Library.
Discussion
I.T. completed its risk assessment of 201 Ocean Avenue in May of
1987. A copy of the assessment report and supporting
documentation is attached for review (Attachment I). The
following provides a summary of that report as well as additional
information researched by city staff.
I) General Review of the Risks of Injury or Death by Fire in
Type I Buildings:
The I.T. report contains data regarding historic fire loss
experience in Type I buildings as provided by the National Fire
Protection Association (NFPA). According to the NFPA, 46,500
fires occurred in Type I structures between 1980 and 1984,
resulting in III fatalities, 1,536 injuries and $230,800,000 in
direct dollar loss. Unfortunately, data regarding the
nation-wide probability of death or injury as the result of a
fire in a Type I building is not available from the NFPA.
In addition, attached to the report is a package of informational
materials regarding recent fires in Type I or fire resistant high
rise buildings including detailed professional analyses of the
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causes and what could have been done to prevent or reduce the
loss of life which resulted. These analyses repeatedly indicate
the following:
A. Type I or fire resistant construction is that type in
which the structural members, including walls, columns,
beams, floors, and roofs are of approved non-combus-
tible or limited combustible materials and have fire
resistance ratings within a range specified by NFPA
standard 220. Type I or fire resistant construction,
however, "does not protect building occupants from
deadly smoke, toxic gases, and heat generated by
combustion of building interiors and furnishings." The
vast majority of fire-related deaths and injuries
resul t from exposure to such smoke, toxic gases and
heat rather than from the flames themselves;
B. While a fire alarm system is an important fire safety
feature in any structure, it is not a suitable re-
placement for a fire sprinkler system. The purpose of
an automatic fire sprinkler system is, by application
of spray or mist, to both confine a fire to its area of
origin and ultimately extinguish the fire. In doing
so, a fire sprinkler system also significantly
reduces the spread of smoke, toxic gas and heat,
thereby maintaining a tenable enviornment while
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allowing the building occupants to safely evacuate the
building. Had building-wide fire sprinkler systems
been installed in the buildings cited in the attached
case studies, many lives would have been saved
and injuries and property loss minimized;
c. According to the NFPA/ between 1980 and 1984, 53 people
were killed and 166 injured in fires which occurred in
sprinklered properties nationwide. No multiple deaths
occurred in a building where sprinklers were properly
operating except in an explosion or flash fire or where
fire fighters or plant employees were killed during
fire suppression. Of the deaths and injuries in
sprinklered buildings during this time period, 74% and
84% respectively were the result of industrial
explosions and 13% and 8% respectively were nursing
home residents.
II) Fire Safety Issues in the Case of 201 Ocean Avenue
As stated by representatives of the residents of 201 Ocean
Avenue, the building is of Type I construction. As such, the
building I s structural members have a 3 hour fire rating, the
floors have a two hour rating, the elevator shafts and stairwells
a two hour rating, and the roof a two hour rating. As discussed
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above, however, the fire resistive nature of Type I construction
has no specific bearing on the rate at which smoke, toxic gases
and heat would spread beyond the area of fire ignition.
In speci f ic, it is the opinion of the City's Fire Prevention
staff that the following building conditions of 201 Ocean Avenue
would contribute to the rapid spread of smoke, toxic gases and
heat in the event of a fire based. These conditions were
observed during repeated inspections of the building:
A. None of the elevator towers and lobbies on any of the
floors are separated from the remainder of the building
by an approved smoke stop-draft control assembly. In
the event of a fire on any floor, the pressures which
would develop would cause the smoke, toxic gases and
heat to enter the elevator hoistway shafts and spread
rapidly to adjoining floors.
B. Soffits and drop ceilings were installed in the
hallways throughout the building to conceal the new
building water supply piping which was installed in the
early 1980's due to premature deterioration of the
building's original plumbing system. At the time
of installation , the Fire Prevention staff approved the
use of untreated wood in construction of the soffits
with the knowledge that the anticipated installation of
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fire sprinklers would mitigate the fire hazards of such
untreated wood. Should fire sprinklers fail to be
installed, the soffits will be required to be
reconstructed utilizing materials with the proper burn
rating. These soffits run along the ceilings throughout
the building's lobbies.
c. The building management has experienced continual
problems with residents who have removed or disconnected
self-closing door devices installed throughout the
building after the fire in December of 1976. Fire
Prevention staff have been requested to assist the
building management in obtaining the cooperation of
various residents in reinstalling or replacing these
self-closing door devices. In the event of a fire in a
unit without a properly maintained door closing device,
a fire would spread much more rapidly beyond the site of
ignition, just as it did in the fire of 1976.
The behaviour of the December, 1976 fire in the South Tower
provides an example of the rate at which fire, smoke, toxic gas
and heat could be expected to spread in a Type I building such as
201 Ocean when doors lack self-closing devices and fire
sprinklers are not present. The fire began on the tenth floor
when a smoldering cigarette ignited a living room sofa. The first
alarm was sounded at 12:14 am; the first company arrived at 12:18
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am. Upon arriving on the ninth floor, fire fighters encountered
smoky conditions caused by the penetration of smoke under
pressure from the fire floor. A second alarm was sounded at
12:25 am as a result of the rapid spread of flames throughout the
tenth floor (facilitated by a door left open by a fleeing
resident) and the contamination of adjoining floors by smoke and
toxic gases under pressures generated by the intense fire
conditions on the tenth floor, both of which were deemed to pose
"extreme life and property loss potential."
A local fire alarm system (consisting of corridor smoke detectors
and manual pull stations) and a partial sprinkler system in the
parking garage are currently operative in the building.
Representatives of the residents have indicated that the fire
alarm system is "state of the art". Fire Prevention staff has
noted, however, that the system is not in good working order and
that false alarms are a frequent problem. For example, during a
two year period from July of 1985 to the present, the Fire
Department has responded to 27 fire alarms sounded at 201 Ocean
Avenue. Of those 27 responses, 26 were false alarms. since
January I, 1987, the Fire Department has responded to nine alarms
at the building, all of which were false alarms. As a result of
the frequent false alarms, the building management recently
distributed a flyer to residents urging them to ignore any alarms
and that security guards would be making frequent floor checks to
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insure that fire conditions were not present when an alarm
sounded. Results of the annual full fire alarm test, currently
planned for the week of June 22, will be made available to the
City Council as soon as possible thereafter.
III}. General Review of the RiskS Associated with the Presence of
Asbestos in Residential Buildings
In order to assess the risks associated
asbestos, several factors related to the
exposure deserve highlighting:
with exposure
varying types
to
of
o Level of Exposure: laboratory measurements of
asbestos contamination levels are reported both as a
percentage of total building material and as a
percentage of total airborne particles per cubic
centimeter of atmosphere. The asbestos content of
building material as a total percentage is not
significant = rather, the level of airborne
contamination resulting is the issue of concern
since asbestos only poses a problem when inhaled. As
long as any concentration of asbestos remains
undisturbed, it poses no health threat.
"Friability" of asbestos-containing
materials such as ceiling coating
extent to which the material can
building
determines the
be crumbled,
- 9 -
thereby releasing aSbestos-containing dust into the
atmosphere.
o Duration of Exposure: there is no epidemiological
evidence which links the development of asbestos-
related diseases with brief and/or low levels of
exposure to airborne asbestos. The EPA points to the
development of asbestos-related diseases only in
workers who have been exposed to level s of asbestos
10,000 to 100,000 times greater than the airborne
levels normally encountered in buildings containing
asbestos and in family members of such workers who
were regularly exposed to asbestos dust such workers
carried in their hair and on their clothes. The EPA
developed its current upper threshold exposure level
of no more than .2% asbestos per cubic centimeter of
atmosphere per eight hour period in order to safeguard
the health of such workers and their families exposed
to asbestos on a daily basis over the course of many
years.
IV) The Risks of Asbestos Exposure in the Case of 201 Ocean
Avenue
Hall-Kimbrell Enviornmental Services conducted a
analysis of 201 Ocean Avenue on September 26,
petrographic
1986. Such
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analysis consisted of taking twelve samples of the cottage
cheese-like ceiling coating from the building's original ceiling
in several hallway, lobby and residential unit locations in both
the North and South Towers. The main entrance lobbies of the
building still retain the original exposed ceiling as do the
residential units; the building's residential floor lobbies
contain drop ceilings and soffits which were installed when the
plumbing system was replaced and which conceal the original
asbestos-coated ceilings. A copy of the laboratory analysis is
attached (Attachment II). The analysis showed that the asbestos
content as a percentage of the total composition of the ceiling
coating varied from 8% to 18% in the twelve locations sampled and
that the asbestos was of the chrysotile classification
It should be noted that a petrographic analysis consists of
removing friable ceiling coating, pulverizing that coating into a
dust powder and measuring the asbestos percentage utilizing a
dispersion staining microscopy method. The 8% to 18% asbestos
content range of the sampled ceiling material should not be
assumed to represent the level of airborne asbestos
contamination. None of the ceiling material becomes airborne
dust unless it is disturbed. Airborne testing is only assumed
necessary when the ceiling material has been disturbed.
Hall-Kimbrell did not, therefore, conduct an airborne sampling
analysis of 201 Ocean Avenue.
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According to I.T. 's risk assessment of 201 Ocean Avenue, an 8% to
18% range of asbestos as a percentage of total materials
comprising a ceiling coating is not unusually high. The ceiling
coating utilized throughout the building is of the typical
"cottage cheese" variety utilized as standard practice during the
1960' s and early 1970 IS. Because the ceiling coating is quite
friable, special precautions do need to be taken when working
around it to insure minimal disturbance of the ceiling.
It is the opinion of I.T. that neither the level of asbestos as a
percentage of ceiling material content nor the friability of the
material would pose a hazard in the event a fire sprinkler system
is installed at 201 Ocean Avenue, provided that appropriate
precautions are taken during the installation procedure and that
installation options are explored which would not involve
~ttachin9 the system to the lobby and residential unit ceilings.
Were the following installation methods and monitoring procedures
employed, fire sprinkler installation could be completed without
the risk of airborne asbestos contamination of the building
atmosphere:
o Plumbing system soffits attached to lobby ceilings run
throughout the building. Such soffits are routinely
opened from the underside to perform plumbing repairs
without disturbing the ceiling coating. The city's
Fire Protection Engineer and I.T. recommend that the
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additional copper piping required for the sprinkler
system be installed in the soffits and that the
sprinkler heads be installed along lobby walls
adjacent to the soffits. Photos of the soffits as
currently installed in the building will be
distributed for City Council review during the City
Council meeting and will be available in the City
Council Office beginning June 19th.
o Installation of a partial sprinkler system would
include positioning of a sprinkler head inside the
entry door of each residential unit to prevent the
spread of fire which initiated inside a unit and to
provide for occupant escape. Piping for such a unit
can be run from the lobby soffit, through the wall
adjacent to each door and positioned above the door or
on the adjacent wall. Photos of the same technique,
which was utilized in the installation of sprinklers
at 1431 Ocean Avenue, will be distributed for Council
review during the city Council meeting and will be
available in the city council Office beginning June
19th.
o The appropriate combination of asbestos control
techniques should be utilized by a qualified sprinkler
contractor licensed by the state to work in asbestos
- 13 -
conditions and familiar with EPA and CaljOSHA
regulations regarding safe work methods. Such
contractors were used for safe installation in both
1431 Ocean Avenue and 220 San vicente. While both
buildings did, in fact, have lower levels of asbestos
as a total percentage of materials comprising the
ceiling coatings than does 201 Ocean Avenue, as long
as the ceiling material is not disturbed, the level of
asbestos is not significant factor in terms of the
risks associated with a carefully planned, executed
and monitored sprinkler installation.
o As during fire sprinkler installation at 1431 Ocean
Avenue and 220 San Vicente, the property owners should
engage the services of a qualified industrial
hygienist to review the proposed installation prior to
commencement, to monitor the work as it is performed,
and to conduct daily airborne sampling analysis to
insure safe installation.
BUdget/Fiscal Impact
The staff recommendation will have no budget or fiscal impact.
Estimates of the cost to the property owners of 201 Ocean Avenue
for the installation of fire sprinklers utilizing appropriately
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licensed asbestos contractors and laboratory monitoring services
have ranged from a minimum of $500,000 to over $1,000,000.
Recommendations
It is the assessment of a licensed industrial hygienist that the
risks of injuries and deaths by a fire at 201 Ocean Avenue could
be greatly reduced if fire sprinklers were installed, and that
the risk of health-threatening exposure to asbestos given the
specific level and type of asbestos present in the building are
as minimal as is possible given epidemiological evidence. In
addition, installation options do exist which would not
necessitate the disturbance of the aSbestos-containing ceiling
material. A sprinkler contractor licensed specifically to work
in asbestos conditions should be retained as well as a licensed
industrial hygienist to insure that the installation is be done
safely.
Therefore, staff recommends that the City Council reject the
request made by representatives of the property owners and
residents of 201 Ocean Avenue that the building be exempted from
the Supplemental Fire Safety and Prevention Requirements as
outlined in section 206 (a) of the Uniform Administrative Code,
1982 Edition. Furthermore, city staff recommends that the City
Council require that the property owners initiate immediate steps
to comply with requirements of Code Section 206(a), and recommend
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that such compliance include the engagement of a licensed
sprinkler contractor and industrial hygienist to insure safe
installation of a fire sprinkler system.
Attachments: Risk Assessment Report, I.T. Corporation
Laboratory Analysis, 201 Ocean Avenue
Prepared by: Julia N. Griffin, Senior Management Analyst
steve Locati, Fire Protection Engineer
(ocean201)
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ATTACHMENT I
m INTERNATIONAL
TECHNOLOGY
CORPORATION
An assessment of relatIve rIsks related
to the Installation of fire sprInkler
systems In Type I bUIldIngs equIpped
WIth fIre alarm systems and WIth
asbestos-contaInIng ceIlIng materIals.
prepared For:
City of Santa MonIca
1683 MaIn St.
Santa MonIca, CA 90401-3295
AttentIon: Julia GrIffIn
prepared By:
InternatIonal Technology CorporatIon
RIsk Control SerVIces
AprIl, 1987
ReS Job Number 465794
1
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. :c':.5 ;-:r::'Tl::a V'.IQ7,/" Ce~"'..~s C".:::'-t.=.rr-'::; :::"C"7.:=;" . ;;-:.3 -:;:21 q~..3. ~... --- 452::-02-JO
city of Santa Monica
IKTERI\ATIO:\AL TECHNOLOGY CORPORAT:O]\;
In troduc ti on
Based on hIstorIC fIre loss experIence In Type I bUIldIngs and
on the potentIal for hazardous asbestos exposures during
automatIC fire sprInkler system InstallatIon, thIS report
seeks to facIlitate deCISIon making regardIng the need for
sprInkler systems In Type I bUIldIngs eqUIpped WIth fIre alarm
systems and In WhIch asbestos-contaInIng materIals may
complIcate the Installation process. PartIcular attention was
paId to the case of Ocean Towers at 201 Ocean Avenue In Santa
MonIca. FIre loss data from bUIldIngs of Type I or SImilar
constructIon were obtaIned from the executIve offIces of the
NatIonal FIre Protection ASSOCIatIon (NFPA) In QUIncy,
Ma ssachusetts. (Type I con struct ion 1 s tha t type In wh lch the
structural members, inclUdIng walls, columns, beams, floors,
and roofs, are of approved non-combustIble or lImIted
combustIble materIals and have fIre reSIstance ratIngs WIthin
a range speCIfIed by the NFPA standard 220). The NFPA was
organIzed in 1896 to promote the SCIenCe and Improve the
methods of fIre protectIon and fIre preventIon. It IS a
nonprofit, educational, voluntary-membership organIzatIon
recognized InternatIonally as a clearInghouse for InformatIon
on fIre preventIon, fIre fIghtIng procedures, and means of
fIre protectIon. It 15 also recognized Internationally as an
authoritatIve source for fIre-loss experIence.
2
City of Santa Monica
INTERKATIONAL 7ECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
The asbestos exposure data were taken from the U.S. EnV1ron-
mental protect1on Agency publIcat10n entitled GU1dance for
controlllng Asbestos-Conta1ning Materlals 1n BU1ldings (EPA
500/5-85-024) of June, 1985; from the proceed1ngs of the
Asbestos In BU1ldIngs SympOSIum sponsored by the Amerlcan
Industr1al Hyg1ene ASSocIatIon 1n Anaheim, CA In March, 1985;
and from our own extenSIve experIence servIng as asbestos
consultants to constructIon contractors performing demolItIon,
renovatIon, and remodellIng In bUIldIngs WIth asbestos-con-
taIning materials.
3
CIty of Santa MonIca
INTERNATIONAL TECHNOLOGY CORPORAT!ON
The FIre Data
The entIre set of documentatIon supplIed by the NFPA are gIven
In the appendIces. Although these artIcles are self-explan-
atory, some of the clear and consIstent messages can be sum-
marlzed as follows:
AppendIX A: A "specIal reporttl on fIre experIence IndIcates
46503 flres, III cIVIlian fatalIties, 1536
cIVIlIan inJurIes, and $230,800,000 dIrect
dollars lost In Type I structures for the years
1980-1984 10 the UOlted States.
AppendIX B: A tlsprlnkler statement" gIVIng the NFPA's
offICIal stand on automatic sprInkler systems
unequIvocally advocates sprInkler installatIon
In all types of bUIldIngs.
AppendIX C A "hlgh rIse packagetl, WhIch Includes 18 articles
through U:
from the FIre Journal gIVIng specIfIC examples
of flre experIence In Type I or fIre reSIstant hIgh
rIse bUIldIngs WIth detaIled professIonal analyses
of theIr probable causes and what could have been
done to prevent or reduce loss of lIfe and
property, indIcates that:
* Type I constructIon does not protect bUIldIng
occupants from deadly smoke, gases, and heat,
generated by combustIon of bUIldIng InterIors
and furnIshIngs.
4
Clty of Santa MonIca
IN7ERI\'AT!ONAi. TECHNOLOGY CORPORAiiON
*
Tho~ough sprlnkler systems would have p~e-
vented many deaths and lnJurles to bUIlding
occupants and firefIghters, as well as ffill-
llons of dollars ln property damage, in Type I
hlgh rIse bUIldIngsi
Fire alarm systems, although useful, are not
substItutes for sprlnkler systems because
alarms can malfunctIon, cannot be heard by
some persons, and do not have the abIlity to
extInguIsh and prevent the spread of fIres.
*
j
City of Santa MonIca
INTERNATIONAL TECHNOLOGY CORPORATIO:--r
The Asbestos Issue
The U.S. Envlronmental ProtectIon Agency (EPA) pOInts out
that most people with asbestos-related dIseases (asbestosls,
lung cancer, and mesothelloma) were exposed to hIgh levels of
asbestos whIle workIng In asbestos IndustrIes prIor to 1972.
The alrborne asbestos concentrations In bUIldings with
asbestos-contalnlng mate~lals (ACM) are tYPIcally 10,000 to
100,000 tImes lower than levels In asbestos industry
workplaces where asbestos related dlseases have been well
documented, and there IS no direct evidence of asbestos death
or dlsease among occupants of such bUIldIngs. EPA surveys
estImate that 31,000 school and 733,000 publIC and commercial
buildIngs contaln friable (eaSIly crumbled) ACM. Of course,
the uncontrolled dIsturbance of ACM durIng bUIlding maIn-
tenance, repalr, renovatIon, or In this case sprInkler
installation, can release hIgher concentratlons of asbestos
flbers Into the envlronment. However, the release of asbestos
flbers can be controlled durlng such operatIons, wIthout Slg-
nlfIcantly Increaslng the rIsk of harm to bUlldlng occupants
or to installatIon workers, when the proper regulatlons and
procedures are practIced. Proper procedures for example, are
llkely to Involve a comblnatIon of wetting or encapsulating
agents, HEPA vacuum systems, enclosure, worker tralnlng,
6
City of Santa Monica
:~TERNAT:ONAL TECH~OLOGY CORPORATION
respiratory protectIon and posslbly the serVIces of a llcensed
asbestos abatement contractor, as well as compllance wlth
asbestos regulations enforced by the U.S. Environmental
Protectlon Agency (EPA), Callfornla1s Occupatlonal Health and
Safety AdmIn1stratlon (Cal/OSHA), and the Department of Health
Servlces (DOBS), and the South Coast Alr QualIty Management
Distrlct (SCAQMD).
7
CIty of Santa MonIca
INTERKATIONAL TECHNOLOGY CORpORATiON
201 Ocean Avenue, Santa Mon1ca
The presence of up to 18% asbestos (chrysotile) 1n the ceIl1ng
materIal of the 201 Ocean Avenue as reported by Hall-K1mbell
Environmental SerV1ces on September 30, 1986 IS not surprising
SInce the same condItIon can be found In many bUIldIngs.
DurIng our sIte ViSIt of March 3, 1987 we observed thIS
ceIlIng materIal to be the sprayed on ncottage cheese" type
Wh1ch IS common to many commercIal and res1dentlal buildings.
It appeared that a very lImIted amount of the ceIling materIal
would need to be removed or dIsturbed In order to Install a
fIre sprInkler system, especIally If the pIpe soffets that are
already located In the hallways are used.
The approprlate comblnatlon of asbestos control techniques to
be used In thIS case should be planned by a qualifIed
IndustrIal hyglenlst In collaboratIon wIth the sprInkler
contractor, and would depend on the type of system to be
Installed and on the selected method of InstallatIon. The
efflcacy of the asbestos control techniques can and should be
confirmed and documented by aIr sampling and analYSIS to
determIne If aIrborne fIber levels were wIthIn regulatory and
advIsory standards.
8
City of Santa Monica
INTERKATIONAL TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
ConclUSIons:
1. Type I constructIon and fIre alarm systems although
helpful, are not substItutes for sprInkler systems. The
NFPA documentatIon clearly indIcates that sprInkler
systems can save lIves, and reduce inJurIes and property
damage from fIres in Type I bUIldIngs WIth alarm systems.
2. The presence of asbestos In the ceIlIngs of 201 Ocean
Avenue presents no serIOUS obstacle to the safe
Installation of a fIre sprInkler system. However, the
cost of the asbestos control measures WIll lncrease the
overall cost of the sprinkler InstallatIon somewhat.
~
FredrIck J. Mlakar
CertIfIed IndustrIal HygIenist
FJM/q J
9
APPE~DIX A
Special Report
Structure Fires in Type I (Fire Resistive) Buildings
1980-1984 Fire Experience
~
Natlonal Fire Protection Association/Kenneth T. Taylor
Analyses for this report use national estimates based on fire incident data
reported to the NFPA annual survey and the National Flre Incident Reporting
System, (NFIRS). NFIRS is a natlonal fire reporting system operated by the
United States Fire Administration/Federal Emergency Management Agency.
National estimates of fires and associated losses are based on statistical
methods developed by analysts from the National Fire Protection Association
(NFPA), the United States Fire Administration, and the Consumer Product Safety
Commission (CPSC)
All analyses are guided by NFPA Standard 901, Uniform Coding For Fire
Protection, 1976 edltion. The 901 Standard provides a common fire reporting
language used widely throughout the United States by the fire serVlce.
KTT/May 1987
Speci al Report
Structure fires in Type I, (Fire Reslstive) Buildings
1980-1984 Fire Experience
United States
An average of 46,500 fires occurred annually, from 1980 to 1984, in the United
States involving Type I (fire reslstive) bUllding structures*. These fires
result in an estlmated average dollar loss of $230,800,000 per year in direct
property damage, with 1,536 civilian injuries and 111 civillan fatalities.
National Estimates of Average Annual Fire Experlence, 1980-1984
Fires
Civilian Injuries
Civilian Fatalities
Direct Dollar Loss
46,500
1,536
111
$230,800,000
Estimates are expressed to three signlficant places.
National estimates of fires and assoclated losses are based on statistlcal
methods developed by analysts from the National Fire Protection Association
(NFPA), the United States Fire Administration (USFA), and the Consumer Product
Safety Commlss1on (CPSC).
Estimates are based on structure fires attended by public fire departments.
All analyses are guided by NFPA Standard 901, Uniform Coding For Flre
Protection, 1976 edition. The 901 Standard provides a common fire reportlng
language used widely throughout the United States by the fire serVlce.
* Included are SSC Tpypes lA, lB; sse Type 1; USC Type 1,
SSC - Baslc Building Code, Building Offlcials and Code Administrators
TnIernational, Inc., Chicago, Illinois,
SSC - Standard Building Code, Southern Building Code Congress, Birmlngham,
1i:'1abama.
UBC - Uniform Buildlng Code, International Conference of Building
Officlals, Whittier California.
KTT/May 1987
Speci al Report
Structure Fires in Type I (Fire Resistive) Buildings
1980-1984 Fire Experience
United States
Cause Groupings
Percent of
Causes Flres
Percent of
Injuries
Percent of
Deaths
Percent of
Dollar Loss
Incendiary/suspicious 19.2
23.8
3.1
16.0
5. 1
11. 7
24.1
1.5
26.8
4.6
5.3
25.8
0.9
3.6
6.3
3.6
Children playing 2.7
Sma kin g 1 0 . 9
Heating 10.3
Cooking 14.3
E1 ectrica 1
distributlon 7.9
7.8
2.0
10.5
Appliances,
air conditionlng 6.4
Open flame, ember,
torch 6.1
4.6
2.0
4.2
6.0
7.1
4.5
Other heat, flame,
spark 1. 9
Other equipment 9.9
Natural 2.2
2.7
6.8
2.2
0.3
10.0
1.8
3.3
0.0
0.0
21.5
1.7
12.2
Exposure 1.3
Unknown 6.9
2.6
2.0
22.1
Totals may not add to 100 percent due to rounding.
Percentages are based on 46,500 fires per year with an estimated total dollar
loss of $230,800,000 per year, in direct property damage. with 1.536 civilian
inJuries and 111 civilian fatalities.
National estimates are based on structure fires attended by publlC fire
departments. All analyses are gUlded by NFPA Standard 901. Uniform Codlng For
Fire Protection, 1976 editlon. The 901 Standard provides a common fire
reporting language used widely throughout the Unlted States by the fire
service. #
KTT /May 1987
(:
.
'.
.
APPEi\1)IX B
l,~~-
rJFPA
NATIONAL
FIRE PROTECTION
ASSOCIATION
INTE~I'iA""OI"ll.a.L
.'YtC'oifrg J\Aof1II"Id Toworr:: Sere-tv Fro/TI ;:-re
"Automatic Spnnklers, properly lnstalled and malntalned.
provlde a hlghly effectlve safeguard against the loss of llfe
and prooerty from fire. II
liThe NFPA has no record of a multlple-death fire (a flre
whlcn kl11s three or more people) ln a cOffioletely sprlnklered
buildlng where the system was properlY operatlng. except ln
an exploslon or flash fire or where flre fighters or plant
e~ployees were kll1ed durlng fire suppression operatlons. In
some cases. victlms of fatal fires ln sprinklered propertles
were lnvolved in the 19n1tlon of the fire and recelved thelr
lnJurles prlor to the operatlon of the sprlnklers. or were
unable to escape due to a physlcal or mental impairment.
EXECUTIVE OFFICE BATTEFlY\iARCH PARK. QUINCY, MAS$A;:HlJSEns USA C2269. TELEPHONE i61n n0-3000 . TELEX 200250
The ncn oro,.t fecrr11cal ana eClJcat"onal cr.g3rtlauon TO prarrote rhe SCI9'r'Jce and lfl'prO\l'e me merhCX:S 01 fire pro'ec['oft ana preyentlon 10 otltam and cirCulate
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hPPEI\'DIX C
1llteri1n Re....oort and Findings
of the
lVational Fire Protection Association
Fire at the
Dupont Plaza l-lotel and Casino
G 96 Fatalities .
December 31,1986
'-------:~~:~T~~1~
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P"'eta c-::>'-,rr~.~v of E:J .,;............o.Dr.a
.
.
*PA Interim Investigation Report
INTRODUCTION
A mid-afternoon Ure at the Dupont Plaza Hotel
and Casino In San Juan. Puerto Rico on December 31,
1986, resulted 10 96 fatalities and over 140 InJunes
An investigation was conducted by the :\'atlOnal
Fire ProtectlOn AssoClatlOn to document and analvze
Slgndkant factors that resulted In the rapId fire devel-
opment and spread that led to the large loss of life An
mvesugauon team of five speClal15ts was assembled and
dIspatched unmedtatelv after nouficauon of the fire
and began to arnve wlthm 24 hours to conduct the
study ;..,rPA, as In past mal or fires, worked In cooper-
ation with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and flfe-
arms (A TF) and local authonues
ATF dIspatched Its nauonal response team at the
request of the Puerto RICan aulhontLcs to help dcter-
mille the cause and ongm of the fire ATF IS the federal
agency responsible for investigating malor arson and
explOSion cnmes I'-rPA and ATF are continuing co-
operauve efforts on dus modem A fullv detaLlcd and
final I\'FPA report Will be av'allable In Jur:e
· The rITe occurred m a non-sprmklered, 20-storv
hotel complex that contained a first-floor ballroom, a
second-floor (malO entrance level) caSinO, mercantIle
shops, restaurants and functlOn rooms m addtr;on to
the 17 guest room floors
· Construcuon Included unprotected nonccm~us-
uble and some combusuble construction 10 the ball-
room area, and fire-reSlstlve constructlon m the casI-
no, lobby area and the hlgh-nse tower
· There were no fire de:ectlOn systems and there
was a local-onlv, manual rITe evacuation alarm system
Illstalled In the hlgh-nse tower which was apparently
not working at the tlme of t~e fire There was a:so a
standpipe and hose system ln the tower
· There was no eVidence of a fire evacuatlon plan
for the hotel nor was any trammg of employees to co;:)-
plemenr such a plan apparent
The Dupont Plaza Hotel and Casino fire was among the worst hotel fires
in this century, including the 1980 MGM Grand Hotel fire which kil/ed
85 and the 1946 Winecoff Hotel fire in which 119 were kiIled. Many of
the lessons, unfortunately, repeat themselves.
.
ThiS FIre Investlgallon Report has been prepared bv the
'\[auonal fire ProtectIon ASSOClatlon ('.;[Pl\.) In the public
Interest and may be reproduced fredy -\nv quesl;ons re~ard-
109 the content should be directed to "FPA
1 hiS Im'cstlgallon IS bemg funded emuclv by the Asso-
Clalton on behalf of lIS 38,000 members .\1embershlp \s open
to any indiVidual or orgamzatlon mterested In ImproVl'1g fire-
safety, and IS broadly represematlVe of the fire servIces, mdus-
try, state, local and federal government and profeSSIonals of
all walks of life
Founded In 1896 as a not-far-profit technical and educa-
tIonal ASSOCIation, the J\rPA has been conductl~g fire I"Vest!-
gallons SL11ce the 1940's Imponant lessons learned from t'-e
objective fire investigations proVIde gUidance to both pubhe
and private sector firesafetv mll1aU'ieS thrOl.:gh lMproved
codes and standards and better pubhc cducalton
For more mformatlon on .....FPA or lIS fire I'1Vestli:!l.lons
program, write or call A Elwood Wlllev at t,TP'\ Head-
q'..laners, Batlery'march Park, Qumcy, Massachusetts 02269
(617-770-3000)
2
.
.
.
Fire at the Dupont Plaza lIotel and Casino
BACKGROU1.VD
The casino's west exit was a 36-inch wooden door,
set in a wood frame and opening into the caSIno.
When closed, thIs door required two simultaneous
actions to unlatch and open it.
Constructed in the early 1960's and first occu-
pIed m the fall of 1963, the Dupont Plaza Hotel and
Casino was located on Ashford Avenue U1 San Juan's
Condado Beach seCTIon, a tDunst area of the Island
The Commonwealth of Puerto RICO adopted buildmg
regulauons for the State m September, 1954 .AJdlough
the regulauons have smce been amended, the Dupont
Plaza would have been bullt to the 1954 regulauons The
oceanfront bUlldmg was positioned approXImately 200
feet off Ashford Avenue, connected
bv a Circular dnvewav that gave ac-
cess [Q the hotel's open-aIr, mam
entrance area on the casmo and
lobbv level Tills level contained
the hotel regJstratlon and lobby
area, a discotheque, function
rooms, mercantile shops, restaurants and the caSInO
The U-shaped, approXImate Iv 4,760-square-foO[
caSInO was posltloned north of the bwld'ng core, willch
housed the servICe eqUipment such as the elevator
eqUipment rooms for me hlgh-nse The casmo had two
eXits that discharged mto the hotel lobby (see attac..'1ed
diagram) The mam entrance/exit was at L1e east
corndor of the caSInO and coDSlSted of two 36-mch
glass doors set In a metal frame The doors were
deSigned to open In either dIrectIOn The casmo's west
eXit was a 36-Inch wooden door. set In a wood frarr.e
and openmg mto the casmo \1'hen closed, thlS door
reqUIred t\VO slmuitaneous actIons to unlatch a'1d open
It
An open foyer With stalfv;av connected the casmo
level to the ballroom level below In adchtlon to the
large ballroom located on the porthcast portion of the
bUlldlOg, tlus level contamed the kitchen and support
faCi!tues, some of the hotel staff offices, and tI:e
recelvmg dock Direct access to the bUlldmg"s SWlffi-
ffilng pool, parkmg area and access to the beach could
be gamed from the ballroom level The gross d:men-
SlOns of tills and the caSinO level were approxlffiatelv
290 fect by 230 feet
The bulldmg also ccntamed a basement level
which occuplcd approx1IIlatelv two-thirds of the gross
floor area of the casillo and ballroom levels The
basement contamed an employee cafetena, mam-
tenance shop, mecharucal eqUipment room, laundry
and electrical transformer room A parual automatic
sprmkler svstem supplied by the bUildlIlg's domestic
water protected the laundry area and the trash and laun-
dIY chutes Because of Its very hrrated coverage and Its
locauon rcmote from the fIre area, the pamal system
was not a factor In thiS mCldem Access to the basemer.t
was gamed by way of the bUlldmg's mtenor stamvavs or
from an cxtcnor stanway located on the east Side of 6e
bUIlding near the receiving dock
In addltlon to the malO entrance and the cntrance
to the b:lsement, access to the bUlldmg could also be
gamed by an outside spiral stalrv."ay looted on the west
Side of the bUlldmg (pool Side), connect.mg the sWlm~
mmg pool area to the caSillo/lobby level Th1s en-
3
.
NFPA Interim Investigation Report
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Fire at the Dupont Plaza Hotel and Casino
.
.
trance was also an open-air passageway From the
ocean side (nort..~) one cOuld gain access to the bulld-
mg t]-1Iough wo exterior doors placed In a 20-foot-lugh
glass partition between the extenor and the ballroom
foyer area Wooden louvers above the doors allowed
outside au to mfiltrate the foyer at these locatlons
The high-nse tower was constructed above the area
enclosed bv the mam lobby and casmO (approxlffiately
110 feet square) The lugh-nse tower was of fIre reslstLve
constructLon and used a center core constructIOn
method to enclose servICe and passenger ele\'ators, a
uuhty and pipe chase, the bUlldmg's two mtenor st:ur-
ways, and heatrng, venulatlOn and au COndll1orung
(HVAC) duct work whICh supplied conditioned au to
guest room floors
There was approxlmatelv a 20-
fOOl distance from the poured con-
crete floor of the lobby and casillo
level to the floor above A metal
construction haVing poured concrete columns and
floor assemblies The center core was enclosed Will-}
two-hour fire reSL5tLve materIals In general, each guest
room floor contamed 25 guest rooms poslt1oned along
the outer perImeter of the tower Access to the guest
rooms was gamed bv way of a corndor between the core
and guest rooms Doors to guest rooms were not self-
closmg, nor illd the rooms contain indiVidual smoke
detectors IndiVidual HVAC uruts proVided condl-
tLoned au to guest rooms The umts were located m a
plenum area above each bathroom '\-lake-up air for
guest rooms was taken from the corndors, condltlOned
and then d1stnbuted mto guest rooms
SenrJce and passenger elevators served all guest
Exits for the highRrise tower, which included eXIts
for the roof-top restaurant, were designed to
discharge into the hotel lobby.
lath and plaster suspended cellmg
system Vv"3.S proVIded III the lobby
and the casmo The d1stance from the floor to the
finIShed cedmg was approXimately 15 feet The VOId
created a large plenum area over the lobby and caSino
The hotel portlOn of the complex consIsted of 17
guest room floors The floors were numbered 3 through
20, there was no deSignated 13th. l100r A restaurant
With kltch(9 faCllwes was located on the 21st floor The
remalIung upper levels of the bUlldmg contallled
HVAC (floors 11 through 21) and elevator eqUipment
rooms, mamtenance and other support serv'ce areas
The bulldmg's two mteflor stamvays and passenger
and servIce elevators served all occupied levels of the
buddmg One of the stamvays proVided access to the
eqUlpme'1t room levels and the roof by way of a hatch
The bUildmg's hlgh-flSe tower was of fire-reslsuve
.
room floors The four passenger elevators opened
directly onto the eXit access corrIdor Tne two senxe
elevators opened onto a serVIce room Also mcluded
In thiS room was a maid's servICe area, and trash (aban-
doned) and laundry chutes Louvered doors proVIded
access from the servICe room to the corr:dor
Access to the 42-1/2-mch SCIssor stamvays was pro-
Vided on the east and west corndors through 36-lrlch
self-closmg fire doors Illuminated eXit signs were
proVided near stamvav eXIts ~1anual pull statlons and
alarm bells were located III the corndor III dose
proXlIruty to the stairways ExIts for the high-rIse tower,
whICh mcluded e'Xtts for the roof-top restaurant, were
deSigned to discharge mto the hotel lobby
5
.
.
.
./'
1\TPA Interim Investigation Report
Ballroom Area level
)
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..
OPEN STAIRS
UP TO LINE OF BALCONY ABOVE _' '\
CASINO LEVEL;. J~~----~~~;;~:~~_:_:--~._~~~:~;;;~~~--. /j
: COMBUSTIBLE FU~~~~RE
PARTITION
r,
NORTH
BALLROOM
-
WINDOW
WALL
PANELS
SOUTH
BALLROOM
I
1/ \ (
/
6
.
.
.
Fire at the Dupont Plaza Hotel and Casino
A t approximately 3.22 P.~l.. the fue was dIScov-
ered by an employee In the first-floor, unoccupied
south ballroom at the east end of the complex Agents
from ATF and local authorltles determmed that the fire
was delIberately set to a large stack of recentlv delIvered
guest room furOlture temporanlv stored 10 the ball-
room The furmturc was stili m packmg matenals and
occupIed an area of the south ballroom determmed to
be 18 feet bv 31 feet and stacked to a hClght of SIX fcet
Once Igmted, the fire dc\"cl-
oped qUlc:';ly, mvo!vmg the stored
matcnals and the combustible mter-
lor of the south ballroom mc1udLng
carpeted walls, stacked chaw; and a
combustJ.ble, removab:e partitIOn
separating the south ballroom
(room of fire angLO) from the ad-
J010mg nonh ballroom
As the south ballroom was ap-
proachmg full Involvement, L~e f're
penetrated the combustible par'-i-
tlOn, spreadmg products of combus-
tIOn to the adJomlOg nonh ball-
room and to a balcony area dIrectly
THE
FIRE
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above Room flashover condItions
were reached, causmg the glass wall
of the south ballroom to fat!,
spreadmg products of combus:lOn
to a fover connectlng the ballroom
level to the casmo level above
Some occupants on the ba:lroom and caSInO le\"e!s
becamc aware of the rapIdly sprcadmg fIre and began
to move toward eXIts TIle a:alCnlV of the OCCUDJnts In
INCIDE1VT
the casmo moved toward lc~e west eXit whIch led lOto
the hotellobbv and ou[ onto the spiral extenor S!,Hrwav
wruch led to grade :-;ot all of the caSillO level occupan:s
were able to safely reach the west eXIt before the flame
front traversed the lobbv and vented out the openmg to
the spIral staIrway \'o;c'hen this occurred, t.~e eXlt path
for the remamlOg occupants inSIde the casmo was
blocked At some pomt the eXit door on the west Side of
the casmo was closed Some of the occupants
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An occupanl from the hlgh'rlse was aSSlsled to II lower roof level
and 10 the ground by rescue personnel
PhoLo [X)urtc::i.v cr 1:.: .....-lo<..li"'",.Q~
bro,:e the extenor glass walls of (he cas' no and );J'l1pcd
approx.matclv 20 feet to the ground Dur:ng ths pro-
cess. hov.-ever, a fire front mo\-ed l!1to Ihe C3. ~lnO JS
NFPA Interim Investigation Report
.
windows adjoInIng the foyer failed Once the fire had
reached the G.smo level. smoke spread to the h:gh-nse
(Ower bv several means, mc1udmg servICe and passen-
ger elevawrs, the hotel's HVAC system, tOllet exhaus~
for guest rooms, the extenor of the buildIng, and
through staIrways connecung the caSInO level to the
high-nse
Occupants of the hlgh-nse became aware of the fire
and manv moved to the roof of the buIldIng and waited
for removal by hcltcopter, willie others waited to be
.
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rescued from guest room balcollles
The fire department was notIfied at approx'mately
3 40 P \1 Because of the seventy and magmtude of the
fire, and due to the compleXity of the rescue problems
that confronted fire fighters on their arrIval at abom
345, [.1"Ie fire burned for nearly five hours un:ll hnarv
extIngUished After extIngUishment, fire fighters began
to locate fatalIties. mamly clustered near the west exll of
the casmo
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Fire department ground ladders were first raIsed to trapped occupants and were then used to lower vlctlms to safety
8
.
.
.
Fire at the Dupont Plaza Hotel and Casino
PEOPLE llfOVElJIE,NT I1V THE CASI1VO
Based on eyewitness accounts, the oCOlpams of
the casmo first became aware of somethmg unusual 10
the builchng when what was descnbed as an "explo-
slOn,,1 was heard One caSinO patron observed "whne
smoke" on the extenor of the bUlldmg m the area of the
ballroom The observatIOn was through one of the
plate glass wmdows along the penmeter of the casmo
Gambling aCtlVltles apparently contInued and there
were no reports of people leavmg
the casino at thIS time
m L.'1e west Side of the casmo ill r..'-;elr attempt to eXit t..\e
burldmg and apparently, the ",est eXit coor became
closed at about thiS tlme A seconcarv ~exploslOn'. was
then heard ill the northwest corner of the casmo above
L'1e occupant's heads One occupant saw the ceiling
=turrung black." followed shortly bv a cellmg level
flame front movmg toward hlm
_.\5 condluons ill the casmo cetenorated, seye,al
I'; ; !' :1 I;' r 'I! ;. I
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mU'i1 ;"""'111[1: HUll II II ~
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Shonlv after the "explosIOn."
several people came mto the casI-
no and alerted the patrons of the
fire m the bU11dmg Also, several
occupants observed smoi,;:e 10 the
area of the ballroom Subse-
quently, aU gamblLng was stopped
and occupants began movmg: to-
ward the eX1ts The esumated 300
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;;: r~i:::i~~~t? l~~l~~~~.~f.r ~~Jfuir~~:~\:::',: fitl
l,d.b,tUh, - - '-:-:____- _ - -_ _ ,.i~
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occupants apparently diVided mto
Many of the trapped hlgh-Tlse occupants were able to reach fresh air on
two groups whtle movlOg toward the balcontes, where they awaited rescue
eXlts One of the occupants, monng toward the west glass panels were broken on L~e pool and ocean Sides
exit, saw "smoke and flame" commg from the area of and 8 to 10 occupants we:e able to escape before rcom
the eXit door This person then began to move toward flashover condIuons were reached After )umpmg, or.c
the other eXit but was met by the second group SUf\'IVor saw fire venting from the caslOO wmdows The
returmng from the mam eXit which was apparently screams, that he heard before jumpmg. soon stopped
blocked by smoke ElghtY-SLX of the 96 fatal1ues "';ere located 10 the
Smoke was spreadmg through the C3.smo and com- "est poruon of the casino Five (atalltles were loca~ed 10
109 from =alr conrutlorung ducts" The groups merged the lo~bv arca, three were found 10 a passenger
elevator stopped between me basement and firs[ floor
levcl, ore fatalIty was found 10 a guest room 0:1 t~e ""est
Side of tIle fourth floor, and one vLCUm was found
seated at the pooisH.ie bar ;ust be~ow the casinO
1. InvestIgators detenmned that these sounds
UBre assonated tHth the rapId grou,th and spread of
the fire and the breakage of glass parlltiOns as the fire
spread through the lr...llldmg
9
.
-.......
.,r
.
.
~rPA Interim Investigation Report
FI.NDINGS
I'o"'FPA analysis of the data pomts to the major
contnbutmg factors to the loss of life ill the Dupon[
Plaza Hotel and CaSinO
1.
Lack of Automatic Sprinklers
in the South Ballroom
(Room of Fire Origin)
Once Igmted, the amount, arrangement and combustl-
btllty of the stored matenals In the south ballroom
resulted In a rapidly developing fire The fIre was dlS-
covered 10 Its advanced stages and 1I11t1al attempts to
control the fire by occupants were not successful
Automauc spnnklers, properlv 10stalled and maln-
tamed, would have controlled the developmg fLre well
before flashover occurred, thus averting the traglc
multiple deaths Studies of slIrular fires show that
muluple deaths can and do occur throughout the
bUlldmg after flashover conditions are reached 10 the
room of ongm TIus happens when heat, smoke and
tOXIC gases spread to remote areas of the bUIlding by
means of vertical and honzontal penetratIons Because
flashover can be prevented bv spnnklers, the record of
hfe safew protectIOn In spnnklered bUlldmgs IS
excellent
The r-.iFPA has no record of a muluple-death fire In
a completelv sprmklered bUlldmg of tills occupanCY
type where the system was properly operatlr'g, except
10 an explOSIOn or flash fire
2.
Rapid Fire Grov.'1h. and Spread
Agents from ATF and local Puerto RICan aut.":1ont:cs
determ10ed that the fire was dellberatelv set among the
stored matenals in the south ballroom The open flame
IgnItion, the amount of stored combusuble lrultenal ill
the south ballroom, IlS geometrlc arrangement and
that of the room of Oflgln, the abundant amount of aIr,
and the heat release characteflsUcs of the stored mater-
Ials, resulted In an extremely rapid bUlld-up of the fIre
The removable combusuble partLtlOn, separaung the
north and south ballroom, and the 1Otenor fimsh
attached to the walls of the south ballroom contnbuted
to the rapId fire spread
3.
Lack of Automatic Fire
Detection Systems/
Inadequate Exit for the Casino
The caSillO was located III a serru-Isolated area of the
hotel There were no automaUc fire detection systems
present In the Dupont Plaza Hotel complex to alert
occupants of the flte m Its JUClplent stage Occupants of
the caSillO were not alerted to the fire until an advanced
stage of development
After flashover 10 the south ballroom, only a short
mterval of ume eXIsted before untenable conatlOns
were reached ill the casmo and lobby
The casmo was deSigned to have patrons ex:.t
through the hotel lobby, willch dIScharged to the exter-
IOr of the bUlldmg through the maIO (south) entrance
and by way of the extenor splCal stairway (west Side)
The arrangement of the west eXIt for the caSInO was such
that when closed the door reqUIred two Simultaneous
actions to open, and the door opened Inward
Each exlt for the caSlfiO should have been capable
of accommodaung one-half of the total occupcmt load,
and the west door could not accommodate the occu-
10
.
.
.
Fire at the Dupont Plaza Hotel and Casino
pant load for the casinO The lack of earlv awareness of
thc fire by the occupants of the cas mo. combined W1th
madequate eX1f;S, resulted In InSUffiClcnt ume for (Otal
evacuatlon
4.
Vertical Opening Behvcen
Ballroom and Casino Levels
The vertlcal openmg between the ballroom and casmo
level created by the ballroom foycr allowcd smoke and
fire to move to the casmo level and then Into the casmo
1tself As a result, smoke and fire spread to the hotel
lobbv, effcctwely blockwg the exit paths for the casino
and h1gh-flSe occupants 'X'lth.m mmutes, the glass par-
lltIOns between the fover and the casino faded and the
products of combustlOn swept tr.ro;Jgh the cas loa, trap-
pmg those occupants who had not escaped
Additional rl1ldillgs
5.
Smoke Movement to the
High-Rise Tower by'Vay of
Vertical Penetrations
Products of combustIon were ab:c to mfiltrate the h1gh-
nsc tower through several means
(a) From the extenor of the bUlldmg mto guest
rooms (espeoally lower level guest rooms on thc wcst
SICC of the bUlldmg),
(b) HVAC s\.stems for eX1t access corndors and
guest Warns,
Cc) passcnger and servICe elevator shafts,
Cd) utilIty penetratlOns, e g, pipe chases and guest
room toilet exhausts m the bathrooms, and,
(e) through one of the stamvavs
6.
Hotel Tower Occupants 'Vere
Not Aware of a Severe Fire
The bUlldmg did not contain automatlc t1re dctectlon
systems that could prov1de early warrung to bulldlOg
occupants of the htgh-nse [Ower Occupants were
trapped 10 the hotel tower when smoke and fire roved
through the lobby and penetrated eXit stamvavs
As tragIc as the firc at the Dupont Plaza was, tPc
death toll could ha\'e been worse If 1t had not been for
the guest room extenor balcorues Smoke spread mto
the hlgh-nse was severe enough that additIOnal fatal-
Itles could have occurred had It not been for th,S factor
Manv guests were able to move from the bUlldlOg's
mtenor smoky COndltlOns [0 the extenor of t.~e budd-
109 to reach fresh au Others were able to move
through the bUlldmg to t..~e roof and were removed bv
helicopters Some took extreme measures and scaled
the extenur of the umldmg onto the other floors or to
the roof StlIl others were removed usmg fire depar-
tment ladders that were moved from balcony to bal.
cony unt11 the groups reached the lower level roof area
11
.
.
.
:\'FPA. InteriIn Investigation Report
--7
COiVCLUSIONS
The findmgs from tillS illvestlgatlOn powerfullv demonstrate an all-too-
farmhar life safety lesson
There Is always potential for high life loss in any setting
where people gather - especially when conditions exist for
rapid fire growth and room flashover.
These conditIons can occur whenever there IS a concentratIon of combustible
coments or when there 15 highlv combustible mtenor firush or both
In thiS fire situation
· there were no spnnklers to prevent flashover I
. there were no detection svstems to warn the occupants,
· many occupams of the casmo were unable to escape because of eXit
defiCIenCies, and
. unprotected vertICal and honzontal openmgs allowed heat, slT.oke and toxIC
gases to spread throughout the bulldmg
Once again, history repeats Itself and our investigation reveals many of the
same conditIons \VhiCh almost a:l devastatmg fifes sh:l.re
The fact IS that fircsafctv technology IS and has been available to preve,l[ this
tragedy
Flresafetv codes and standards are available for use by arch][Ccts, engmeers,
owners, operators and others responsible for the firesafetv of the publ'c
These firesafctv codes and standards proVide a means for commuous rcv:ew
and updatmg of the qual:ty of firesafetv 10 hotels and ~lmllar occupanCIes
Had the Life Safety Cocc,@ whIch contains ProvISIOns retfumng the up-
gradmg of ex:s/:ng bUlldmgs, been used wluntanly by mterested persons or had
It been adopted and enforced by pubhc author.!tes, a tragedy of thIS mar;mtude
uould nf?1-,'er have occurred
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_if apTlrQt~l}u'tchl .5 GO PPl on T'(erday. Fel)r"{I'r~I' if) l")~} [" ):.:,){t
peDvle (fLed una 350 u.cr e tl1.jured .:15 a result of an Z1lC[lU.rar uj~l: .-.t ~l~c
Lei) \~e~r!~ f{dtoYJ. Flater tn [(I) \-€~'IS ~"€ladiI Thn fire :'1 uJ "':'1 C.-It
tcCh1i.1Cai s~.::::r.:sf:c"lnce :;eCG[lse of- cticr:or~ t.crt'(~d fore ~pr ('ud tJI(.l- 'p-
tolLed ~~ .fioG~ s ej- the .30-')tQr~' G1Hld'ru; It ~:J!S the second ;!}!clt!pJe-
J~f].t{! I !:/ -,hrc to [)cc!~r ''1 a L{~j ,re::'1 S ~relllzotel''1 a .1 ]-~--)Ilon!h pel ~~)F1 li't.'
j;..;;t.;,tre. ~H U~e ~.[G~..l GIC.'1d }-latel on \OlClJ';.;[r ~l, lSSG 'L~SJl!'\.-'Fl!t'
-55 (It!FJ1"''~.. !~',d ~1-l"P0St :-Co 111..lTln.C5
Tl~e 1'1'J,! ~L:':'rt~~C(!nt _rec~o"') fhGt COf'l'tr,JJu.t[d !-n ~he _.F~ [7 "li.j c~,.J ~I!id
s ")s{'[~ac"~~ _r[rtcJit~cs~ rnj~-'l'~~~ fllld df.i,HV!~'-:? {It fi'e Lu~ ...\ [~d, ~~.I,':qll
lLCI e 1. ;...IJl-ire -!'D e\tin!;lllSh +he .fir/! zn ;t':> dl{i7~lent f..t{~:.....( .-nul.] rl~{
Drc-s;.:.~ce of htgJ]i~1 cornhu'):-.J}le cc~petn'~ on the :'Lal/~ and Ct.i:'jP:';:;; (~(
fhe ~PlCH:ted ele!.-;.tor [obbtes. t(..tH{.b COT1fr~butcd fn 'he C1.tCl in' f" r
-sv: C'2~"" TIle rcsultp",~ J~l c ~"Vre[ul e"\po)ed ~1 lr..r:;.-: rHPn.iJ(~- !~r 4-h~' "PHUi-
p~:.:;;: nCC[lr"'~l!'":; crz ~l1Tl;fi.ple _.ifr;or,- to the lJ;c;:;::
The Las Vegas HIlton '\"as .1 !.lq;e hate! complex adjacent
to tl'e Ll~ Ve~J.~ Convent:on Center The hotel hac
2.7133 guest rooms ConstructiO'1 had recent!\' been
5t,lrted for a -100-TOom addItIOn
T!le 30-storv bm!dmg was constructed m three stage~
The ongmal Central Tower. which had been st;!Yted In
1967 opened;n Ju!" 1869 The East To\\er opened m
1975. ,'nd the :\orth To\\er ope,ed '11 1979 Tnt'> re-
~ulted In dUferent prO\'ISlOns for fnes2[etv m each of the
three to\\ers bec.mse of dlEerences 1'1 DUlidmg code re-
q(1l~en'e~ts technola;," .1llU copstructlOl1 tech'1lque<;
(~ee F:~l'~ e~ 2 Jnd .3 on p,'<.:?;e~ .5-1 ,ma 55
The bmldmg consl~ted ot large ~~ollnd- a..\"1d second-
floor are:1S that conLllned .1 caSinO, restaur,mts, show-
rOOP15. a large number of a~~embl.... rooms. otTlCe~, Serv-
Ice .IPd meCn.lDlc,ll s:.:Mces, .lnd atr.er functIOn .Irerr~ The
th'rd through twent\ -nmth floors consisted Df gue~t
looms, With .,ddltJon.J ,lssemblv .1'1d fu'lctlOn are.lS on
the '~11l beth Aoor 1 !ll~ repOl t I~ ?r1In.1l1h' concerped
\\lth the f;'lest-room floOl ~ at the buJ!d:ng, the lower
Hoor.'> were not direct];. affected b~' the ill e
The '\ FP \ Coo-rlucted till~ ill\-e~tlg-ltlon un{lt..r 1n ll!;re~mcllt \....lt~
tnp r':"{:L...ti Elller~ep{'\ \t.lPl'i.!,t..rnent '\l!{.PC\ tre Coullci ~ti.tL'" fire
-'.dllll""t- ,t'O', '''d the '\ Itlllll tI Bnn"n' Il~'" ,..d mh tt v." l<l"'th
"'Ulldul il\. tlliL~e ..il~epc'e'J nul t~e ,\FP-\. The e'I"]... COtltU,\. !'t1v-l{~!'
f\re lJ{pp..trn~lIt ti..o !J HC'<"Hl ItL,,-i In 4-1lt 1.1...0!.....tl~l.t1!ln DL\--d P DL-
lU~r... um.,ult lll[ \\..1~ ti-L~ plull.lp..\lll1\.~~tH':L[Or
TI.(. ~1Jh.,.r lU(L'L of .~2B, 'n\-t""ttJ~,th~ (t. r~J(t :.'1\ h-t lnt J\ n prul"'~""(~
.....itl) till l.U...tliIU lr' (rl"\.i'nn~ l~t t~H_ ""HLrU-" CUe" illt{UIL'" L1ni plLhll...~J. r
\rt. ...1I1ti\ Tt"'nun-iol,I{... lor ~ht lCllJ" Lt'\ nl ...~ Irt mt"r... or HLtl rpn t LI'oll'lo
1..11'" 11111 dill 1t.11l
The bUlldmg wa~ const~uc~ed of I ell1forced (.')nCl ete
Whe:' d.lss1fied .lccolclmg to ~FP-\. 220 -1979. Stand-
ard on Types of Bw!dm& Construction, It would be
categonzed at lea.'>t ,15 T'. pe 1-332. ,md more lLl,.ej,.' <I.'>
Tvpe 1--143 These de~l;'l.ltlons \'-ould IJ1dlcate f:ile-
reSlstn e constl tictlOn WIth the -\r,lblC numbelo mdlc.lt-
mg the ft. e-re~l~tl\ e 1.lt!'E~ of e\.tel',)1 be.ll mE!: walk
'iUppor'm~ elemel'b ,.i1 .IPh' 01 t:oi'lll1ll~ .nd :..!;'l dtol S '. .1:1d
Hoor con~tl uctlOIl I
IntellOl. nonhe.u 1ll~ [:.11 t!t!on~ \\el e c.anst! tided ,)t
g'<'p~llm \\ aHbo.l' d on ~tee' 'tmi~ E\.lt ,lcce~,> cm ndOl
w.llb con~:~ted at o'~-l"ch r' e-l.t~ed S\ p~lL'n \\ .dlhn.u ci
on both ~Ides at ~teel ~tild~ Tb~ <l~\embh-, .1~~UJ:1Hl''';
proper construction tech!1lque~. would pi o\'lde .1 nOITII-
n'lL I-hour 5.re-l e~l~t.1nCe ] .lh:l!-':
Guest-room doon wel e ot P~-ll1ch ~olld wood compo-
~Ite (.on~tnlchon. \\"lth .1Pplted dCU)1.1t IVe tlllll ~e]f-
clo~m~ de\"1c.e~ wel e plo\"]ded on these door~ In the
'\:or"h To".er, Gut l'ot on d()()r~ 'n the Cent. .11 01 E.I,t
TO"'ver~
At tl-te pomt '\'here the oll~IIl.z1 Celll/.ll Tower ended
and the new ;.J(nth To\\el he~.lI1. d.l~S dOc)I~ (not wlIul
gla~~j wet e m~t.l[kd wlthlll the corrluOI ~ 011 e.u.h flool
The~c door... WI'] e ik hI D)ll'n b! elt:,ct:om.l~net'c dc' ILl'~
t}l.It rele,'~ecl the <lOot" \\ hell the '\01 th To\\ er ~ iii e
.Il./r'n ,,,",tem n.l~ ,ldn.ltt'd \dd'!Ir>II,d uHlIp.lrtrnl IlLl-
hOIl W,l~ pllWldu] I" .llLtlllll lttL-do,1t]~ fue Jl.lOl~ th.lt
proteetu! the opl'nlll~ jlom tf'P tOrt IdOl mto the \01 Ih
t "',t ,~p\ .22u - !~r:-q I,.d\ " P q
rlln- JUllt'. \1 - 1\'\1 \H\ i</'<~ . j
Tower eic",ltor lallbv, Cl e,ltll1'~ .1 ill e-] ,1ted elev.ltol Ye~-
tibule The~e doan ".e~e'~r.m~cd to cla~e on ;lctlv.ltlOn
.01 ~-no;"'e detectors Of m.mu,d ~;~.a st:.<t'ons Th:; elev,ltor
obb:es In tre Ce'1tl..!.i .lDd E.lSt Towers were not .lr-
I.mged 1'1 thIS manne:- .u.d dId not h.lVe elevator ves-
tlhuie~
Th~ l.--.t~...~. ~nl.:-.h O-Jf ~he ''':IH:>.t-rnom C'crrlccrs CO'l-
....l~~ed o~ :~~ :~~e~:?d c.edl ~-:.:~ :jeLl\o. \ 'j1'\ i \v.1Ii c.O"l-ell~"l~.
c-..J (\ll""lJe"ted J1COI ~ Se{.!'lon,:. or tl1e EL~t To\ver cerbll~
\\ Q~ e ~li~~ CG\ e' ed \\~th 'L~-ln1,.1 T~-le ele\'.1t'"1~ ~obt)'es jq the
Cen~r.11 ~lT\d "j~ti) To'~\.el) h\Kl \.lnvl, '01.-\111 co\.er~n~s
h-' rhc E..:~t Tu\'\el \';.he1e the BIt ocCUne[~'l the l=1te-
1 ~.:Ji. ~ii~"';'~"" r;t .i.~...c '\Llii""J ~"'1d ::'el::n;~ In "'h~ ete-V..ltor 10'''-
I,...:....) ., ~~e l~! '-1'n'. ~ T'.C'::e ~'~l....]~l~~ \"' (l":? ""-l;T1]ii,=-r~.tJ..
cil::el t'nt -1 nr.' :-he oti~e~ LC'Jr'ltnOn lLlei.t.... nn ~UC,(-; C'~n-I
j':)f)l.~. ~"'O;-~j :hp ~\-..i.~l') ...t"d Leil~.l:':'" !.) ~he lo..;~..es ~\02lc
C(Y.. e~ e.:i . ~th c lr?etl .~::: C--"' ~'~J' he~~ ar ~--:1.1r~..e~~ ~.\"{)()i e"(~
11~ "on !i!~eI ~ T\":) CioU ~et:Tl; ~'~,-l~ ;Iuec dp eC"~i\. to ~~"e
.'~PC'0Pli=-P:::~];)je l)Li....te~ ~~c. :.:' p...~':n 1.1- )Pl-\O--.~i.:; ::-Ul ~_"'::i?'"
Q~ t~:::' ::e~!ll"""::::. l~-"C ~t:ef-ched .p-.,o[l ~t~lp~er: l~Cp-"l~ ~he "l~" J'...
ti- e~ e 'i~ ~lS """0 r'~}C~ E L1C~1 !pl...b, CO~l t.11l--=ed ...: toL.l.i of ~lppJ -")\.-
~"1l..'~~' '0 4=j5 ~q~l~'l e :-ee" o~ e, ~~ C_H pet:n',; ~he Ct:'11l!1':.!: -l! c -.
l.----i eL1ch ~obb\ H 1S 2::J "'f1~'-C e i-ee~ '..\17"11. i-be '.)LL<c-'ce or t;~e
eLl re':l~"'\:; fjn ~1,."e \~Hlll~ T~'e c..~ ~et~n-: 0.-" the noor ~,' .;~
:~lc S(.i~l1e i.l::. t~,-:.t pi 0\ tced ]11 -:::~1e C:.:Jr 1 ~d0r:., L:'r:.ci alG "'10:::
...lp~e.--:r to be the Sl.1me 8.S CL~l t:'et~ng L'ppbed to e!e' ;.ltOl-
!obo,- '''alL and Celrl:1;~
The E.l5t Tower eie'-dtor lobi)les con tamed fo:.:r
ele"-(1tols~ r.VQ en each sTce E...lch paIr "vas In an ~ndl'"
Vldu:l.i hOlst-wav On the extenor wall, three 3-
foot-ov-6.foot '.\mdows of double-strength plate glas~
created a large glass ,1fea 6 feet bv 9 feet ;see F!gme 1::
T:"e \;hts jpnnels'i of glass were ~ecessed 1& mche~ 1'1G
-'\"e' e 'e?a.~<lted ';erhc~d\ ">y a 3'<::-foct ~pclr'drel ,ee
ele'-.ltOl-looS,- detail m F:o:::;ure 2'
Tl~e spancire! WclS a preb.'Dnc:Jtec ~~sembh or -;T']-
sonr\. pl,,~te~. dnd g\psum '-"d!!bo.lrd on steel ~tud, w;tn
'10 '"f-lp.lre'1I e'- Ide'1ce of .mv com bu~tlb]e m,':e'l.l], sue ~
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,15 fO,m1 pi as tIC 'nsul.l~'on The ~p,"tl1ci~el tllllt W.b ,It-
tac~ed to the remfOl ced-cor.ue~e bUlk!m:,; ~tl\.l<.tm e
The hpe of cauikmg med wa~ unc.etel rnmed
T!le hnmshm;s 1:1 the e:e'-ato'" ]O;l:)H;:~ coml~ted at a
srndJ '~olJden bench ,qth a poi. uret':.lne hUH pL,...tlC
cesrlon In Irc)1~~ of tre \\-"]nc.ov ~ t1-'e :~e~lch '\~l~ Llp~rO\l-
:"'l.:.ltely is lPc~e~ ~\Hle~ 3-! -nc.}e~ 1~)n'2: Lll1d.2 l~~::.l-'e'"
tblcl, DI ,1per'e' '-'ere 11l'ng 0n :n'l, '>l'-\e~ a! 'he "Inc\}\\
TI'e no:th e'1d of the elc\'.1tor ~ol'h:e' Opp(1~lte 'iH~ ''':;:~~'
co';t:uned ,I pIece Dr it"lI,tlJ1e - ~'11.,j] ,dhle~ 0" n'o,>t of
the :tOOt::-, Lllthr-.;.~~h ~O'1e of ~~i.= "l'r}1C IU\,l:1 iU~l...l" hll-
msned HaOl ~ h.tel !.lf~e: \\ f)()OUl c.ll'll1eh .lIld \lutclle,> (Ii
vallOUS deslg'~
On the t"...,er.:t~.. -eI:;J1th flOOt t~e f'~r ni<.J1Pl-:!"'"! Llr'(l ti1~
e\.tenOl con...tructlOn '.vel e ulIl:ke 'h[)~e 011 ollie: HoD I ~
Ip~te.ld of tr.e l;ench 111 flOllt of ',e '\lndow, thL'1 e \\ .1" ,Ill
'TIm,'\ ,pnn~ C'lllC11 wIth tCMI1I ~Ji"...t:c.. p:cl(\lI1\!. ,<lId the
cellinI.; h.ld. l.'lge. lece,>\ld ml'I'lled h\!!lt Il\tllH..
T1lere Wcl~ ,d,o c.1I pet lr1~ 0fl :h: '\ ..11, ,1Ild cuirt1t.:; I-m-
t!lel more. ,1 h.Llconv e,tended out h 0111 the h\.ent\ -11 ant [I
Hom, crecltlng ,1 llHlc-loot U)I'C'ell tl\ [ ] 1t.1Il\! ,Iho,-,> till'
\\-PI(IOW Op(>l1l'l~ nlliIe l\\-cpt\ -(y~l,th ]1001
rile mecl!l, fll 1'~[C'" hUill thL ~llL...t-10"1ll t10'"' 111-
(.11'(IUl !hre e ,rtlOke [l'()()i Un'.,.', ,'1,,1 t\\ll {Jld",<,d 1rI1t,..
1 '01 ,t,Ur\\ .1\ ~ I he "'!TIol..c [1' <J"I 'il\\' I... \\ PI" 10l It,,; Lt
the uld...ojC,llholtlwthlu "\lli~',l\titeollL:llId( 'lit. Il
Tlt\\, 1 I<,{,' r'~ll''' ):. Th, \( ,til''ll" tOl tlw ~lll()J..t pHllll
to\\'.I~ \\('ll tlit llH'lh,Ulll" \l "t'~ 'l'"11I'P' I llhL 1 1I"11
~~:( :Idllll d \[ 1IJ~lllIP" ~\ !)~ l ~,. . ~/'I}rPIIl nJ \\ ~~ n I)I}' t
edlv arram~ed wlth emaust capJ.c:tv J.t least 150 percent
-of the supplv, \\.1th mare than one air change per minute
In the vestIbules In .ddltIO'l, the5e stanwavs were re-
APorted to be pressunzed This could not be yenned J.t
'-the scel"e T:-:e vestlbuies were constructed W1th smoke
traps. Ie, the celJmgs were several inches rug-her ~h.m
t!'e dO')f or:€'lln:!;~ \, hiCh \'.oll!d J.:lo'\' smoke ;ll'J he~t to
collect In tb:~ Ire.! .1nd . at spre:;d to the stalr~ The
€\.hau;t :;r!;l '~'as lcc:ited w;th:n these smcke trap dre.:~
E"Closed :r:tenor stalr-va'.s with Ere-rated dear ,l~-
~e'110lleS v.ere ]oc.ltcd at t\e e~t e~d of t~e EJ.St Tmver
ara ti'e 110l th e"d or die ~orth Tc\"cr The ,:iterlO'
st:l;r'''~'' .1~ 'L.e e~d c~ '!:e ::':orth Tower \V,lS repO! tecth
~~~~::::~l~:'~ed T:,e' e"~c':':~IYre:::. oi ::he~e lJ:ceY"lor S~~Llr\-~l\~
dnl ~~ot lp?ear ~Q ~"'e :onp..!..'leu
Tt.~e 2etect':o~1 C~l 1::C~ L!.[iL. C\~C~';~:3Tl ~~12"'-n~s ~hd~ '.~..e~e-
pro\. .Jec \ 1..1r eci ~..~ o-r to\\er to ~D\\e:r l~e OJ1';~~ a~ Cen-
tr~...l 7o"~. e~ h..lQ Tn3....~u..!l ;Ju:! 5t...lt,OT'.S as IPltlatl~~ oe\ lce~
p~d !--ar.:~\ as ;.ltlr"-"-P"'o'..::,(1~"'"!.2 cle'\ ~ce!' :Jlus ~T.,.O ~Plole cie-
- .
teet:;' ~ 'me In the ~e-'-lcE'-,:"I,:,,\ dtO" :obb" d'1G. one Ir. the
cn-r::.ci~r ~"!.d~.\{e'-"~ t.=-- t:-~e ~or:;::h lQ\'~e::- In the Ea~t To\\e~
\'\.c.....e r1. 0 '0!l1~~t::.a~'-~ pe ~"'Tv)!...e re:-ecto:s, one on e;l(h
~jde at t !."e E.I~t 7{)\\ er e:e' 3~O;' JOJo.... _-\:a~ m-soL':'~:n:..:::
,
ce\ ~ce~ '1 e' e 51!e.:_.....e! ~
\11 of ~te e~e\.<<tol~ ,;\ere
p: 0\ .dcci \\ ,t:' m_l.~U_<l l:re dep~r-t:l1ent cC'1troi~
T)'e -'\ortil lD\,-e!' -,-as eqmp?ed '-nth 11O,,01t .-\.c-
po,"ered s:~g:!e-~t.l~lOn smoke c.etecta;,s l.I'. the guest
rooms, plus smo;"e detectors spaced. 30 ~eet apart m the
.
corndor T]l1~ towe I h.IQ com b 1lI cltton \ lo\\' whoop' ,md
VOlce commUI1lC..1tlon ~oulldll1~ devl(.es
"b a re~ult or the ci, ire 1 em com.rllctlOn d.lte~ the fiI e
dlarm svstem~ 111 eacil to,\el wel e es~entl.ulv independ-
ent Each of the s...-stems had remote annunclators in
both the Secuntv Room ,md the PBX Room With the
e'\ceptlOll of the '\ort;. TO\'-e~ ,,-,tem, tre ~...~tem~ ",ere
ples:~ll,\1 "\',,tem, '\1'110\1< '[It''I1' ILK ,ii- 'oUlldli'o..::
eV..Ic.U.lt:on .d.lrm~ 01 nre dep.u c'l1Ult notJfC..ltlO1I Ti'e
'\orth To\,er ,y~tem 'v,l,> ..Ir~,',:!ed ~o ,1lltnTI1cltlc.ll'-,
,ound e\'.lCl1,ltl~)I1 J.hr:n, on th1:.e -in'-,,~ 't~e fue rionr-
p!r;s o~e door ,IDa' 'e ,1'1U Oi'e f].)O' :'e:')\\ :he ;It';
:"'utom.lt:c ::'Pl mi.-Je! ~ ...~ere pi 0\ '(ic6 ,J] ,om", pOI tlGn"
of t~e 51,t <'nd 'eU''1(1 i{r)()' '> (1" th. "otl:'l u)ll1plt.''\ .'
de~.!.'le(lle' le\\ .,)1 !-hc "'l~l~'I~'el (-)' c' "..::\ ~\~..... not (~~-,_
{luc~cci llteJt? \\e[e no ....pl p~: 't'~.... :Il I-he :":i'.:c'...t 'O(VP' :"
p. corr.do"!"'" or- ~~e ~ue....t-: r:OP1 f..'D'....
),1~1uai ::,uppt e~~:on t::'(]'l.plr,L n: TIL IlIe; 1:"(: fi1 t." ho....e
c..l;)jnets \\lth Il-l-lPC~" ccc'':'P..lt-'t-:'...e r.lJ~e LI1l(~ ...t<-vldplpe~
~\lt~ 21.:-:'l(!-l Ene C::?~d;trf"t'~'t (J)ilnel-P-1F)I]'1 ]] tht" ....L...]-
\,-a' 5 T!->e hotel Iud cl Fde hi ';':-l(:e V1l1>:'~l11g 0; 'ectll '~'.
pe~ "'O.l.le 1 --\lth:Ju2:h ~he hl'o:;..:de '\ 1.... .':ot ~1' p\ lded \\ ith
p:J otec-t~~ e c~ot.h~l""l;. It l\....~~ e-(Pl'~:;)e-d \\ :th ...e~t-('on~ 1Plec.
b....e...!th:~1_;!. i.lpp:.~r.Jtp~ .1~1c! ~ C. 1.1 t :itl?pilCU .\ L\:~l \ <l[ l')U'"
r. pe::. of pOl tJ.Dle fre {:'\.tpl;l..:~~be...,
The mech,i:1\cai ~\ ~tem~ '0- t:-e ~:.'..e't-loOIll tm\ e"
sup?hed cono:tlD'1ed an :C/ the con :dor~ r' om .:l. mecn,\il'
~cal equ:pment penthouse Tnele was no re'urn ..\Ir from
f-
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,// CENTRAL TOWER
// ;1969'.
*
.
NORTH TCW!::R
'19791
S"OKE eET 0.... 2::1 S?ACI~G
IN CDRR1t:OR .. SIf-iG\.E 51' ;'~IQ'-I
t;'-liTS IN GUEST RCO'foS
EL~~TC~S '''l r;Q'lT'i "OWE';;
WERE "I {J, VE5T'BULE WITH
DC..J~5 eN AuTO C';..QSEFS
/
C'w>SS OCCRS w/
'::,-=CTPC \,,1Gf>iET Ie
:fELE,;\SE
* Ir--OICA T'OS .., ECI"!' '>I'CAL sr,-O"E?~OOF
,OWER Wi.H V€S~.BUlE
*.. ~;:o.~SSURIZ'EO ST ;'IR
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EAST TCWER
-1975,
5~.lOK" ~~TECTQPS
~EAR ;;LEV LOBB"(
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1_ 205
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f 4 a,~ FLeeR ELEV LOBSY
PUW YlEW TYPICAL E;'\ST TOWER HEVA10R L08BY
CC.a~Ij)("A.
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the corndClr~ Lu!.:e ,lll-il.Uldtl!11.! UlHts th,lt ~Up[l11ed
cond~tlOned .1lr to t;~ver floors I ep~rtcdl v wel e e(pllppe(l
with duct-type ~\'"1oJ..e de>ecton ,U I ,m~ed to mGK,lre ,\11
alarm condztlOn and .mtOl11.J.tlC.J.l1v 5nut down the f.1I1' III
the umts
\lJ.~e-up ,UI cor !;ue~t room~ wa~ proVided flom 'hl'
Crq r!ci l)~ ;. t hrout;h Ll ~1 ' ~~~s 1; e d,tnpe"" 1.1').....e'~ t)h 1.1 the r_')t -
lldoI ,,-,,Ii tl"lf)\i;~.1. l:r:c..:. tr; 1-ldl\.llhtJl L.\n"'Lod ll.ll!.....
Tl-..e I..ln-cod t~nit~ \.\.e"-e eql~~rlp~~: '..\1(11 c.!\~I!ed 'v.(~el ~):p-
lOll!, .ln6 L~n e~PLt)~t. he..l~la~ coLI Llad '..\-hde"II. opei,-lt!qll
,CC' c:ed ,1 po: "8" of '::'~ ;l1e~t-IOo'Tl ,I" Tc;;er "",hl"t
11, i' t:-o.il.}:u~~ d~~cts .i.nG ...h u~"> ~- ~)jil eLlc~~ ;:....e'-t ] OOl"l
ll'e .~'...!r1be"" 0; ~)I=ople If' t~1.t::' h0tel Lo.n~)le"" ..It the- 7"IiL
1'[ "he" :,.p '0\..1'., 11!"'(3("tel~11l1'L'ri
,
..1n\\ e~ C1
~~ppl D\l:~lLLrl
)ij I~~; CL"lt ~;- I k~ .2 7....,} ~Ih::.....t l:-:r)i~l", \1 c1 C '.:.ptt'.
~t .:)~' ()'\i~~.1 ite~'~ .S r;.() ':--~l .V"l. ~!:"';(' -1i:.:l1-'- ut ~L"e ~.
1\ '":..~ It:. e'
'I" _~.. I':.
'!" ~\lC\....'_~l~,.r'" -\.:1pn~ ~ \\..1.... llGl~G', "-\-l~.'" ~~ tel1"'-
!_'el It"'e at 3:::r ~l...,]"'!,,(~,t., tJ[ 03 re)ce1-";'". ~~11C Ll \'l.i[: ..\~
11r:~'
.., ~1~""'"
.J "
:-he "'1 e.t qrl(-......' e....t
FIRE DrSco\ ern
'i.t .") '~')
Fehl:l.p," 18
, ,
c '~:}\l::l'~I.:': 1')
r~ IT 'J"c
1':: '31.
;::~"e
~'LJ~ h:l~ej ~ ':CClll~t'. OEJ';:::=' . ~cel\e:::~ .1 =-~l2'rh:""ne C~t~~ :. ~vn
1~1 ~T"1pio\ee :epOI :"1; -l fee 0'1 the el~!~:::l.... 9ccn 1'1 ~i'-e
\ lcTdt\ Ot the E,1S: T,\\ el ele",lto' lob:}\ T\. 0 ~eu:"t\
otf:cer~ Wele sent [10m the SeC:t.:lltv OUlce to the el~11th
eoor !)\' W,]V of t1--;e se~ Vice elev,lto; s m the Ce'1tI,I:
To\.\e~ Immcdld.telv .after the\' Ie.ft~ an dl~u ill IPdI<...::.tlng ~{
fire on the EJ.St Towe~ s eighth floor appe,lred on a 1 e-
mote annuncIator panei m the ~ecUI It'.' RoOIP -\t ~ome
pomt. the hotel's fire bngd.de was alerted. but the e\,Kt
tare h,~ :lot been veli1ed
\\ ;.,en the\' 1 e,1ched the elshth Eoor the ~eC~'ll:\ n:li,
cers loc,1ted the fire and notdleu the dl~p,lrche' ',,\ ~\'O-
\\ay r,,-dlo. ,15kmg:. hln to (':Ill the nIe dep.lrtJ"'1en'
Tl'e Cbr\: COtt"t\" fue Dep.ntment :ecel' eel dIe
,11,lrm ,1t S 07 pn' Ctuk Ccmnt\ File St,lt'OI' l~ I' ,1([;.1-
cent to the hotei comple'. .md fil e fi~hte; ~ le,l\in:; :be
stat:on for the hotel could see file on the e\terlOl ut the
bUlldlllg, commg; [rom ",\'0 f1oor~ \Vhen thev ,'11:\ ed.
the fh e h,ld e...tended to ,] thlJ d ,1nd iour th HO')I
FIRe FICHU:-'C \ND RESCn:
Flnt-.lrrrvltlf! ('nel'le comp,nlle~ ~et up ,lpp,1l .'tu, to
~uppiv ~t,md!JIlJe~ In the b1l11dlll<' ,l~ file F,rlltel \ "It!]
~elf-cont.1med I'He,lt;11I1;l 'IPP<ll'ltu~ ,md ~t,m(lpIl'e p,tLk\
ente~ed the hotel .-',ddltWlI<ll ILl! m' were :,olflldl'd ,[lid
lIlCOlT'mc: fire f~htel ~ were ell' cc..:tLd '0 cO'ldllLt It 'Cl't'
eif<)j b e'ner~eIK \ llledK Ii 'CI \ 'cc'. ,md fll e 'ILl)l'l ( ,-
"Ion
..\ \,Ic!c!U pipe \\,1" ~et lip 011 the e...tellOI lit ILt IJtllld-
m~ ,1IId u,ed to knOLl" dow1l ,l 11()' tHIll o( till' III (' llll
bddl'r !2lpe W,I~ ,ll'll dl1el:ed 'lIllJ 'lll1le ol t],l I "L
T'J\\l'1 {".L\,~tUl lobhlL' up to tIlt '1'.'le\\th :Jt ,( \( p-
~ h
FIHE ](1ll\'\L-j\'L'\l\\ 1~"'2
tU"llll HOOf Tht, l,ilklt', '\ l\ IJ\t'd to ;"I]()( i.. .10\\ Jl .1 "'n
tl1,t'll,ltll e\ILl'Ol 1Ft' 'llll'dtl ,'1,;1 \\,1\' l:)ld;\ ~lh'~'ILlIl'-!
IIp the hlltltil;J\.!: :)lllll l ll1l" fJ''':::ll' I' III tl'l' Illtt'llO' um;,:
,!!,It ,,-l;)(}\-e o::!JuJ t!j~t"..Hj 01 It rut.. fl~hter.,. iJl] the I)U~\1(\"
\,.w hllndl /:'d.. of DllHi) Inh ,Ippe,ll ,It thell J nOlll \\ lilc..:!OW,
hll l\l\l' the\ \\t., l tI -Pl!,'li "11(1 \\ ,"lll('(; <llll pel "Ill
1l"'IIJ III i,~;llt'll'l :he "\[ I;tll 11,\1'1 \1 tll I' tl'llL' '\''-\ did
,~~-.( ~l'()\\ .i tl't Ill"" 'Ol ~"... -~:"":'I'lill''': 1':"- t :-..ill~~) II I'll
.tlldtHlk ii~H)'''' 1\..:... :~q"'I:~ 'li; ll~ .l '.1" I~
l-;'\' ( !tiel 'II IJ( ') L" 'il"" .;- "t :,'"lll (' ',"HlIlll,lllL' ,'I'"
, , ,
III ~ne 1"~l~kl:i'~ !l:r t- ..... Ii: -;..... L .... ~\)'\ ~-I \~~ "l~r.1 ;"1'
.:...tJU1:ind"ld p~ht ~'liC '.~~It. (l""~ :;~\ ~'i c..: ~~t{! '\ l-"" .. ...-
~))lt...lLl d illl o.-"Jl ....t... ">--'- 'll)PI \(~(~it'l)11 .';"'l>[ 1')' .....l "--,,d
l.l)U'~l'l .IIC'" \\ll P "l ~ 1I~'" I'-I' [I
il [ I \... t . ~.. ....
.,,,.,.. ,
L ~ . -. ,.... II (j I" i' -:
~hl
~ ,. I :1 '''': '-1 L l L" . . , J ~
...{ 'I
..'H ..-' I
L"::1it...
e,C' L ;,!...t.......~ ....~-F'-~~ i"" '..1-.1" ""--1\\ l 1 -l' d -
I t ~ . "l;. .... ~ : I: '. ~
_1_./.:". ;:-.l....t l. .~i.1 ,;[ +' ~.. E
1 t. ~; ....
, ,
"-I'....:. -
- 1; I'-\. L '
....-;. L":"'-:":
;'lL "-t qp Lq~: :.l"\L 1"1 ~lp
t~~e Jlil....L~ ~~'>t..'" "id ~ i':'::-::'
I'... !~l ~'~'L!' L :llr" ed l)\
.l'Il'H .... .;~ " . ....- ,.,..,:: (I... U(,.. '-ir.-'f
e'I"ll)'llL 1jt !11 +hL ....~ ~I~"'L .\... ~;;~ thL }'l,,!I-"- 1'>r.H ~il-l' 'J~
~:l-t~;c.~" ]I;l~i...1 '-i'~ ....~"' '.' t -.~. ,i-.....-) .......111~ ..1lt- ....In:l~~-~....IL~q:
bp' e' "'''~'''\"' ,I'. t -.; ....,', 1.()1 '--10\-1 .~ " ~~ 'JJ f-:~~ :~~t
I"'L
L.!"L l"tt:"llJI ...- 'P1~L"
.n' tl:::~ :...--'_....- .;-11(' 1)1 ~ht' L .....t
Tn\~ t'1 :)e(.1'}~e lr)~llr:l:ci\ "llii.):"'{-'-"~ :~. d ~'(i.'l tht.. L ':..:~1t!~
rl);.}' tq t1-,t' tr;:l ~G:1l (.l-;_~. 'll'~ "hl lll+el 'fJI h~ l..-f.~\-.tlJ)''': t't-
:nl -t... The p' ')\.'1""1 '~\ to :he Lt'\~\'. hI t' 1'l t~1e L.l't TO\l tU
ele' ..UOt l")h:'.\ -'uld the ~'ect''''~lt\ Lli ~l::'t:'P'lP": the ....t~UP\ ~\
doOl open hec.llbe 0' i'o~e h,le, umn,x 'eJ ~o the
~t..l1ll! pI pe 011 =::.e\ e'..t! ~~I)OI .... a..~lo\\ ed ~l ~. e~-lt de ~i oi ... r:10~t:'
dnG he,it to enlt" the ~~,Ul \\ ,", ,1'1<1 t, ,Ii t'; UP'\ lJ d 1. iI.,
d1HlllH...hed the \'i-.tllle o~ t1le ....t~ln\'LL\ .1.... LL "tL='.!:'ll'~ -'leL~ .LIlt!
1!l,tde fue \UPPI e~,LOn eHOl t\ e,tlLtl1e!\ d'1I1ll'it
P'I!)lrC 'pc. 'PI'" 'U' e;e\ "I~')J '- 'JI ~be E t\~ 'l\d C <:nn ,~l
'ri)\\t.-.'" \\elt" __IiI ~'!I]I1~h'" ~o ~ht.. hL..... "~n~Jl ,~-'(; i~.: :l~d
undt" 111dnll,<1 LPnt~()i -rille, ~'(}Ilr~ I); ~it hr~lltt~.... \ILIL
~ iL.l'JI "II' to t1lf:' ,~" p"th :1(1')' Ol' 'lI Ld,r 1 (".\l'] 'tOl \ IU'
elt"\~1tl)l In ulnt'l1 iJ\ hot.: 1 ....t..lla !t., ~}L l....l)Pllt'l I3t'L<.'lI't:'- o~
~["'l'-Jk~ (-'1ild~lJ(IfIL ~llL :--:::":~'~I_r..... p :Hf ~_~;'Il:'<.d ell:..-'- .!...:: t..t
....t..UI\.l ,l\ i1.,d to u~e :-':....l..H ....e~t-loI)LlLalll l)~e<-Lthl1l!..:. dP-
P,'I,ltl1' \[,PI\ fl'e f.g:1Itel' III tll1~ ~t LIP\,L\ ~ui.ieled
'l'll)he lIl]uL!~'(lll 'llJ'I' 'e~ '\ Ilell tlh'\ e..,h,IIJ,I('d 'l:ell
'll pph ot ,ILl
DlIlll1~ the fl' e-f;~htlll~ ,I'ld 'l"ltll' ",HOll.. l'UI "1'0"'.
1)1, tll'et.j ,uhhtl'lll,d 'L'[',lI,tt,,-, fUl l!.!lllt'O'l~ \\el(:, h'und
[lll'l 1!':'J\tllltl' ,'pp,Llt,ntl\ llLUI1', II \\( H 1i:,1 :hL 11lltl ~j
,Ul l\..d oi f11 L) il',!lltL".... ~ ....OllH~tllnL tlu: ll'~ ~hl" l\~Llqd.tltll~
III \?;llp,h ,111t!llIlpJll'l't" I'll'L' \tpl',ltt' hle~ OU".llllld
11) ,I \t.'lOlld-llo\t1 lt1\t"l .'Ild ,tlll '0..::' 10<11'1 lllt! 11' ,I '111111-
1[001 \t r ~ It t' ('it'I,(to' J()),j II llz" l \\" ,[ po", !)l( ! Ii II d
I'''::llltlolllll ,H) [,t\~ ['Il\\[ I ill'" l"J,I'H t "ll 'I" 'L1lldt !llllll
110",,\[ I It', t!"'I'I",:I,I, ti, ,t 'III'" .1' III [\t, ',']flll 'II
tt']..lllLlI, ,11 tilt IJI '~l:' II !r't \[1 'il' (, Jt 1 L11' ~ i\ '11''1'1'
hll' \\t'O( , L,t1\ l<'II!l,dl, d I" h', 1t:..:.;.L'I'
\ Lilt II 01 ~:; t .I~'~l~ ll~111p "11. '" ~-"I tLli..lll'" 2 ...lUll kt 1.. ~J
It....llll 11'111... .2 Llll l....\.. l...l'l. tPLll... ~nd l21" ;'Lt'llt~ to., \\. H
It1lil/l .It!II' III..!.. iLl I j-I~;'111"_ III1 I~"'I 'Il ~'ill' l'I'l':'
EV-\Ct:\TlO'
.
:\t wme time .liter the fire depdrt:nel't \\.1~ notified,
evacuatIOn al.1rm~ were m,lI1uaII". .md autom.ltlcaliv acti-
vated 10 the hoteL althout;h manv occupants Iepor~ed
tholt the\ did not hear oln'T ,1larms It IS pos~lble thJ.t the
.tlll:T' ,.,tCl"l lf1 the E.1Sf To\\cr fuled C"I:' H1 the Ere
clue to fIe J..)PLl~e fite '~~~~t~:) u~ecl "'l~e '\.Dlce lorn-
lTIun:c.ttIO'1 ,\ ~tem to not::\ the hotel ~ occup.l'1ts 0; ,>eT
l'1('~ence ,mu tel! ~he'n ..vh.it .'C:::)ri' :0 t.L:..e
Occup,mb eIther cp,'cluted +e bu,k:n:!; b\ \\J.' of~t.c
~t~iir\(l\S_ '\.ere "<..~ppeci 'n t~e'r -COTTi\ h,,,. the :lrc or
\'\tl~(ed OI.1t t~e 51e In the'] l(,olr~ \!~~n'l ~eop~e- e~l(.:Jlln"
tcrc~l S:L:)l..e ~"I ~he ...t.1F.....\ 1'-'" e~nec'.....!h 'q dv.= Ei.l'-;.t
LU\' c' t:~1)::: t-lte'Y)' '"ILll........' .)\ 5:1 y-:c re'-"i:'!.: l=i. t.,~ ,J-..~r_
'.\ r;.... ~~'e1e _~b'C' 'U) (..::e: ~~) L1...;,: 1_:jC: ..,,:....e..e ::h~' \~C"...e ~e~-
c"ed :)\ hehcu:~~re' '"I
OCC:'l ~..:n~~ \\ b;J \\ pre tl ~p~)ed "", ,",~ \1 ~'-.=, ~ ep" l:qcC 1'':
~~eB ]~)0"'ll~ (~pd ~e;cpho""'e(~ ~}-oe '.~G"e' -Jre' If-n~, '~ele
t::)d to ~)i-:'le '.\E'C t1J\'\eh. -lpd -::;het.>~") ll)....~c! ~he d")c\I'" ..~~:d
\\.l!: fm -he ~le depc:.t]~ent ;:e:,>c]~"el :\10< of +e
...f',:,)l.e p",:. l~-lt'i)'l lYlJlll ~e" occ~~p r~~i 1_\ ~..::-... ~l...le"'~'" c'~)e~"ecl
-he I' . GOIT' U1n~, 01 Ir'ed ~o Ie,,-. e '!-e .)~. ::GI-:~
Q.-Ie ;~..lc:::; Ie:?Gl te:i I.~?.r.:; ..~n -:::l~~ ..~~(",~ ';' ~\e Ce-p.t-.:J
T:}\"I~e~ '(0 e\ .1cu,;"~e HG\\-"e~ er ,..he eie'- .:."!tCl '\'l"llCh \\....l~
not tOTIPected to the ~mo:"e c:er!:,c tc-. ~ ope'leci ~.lt :'-he
e~~nth toOl 'the 'Ioor or ollglr '. "b.. C:", \\ as SEed '\ltD
smol.,e The ;uest wa~ able to cr,ml dc'vn the corndor
.md bang Ol~ gue,t-roo'11 door:, O~e Ceo' \\''15 opered.
and the guest w,l1ted out ~he he In t!:at :-oom Th:-ee
other people on the ~al'1e ele\ ator c.rr \"el e L1ter found
dea.d m the elghth-fioOl elevator ;oJb\
One sue~t who \"as trapped 1:1 his room I epOl ted th,lt
~mo1.::e l,J.d COIl'e In ~h~au:;h the ;,1n C01: c':'lt !or ,e\ e:-a.l
ml:,ute~ He he,ue.1 ,ound l:he.l ciCCI C'O~:11~. ..rcl t;'t><l
the ~r:lO]..,e ~topred Th:~ ~ounci \' as P' ob.''':\ ~he he
CamFer in the ;: IE ~n the COl rIGor \\ 2.'] ~:OSj!1; due to t:,e
Me1tm= of the h'~I:)le 1m:':
Flitee'l hundl ed pefJp1c In J. Sl:::~-E-:JOl ;)ho\\ 1 OQ-ll
evaclh1ted In ,111 orderlv m.mner 2......d \\ Ithout I'1CC;e'1t
after d,mcer Juhet Prow~e hJ.d s~artecl he: ,how, when
the-; \'vele told of ,1 "PloG!em' III t!'e h()~d The '\G:c:
"Sre ' \\,1~ ,peclncallv or'l1ttea frO'11 the .1l1'1ounce'TIent
..
C\~L\LTICS -\:\D D-\\I\GE
.
The fire (<lu\ec1 el~ht '.It.Ii,tle~ ,l'ld .lp;JrO'\Ul1,ttcl\ }S()
lllJ11l1C' FOlt\-l:'l~ht 01 tho,e IllJ'lIcd '.\elC 'lIe rl.!;11tcl"
One hi e qt::htel qtllLl ed ,1 ,e' l!'l' ht',l) t .ltLK I. III the
hlh[11t tI ,L\ l ell' < d It '1l1t 01 ';[1':]'(' 'l,1',li.ltllJIl
\P Ll:!.ht ot tlH~ \](..tl'n~ \\e'f~ l1n"t~ o:.::..~~...t.... rh'Pl \\C't'
f1l1111d III t1lt C'clltl,t1 Tll\\eJ elu "tlll :"['['\ Oil th, ,-,'..:ht!l
f1')tJI r1\L !,"d\ 111 OIlL or t!l< 'l' t:.., L " " 11.llh\.l\ m't of
"I O[llll' k\ ItC)! dool ()IH \ lltl'll :lI'lil'< d <I[ till hOlll i
1\,,':ltil~il",)1 1.'''111 II.,lt \\,1' \"1' .1,,-, '" ,]" r "t f~'I\\"
r
ele\"atOl lobb\ I Room 1263': Thel e \\.lS e';ldence thJt the
room\ door to the corndor Iud been left open
The other four Vlctlm~ \\-el e found \11 "uest rOOIl1~ Hl
the Eol!.t Tower -\11 of the rooms h.10 either open doors
to the corndor or eVIdence that corndor doors hold been
opened Two of the~e foUl \'ICt'l.l~ \\ el e found ltl .l mort
on the tenth Hoar ,It the e.t~t('r~'l1o.,t en(: or -he E."~
T Ll\\ er ',Room 1069. One ,,,Jd', \\.b -~lT(: ;:' tI'e '- 0]' ,el0'
on the P,\ el1t\"-fir~t Hool .I'lJ clt ,t...:~cci mta 1~('0"11 21-:-.')
\l.hiCh n~l~ I.a:E\J.\- hetueen ~l'e [l'3t T-1\o;"e"" ele' .~t...}t
lobb\ i,lnd tr.-e ~P1o'",-eproo;' ~o".cr 0~-'e \ 'c--'r' ~\ ..~~ i811~:d
on the t'Af"I' t\ -['iUl ~h P001 ~:~ PlOOin : iG-t ~\ hlCh ".... 1\
~ep.1I-1ted f. 01') tl-oe E "t Towe' d::\ ,1:0J . oh:), 1)\ ,l IS'))"
C'~I't1:ml;~ .11' Ice 'n.'C:alll'
Tl1e'e~\C1e .1(1 t:~":.lt~.t''''1l11<~rl'-=:1'-o\1 ht'~L '-]('C:---='~)J...t""l":_-d
Ler:: t~'ell d~(}) ~l,):::..;:ci ~nd...... ~.:-::,,-i..~ I-"";:"~~ l.~ L f'il? nj "1 :1'::::0::'
t01 1 eSct:e P..~ ptl::"lP~ ~)l:"t'l\ een -~I.e COl ~ l(J.~)I '-~ !1r1 ;Ih:~;"':
1 (,Dr-"~ h!.....e the dOi"),.... dKi 1 e~I~t t~..-c qI e, E\ e'1 t11cn'.!.h
....OT~e h"i.lt~ "'e\ere S'e e"?0~U]e F'le d..u~~Je!~ ID ~l.e;' .:~~
]11 cc~r~dol \\aU:, th;;;lt l-...e. e e\.p:-1....eu. "'0 he'-~t "!l t:'e E-t~t
TO'\E-I ,1ppE-Ired ~o h.l\e c:o~ed ,1!F: hel;~ed ;l!'i't the ::"e
~pl ei.lc~
D8o~;;; :0 ~orr e ;~. e,:>t roorl~ ~..lG been r ei: G~e'1 oJ
e'-"~Cll:lt~n~ ;~_le:')ts T~-':::;::e !OOr1S e~ther lece~'..ed e\ten~
SI\, e ~'11o;"e cl.'m1~e 8r he.'t cbrr,l;e 01 I:: ,orre c-'.~e, :"c
fire ~pre,ld Irom the cO! rulor :nto thenl, C:lU~J:1; 'aon
~urr.ollt
The fire ~pread for 'van m~ cI~tances down the cor.
ndors. consummg the \'my! wall CQven'1g' .:mci car~et'ng
on the floor T_lole 1 mdlca~es the appro'-!mate dlS-
tUI'ces th,lt receIVed actudl fire e"posure The~e \"ana-
tlOm were mo~t proDclbh: c,m,<,ed b\" mtenor f:,e-n.;ht:ng
Table 1
Fl~)0"
Lc....'!:!::.. .'il feet.
0r FI-1me .t:>.-r0'Jure
i""!. CQJ"""'~t::o'"
20
29
~S
,27
26
2'51':1
23
22
LLrn'~~d
L.n1ltec.
3D:!
3g
169
65
61
I).,
';3
"1
l11
<j(}
1:6
Ie.:!
In
1.;7
'-,'i
17.;
, '11
I";
''''
~,
-.
20
19
t'i
,-
"
Ih
~:;.
II
I )
I':
'0
')
"
, ,-
- .
~(fj
( r"r/BIIl r.' ,.n r (J_' "
i II~I lOt 1\"\ \1 - I \'\l \1,) I,J....~
Las Vegas Hilton Hotel FIre ;co"l/II1uedfrom plJJ.:e 5;-,
.
eifectl'. ene~~, the tune from 19l1ltlOll to w.lter J.pp.IC.I-
tlOn, .md the ]mp,lc~ of bdcer plpe-~t.e.1m pepetrat'on
1I1to the E,l~t To\\er elevcltOJ" lobble~ The mne-foot
overh.mgmg bakony of the twenty-;unth floor creJ.ted a
IJ.rge he.!.t collector that forced .1 ;;reat amount of the fire
fro'11 the CUlldtnc:; e'terLOr lI1to the elevator lobi)\- 0'1
the ~\.\-e.tt~ _~H..:~;~l, t:ocr
;he ,mohe ~ple.ld t!'~ou:.:.h()ut the Lbt .uld Ce'itnl
To\\cer' The;.,OI th TO\'.cl recel\ed i;tt:c d,lm.1~e, Ii .l"\..
bec..;.:..;,e e: tl'e ;l~; door5 \\ It]} e!ectrlJma~net;c .ele,1:>8\,
loc,1teci ,~ t!le e'1d or the 0' ':,::m"l Ce'ltr,li Towel
Lisel SSW"
'.
ct 1 ~ C0lPH\ =l~ ("" ot:lC'.:!~ :~'d \l:::'tr:.'p{)~'L~n L~l~ \ e~L~'"
p~-<~:C'e C~~:(l..iJ) Jetel '~~ne(i :->.l~ :he- are ~f:::nl:-l0i"'~ .tcpe 0;
InCC[~:::~L~1\ Gi':':l.l T:-e i~C'-=:--:;"--'1 'i\"--:.n l~..t'~l\ c.1!1ec l~: f---e
~-c L:' l,~ -.~ ~.::J ~he "'€CUl _~r c.:S?~~t-::!"'er ":'..~ _:~ :-c~t(d.
.;:.l-IL-[ CC'f: n~J. r-- ci~2~C'2 iJj e'~~~t counts of horrlcLce ,2.....G
l' ~oa I--Ic .\"-~~ ."1 }--.utcl ~ JQj~l-~el \. .(e l)u~l::o\. ~.\ ho .~ lG
leeG e"'pb' ed ~.. :he H,lten :or on;... ..1 ie" "e,:,:"~
\~ ~l~e +~!T~e th:~ "el";Dl t "-"\.~:-:. '\ n:~e.l. the mo~t prDb.lb :-e
l;.,'tHJD :::.ce'1~lr:o 1J..1::' '~8t beetl u~~e l~eci Hc'\e'.et, '~lT]aJ
repOI:5 CO 'lot lI1C1c...:~e .J[1'1; l(.l-.!e -1'=10un;:~ of accele"'-.lIl:
pre~e:-1t or ar.v other e, 'dence l'1cilc_lt::ig am.chmg ether
th;-,n " smalL ope"l-fbme ;~rllt:on source
Orlee 19mt'on occl.rred ~n tre East Tower elghth-HGor
e;e, _~tor iobbv. the r.re IT.ost hkei,. rapldlv involvec. the
furmshJ:1!;s and c~rpetmg on the ,vall~ and cellmg \tter
flasno\.er took p!J.ee, the extenor plate-glass wmdo\"
brol.e, J.llowmg a flame fro:-lt to extend vertlcallv on the
e' te~lOr of the bl_Hldlll~ The fire continued ~o ~p:-e,'d
hOI ;zo"ta1!,. In the E.bt Tower corridor. '\1tn the \ lTI'. j
cO\-er'n~ on the waa~ ,md ~orre ce:img are.1S cont;lbu.~in~
to the it.d 10dd
The fire progre~~ed \ ertle.'!:\-" lip the e'(tenor of the
bl'lldm;, :Ioor b\ I100r I~ l~ Ith.el... ~h,tt the proee~~ ,lceei-
erated .IS mOre Hoors became involved .ind the fire ~",]s
reacr.mg the upper portlon of the bUlldmg !\fter the
eighth floor bec,lme Imoi, ed, It IS e~tlmJ.ted (b.l~ed 0[1
eye\'. !t'1e,~ ,l<::count~ oi fire fighters.) th.lt the vertic'll e'(-
tenor spre.ld tool-. 20 to 23 mmute~ to I e.1ch tre top 01
t!->e .3{)-~tar\ bUlldllH.!; 2
The 'e~t:(',11h {'xtem1 'n:!. ii" me on the IJI1,ldl"~'" ex-
te:-10r ;Jrob.lb!\ m\'olvecl two mecll.1l1l~m~ 01 he.lt tr.lIl':e~
to the gL,~ and elev,ltor IobiJ\' on e.ll:.n ,llcceedm!.{ level
,lS ,t pro~ressed \ gre.\t de,l! of r,\ch,\l't ~henn,ll ene.gv
would hd\e been tr,\lJ,te'red till o\l\.!;h the ~LI~~, P(h~lhlv
;t:;'llt:n~ the dr,tpene, '\ooden bL'ntn. .me! lO.Ull P:,t,tlC
Clh~'llt\ The\e \\oulcl "'1, e \ded .1' l..llldhll:!: ~\Lel\ t~l..t
'0011 l~tlJted the c.lrp't'ng '>11 the w.dl, ,l"d tedHl~
I.
~ i
:.
.: 1"..... (\tlf'OI 1; HUl- "'l>rcLd :Jllt IItllUt.II.Jn ...... L'" ...if "'ln~H_lL IlL ,
1972 I'n :l~""" ~tlil~\ ....~-~ \ [I\'\'ood \\ 1111... ~llL~h HI..t JhLl;..IIII'.!: I j"-'
":old ~'I'llll F,- lid l-LHl- ~l)lR' \L \oi hi) '\1) i Juh l"f72- :1 ')
I, .2
Ill;] lOll,'., \L - J \'.,l \'n ";'12
~
In "ddltlon to (he r,ld:J.nt heJ.t tr,ubler :he lece'~ed
pbte gLis~ ,md the ~hJ.pe of tiw ,p.lnJ~Li, 'tn,lll~l1LU"
croos-~ectlOnl would mo~t 1I'"el\' h,lve c.lU'eJ t~,e ilo"- 01
flame mci heJ.ted gase~ to cre.lte tm huienl..e J.nu ,1 roihng
effect, causmg d:rect ibme contact With the ;rbs~ TI1:s
would h.lve contn~uted to the he,L( tr.lmter mto the
e'e' "tar loj}cn"" well .l~ e,lrl\ '.ti't,.<, oi the :.!1.1~~
T!le cOl~''''~)ll~tIb~e ~..~lpt'tl]h'::: Ln~::t::"'r' i ..i.~}:):"L(~ .'1 ~!~e
E..~~t To\\e: ele\.-L~tor 'fJbble:. ~~ppe..~""~ t'1 i-:~\ ~ hce"1 Ll
nl.J:Df fJ.crol 'n the ror1~ It''j'' I),{ ~ ~L'r--! lro.--.r ua the
e\.terlor <.1nd the ~U:)iH~q::e..---.t "-{GOl-t J-.t:-r;c:-- f-e "'P"t'Ie.
[nteL:ar "rlsh ,,1,", 1 L"LCt0t C01--t! ~bllt~~~: "'0 ~ .;-;-e C'TIL....... ~)~'-
IrOli \'-;;ldO\\, h..l~ :Jee'1 J['tW~~.,tcti "I ,~,t"'-Ch h:~'
:1.:: e J
7"\e ~(-=-tlL)~"~li Eu] e~I!' -~:~ :)(L-l--(',"l~':'"~ C.-... .-t~ I -~JI r. c-
Re~eL~'ch :e"::c~~ "';,"~ni~.t.'" I~i C -'I:.'et ..1L:.t..... I -~-)lr _In -] -
d-1l1lc:ed Ey...t rn'~\~l 10";:-:;", '[j 8~C.:':'u ~~>- c..=-::. ~'111""'e "1
esc~n"'ateci 1. .p.r~e ~p.ek(d c;~:::,;)-~.;..:.'..l~'cn T!~i) ~ ~-:-"'r;e;,. '\e1e
te~ted ~:.\ tl:e RL1C.~.";t ?..l"e~ lest \l~~l~:Ji ~.J:-~,l [,-162
~t} -l~)r::rop~ 1~~:::2 :~....t }.....el-~cJ ~:.r ~\.::l .-;..- Le-l~P! lr"~~ '0:-
~~:I;~l5r JTIL1te=-!Ld.) Re~ult~ 'nehe" tee! :1_"'.rlt' :::;y'"e 1(1 ..nce"'t'~
c: 2";'~ -u"d ':-3-L H,lt:-. _:n -l\.e1Ll':.:~ c.:23S :-~= ::..-~et te~.~c:.
\"'<r~uld. be cI..l~.'::lfie(~ :~'> cr~~;)~ c J~llre ~pre_lG -:3 to ":[:0. Dr
Cla~::. D I ~:"e:..ter :n:J1 200 .J. f1ese . e~~it~ ..1"e....e :nc..eter-
IT~T1..U1.t.. : e , .1 spec~5c :<.u=e ~?]e-1C (....l~:);,:;-::.LL:t::r1.-\Ll~ no~
dete'n'IPed as tb:' _\ST\f E.162 Te~~ \ft':"::oG doc, not
correlate "..ell ,\~th :\FP -\ 253 :, \ST\1 :=:-')..j,. :,[!;'t;'od of
Test of Surface Burntn; C}'arac~enst!c~ of Bwldlng
Mt2tenals :.\Iatenals anah s'~ :nclcated t:,;::t the carpet
,vas of ml....ed "'001 and n~ ion fibers. the pe~centm;e at
e~ch fiber was not determmed :\FP.\ 101 - 1951. the
Lfe Safety Code3. references ~he ;.,FP.\ 255 i.\ST:\l
E-S4,'. Test \lethoc.. J.nd req~:res that carpetJf'g :lpphed
to 'vans .lnd cellmg l,.J.,e " C"l~~ --\. 9.t~e ~~reaci :-,l~m~
d}-2Y See the Code ReView ~ect:o-: tL...t foP 0"" , for
2et2.11s on fbrae ~pre,ld e::l~'iSclt'cn ~eql.li-eTIlehb
The oni\ ".ertlc.ll file ,p~e.,cl dwm; tb'" mClcent '~,IS
1,\- \,.1\. of tbe ex'er;01 of the bUlle!. It\!; T;-;ere W,l~ ~ome
evdel'ce at ~noi-..e .md h(;,,~ :~.:;.\el:n the eit",ator l'OL'lt-
W,1\; of the E.l~t Tower. but :hl~ \\opj~ \)e cOI1~ldered
verv mmor compared to the extenOr ,ert'cal ~pre.ld
CODE RI:VlEW
In orde~ to currtp,lre lrfe-,,\.fet'. pl'JbleJTI'1 e'el'T]pbneci
1'1 tnl:> lIlvdent WIth Cl.'rre'Jt n.lt;on.ll CO'l'en~l1'l '1t.md-
arC:" the 1981 eGIttOn at '-FPo\. 101, the Llfe Safetl} Code
(the Code), W.l~ u'lea lor .1ll.1h~l~ pnrpme\, cllthol1c.h It
h.lS not been ,ldLlpted ll\ C!,lrl:. COUllt,"
:J ;"'ll. (. \\ 'l."hITt'lP l.{ d 11., "'t 1 .Url UU BII"T1"" "L P \ ()..~ir
rt.ri'j \uL )) "\0 I. \:lfll 11J't"'11' liP .()(I.-)]h ....~'t i.IV1 \1 I_J'~"
[{acl'aiwn f....om ~ 'r"l'" IU Il (o"'pl~rU~ll1It ~ 'E"t. Jh....t. Ir-:. h r uJ~n'1. Li P 'lit t"
'a 2u \lllll'..tr' ul Tl.l h~II~O:"::\ IIldllH ()Ita Lf'I. ( .J'[UlIlt'l~" Jl.llllf I-Irl
}{l"4.. ,...( h {)r:';l1u'kat--oll J l... r- \1 lit ..~.. ... "I .'\1)114..'-\ 0"1 l1 L {J'lLion ~ ]I~
IUlIl !llh.....
- (\,..:: 1\1 1111 '.. dhl' ~ I -.~ .i:''''Hll.l~IJ"1 \hlt!. tl'l"t I III
J.
I
i
.
.
(
The 'allowing; ~umm..ll v of reqUirements from the
CDde l~ p..lrtlcuLlrh' rele\'ant to thl~ fire The 1 equ 'Te-
ments cited In thl~ sect:oa .Ire for eXlst:ng hotels unle~~
other.vlse mdlcated In the Code, requIrements for new
hotels are contamcc 1:1 Sect:on 16-3 4, those for eXlstll':!;
hotels are 'n SectIOn 17 -3 -l, The follawmg ~ect:on IS not
]....tenc1ed to be ,1 C'l.np:ete cIe~u 'ptLOl' of J.ll ?J.r~s of the
Code th..lt ~~el tll'l to :-l~i::' r:otel s'i"e1 no] l~ l~ to l[rr-~-\ ~!1.1t
::hc 1951 Code Iud been ..lcopted 1'1 C.d, Cllii'lt\
I~t~no. Fl'l~.sh
1- - 3 3 1 T~L~ \~C:-~O.'! e~:..:~' ~ ~~:...~~ -l?C'_ :-c.n eT1 ~~ ~^~ p"-
t{. ~ '0: ;nl~~1 r)f' '-\.-,lE~- ", cl celh~.....~, iOl \. ~-:l H...-"'i"'" ..p-e~~... \\ 1~:1' n
e"-~~'fi.-; :::J:t:';~ ':U:)ICCI ~..... t::e 'lll"'l:tL:.'tllr-,:- L~lHj 'll.-)ti',-;-u..!-
~L:~";.. :::r..:"c:f1t:U "'1 51::'(-10-1 I~-S rrhe~e] t(~;,lr".C'~~H~~~('" pot'"
,1 \ er' .:\l} E\I::" - ct,->" \ OJ B
E"-:~ ..lc::e"'--:; - C'Ll~S _\. i;- 3.
L~~]h'es C~~I.~:J:-~ ~h..-t ~~e I1n: ~:-"'1'[ L~cce~~ -
c~c,~~ \ 3 Dr C
Fl...~ce~ qr ~l.::a~cm~JL.
~_e~ 9-3 3:
e I '(~" l(ll'-l~ -':l-.:e~t l'JOlr~ .1I~{: .:)tI,,;e: 1,".OlrJ~) - C;i.l'::-~
\ B :;)1 C
6-5 6 2 :-'Ltell.t!s 'I-'CD ,-,S C\lI petz:,,,, h.1\ zng ,1 'vppe~~
t::.ite.:=:. ~ooreci. 01 ')i:l:!;.:r :,urf~ce, 'vhe~ appheci Of! '\"8.]...
01 ce:::ngs. ~hG.] meec the :-eqUlrer.1en~s of C:dS~ A :nte-
rlOr q~lsh ..
-\.larm and CommumcatlOns SHtems
\Ia.l1Ual alarm s\'steffiS are reqt:.lred for both '1e..... and
e\.1~tl:-:;;: ho~e!5 accomffioC:iOtelg 1.5 or 'TIoregues~5 r nles~
sp~:n',,JeI'ed, ne'\- hotels are requITed to ha\"t' ..J con-:dor
smoke detectlOn s\"stem conr.eered to the J.!.lrr.1 m:tlJ.tlO:l
~\ stell L :1.1ess proillblted b\ the 'll:thon:\" h<.l'.ln2; jUriS-
dictIOn, preslgnal s'cstems are J.licwed
Comp..rtmentatlon of Corrldors
17 -:) 6 2 Guest-room doors that open onto aT]. :nterlor
cOI':-:dor ~h;:>ll hJ.ve at least a 20-mmute I'atlf'~ or 1 ~-mch
~ohc! bonded wood-core door~
17.3 6 3 Doors be!:\'-ee~ guest p'om, and corndors
are reqUired to be self-closlI'; emd Meet the :eqUII c-
ments 01 17-.3 62
17 -3.6 -4 t: npt mecteci Ope111ns~ ~ihul be pi oi-ualted
In p.H tltlOn~ of Intel WI C'')llldol ~ ~el ullg .b e\lt ..rcce~~
from ;.!:ue~t rcom~
17.3 6 6 . TI,lmfer gnlb, whecher protected b~ tu~l-
ble Imk operated dJ.mper~ or not, ~hJ.ll not be meclm
the~e walls Qr dDO! ~ .
There .lre t\\ ('\ e' cCpt;{)ll' Oi'l:' ,I there " .' C ('\") Ido'
~n"o~,e detLlt~Jn ~\')te'l1..:'lh.; ~\n '~_}t':().11Lt"1~ ...~~ .,l....le.~
de prO\.IJ"a In <:"tht:'l c.,,,<:, the '..::"1'" 'I'll~t be lcc.J.tecl I"
the lo\\cl thlld oi the \\.1;1 ')1 J'~.l}1 ht'ICi,c
The 1951 L~f;:: Sl~fcty Cede hL~ :i C ~('('I;~:~r"1i"~" ;-0' t>-e
tau1)Jn l~lon of c\.lt ,--'(ce",~ I~O' t id~H'"
Buud-n;; ~v-. .ce~
SL'Ch)'l C ~S .::: 0i '\ FP~. liJl
...s-......I.. '~'~l.1L.=~ .-~.._..,.,o:..::
'eT)~]IL~t'P;~ ..l..,d L~~l cs:'--.d-=:'on:.'~ I-!\ \C. ~"r-~~..-~..t'rl- ~J/
CCl'") pI '.. ., H!l S eC~'()Ij, -- -2 e'" cer~ ) dthe' "\ ~;:.\? C~. ~""e~~ ::)
t}"e c1"1 ~p~el ;")11 t"l:::rp"':':.:: ;l~Jte~;..
SeLt:o'1 ....-2 01 \.FP -'I. 101 ~CC::':'It'~ er:U1p'Yle'~' ", ,~('
ill"'lL~:led l'l .leCf)l '.=1... nc~ '\T:!'. ~ FP -\. :;n --\. 5.J.r;.r'n::.:~ d. [:J! ~ l.e
Inst(1[[at:on of'_-\~r CDil({'!tlOt~~t1; ~,l[" \"'ent~,'.:.r\,; ~ --,.t.l~(,.
or '\ FF 1.. 90B. 5 tcndcr d J.i~')r -tiJ::' I nsf/!.i?!it,c 11 c,--r ~~Tt ~ J. r-.1 -1.1;'"-"-
j-Icatln~ end ~-ilr COilj;:~CrzZ17.:; 5~f"jte.~.ns Lb -~~r:..:: ;-.:~
_\ sl;~lfc.lJ1c e,ce~:lt:,):1 'S tj'at e"l~t;n'::: 'nst ',b,'o",
~[lV be cortlllued !!l sev-,\ Ice" ~t:.J~ec~ to ,lp;>rCi\ al b'l t~e
authont.... ha\-mg junsdlct:o:}
The 1975 edItIOn of:'l, FP_-\. 90 -\ cOnt.Ims the foHowm;
sectIOn
2-2 1. 'Public corndors ]TI nealtn Cd-re, pen.ll, ,,',nd reS'de'1tl":
occuuanCle~ sh.,1l POt be used as J. Do-c'on of d. SUD!J\.., ~etu~n.
or e~",.lUst aI!' s'cstem sernpg .1dJ01~'Pg .lIe.1S ot,,~; th"n t::n:et
rooJT'S. bathrao'Us shower .ooms, SID:" c:o~ets. anci 5lm,lar
;1U'.lil..ln: sp~lces aper'If'-Z GJ.ec.tl\ OIl the cOfncor -\.... .-...'....s:e.
:)ec.u........e 01 p~essu" e d.t:e....e~~.t. :.1 ]11 l-..e ~ 1 t~l ( ~re ~("(.I...::: ~.~ :.:::~e5 ..l'~.::::.
!ni:dtrdho~ Iflto le~'der"ltLLil Q(.cur>~nc!e~ ~"'O'11 ::'O!'"TIC2'-~ 15- <-~C'-
cept~ble_ prOVided ccor c!e.1~'UH_e, ,h,I!] n"t e'co:ed c:-'c.,,, 'pee-
.fied for fre ciao', m ,ne 5 tand'!rd ~or F're Daor< ~'Jd '.' ''1'
dr'ts. '-:FP-\ 80 FUlther doO!, Wd.:Jl ., tll ::n'l, ,~.,; IW~ ;)':'
u~ed '
SectIOn 17.,5 3 of :-.JFP.-\. 101 requlf(~~ ele\ ",~or~ to
campl... WIth the proVIS:Ons or SectlOl"' 7-4 SectIOn 7--4
reference~ the Safety Cede for E[et.ators, Dllmbu.a.ters,
Escalators, and .\Ionng \Vlllks, -\).SI \17 1 E"l~tmg
m~t<lll.ttlOm may be cant:nued :n ~e:\'lce ~ubject to ap-
pro\-J.l b" t11e .luthOlltv h.1\'lI1g JLi~I~dlctlOn !:::...
PhlJto on p.<r:" 52 to? 11\ !l n' W<:l(';1
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A?PEN1HX E
FIRE AT
THE MGM GRAND
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tj1e 1'(:'C~ '.:~{_~rt:-rCSt5=c. nt bt::rr1cr')
o L,'c~ :J~f..i7.re ~\'f~ll~'n~;Jl~lert ~'1 the 'tlCr;HC'lt .')t(i~~ c:.t
fre
. L PVt9+Ci..iC,j t-,:"r t:~_i'~l OpCtlli~;~ CCt1fr!.!HltPl:'; fn
5Tno~:r.! 5'prCfid to fhf! lll-;;.h-r~~c -Ior{ cr
o :;li:).'}tr'j>d{.: rl ~l~C!Olrlre oJ~ ~ntCl ~::'~. si-"'~r~ S7"~o~::.-
p'-c~{ ~c:.:..-el s- il~~::j ;]l't pr:).ja;;['~L{lyS C()il~rll'./~t.r-~";!-o j'cr;~
(~'ld J~T'"GI-e );Jreod. /1'1'"-1 ::t~r..(:;,;rnlg ~lle If'ec~~s of €:"r+ess:
_6"orl the .~U:..:h-f He 1'01:..[:-
. D!stnb'ltlon o~r .slY1o.L..e tll1 Q1l;t1Dllt the 11lg11.-rl.'5e
tou er thrcufJl tilt: i1catlr;. :o...entilafzT"2, and a~""-
cond:twmng eau:pr.ent
. Srf'oke s-pread through elel-('tor ho:stua!Js to the
J1l6h-nse tou.er
THESE WERE THE ~I.\JOR FACTORS
d-'J.t Llcc~u'1ted f01 the los~ of ~3 l.'\.e'"l~ 1'1Jur:es ~o ..~~OU~
ODO people ~I"d p10-e ~hc'n :;'30 ~,,'hon lli vope:t', d,lr'l-
,1g:e <!.t ~he \IG~\I Gd"d Hotel::1 Lh \"e;,\~, :\"e',ld_~. on
:\ 0, ember 21. 1980
TDe ::-:FP~, fil11 . epr] t on t:-:e ~I e ''.,I~ eOTl1f1'eted :n
:\0'. e~1he' : S11 llld ~:,()W\ ;'0'" the~e i:tc::Ol' cOn\:)11leu
1:0 prociuce tr.e wn' \t hO'e! file 1'1 t!'c Cn:ted St,lte, ,Inee
19-16 wnen ,I R.e .It the \\'mecoU Hotel m .-\tLmtJ..
Georgu l..111ed 119 pec?!c
T1H.:. lr",c-Je J't ;) '3l'd a') "~-;e '\FP 'i ~ H'\ t.....t1Z1tl...L ;':.tUGV I~t.es('!:.a~
:'Otl Rcv(.IJ" 'J..... "he 'IG'LI Cra....cJ. fIe'd r,rc Las \.e~(.!'i" \eu!(la
\Ptl..I1I.Jt,.....~! !9....(] ~n pl~"i.rd He'\t 'FP\ ').e-l'D'" F........ -\"ll;\"Ih
~net.L.Jjl~~ Iud 01\ LJ P D~IlH...L'" P r.:: C.PI"'louit lilt ta i~.... ,rp \ fiH_
f'ill r1.-:){)rt ........dl ~'L l'~i.:/r.,hlll;n. tl'l. ,FP\ CnpH_~ m~t\ :H..~ 1('~IU( \tul
ffl)nl "IH: ......r~J\ r'le Ir\\...~tl!.:Jtl()'l' Dl.,.n~rt''Ilellt
liT-I- .;:l\-L....tL'...:,.t.OIl \\ l' cnIHluCf-t.d In .~l-L '1....o]1.l1 r.re prot( ell')"')
-\~~tX.l~tHH1 .'\i P\-i 1l1llkr ~ VJl'l'rKf- ,-Ith: I-'-te .r-Lder-u Lr'H~r~( Pc:....
"\1 >nl~t "lH nt \:':' IK.\ U \\ hJllIr".h ;unutd b\ thL FL(1~r.i CII.t..r~L'Ll.\.
'11n i!..':l"lH I'C \ L:' lit \ t'll- '\. .llLl-t"' II Bp-t' 111 nl '1t ind t'f(:' Inri thl. ...... ,-
tl"1I d I ~-~ PI"'t <- 1-1')11 \''''Ol' '~.Oll
--r lIt. 'I'~)....r JJKl ~'J ~J'.'"I J.".( "1-tl!...,..~['\ l rt. 1JI11 r .... d.ui-.t Irqll1) tIll puJ-j}{
[r"~l\~lt '11,h rl1"'I'l"'I.dult!l":lt. LII....h\.nll\(I.tillJ1H.::\Jt.~t 'Otirtt
Il.~ ..lti,II.... lr,.d p'd-lL...hlr LrL 'o\h 'l-t'p4IU"'-lh\ IlIr ~l~( lll'lrIL\ 'It
~t"(i"lr(l\ tt;- '(lhIPlrlltIOrl" (fJlltHllld !Ilnrrl
lil~ \,1 P\'III\t"'~I~lt.\~ l~j"'lIL11,i;~,tl~l.nt.'-l (111;"'( 'H~II'''' 1"1
\~ ...1.......lll.lll l.~1 ~l'Jtt 'Hlnt, t~i( ..., (Ut 1'1....-1.\ {[...I.... ''lld~ in l~"n '\.ll" \
-il.I.-I.....~'1 t 1.1~ i 1-111.[, Ili\,'II_l~llll~
.2 il
''j-I JOt 1;,,\ \1 - r \ "\ I \1,) i'I....~
The \( G \ I hl'~h-] he bUlldlTH~. comtll'cted LTl the e.lrl....
1970~. (.on~,~ted of 21 ~tolle~ at uue~t roorn~ \ltll,lteci
.lbo\e ,1 l.'l~e. g'ollnd-Ie\-el comple\ eOlllpn~ed ot ,j
CJ.'>l'ID, ~hDwroom~. COIlVentJOIJ i.ltl]Jtle.... ;,j1 ,U<ll fTan-
ton, J.nd ,j mel c..:mtde comple.... About 3,-1:00 re';l~tel cd
~ue\;~ \\ere III the hotel J.t the tllne of the fire T\1e hotel
\'.el' ~~,1r;l,1Ih sp mk~el ed bll~ 'lI,ljOr ,1rCel'> llH.luJI1l~ the
),1 'r (,'i'.') ,1'1(:'1ht' Dl,lt-till ,L1t<I()'[l1e<lI'~I'l,'.\hlL;'
\\J.- -,' ::'l e,l~t erci O[ tlle c...,,,,;w ',\l"e lint 'p~m\..k'ed
-\, ' e;:'n ted :1' -J'e eLl\.. CH1",t\ fu e Dep-l't:rt"lt.
~ht::' .1V;S';' l~-n:~.';j'e (~l~.'~e of the "~e '\..,,-~ I.H::..1t p:--(Jd~'(ed ,)~
jli e:t'(':I:(.l~ ~"::IC,qilci-\l:"l~t \.\l:::hL'.... l1 c..o!~1i~u..,(]~)1t..: CO~14
c.e l~eu. '::'PL~C:=- 1:::1 1 ~\lut' ei..\ ~el\ In'~ ...t..n~~)'l n~ Th~ I)el]
F ]:'Ju IE!. lot:'!. '-'1\[,1\ep1e~1: ni The De'1 ~i. LLlne :~nnt
-"':J' L~ !"~-.c":..~r..:.h t~~.e C".: i....]].i} S r~G~e ,-ple1d ta t!.ie h;:..:~.-
1 L.;..e t-~~, e. :h~;)l.':.:~ ~L~P\\ l'\.\~ ::.e\'"J~ He. ;Cll'l.~ cle\ ..~r.})
~1Q."'-'1 ~'''''
.1':c ..l'l-h :"::~[:~.ll:.~ ....\'">tC'n-..~
.,-,
lilt' mf:' 'p, (':
t':.:......c::::::: .......r.i.~-. thp. ~u:;.!..._, '.)C :C\I e~ " ....... 1~~l{)-1Il t'(i L,t"Ci.ll~""e tll
....-~11..:~...t' ~l~~ e_~d :n:o ~L~~l I.., L\'" .L'~.c.! e'.I" ~j..~~"">...--::'~\\ .~"\ '-I
d:1--'''l) :i"'l'''-''--~ ,p'e'd t~']l)ll~h L8"ldol'
The rl;!l-~l~t' ~o'\e[ E" ,Ie:.: It:O[l cd 'I ':] ,,\ ,ten' ..iL),L~-
to1-1:.:. ~I;.h "'"L~" .ct".\_"'Itec n] d:Cl ~...:}: ~oi..l"..d L-,'-'d ~~l;j\t g"t""p-
~;-= :'..-..c h:.::::h-~~"Ie \\e~e l~tHted.o tliE 1ie \\hE"ll r~~(.>' '""4e~'r::.~
or ~,"lP h.:e "Pl~.."l.l~'!..~S. ::~l\\ 0' "'Irt:""'.~!:,d. "'nJ:)~eL 01 !~e.l:-::::
pee.:; f: s::out:n::: 0;- :-:lOC:"::1; 8:' deo], \I:'n\ nCCUpe1n~'
\' e....e ;:Ib~~ ~Q r::\ 1:: C.O\\ n :::t..:..l:"\~ (1.'..::: U'1..LS.=,L::: teu 0 t~el ~ \\. el e
t~r--:e~l l';;.l(..... ~\ sP"'o~e .1'1d "'Ol' ;~t t e:u;e in J. OO'n~ ~t:ll~
brcl..e '.\1n:::.ows to s1gn,tl : escue: s or to obtr,m n-esh ,ur
The i=.re 2epal t'11e'1t conhned the +ire to the CJ.Smo Ie\- ei
In slt-;hth o\e' O'le 'nom E,-acuatIon ofal! the guests too\;:
apprO\lmeIte1, four hOUl S
Tr.e :\FP-\ beca:ne ,l\\'are 01 the \IG\I Gland Hotel
fire 0'1 '-.0'. ell' her 21. 1950 and sent a FIre A.11<lh ~I~
Spec.:_",~: '0 ~he ,cene :m'11ec!J,lte['. nelr:'\ ed It the
Hctd !.'-e ~'enn:.; on ::\o'ep1\)er 21 -\clUlt'U'l.t; '-.FP-\
~echp~~..li ~~eC'LI~!I..~~ Jci....1cd t!"'e on-')cene l"P"\ e":::t.~~1t.o'~ ~l
the Qd'S t",'t followed, ,1 toLll 01 l1,e '-:FP \ ,t l'r '11em-
!~e~~ "ere ]"\01, eel!,l the two-wee!-' fe1d e!fort E'ltn to
~he ~~e ,(t"l' e ,nu (: :'L' co)! ec.tlOn eC(t.\ ;~H=' " <:'1 e ( U lIeU
Out \\lcM t!'-e cool'el.'tlO11 of the CLl! k Count\ Fln~ De-
pa.tMe'1t The :\TP -\ conducted :t~ tn.... e-tlgclt'on oi the
nil' In COoreI,'t,on wIth the Fedel,ll E'nergenc\-' \Ln-
,u.>:eJ'lent \:,:enc !t :llted ~tate\ Fire Admlllle,tLltlOll
iFE' l-\.L ~F -\:' ,lIld the :'\ Itl()Jl.Il VUl e,lll 01 SLmd.ll d\
':\B"l tlm1c: .1 ,>t,lIld.n~ .l!.::~eement wIth FE\l-\ Tille,
~t\.:,-h \1 " J')lI1~h fU'lded In the '\FP \. FE\I \ ,md
:\ [~S
The e1.u ~ COllnt~ Fa e DqMrtmt:llt LomiuctcJ lh 'lm.
U 11 'n\ ('\t;~.!t'Ol1 ql the fil C ,md 11 1\ pllbhl1l'd ,I re-pot~,
.\fG'1 RqJtJl:. e!I" i-.. COUlltlj FIre Dq)(lrtlllC'll, .\lrl~1 19.
19':,1 Th. ('1 'II, CIl1JI':"" .nH"tl'.!;.ltHlll t"lIn I'll b.de d
\UC!")I' 1:'lll1 ~h{' '-. FP \ r1:\1 \ ,lIld '-. B'l 1'< l\oll'll'l
"l lIe r'll J)L ') -I tcn. l't \'.,1' lL'\lJtlIl,J!dt 'I)] fl., <J\( l.dl
,I'llcto,,!; ,,~ tla lJi\'Utl lIl\l',tl''':,ltlllll '>l'Ulll'\~ th, f,,"
"Lt'IL t!,'.... .( \. t...t Ilt Ln~ln 1'\ ~ll()1l ,t'd ....LLlI...l qn.....Lt pl.L.il~
l"t-ill, "I -1" I' "III 'IL,-""tl\ l " p'lll
, :
'11,,111. .l"'IJ illl....~ II~~ d i-.t Il .... L l"'l d liJl d" r" ,(
d8.t; av.nLble ur.medl..1teiv afte~ the fire ,.Uld th,,: ob-
tained durwg subsequent follow-up
J:.
BACKGROt:l'O"D
.
i (c'r [pan: J!l~~11 :HL1~..on Oil the b~l::'IC constructloPl of :~e
~ic..~1 Hutel. ,ee the :\rp... ~ ill;! report on the \IC;-.!
Cr.l:1Q 'Ire. J"ul,lbie from tne '\FP\s Flle l-nes;:I;;.l-
t":ms Departr~e'lt .
T!je 23-,tcn \lG\l Gn.nd Hotei hUlld:~; ,.t;.e '.,,,tei
....u-11berln.; ~~ l;jte'11 ~nd'c;1teci 26 le\.e~s'; cars15teu f)C" 11
~.l:::e ::rourC -~oor .ue:!. . C,l,lI'O ; t'\ e i', th..it cont,ll11ed t~'e
C~~'''''''.J I cst-....:.!... >p::~ :::-1-...r-\\ r=~;n"1S .1 con\-et1tlO!] ce~te;-
:.~'d ::l"lc l'~"rt"l it:, e~ .)t l~' ~1 .~~ II 1:1 un~~.~ The bt'~~Yr,.-c:: 1.;::~C
::?I cl -\r::,;.-(:~ ~e\e; \:..hICh I~..-;G ..!~J~)-a\.llr..;.:2' GjjA-":)'-::ie c::-
l"re~"":Gn~ t}-lI."t '-, to' e tt'e ~.J.Me .lS (1e CL--:.~~no ie\ t'~ con-
:l.l~eci the l.:)\t-.e:- !e' e! CI- tr-e J.:ll -lr1.1.1 t1onton .1 1~1a\ te
:J-..~.~:t...._ ~ :.,.1: ~e llPe" be~ !')f ;.. h::)ps Ll':d DCil":':lques ~e""" ice
_'Ie's _'rd ~'n(:E:' ~lc~':.d :}," l.:;,~ T~~~ hotel. cm~ls:n; or"
:h:-e~ '\ ,n;, \' c" loc~tec .100\ e :h" C.1StnO J."d -\"C.lC] e
1 e\ e15 The T -~:~.}~eci tC\\ e~ C0~~Zi.lneci. :lpprQ\..:"~;...tel'
.: C='33 ;:~~t'<: "'C'D')15 See F~::::~""e 3.
The eGGes m enec: ;!1 C:"-1"":": Count,,_ \e\ .::d..:. -.' ,'<:'1
~he \1 C~l G: ~lL~d F '-:~ ccnst:'t:cted ''i, ere
C"ltor:'1 B'.lrlda'g: Cace. 1970 eCl:lOrl,
.2 Cmranl ~lechd.n:r:-.l~ Cede 19-;-0 edltlon.
..0 Cmrorr:l P[umbmg Code, 1970 edlt:on.
-i X(:t'o"al E'ectncal Code!;. 1968 eOlhon
CO~STR eCTIo",
The k':lc:n!; \\<15 of l"D'\.ed co"'s:ructlOn. the hI2h-~lse
partlO'1 \\ .'5 of 5: e-,blS~;' e constructlon_ \'-hde :l.:e 10\\-
Eo Roe.! '7\1 T!'e"'~ 1-t)0........l1 FIre p"ot![cf-':)n -\s::aoc'a['o'l. ~Y'(
n~e lCa.~1nO'i level con~l~ted of both protec.ted and t'npl 0-
tected noncomilU~t1b;e const;uch011 C;.l~~Iii.c,ltlOn ,1C-
cordmg to :\FP-\. 220 - 1979. Sta"ldllr-d on Types of
BUlldmg ConstructIOn, \\.ou:d mc;;uc.:e both T\ pe 1 .mu
Tvpe II constructIOn
The lugh-rlse constructIOn cons:sted of ~trucCltrJ.l steei
protected \\lth both re'nforced Cc"c:rete J.l1d ~ psum
""L1Ebn~uu \fo...t :nte~ iOl p~~_.t:c-""';'... i\er--e n~ ;:- p'1t>-ll
wJ.ilbo<lrd on ~teel ~tu{L, ;nc:w:.:;,..: "'l:..lt.J,mC, ",oun::
the means of egress
In the 10W-~be port:o'1 0: ~;"'e t)'-,:':d'n~ roars \\e-e
CDi1Crete ~l..:.b Ll"1C p,,-\rt:t'on~ Lll~o" e-e ~ :J"'U:in \\\lli~OLl.!"d
011 ~teel stt.c, \l'Jst ~,lrt;t:on, e\.:e",~~d _,1'0\ e ::"<"'I'n:':5
, _r ,
.......o\\c~.er 1~1 :::OP1e l...Lse::- ~I:ccn:' \\-e~2 ~:)e""p--:::,,'n tn::, r )l+l-'I-
:l(;~1" ~ho~ e ~he cel~.~'::: ter ~~ (. . .L~:e ...t"r-,-'~-"_ U.. ~n.)\ t?~-'lerl~
for tl1e r'::_i+r.\~. ~ e-:!:ILl~ ..)1"1 (.~r,~ ......~~.-: .;-,jr'-'~)'I ,...: 2"\ LL
~-..steG"'~
Yj'e Dt:l1 \\~l:) ~e\eie~" f.....e<l..i-~..._:.~-::..? '\~:::-rl ~t...l~ ~~~\t'~:l-
gL~tlO'-l '11.:5 cOl"'duc:ed J..":c.:.. ;::"Gi:~' ete ci~~~~ l~~L:~On oi
CQ'"1Jt: l!ChOY1 L:''1U fnllsrj !"""'1..~~e"'.J.> r- .or .a.."') t':e -1.l e cot~lc~
not De obtal:~eci T~~e ~oof ~::,~_etn'-..l" ,-..~:;:J~ e the e_.:~~ l"'~:-i ur
T~e DelI c:on~l~ted of J. ru.lt-,'P ':)01 (f)\ el,I1'Z Oli J.
pOUH:="d dee, suppo..-ted o~.
.-\.cm-e ,he \\e~t b;::.]f oi Ti_::?
~t=~
1"\_- I,
~;::-
J".~~~ lT~d ~ "::~l~n~
~'_,\~ :.~e ..,.:)n~~I-'1'n iJ;
J.llgh-rrse ~(jn. er
The cedm:; a~<embl\. l~ T~e DE!l c:m~bted or- ,.:;\ n,U,'l
\va:J.board L1stened ~o 8. riOU.' C'.l5;-:eD>IO'1 ,\ ste'TI Tllt,
c.ellmg hJ.ci slmubted WOOG beam~ cons;:ructeu of ;10 i'l 1-
nal one-ll1ch wood boards Cel'.t.::oslc cetlm~ t;le \\ as
adhered to the g-....psu:n wJ.Lboard cellm;; bet'veen the
beams Celhng tile Similar m appearance found 1'1 other
portIOns of the bmldmg had a nelme spreJ.cl ratln;: of 20,
fuel contnbuted ratmg of 20, and smol.~ developed rat-
mg: of 0
The ','a.ils of T},e Deli" e"e c-:;:1~~ructecl of t.'"'. p~un
\vallbo.Ll'd on ,teel ,tuds The Sm,h ""L'~e' ul OD~er\ ell on
the ~outh \vall Just west of tloe ~e~'.lOg: ~t,l~'on beh;nd the
hostes~ de~K appem-ed to l)e a '.1;-" i CO\ en:l~ ,1pprO\I-
F':;Il~e 1
"~~EC.<-i EQUfP~"E"ii
"\. ASSEMBlY ON 26
___ POTEL TCWER
5'h 25'~ FLeORS
GU EST ROC'~S
~qTE GC-C:""'ERE
'.
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~ 1200' ~
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ELEVATION
I' aCIng nort'1!
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~ ~-~ '-f 2: E:=E.~C RCC.. "\..-_ L .' r CEL~BRIT"" oc.: ' "- \, : :r-.... c....-{""I) 11~'P.:.::o ~
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mate~\- l'lE)""lllcn :t.lC~ On t~.e nort~~1 \\dE ~f T~e Deb,
ce:-;1IDlC tlie \\-a5 apphed around .l b.J.L C::l'\:1 t::J a th:oee-
foot chJ.IT'r~lle':el, and Se!o'\-' the dU.IT r:::.lile', el '\oas J.
vmvl \\.'all covermg on g: psum wallboard
The DelI had been remodeled In 1975 It appeared
that the mtenor nmsh matenals had been applled over
other la\ ers of matenal, such as vinyl wall co\'enng The
floor of The Deh was carpeted, \vlth a fiber-tvpe pad
over the concrete deck
Just north of the entr:mce to The De~1 ',\as a \\-ood
dlspb.y case contmmng pIes 2nd c:L.l...es, apd .l:-aund The
Dell booths \vere wooden coiur.ms decoratl" eh- c2T':ed
to look lLl.:e stacked cubes
The gypsum-wallboard,o'l-steel-stud '\ 3.:1 that sepa-
rated The Dell .lac. \L!.In C..l~:no {ltd not e>.t€,cl abo\'e
the cellmg (steel ~tuds extended above the ('el~m6' but
gypsum wallboard was not apphed to the \\-all'
The wall construction of the servmg statlOu 1:1 The
Deh conSisted of 5i;-mch g) psum wailboard on stee!
studs Vlnvl 'vall covermg on the walibo-lrd '\'as covered
',nth 3f:J2-mch-thlck bmmated plastiC pa'leimg The
south \\'.111 of the ,ervme; ~t.ltlOn \vas of ~lml:r con,truc-
t~on, except th.lt the vmyi v'.lll covenng 'v?S co....ered bv
%-mch wood panelmg. which In turn W.lS covered bv
l/l6.mch wood p,melU1~ The ceIling of the ~ervm~ sta-
tion had pl.lstlc lam mate adhered to 5~_I:'C;", th,c:'; gyp-
sum wallboard
The cellmg we~t of TIle DelL .tppe.tred to l)e 1mul.lr In
con~tructlOn to the ce'hng mother ,1r('.IS \~l.';~ ~p'\Im
w,dlho.u-d f.l~tenec.i to cl l>ted ~u~pen'llIn ~\ ,teM l'lul>
glued-Oil cel!mg ttle~
The C.L'-1Il0 Intenor filll~h mdmleJ Pl.L~t'L (:"lllr.ltl\-e
ltan \\lLI1 ,I' 'llllul.11Ld :I1.Uh!L \~olld l!LU" .tl\l t'II]\.
.
2 2 J H:I JOt'll\' \[ - J \ \, L. \In u'.::
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F- :'..:.re :
a':G p:ast:c 'llli-OrS 8~ the ce;"II-'~ tn.'t \\<o'le :eporteL11,
1T' ade of meth,,! "TIethacn tate T~1b p!..I~tlC ma rared 2.p-
pe,U":mce continued to the pcrte cocr.ere an the Wel>t
exte~lOr of the CaSinO, wh1ch had over -300 .JO-b.... -30-mch
plastiC renecl1ve panels
The fuei load In The Dell and CasinO areas WclS
pro\'lded hv the contents and the preVIous Iv desc:nbed
lUcer:or fimshes The contents of The DelI, whIch wa~
about 3,500 square feet m a:-ea, !Deluded free.standIng
cha~rs paaded \\1th what .lppeared to be pohl.lrethane
fo<tm Along the south '\-all ',\ ere \Haparound DODths,
whl:::h also appeared to be pacided \\-1th thtc1.;: poh-
urethane to,lill ,md covered wI~h a '.'m\"! m..lten..ll
The fuello,'d In ~he Casmo. \\-hlc~ '\'.b .J.pproxllnJ.tel'
65,000 squ,u e feet 1:1 ..Ire.l. l'lcluded furrl,bn~s. con-
teTJ(s. Jnd mtenor fimshes compn,ed of pla~t:c nl..lte-
nals that appeared to l'1elude polyvmylchlonde,
pohurethane, polystyrene, and methyl meti1.lcrybte
The CasinO fUlnlshmgs mc:uded g3.mmg tables WIth
thick fO..lm pl.l~tlC paddmg and plastic covcnn~ around
the edges The se.ttmg m tl--e rcstaur,mb and lount:e~
had foam pl.l~tlc r',\ddlr~
Enclosure of V c rl1<:31 0 pcmD gs
For the purpme of thl\ report. ,t.llrW.1V" h,l\ e heen
llientlfied .1~ 't1 .md ~2 l\outh \\Hll.';', EI .md E2 '" L,t
Wlllgi, .1Ild "'r UHj n 2 ;\\1'"t \~'Hl~'
The L'lIl1o'lln' \\,lll~ of tile \t.urw,\\ \ .ll1d tht' l >'It
p.I\',l~ew.\\, \\ ,'I L' LOIl,tnlL led III !.';' [l~llm \\ dlhn,lI d on
'I'Lt.l: \tlld" '[hL '~1I1\\.1\' \\f rl' LIll1th,'d 11\ t\~n it\..,
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TOP 7 40 am View from southeast shO'.'1s
occupants on roof Df south wing INSET Smoke
vents activate on fDOf 01 fly gallery of MGM's
Zlegfeld ROJm (NOTE The times ,n this ser:es
of cDlor photographs were estimatIons by the
photographers)
i~~-." . - -~~=€;~-?Y'~;:-~~-:--:::.~~;==-:~~~::
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RIGHT 8 06 am From southeast
.~elleral \IleW shows Immense area
Casino. theaters, convention,
and lal alai level MIDDLE LEFT
8 07 am Guests walt on balcOnies
on 24th a nd 25th floors for
rescuers MIDDLE RIGHT 8 19
am View from southwest New
construction was not Involved 10
the hre BOTTOM 8 20 am View
from south. southeast from a
distance shows massive amount of
s;TIoke s~ra~;flad above ~.'GM hotel
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ABOVE LEFT B 21 am From west.
looking along rear of nE:W construct.on
and sou~h Wln~ MIDDLE B 25 am
Guests at balCOnies and wmdows lrom
21 sl through 25th floors LEFT 8 28
am Same as 8 25 '/lew. thiS 01 gues:s
at WindOWS 01 18th through 21 st Boers
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.lOW 8 35 am VIew from north side shows FlamIngo
Road entrance and ladder rescues from tenth floor
RIGHT 8 54 am View from wast r,'am entrance porta
cochere IS abova ~,'Git1 sign BOnDi,' 9 15 am Rel,cue
activity at the rear of the south wing Stair at left IS from
Stair S2
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The e\It p,l,>",n.::e\\ ,In \~e Ie endo,ed on e,lcn ~lde wIth two
tl\.el" Ol'c1-'llctl ~\ [J\urn \\,llibod.1d tm \\,db ,mu one l.t\er
of %-mch g: p~Utn w,lilbo,mi tor cetlmgs In m.lnV piJ.ce~,
the enclo::.U1 e, wel e not complete, which resulted m
\p.lCe\ ,lppro'diTI,ltel.... 5i-lllCh wide fUll;]l'"1j!; the entlle
~e'H!th of the <,Ill ,t! l'l'..:el' In ,ldd.tnn ':1 m,illv JOc,lt[On~
~:e :JI0t(:'(tIO'l 10' t:.c 'tee: <:.nmpll,lenb d' tj.c 'till~ W,b
1l0');\I.>te']t The \p.le!.. '. .lion!:: w,th the i,lC/" 01 fll ('-
le"}~.)C~~1(..e plntettlo~l.i:or the ~t~Ul:::' Gpenl."'L::!:~ covered \\-lt~
aonlk~tecl...~....eet I'"1et..:.l..:cce~~ ~lnei"l ~!lta the ~t..V)1"~l...VS LUHl
e...~-t ~)..b~H~::::;e\\~\\ '\ Fi.d. ~.J~uE:c..'el1t '1u..~n:~~.e~ lnd th~cL..-
ne', oi ~\ p~l">1 w,li'~)o,ud. Je"dteJ ''1 III ,Iciequ"te plotec-
t'n" rl.:...t ~1I \'.. .L\.... .l~"'l~ e\lr n }.')"'<1~':::C"\ L1' I." T:"-t"'-e ne:lC~enClt:'~
\\cl t: (Dil ~'j ~~1ed i(\] =-l.-e...,.: \\ i ..1'~'C~ =:: ...t.::..P'\~t~....
T'-'e [.2 S': _i.'?Q \\.: -.t ~p., .c.'\~ U~el~ ~~"r1oi-..epIooi
t:)\1 PI ~ (r;~1:'l1~L'Ll~ u:- ~tLlj"\..l'''' cc)r'1~.ected r:J (~~e q(lca.., b\
C.....lt '..e"'~]:)!..'!e;,. T~'t" \.e:::.tl':.;l~;t:") '\e....e \ ente::l cll~e(th Into
the .....-.-v/...e ...1-;. l:t... tl'..:" ret p1....-:ted Ll~ the :O~) of .u...J \\1.thln
~l'L ...t PI :)~,_,~~ Ti'e ~~~--''JL..e ~h..L.:::S \\.~J e \.er.l:-ed oaecth to
t',-<= O'.l~~ll:e \[ \11' Df the 'en~~ fro;'l ~l-.e ~P1oJ..e ~h.ub
"\e~,:: l:..ne'ec b\ dIe bUl~G.~n~) e\.-=--e'l"} :ctl"e..~ti~ln~ It "'\.';:t
hp ---~-.el ."oteJ th,,-\~ -J.~~e bQ~tCj~"'" of :he ,\.: S.18~l? to'-'-e'"
\\ i1~C.~' u .-,~ t:'\..p['~e~ to t;'e c-o!)ce lle(: ~~~.-lce -;.lbo\.e "he
Cb;"O le,e: "';, :>~le dIed 'J) iJL'.'lJOC T:e E: :>L'IPh1',
,Ibo conLu;'ed ,1 :]:", ood b,'~e
t.!e"LltOl POI::.t"1j, L'.\:) \\-ele e~1c~o:,ed 1.J\ _;' p~um \'1,."<.1]-
bo.l:G. on ~teel ~tucs ~lTIC r-,,:nm~ T~en~ waS <l COmIT'on
pIt :~o: ,Ill of the p,\.>sen,::!er <~nci ~ervlce elevators -\t the
top or the hOl~t" ,ws \VeIe sl'.-bv-sn.-mch cable ~lots
"hel e the" II e lope' entered elevaro:- mJ.cnme rooms
,"'U1-cond:tlO'lmg '!'upph ducts \\ el e gvpsum wall-
DO,ll d-enclosed 5~,I:t5 the fuil hel~ht or the hl!l;h-lISe
~O',\ e: The! e "..IS ;'0 e, u:;.e'1ce ot ,my '.lnp otected ope'l-
In,;~ HI t~:e ~Jl~l!t e~lciosUle::t T~~Ot~;"'Ollt t~....e tG"\\"el ~~1~ele
,e' el.~l ;', ]J'um ",dih0,1l (1 'el t'C.ll Gucts th,lt \..e' e used
'0; tOller e\i',lU~t ;~ om gt'eH loon"
T~'e bL,':d'n~ \\.I~ c.esl',;"ed WIth ~\\-f) ~e1.>m:c Jamt, th,lt
\.It:'\'. pf...tiLl~\.l.' E: ';)i~e rron'- ~he{.o')cf....!.!ed 'l.p'(.e l!JOV-e C....Ul0 ie\'c:
C'eltlll~ '.Ye Illh at ':)'I"Ote(.tlon t")~ ...teei membu~ ~lI'd op~nnH.':!l. to ~t,,-lll
JIllt>J'O' "FP~
PC)IITE C~Ellf ru..NIr.rA A"'""....Aa ('1~~ E.,/liT R.}.M1JrG) AOJ;G
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Fl;~e 3
~eparated the ea~t and west wmgs of the bmldmg from
the ~outh Wl'1g and core, there were essentlallv three
separate stl ucture~ for e.11 thqu.I.ke protectIOn The ~el~-
PIlC ;om~~_ ,<ppro....lIT.ately 12 lllche~ \\Ide. went from the
C,l,mo level to the I cOl O?er.m'~~ '11 w.lll .11 e.l~ ere,'ted
b,- the~e ~el~mlC jOlOts wel e covel ec! With ",lCcoralOn-
fOld" ~tee[, .md :100rS \\ere fitted WIth um e~tr,uned
met,'l fioO! p!.lte~ to .1l1mv hlllldm~ movement The~e
o(;e!l:i:n~.., ~\e:e nor ~lotec~cd 1)\. I ~t~ed con",tltiction -\1~c;
opelllng~ .it the bottam~ of the~e ~h.ub. III the conce.t1ed
~p,lce "hove the Ca.<.lllo, were unprotected
\fe'lrlS of Egress
F'l' pll1l'o'e,> of tr'l~ : e?ort, the me,ll1, 01 e!!:r~.,,, f. Om
the \[ G \[ Gl,md Hotel were comlclercd to he (bvltlcd
mto tom :>ep,1I Ite p.lrt.> The fir...t ?,II t W,I~ the hl~h-l I\t.'
gue,t-lOom tower, ....,Ith the e....ceptlOn of the top Hool
the '>{'Loud p,u t \\"",l~ the top flam 01 the tower. the thllll
P,ll t \\,,\~ t!:e C,Nno level. ,me! the fOlIl th ,),I! t '''.l\ the J,B
.Il,ll h ontOl1 'lid lower -\1 c,ldc It'vei Onh the l!IIL ,t'l 00111
HOOt, ,LillI 'he C.l'l"O lev{'l. "htLh \\1 Il' 1Il11,>t (l1[{'dh
,!ll, ltlll by dlL' flle h.l' {' been um'Hiu cd 111 tIll, II [JIll t
Iht L:I'L,,-IOUl1l tone] \\"h ,I Lwl\. t\[>lLIJ 'dollJ,!t-
It}..l~llll "-Olll(~OI tH.\Uh~ellltn~ \\ 1"'11 It)f'IIl'''- oH i~ttth ."uit,
()ttI1t 1111"(11)1' ....(]\l(lll\ ....I\.-...t LJI\\ t,...ti',tt ,\, l( f\lr~i\
I I H I jI \ l l{ '\ \ I - j\ \, ~ \ It \ L ',..,2
2. -:-
dlstnbuted t'..~'O stalrwavs ser....ed eJ.ch of the ~hlee
wwgs E.lch wmg hJ.d a smoke proof tower at the end of
the \\11'g; and J.n 1l1tenor stJ..lrwav tn.1t \Va, iocated J.p-
.pro\lmately one-thIrd of the dlsta.'1ce from the elevator
lobbv to the end of the wmg The 5tan,.vavs ..\-ere
eqUIpped 1-nth Jliuml;la.ted e\lt sIgns a.t each door .md
,1;,0,1':;",0'1 the (:00r5 t1-:..lt ,t~ted E\IEHGE:-.CY FIRE
EXiT O'\U :-'0 \CCr:~S TO OTHER fLOORS
\\-It:1 the e\.cep~;on of ,t.Ur\\.l'. E~, .lH the sta.ll'\,1\ 0;
diSch,lr.;ed ~c -he outside throu:d-.: enclo,ec honZDn~a]
e\it p.lss.>:;e'\.n, bC::L~ed ';' the sp.lce beT"'\ee'i t~'e cel'-
l~:; arc! the r"cof ~bo\ e ~he C lS:r..O 1('.... c: '-\ ~l~C~" ~ll~Q
..~.........eQ ~l~ ,,1 ~~e~'U'Tl IT' ~orne C:l5eo;:~ the ~).l~:':..l~e'l\.-,r 5
\\ere ., e:' 0' ,~~ 100 feet Ion;
TLc e"l';' ~:;..>'-}..l2.e'\ 1\ ~ \\E1 e d~~l~'~'ec!. to (Gn::eC'~ :he
~~L~t....O~"': 0;.' e ...t...,,:.... t~\\e....:::. :0 ~h~.:- ou:s~de ~..':2'r"e~i\ :;r co. ~L.-
In':!, CCi."'\t ---"!l..JOl..1~ p.~th") ~or e..~t ~l ~\.e: H:::n.\e\e~ stJ.l'-' J.~.
E2 ~\ "IIC~' t'---.c '~o e"'lc ?..J~::::Llge\' ;.:.\ d':::ch.:::-;ed (1:1 :=-~d~. to
~i~c C!l:::h~('
T;-,t' ')"'\ .'cu:"~ to ';'le,~-I,')O:', ~G01'> floo~, 3 t1..'lo".,;h
:s. p-re-~rn t~~e C;"bl"'O :e\el '\:}~ b.... ere' .:'!::Jr St;.l~;-S ll""d '1r.,
e~cll.ltf.)1 cC)~l'ectecl ~he C~l~I'r""O .u-.d --\.lcL1cie le-' e~.... but
OT1~" <'p' '\<" c' .:i~.'n p ~he C,~":"O 1;.-' el ~e;)sle 0': l-L:;':-
:l~e ':!':t>:-'rJcrn fl;Jor~ coulrl net tr_:\el bet\\een 3ccr~ "")\
~~ ..llr"t _-'l... Se~!-ClG~Ir"-; dCO~5 Ii ~J"'1 ~be c;J!:T~dai ~ to t::e
f';ure 4
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~taaWa\ ~ lod.ed behlIld people enter1l1~ the ~tJ.1l""\'.l\.
pre\'ennng ,In\'one from returmng to the corndor or en-
teru'g an\' other floor level The oni\ recoune av.uLtb!e
to an'.one wao entered the ~taIf"\v':l\, \Vel:. to travei down
the staIrs to ground level. and then go dlrectlv to the
ou~slde The stamva\'s at the enc!s of each \~1r.g (52, E2.
a:>d \~, 2' .1\\0 led to t~e mol. but doors tn t1'e roof \\ere
[aCheJ
\!e..ln, of e'.lt f:ol"1 the C,t~ln'l Ie'. el clv',',<ed 01 ,1.1'"
off ~~e -r"},1;n CDrrl8.0r t~"l.l~ ~er\. ed t~H:;~ CO]~'- c'1Lnn "')Ct~'l)n
dears on e.:.cn Side of <h,C Fl"'llllH':'l R'11::! entr.U1ce t"Cl It
the ?l-"!~-rl"l;a ROLle: eJ~""J.;:ice ~h~ \Ll'n E....t... Ulce~ ~L~~~
dQO~~ ,ol'~bwe~t or the CJ.~!1'0. p;" ~ " ~C" 'e, or dnnl' 1m:
5t~l~~ J.' ~ or:: the ....c:\~(e c:J:~'dG~ ..lJl).~....: I->..e ~:-"lldl "'~:e .--..t
~l~c 1--...::~6:n:.!
F'-e -;J:::.-m S"'stem
The "11,,;:!ll \:.'"ollt~ai panel n;"" the .........e <:.ll-l~"'l )'"",te'-:l \\..:,
lcC.lleC m the PB~ I~):l\.lte bn;-.c~1 e\.C;'cl~::.:e lOOT nn
:he ;'~cJ.(;e 'e\el The:e \' 1.~ ..1 1':':1'(1'.:' :,''''''nCI 1tOl -"X]
cc--""tr:::: ~,:':':le! lTI t\;? se2~:~1'::.~ :)';:;~::e Q~'" :I"e C ~~1110 re\ e-l
~1n:-l :-epO} redl\. a fer-note e' .lC:":';.ltlon ~l:.ll "11 Lt(tl~ ..ltV.-"'ll
Sl'\.-tc~ LIt L:' ~ec'J~d.:~.l' cccP-:~J.nd ~o~t on tr~e CI.e:.rn')
le..el .The e\l:.te!'ce or tn's remote e\,ICU,ltlOn .1Ll'IT
,'ctl' ~:::o'": 51\ Itch and the e'..lct ~OC.1<:1oT"' of 61" seconc..lr\
carr-a,.,d post' could :1ot be venned. re~ortedlv, It \\as
In the area of the :-eg!stratlOn des\.;; >
The:-e were no I'lanuai alar"Tl nutlatlcn deVICes on the
Arc<lce, Cas1l10, or second-floor !evels otrer than those
at the m.un controi panel and the refPote panel 111 the
secu:"~t\ office Vanous waternow S'\-Itche, assocw.ted
'nth +:.e partlJ.l-co\'er,'ge sp~1pk!er S\ ste'TIS \..ere CO'1'
-r:ecte::.:. to the L-.lul!")1 S"5~em
\1J.'1L:..lI pull ~tat:on~ were 1oc.1ted ::1, the ,;ue,t-rao'n
to\"e~ f.oOl~. on the fifth throuzh t"\\ enr'> -~I'.th 'lOOl s
E.1C;'" ceDI cont:uned se"-e~ pull ~tatIQm. one at e.1ch
5tl'[ \\ (.~~ LInd one In the cetltrul-cOl e l~l e..l near the
eie\ ator~
The sou'1dmg; of the bUlldmg s eVaCtL.ltJon al.lrms .lp-
peared to h.lVe ~een accompbhed on!\' !)}' manuallY .IC-
t!\'uted deVices 2t annunCI.ltor p.mels ACtJV,1tlOn of
alarm-!'1ltl.1tlOn de\-lces t~.m~ll1ltted ~Ign.d, to the fit e
al,lrw annl'l1CI.ltor p.'neh. and hotel ~ecunt' per,onnel
\\e-e sent to w\'estl;.:.lte the source of the ll,lrm E~'.IC [/.).-
hon <lLtrm~ \\-ere eHdenth- .tch.. .lted onh- hv m.mll,1Ik
:tcti\lted .'>\\'Itche~ th.lt ~ollllded deVice.'> on .111Icvel~. the
pu ;)ltc ddd[['~, ~v~tem cou ld .11,0 I)c lbed for eV,ICll.ltlOn
purpo~e~ In .1(\(!ltl0'1, the .1lJ.I '11 ~1~11.l1 \\ ,1, .lutom,ltlL.11h-
tr:llb'nl~t~d ~o ,1 'emote centl .11 ~t \tHll1 r entl ,11 ,t,ltlOn
per'on'lel \\Ollltlllot telephnlll t!u .tl,ll:11 tLl the file de-
p.lltmt:'nt t:ntd Ilf'C1 ,111 lllltl.ll f!\C-llIlHll'l' lid,l\" I'l rllld
Thc\ \\olllt! thell tl,'ll,llllt the .ILlllll tn till fill (I(Pllt-
Illlll: 1~ tllt \Ie\[ ,\,tell1 h,lllllot llll'1\ It ,pt 01 It till l11e
\\,L~ ('JIlflllllct! 11\ t( leph<llll
-l'~. It ~ll\4. hll'H l1u It.POlt... IhLt 111\ :lIl lidlll -..,~1-!.1I it
,
-.
I'
!"
l.
.
sounded dUring the entire fil e However, PE\.. opel ,L(Or,>
stc\ted that U1 the e.1r!v stages of ti--e fire, an announce-
ment to evacuate ~he CJ..'>mo was "nude over a lwnnre
pubhc addre~~ system
r.t"e Suppre):)tQn jl--S-terH
-\lthough br;e por::om of the C.lsmo ,l:'C \rc.~J.e
le\'ei~ of tnc \iG\i Hotel \\ere ?rocected :r. ,It:tDputll
'1~].nl') ~..Jer~. t~e \L.l1n C..i~lno T~--e De!L J.nG the Or ~e_~[r,
HGOi""l ~(.11l \\.lthj, :~e hre ....~re.:.l' ',-'"ere ~-"ot sprln~le~ ed The
....L.:-t.: 1 noli'". dt~oa of <-1. C'L-'~ t:) be Jp~...., 1.;:1e~ ec "'L:'S l)Lh.eci ;"lTl
~ cr"Il'} ee'" e~t;.. :.f ti-' e L~) tf~r~l-:' Bu~h!~r;; C 'Jde Bt""l ~
:s-s ::lL"'~~;-'r')~ 11 L~ '\. e;..:~ \li el~ 'l,.)t c(n1~.:l:=::et~ t..-\l,~'ty_
-~'Jn ha}:~ G~~ Sp1 j...l-....~els ..~ e' e ~~iJt eC:Li.~""ed ~)\ ~~'e ~LU-
~~-.Ol ~~\ n..:.'. 111; J'--:~ L)d.(~lOlj \leet:n;s held .~t t;"le tll.....c
:e~.i)l:ech.. '\e.~e ~ot dDc~rrerltec and the ~e_l~O'1::'- ,\-1"',
ee'LulI ,'.1 e,b ',\ ere p~o\1cle6 \' Ith Spll" L,: e:- ?lorect'''11
'\ e' e '10~ :.ete! mined -\pp~,re'1:i', t;-e n::.li c.e:e: '11"1,'-
t~Cti \\,J.~ bL:.~eci O=-' I-~e hOUI:::' ofIJ:~e!dttOn of61e .lJe_: 'n
q~le::,~~O"!i -\.U::Olh.::-tlC ....pr1,.n~l---=-r :?rrJtcc~lO;l \\-2.:: le:::il..l'le(~
~;:;I .l-:' e::.s -;.ot 8pe~ ...:tI::~~ .::r~ ;.1. 2-4:-:-'o:.:r bdSlS Sp: '!-, -.....Ie)...
\~~-el e PC'll: :-equL: ed ~E ~I-:.e .1::' e~ '-V:":; c~c-:.u;~ec ~ :-CUljL "r e
clDC~ T~e Dell oJ!g' "a:h 'Y<::l" ope:1 ~-! hours d d.r. , <I'll::
,\S ,1 re"ult, spnr:kle:s l1ad not been ;r;s~alied. 1:1 :hlS a,e,L
however, The De!1 was no tonger operatmg around the
clock and was dosed on the mOr'1Ing of the fire
The J.5sembly areas on ~he twentv-snth Boor were also
protected ,'11th automatic spr:nklers. but 'lone or the
other hlgh-nse floors :Eoors 5 to 25', were spnnktered
The ~Jam Casmo operated 24, hours a day. JLI.:e most of
the ot]...,er casinos on "The Stnp" The restauL,nts-
Cl.~e Gigl. CJIU'o'~~ and Ba~1\"n1ores' - \\~ere oper1 dut-
m; c:'1tle:- hours
On the day of the fire, the \1am CJ.5IaO "'as oper,'tm;.
J.lthQugh It I" estmuted that, el v fe\v people occupIed It
It ~1bout '700 a)'"j:'\ as CQnlpa~ed to nOlmal operatIon'". (It
Illght The Rc-glstr.ltIon De~h was bus\." \' Ith ;ue.'>b
eheckm'2; out, aad the Orle,lIls Coffee Hou.'>e wa~ open
for bre Ikf1~t Other restaurants ,md the t\\0 sho\\fooms
wel e c1med
The Role of the nv.\c SY'tem
The four hotel he.ltmg, venti 1.ltIOn, .end .111 -c.OIl{h-
tlOn-lll!; (H\'-\.C) ~ub'v~tems ,I\!;'llfic,mt m thl'> fiJ e were
tho,>e 101 the ~l,l'n C.~Hl<), the tower COI ~ldOl <;. lt1th-
ndu,J L:Ut'.'>t 'OOlI'" .'ne! tllC tode' t',h.'u~t \'[-c.ondltHlII"
lLl~ 1ll the \Lun C,\~II;') ~hOWlf'Om.'>, ,Ipd ,1dJ.IC.t''lt 'Il.lU '>
'I'Klml!,l!.'; 1 he Dell'l \\',1'> I1rO\ Ided!)>' .ll.:trc.e. \.1' llhlc ,Lll
\o]ullle .'>\",>telll fwo leu \!e Inl,I11'.! room~ lJll tI\l' '>t l<l1\d
!lOll: Oil the ,>olltheJlI ,>Hlt. oj the C,L,lJlO e,l( h l "llt 111]( d
till' e f){) UOO-lulJlvket-pu-'lllllute :dm: dou],il-i,:t, " d
.ul-h l'Ldllll'.! 'lTllt', III llldllloll to IlC,>h-,Ul Illt,,1-, ~ ill "
mg COli'>, qthet ~m.1n .1'r-c.olHhtlOllll1i:: J.nd ventllatlOll
Unlts, J.nd rebted eqUipment '>uch .1.'> d.1mpel ~ c\ud
Ii!rel ~
The ml'.mg room.'> were not nrc-r.tted compartp1cnb
becau.'>e of vanous penetratlOllS 111 the enclosure lire
dJ.mpers IVere prOVided 111 the ~\IPllJ,' ducts .1110 return-
J.lr contloi .l,>,>ernhhe~ \\here the' pe"etl.lted ~he lTII'.lll'!
',,01'1 W.1l! lbo\<.' t;;,,, Cci..'>ll'~) lel:ll;:": rilL LUtO'\1,L('C
:w'lble-lllll..-act'\,lte(j': flO11C.':'ul1 01 fire (Ltm~1er~ far t\, tJ
L et.Jl n-.Uf control ..1.') ~enlDl1c~ .n t lle e.z~tc~ nrr()~~ rn2\lr;
1 (10r"1 h,,)d been 1"np..llrea ht:'~o: e t'-1e :. ~ e 1), o:.~eei ~t:OLl~S
haited ~lcr()~~ th~ ci..ln!re~~ '"J() thJt ~he' (011'J "ot ,--:o:')e It
,~,:~ J.I~(J 'loted th,tt hblhle ;"lh,> 'n 'e\c' ,1 c.i,tll1~er~ ~I 'li
been 'ert-cell ,1\ ,tee' '.q~l
()r~ 0- the rr'JI\~_':": . eon~'" '.\~:... ~""I D:ec~~(i'J\ ;.i..lt01n...l~1i...
....r-.:.]!l-~~e,..;.., -.r~l1~ . GOP"I \\ ~-.. ~'~a u-.t'd ~or '"):(;l~l;~ d.nd "-~ .:
~e;J ')i-}'ce ,n"l :-.FP\ ')1' ",'tl'Z.:;tor" j';U'IG '10 .,mo',e
detect'...~,", .ltl'\\\.hele Pl "'I~e '"ill-hJ.....dbn~; e:...u~p~.aent
S-:.J~)nl" L1P \.'d~ J...:::-Yl":J:.;.~erl ~)... ;;reet r'1e~.11 ducts ..l!1U
;ce\l")le CO'I"'t.d')" t,) ~"'e - l' ,0<'5 ~cOJr~ G.' .he CJ..o."10
Ie' e~. Retl1!n <-~~} \\-el'lt ~h1011;;h ce~lp~~-n1ounted ~lF-
~! --:.Il...~e- "!~ J~:,. Gl)C~~ :0 rhe ....l--:lce :)et"\ee~ t'~e ce~l.~.....g Ll~~d
:h~ t"!:jOl ..l~)O\ e TI:~ L:l~e ~)Je~l~~ C8"--':.ll"-"ed ~~le' E.. e '.n
<:e S~ \ ::-eCUlj,\\ \\ alh.~"~ ~\:, !)\ t'l tJ:e C...!..',H10 T~e er~tIre
.:ue___' o\.e- the C..151no ce~~~~J;. 111c1udl:'o:.:: tre \L:l:a C~:::'1:10
-:::n.e sbo\.\'roolr~~ Llnd . e~tJ.liI ,ll...t~, \.\.a~ 8ne ~ie"~u~"'q \\lth
'10 n:-e '\".I1ls 01 h:e 2,,~1~ers
:\0 mam fire Se?<l:-,'tlOn wall:-. or fire dJ.mpers \\ere
found bet'veen the stage-theater plenum and the Ca~1I1o
ceilmg plenul:1
The cornciors and ele\'ator lobbIes of the Tower
guest-room Hoors \\ele supplIed "",tn condItioned aIr
from alr-handlmg umts located m a mechameai-electncal
~e,,~house on the roar, WhlCh also contamed the se0lce
ele\ ator and ilI~!1-11se pJ.s~e:1:;e~ ele\. atOl er;Ulpme'lt.
t'.\O aIr-condl~lOnm!:!: umts ~Ol the t>vent, -sl'.th ~oor '<t~.
~e'11:Jh are,l~';, and ]"'ltchen \'entliatlon llD1tS for the
t>ve'lt' -s1>,th floar-\. ~ar;e I eturn-,llr plenum tor the
h, e'1t\ --.l'.th 'IDOl V'J..'> 'oeded bet\\een the t-.\enh-sl\th
ioor .mJ the rool and penthou~e Se\ el ai unprotected
opel1mgs led from thiS plenum mto the penthou~e
There wel e ih e d"llnper~ adj,lcent to the return-aIr con-
trol dampels horn the assembk areas
FOUl .ur-h.1ndlmg units [or the Tov;.'er corndor.; con-
mted of ,1 -l3 200 cfm umt th.1t supplted the center Job-
hle~. plu, tluee othc' U'1lb, one fi)r e,lch \~'11ll!, th,lt '''ele
r,lted ,It 48,000 dm c,lch Th'se UnIt, took their ,m dl-
leU!' iJ om wlthm the penthou,>e, thTOII~h JOllble filters
The pe'lthou'oe wa,> open .1t the raofime throll<:?;h l()lIver~
to the e'.ter1lll '0 ~l11o"e dcteuor'> '\ere found In the~e
Ll'l-h,Uldhll~ {HIlt....
The 1 (l\\ t'l 111 -loml'tHII\LTl~ ulIlh kd throll~h jll~lh 1.-
lllli..-op, l,'[ulltll' (1,1\l1i1<'r,> U1d ,[ll\\11 ,h,lll'> \dHll' the
lOI,dltll1l\t'd III \\,1' 'l1ppht'd tlll,ld1 Hoor thllllldl LlI ~c,
\, ltlt 'I Hi:lJ,t.;hl,-\lllullH l11-tL lTl~lll l.:flll 1"'~llll1.1'L~
"I'lIl'i" II \~ltL hit' tl,l"l[lll~ Ill< H' \\,1' IlO [t'IUllI ,III
~!(}In :l'l ~11t."at 1~\1I111"" 11-1 ~'h....t l(ll}fU Hoor (O,ndnl'
111.1 lll'I,"\1
I \ .... I \].' : "",:
.2 "}
.
~
i j- Y- ~ ~-=,
I - - 1, ~ 1 S ~ ~
i - i' ~- - l
1 I ;::;.- ~ ;
\lU I i1 .~~, .
~ ~ ~-~ I ~l ~
?\~l . ~ I~l\ I~ =-
,,'.c,.~ ..] Icc;;J1 : ;~~ '.~~
" ~~~~1 ~2~~~~
:- c_ -_ :~:~~~ -==-~~---=~-~=-_:=--=._~~
l ~_ _ __, . -i ,1 ---- ~~-- -------- --j
r-=--= ~--~- ...- - ...-.. ~ -- -- ---- - - - ~---=-.....--:.....=::- --:----.... ..........-
~- ~~ ~.~-.-.:~ ~~~:~~.~~~~;~~~~~:~-~:.
.
SeE-It:" 'n -::""e 111!.:~-T1~e to\\-er "l)te l.Ir-trlLl:/~'" :"::~LI ::, e C")~De- li.T".t
remo\t:'d, ~nd l.CCO...210tl ~-old Inetll J.t "'el~nl:C .rJlrt ,\FP-\
'.
E.1Ch gue~t room \V,lS eqUipped '\1th at leJ5t o"e Lm-
co,: ~'11lt L.uo:.;e: lOO'lb ~u~te~, ,md t'.'.,-,.,tT\. ~o\\n
hou,e UPlb !vd FIO' e t:',\I1 one urllt \l/....e-..:J .1;' rot the
;z;ue,t-roOll1 t.ln-cOll umts '\,IS pro\ lded fro",;l t1'e COl-
rlC!.OlS thlou'~h ,11l-b,1l1,>fel ,;"U, etiUlpre~' .\,th :'.l,:bie-
!:nk-upel .l~ed fit e U,Hl1pel' loc->krl :n .J'e U~" 'tlO' '.\"11,,
,1'LJO\e the dUQl to c,lch 'OOlll .-\11 tJ.~\.eltt: t:Oll" -j-,:: ::.:"-
rHIQl S llltO o:.;ue,t 10011" t!lI ou;h '!' I"l'm \,<,tl"JO,ua ducl-
to t~e !em-<.OIi Ulllt, ,md \\.\:, Rite' ed .llon~ \\ Ith .11' hel'l'!
rec::ct.l.ttet1:n ~he loom Coo!ll1!.': \\',l~ p;()\lt~e(~ I). ppecl
chdled 'v,lte', .md he.ltIP~ 1)\ e1ectl'e.ll ~e~',Lmce h:,.lt
t,lpe
Sl'.tecn tOilet C'\h,Ul,t I,'n, lOL'tecl Dn ~he I ('of, et](l' t-
edh r.ll1 eontH'lLllll,h -rile\ ,,',u'ed '." 'Ill' t, ')'11 1 h2'i
dm to 19.6UO elm ,l:HI plO\lcled 1:'11 m,t ;'''''1 Lll till'
~ue,t-l oom tOilet, till DLlc::h .,c\ el ,LI . el tIC J due h
thlou!2:hout the TO\\ er The',-, dlle h \\ e' e f..tlllPl e led ~()
thl.' toder (.'\,h,l\l'>t !'Lll' 011 the 1001 thl nw-,:h d'ld he.lde].,
t~l,11 tl.1\ ekd h011/'11l1t.Llh .tl)()\l the t'\ t '1'\ -hidl l'l'tll
u..dltl~ lilt! tllL'll \t'ltK.dh III tl" loul ....< \ l' ,~ ,>I Ill<'
,h,L::" u,ed iOl lolll t . dllll,t "j '''::''l.,1 t '"'I''' \', " ,d,,,
lI,cd hlJ tlllllt , \h.llI,t <)]1 th, (',L'lIHl \, \ l j
~rhl h~ltll~ltollt'" iOI l llh ~~Hh..t lIHl["l '\l It . Ij'Uppl t1
\\llh llllldllll< d L,u Ild,t II t!nl\!-tlltHl1ll, d i'\'It", [I" l<
\\llt I\\(] ~I~l.il-,... 'jl'l ~111 ~I~lltlll~ \\ L.... '111 -,' t.!. Illll~',
;11. 1'[,1 11>1[;,\ \1 ~ 1\'\1 \1'
r
othel '.\,1'>.111 lll!r,ued-t\-pe on J. tlmel ,wItch The i'lO-(.hn
f.ll1S uperJ.tecl with the hghtmg ~\Vltd1
The f.m;ltght fhture, were conne<.~ed bv ,1 He\lble
connector to the ,ertIcJ.l duct, \\ hel e Ihe lle\lble con-
nector~ entered the ducts, the mech..lnIC,ll dr,lW11lg~ In-
dlc.lted th,lt no fil e d.unper.. were needld It 'he Clln'lt"'('-
t~L1'1 c\tepJeu vertlc,llh .1 'l11l"'1r'l'nl '1i 22 tad'I" n~) tne
duct .. 'rlll~.~ dla.t'l \\e" e lh)t (1.-.... :....~t-'P\:)~Ld i.1'L"11l~ ~ht. :0\-
\e~tI,..:"t]on to c.etermllll' the '<.tlk! UJ'I,tl lH.t'OIl ll-
l.lI':e"'1cnr
TIlL rlnr:
-;~ .'~-".:.-'~()\.l-~"k~e'\ -:- ~p .1....1 f).' '\.o\.t:'""l~,t'"l'::l It)\''''n
e-"1p 1;'\ t:"e (It....<..<>\t''. t::'(i d't:: '1 t' -1' ..1 ",e" I~l~ ....t I.tl'll1 ln 7he
De~1 ..l: e....tLltL1 Ll,..t <-lot tl-.e t"'L"....t e'1clni t'ne \[ u]] CLi~U~U
E'T~~'U\~e"" \\-ho ~.l ert.~ p'tet\ 'l~'\e~l Le~)81 ted ~11Llt !"''-'t"'
:'<;-;.d .'cl:lc..ed d--.e f)cl(), 0:' ~~pul...t. 1~1 TLe l)e~:a .:nL~ h l.d ...(t..~'"
,;,~ 'l~-G~e\ ;LILe L~nci ...inelled "'~""oke FI "'ullnl)l~lhn:':: ...tle..t~
~,.-] ~~..~-..q.. h(h~~e ~l~lcl e~en ~l"e d.~l' ~l~)f{),{ -, the f.e'" b
d~\..-;::::..~\ e. (:'~. 1~r)'l e' e. llr)ne ..-)j the 1 e~Jnl t.... ~Pr-E'l;' tFJ ~it'
'-'l~~Cl..__:..ea .." ith ~he ..lC.~ll.;.~1 f.. e
-\ :e"" t"~1pjo\ ee:J h-1C: ellte' eo "[~--"'e Del L pl 101 ~O dl::,-
LG'..e'\ of the Sie but ~he'" ~ep()1ted :':aeePl!..': no Indll..~tlon
:Jl ::;'e T\e ;'eclU ho,te,' 01 the O'le.ltl~ CoHee Home,
T'1e Dell. ,ma Deale' ~ LUl'nge h,IU do,ed The Del, J.t
dP9rO\lm.lte]v 110 am ,md ched...ed It ,1~dlll ,It 230 ,i'll.
be;o"e ,lle \\ent off Jut\- She ~,ud th,\t ,It th.\t tune, ~ne
did not ~mell .,mo~e QI notICe J.:l\thmg unu,u,ll .-\nother
emplO\ ee Iud been III each ~ef\ 111; ,tdtmn of The Dell
be~ore .5 00 ,mJ 6 00 am ,md dldn t ~ee ,1 tlung: ..
Tho' nr~t ob~e" ,It,on, o! ,'ctn.,l flle no"'e' el con~l~t-
e"t" ~}i,lceJ :he flle 1I1 TI~L De:: ,llld ,pt.L'hc)!-. In th,
,lIe.L 0: the 'I" \ llL':: ,t.\r1O:1 on the ~ollth \\,dl oi The Del:
-\" e'nplO\ ee ot 'he Otlecm~ CoHee HOll'-l" who \\,1\ 111
Tl'e Del) pot1<.ed hlFe ,p,lrk' comm; out o! the I\:e'lO
~".-'... lei:' !nlll)'\.\ cd ....hol tl\ h'\ hLotl.... '-ollH>he ~he "'\'en~ ~() thl
l.l:c~e" told the .1.,,,,t,U1t d'e!. th""'l \\ent to tell hel
l)o~~ \\ 110 \\',1'> 'lttmg ,It the counter
.-\'10(;'(:" e 11lplo\'ee o! the OIle m, CoHee Hou~e "l\\'
,rwt..,e comlllL:; ham The Dell .Ire.l and then '>,IW the
~OU:li \\,tll 01 The Dell bUl.,t :nto tl,L111C, ~he leit the ,1ft ,I
'1l']'1el1',lteh
-\ Lnet \\,L~ COOh.Ill~ 1l,IU)'l when .L W.utl (',~ tole! hun
..bOll I the h] 1 11I The Dell lie \\l'l1t lllto TilL lJt Ii '.Il\"
tL;:,w., ,llld hl.tck ,mOkt. c\tendllll! .ll1illl)\IJI1.ltt h f;'I.\O
leet dl.uoll]lll the 1(('110 hO,lld ,md 11ll1l1t'lh LlLh \\'('nt to
the '(.ll'phout' .1Ilt! told the Opt l.ltOt th,ll tht 11' ",I~.I b,ld
. ....it 'I P\,.t1\_~l);~ \u (-1"ldll~111r~H....~iU"{'.(lIt.lrl(lfI_ .",~htJl\
11_.1 ':.;, 1 ) t I l \l( rtUH1 '\,1) 2 1l1i ., (jllIl.111L lit-. IlId lit .1I_t
...~ ..t.... hJl ....1I~"il'( I.." III...t !I'L d l \.II~II"'( 11'1"
_ ~ \ 111/ .... ~ _.11'" -"lIl1ll'l l\1 IlllI_., t1u 1-..., liD 1.....11(1 \~... lit( Ltl"!:
.i ,..\. I II.. i 1111 II', I Iii' L 1\ ..., 1\ 111 ~ ....L " 1.111 II L1 I L 11 .~ . 11 t I (I I ~.. 1........11..
,.
.
.
1
I
fll e III The Deli He then t!;1,1:)bed .1 fit e bo\e .md \\ .1~
.lbut:t to u~e It on the nl e \vhe'l someone told hm1 not to
put w.1ter on .m e!ectnc.d fil e. ~o he dl Gt:>ped the h(l~e
The 1u::;ht5 then \.\.er.t out 1:1 the h.ttchen Dell are.1 He
sa\\.' th.lt the fh e \V"l~ gettln; out c: c~Tltrol 2nd ..1d\ '~ed
ll'~ fel!ow '\'olkel s to '!et {mt r)f the kitchen li1t'\. E\:tecl
dr (;,pl~~"l , ")p1Dl.e...!1I.[e2 lL-':l'\.\ tQ ~~n C"-lt d.~()'
\1"ir"";thCl \" ltne....... \\ =.... .-..~'1. e'l-.:):8\ee '...ho \'..1~ :l~...t..-- L~t...
'jjll \\{}1 t ..It <-lp[:l O\.1':.nLt~e\ -; CfJ .1l"1 ...~Dcl \\ ent :bt ()ur,,:':~ r~le
De!~ l-i.<tv<.P thlOU";;l !.e he i..l:::~ .' c~...~c:..' p~ ~OLLP{'; tu
~l'e J !~ht or The Del!
I '\~'.IL n\c, t;-Ie~t: .nl1",,,_;,,:, it.
, 1(" 'C..-.....c L , .....ICL 1(.1 tl~-=---
., ._~ .::....1.::" ',-..~t'n~ ."C'l" t'1~_ .... 'I....:.......... ...~. el-. :~1 "~'" ".1 'f',:! .::..~ l'll-'.!
'--n i ........ .... .~,L~ 1.. '::"1.. ~.'-fll _'-Il'--Ie':-. I:"" ~~'
l'~~. -j . "... 'PU ~'l~']j'd -"":::'" ,.....J . '... (.I~l'~--~L rnt'"It"'
11 . .....~IL:... ~i ~ 1-'" )"... .1_'1: '.'~ f ....~. I i~- ._<.',.' --'- t
;-.'l DLI
.' l;. ,~ ,-. i
. I' I ~
-\t -:- ~0 .L"-' Ct"' Fll;:LH .
\'j~ e~ll~."-e~ 21 ~';lSO !"~"t. cqn_
..a"'~I;-C"C:~' ...l'~'l .i~-~-\:.~ :"1;
~:~e C~.J.-~ :)t :....:) ... -:"::::~"'J
('".1
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Cl~II;~l. , -lL-~'" "....(J:i::~J L~.-~ \ ~:":~'.. ~'\('.. ..1. '~::'Cl\C( ~: tel;:--
~"':'('.ne c .1: . '~PO~;'1 n~ ~l.'e .:. l-'-
TI..~ Cl.t..... CG...~t\ F'Il:' J,--"~: .1-::nloe1~: Cl~l=:-l(:'::'~"e:l ~._'L.;
'~I" .~.L.._: ~ ::.~_...;I_1 :11 '--'"1:::~;'-"i"~e~: ~~-' ...!...., t~ ~e Cj.~~(::"I~~)-..,C-
-; '::"l~P)~~~ 1 :_.'c~del 1 hG'"-e\." ,l~~{)a ~~nL l . e~LUt u'rt
\' 1(11 .' ~J\:t'1'IOP c~'e:"l<i .::; l.te fo..:::it01'
-\ CL~l '--... CGt~tl~" ~. 0:.. fr,;:1j:~~' _ el~l~ed hl~ fi.:::~ 0h....e' \ d-
t;0'1 ~ .,~ follo":s
\'."Ie]) '\'e pp!;ed m t"le'e 1\.'~"1 t .'nl l"1dK.'t'~n at <'11\
~~..lrJK 01 .:ti.l' thrr;,; \,\ e pr t on QU} ;.U;:l-t he ~t'.~1.
'.\"..]keJ "'1 ~~roU!.~:'1 th" '\\1.'l~''l~ doot~ cll'd \"el't cto\\n to t;.e
e"l[ ent~... Lll"t1p ~o the C...:.5ii'i.O ttOOl
~\e] e \\.el e !'"":1(.l\ be 20 ~eop]e ,It lore MO~~ on tile
C.blnO ilcor I ~c1W :f.:.ree 01 :'01.:1 peo?]e COffilP,? OL:t ot :~e
s.el,c lte~~ep 11 e-l ..1n(~ ~t,E'" S.L.1] tee.: ] ~Lr~lf'g: ~C' 0~\ t!-tj~ t ,,-~"''''r
~0 ~!'e-:,e dC()L~ ,r~ t'Ol'.t c! V~ .'1",~ t!1..1.: t;r-::: 1~~ :JFI''1 ~~.::,;~,~..--l
. O'l (.~' ~ee "'01 t sf.) s~: -t,cea. '.~~, er or b...K:.... ....l~l(1:....e r''''~
~l ~l'!L:ll ope ;~LlCl... 1]1 ~"n ~~e 'l....~t q'l.. a tel of J.!-,e CLl~lr)o !lop'
-\t tlle ::.l'lle t'111e \\e "10CICed Th~~ ...t. 1i:'fied l.".el ~,\.lll~h \\.~l~
P~Oh-~D:~ (:'0""11 -tho lit 5 ~.... ~ ~ep.t ::: OUl tle ce.l.p.~
--\ -<11 e ~1. ,1: ~-L'l(~.l ~le~t"'- \ c1t'P'--e- .)L.c~ ~:'Jl}li \llt;-. , :i~-rf_
~'1:: 0: it..rne \ ]~'.o Ie In ~}"'\!! ~H~lli"t"'l ~tel Q~ ~lle H<.'ln.e~ ~t ..11"e~j "JI'il'-''':
out ': ',..IS de;'~e bl.,c'-. '>Il'v)..e .u>d \ ou could ,ee 'ltt;e
frH"ge~ of f~..lr-"'e ~)re 11...1"1'2: opt l~ ~he cLoud c~-:;~e aut T~'e
Mi;un bo(1\ 01 tne loihn2; c:aud,'i. t~ II1 contact H-'ltl... tt"'e ce1ilil:"::.
,~f'd I~ It C.1'11e Ollt ~O'\"lI ci~ tile CeT'tel of ~he C,'SI"lO ;t ]1'\t
~r)L t 01 ~lli.~~ed b\Ld... to \\ ~~er e't \\ 1~ t(~..<..hH'q; t~'e O1oor ~\ It c.~'rr--:;e
o"t --\t tl,.:t tune '\.e "J.il\' ~t L.j\t (Onl1l1~ fn'\'lrd~ l'~. "r::> t~pnl"'(~
h~Kl ~~llnllld ~ln(i: It ~o{'~ 1 Ol'~hl\ 12 \c<"Oll<\ to ~et ~lllj... ~(l
~~~e (~OOl"" B th,lt -1-1':]1';.'10 -:-L ::r'1"'1~\i.. 11.t! d'oD~'eJ !:ii_H\.q to
.., dr'l Lbot,t flu: 'ed 01 ::'L 11"'1I . -
\\ hen \\e t:ot to the dOOl ~ It lei' ltl..e thL hi e lILt!
pu~he~: 1', ollhl(lL the "lwke h,IJ d' "pmc,(T '0 1,,,1
-\t "he '1~lllle t'H'l '\t" I..:/-..t to ~lll~ Lll:l,"lt. :~lhollt::-S "'<--lu!'(l.... i
l(lo;...C'{J (JO\1; n to tht" \\ e",t (....1(.; ("\- !-lll"l- :lDtel Lila"" 1\\ the f)l ( {H l ~~
out ot .bc ~n. et b~Hl~ ku' . ~,~ \ ~',lct r'~1I hUt!.:, He,l \t till "'111'11
t"lll tI,e ft- It'" t~l'l)l'L!h tht.~...e :..::= h,. diJ~}1'" of= ~.:) t}1;") "'Ull. till t .\
ti;'t,.lll IJpt.ll uHl :1l'l ill f '\. L"I hu. nLll~ \\ Itl~ ~l f-ill .,11-01 ~n nnL L1-
.LLIL( b Oin thl .~(lIH 'LD ~t \\ \~ ...,\ 1J :Il"~ 'lId th it I., \....IH . (
"L 'L I I'm Ii, 'I "tt,\( k I Lll'L -
Tin, 1Il,Ull fp{' \~,l' uJI!{:oJlul It .Ip~JI()\'I'l.tt( 1\ 'l ,0
.Llll l'lIt tnu] L \.tlllt.:llhl'lILUlt I\,L, UJlllpld' d I.'tll It" ,.
1100 ,Ull hdo.{' Lli :)..t .L le'-' oi thL ,111\ 1\<11 ~ \\ell
e".IU1dted bom ~he hlltldll1~ ,,~)l'e th~ J.L1ILJ,C;\ 10':>,2 :,-
~lIe of fIre Sen.:ce TU,iw! !Ql lui! r..:d,l,l~ or fo. e-h~:1tlll~
opel ,1tlOn~ See .tl~o the \l.ll ell 18>:.2 1~~lIe 01 FlltE jOLlt-
~ -\L lor det.uh en ]1\:111.1:1 heh,l\ 'm ,>Il(: e\. K lI.'t:<Jn l
CI"-Ua.Jtll....,
E. ~h~\ -f-t \ e ~Uc..~...t... L...... (l hll~ll t. Ir j-'.: i\ L 1_ \ . h(. ,,1 i'"' .1 . l _
....uJt:')i the f.~e l3-n(~It'.., :)1 .'J ';cC.'.Il"1- '-l!"'Jf L-}( 'r~d }'l the
6.l' qt the ~lle T~-LP el':.:h~~,_f:)li't:~ ;:"...IJ 'I!\ -Ll'~ '-l t!l\..
i)l.()\ t'r:-: n~~'" Ir)(....lte-:::i -l-.c !1-t"'.r d j~ .n ' ...t..)' .~. ~ I~) t(H n'r
~I'L -'-' (nt\ -....I\.ti- ~iPtll ~~~d ;.-;."- .-:,~...::.t, n '~;~l.l
P Ci :..." ~:..(e'1 -!~e j:' L r'j ~ ~I{"l""~'''.'l
l)= dlt_ \..-4 '.. :It..n.... \\ ~") ,-~'t'l' ".~ 1-
(... , ... ~ 1-' .
.). ~. it -i l
\ I ~ ' ~
;nc. '~.,.)il... \\tH C' ;::lPC ~.p~(O>ll-ed hi .....J~~~. :::..
'L '
ILi'"H;'.... '........ '{
'rrl\ L"d J"t""Dl t" tht.-~;' !;';(.'t.()l1.... (ll~l'd :.1;.. ). I
!~~\dre... '\\i..:'~e ~t-"p(l\t.'d t:l"~1 ...:!~... ..!!)" .)j
C'L I; i 1 j' < L
II ':...11-' ',c
t..,.. e~ ~he:!' Ice lilt'~'''' ~~ l~i'lp -~"1"::. t'J-\l,:" II ":1 ni't l'f {~l
le(fllt~t(1 T\l() Hld :~n-~.ll '.l(_tHr., "elL"" (~ "I,(..,A-t..d ~l-C
~~~---'J-I~)~"'''(.C(: .Jc~=(; '.'11 i.l'IP ~l~ _ t ',,;...~1L- (\~ l .,\.. L-
r~o~~~ 0i ()l \'C:Ll"1, "1,t-'e C.i--)('Il'.,,_...~t~ j ~tl'--' ~~'i-i'-"".
~I--"'\(:,l .It.~; Ib \'~~lP''''' ;,\e~{-' ~.~( '~e-:.: f-.. i-ht
j..j;'.U L'\ L!
\~ c:!ete'rl~net1 ~1\ tht' C; 'l~ Ci)'lI-Lt\ ('-.)'-'"'1"1. L'~ -'JJ ~~lt
L...tLl1,t~e~ lO[LltC(~ II' "'he ~"ll~2~~-o-1 ii."e' tq\' t'1 :":l~(: l)r l"'Jnil\ \~ l-
~lan ~eCOn(L~l" to C~P bOll 11'C'110'\iC~f:' "-.;".:<'tll'j' C). t:~.t" 1 ")
\ lC"lin~ loc.Llted on the C,lSl'10 e\ 101 l~ died 0:
smo:"'es,li1Q c.l'bon 'llOno\.lce 'nh.,L,tIOP Tillee "Ictl'n~
died of bu! ns pil' ~ smoke c1'1d C,lI 1)')'1 mDI1<..::"de lllh,d,l-
t:on. and one "lCtl:l1 located QlLt~lde un thl:' IUlll 01 :he
DuIldlng Llre.l undel C'onstlllctlnn ci~ed of d. IV ~~:'!I""'i\ e ~~uH
fl acttl re
Of the 61 L~t(..~htte~ :n tljt> '-"!~~I~._l I~e tfl\1; 1::.-'" '1 ~~l)...e bt1d\
]oc.lh()n~ "\e1e dou'I'1elltec. 25 '\L'{: ~')l1"d ''I 1'1(1'1'\ 22
'.-\ele ~n LO] "'ldol~~ 9 tn ~tLl1]"'\....n'" f:nt~ 3 ill r::':~' ~Itl'~ ~ Tbe
t'\elltlet'l ,1l1d C\\'ellt\.-thl'c! :.Jf)()I' (')"t.l:nec; tht' lll~t.'~t
nU:11ht'1 of\.lc.tmls. 1-1: \.' e:e :ml"c; 'l" t' 'Cil :h1ol lJ,J<ht:',
01 \'Ctllll~ we'l:.' [oc.l[ee] pled""l'Li.':L', j" "''J'I'' U'l;' Ull-
IIdOl .ll e.l, bet\\ ee]1 the 'Iltel:01 ~".'1I ~ ,ill(~ (e'lt1 .d-<.OI e
.lre.1~ on llIne Hams On the t\.\e"t,-lm'j<'1 fiLJOl. eight
vlctIin\ \Vel e l-:Jcd.tecl .~l the cent'...~; lOl e
01 tlie is Vlc.tml~ on the C.I"IlO II:'\.e\ WI. \\1:""" 100mel
HI the l\e'';:l.,tl ~ltlL)n De~~ ..l~ e~L t~l1 ec ()~ t!I(....t.... \ 1t t'~n.... hLld
"dll:'l eel e\.tell~I"e IHU '1' 'II ,Ldl.LtlOll to ""')!..'" .\l1d C..lll)(lll
1ll011(\,lele ;nh.Llltwn It .lppe'" th,lt ':'. " \ lLtl'I'~ \\1.:'1('
o\. ell un h,.~ the ll.l'ne ~l Ol1t JllO\ Ill\! thl 'J\l~:, tik C'~'Lllll
FOUl \.lltlm~ \\el..,. fOllnd 111 the H1~ / HOll\l1 fn e 1ll
de\. .Ito!~. .11l(: two 1ll tl1(' C'''ll'o-lt:"\. el < IL \ ,ltUl lohl)\
O"t: \'It.tlln. pIe' Jl)n~h dl'l.I)~'l d dIed oj I illl\~J\ l \],1J1l
h .LttI'IP \\'1]['11 ~hL t'1~hL'l J\,'lIPlll '" I( I! !~'I'11 t!a' 111~1\-
lhL'toILet 'It \("1 ,Ii tht' \ 'dll'" II",! Hi, II/li't d l~ I lll-
p~(l\.t~e' ]u<.-l\1t:1Jl~ ti~IIt.( 01\ ~lil { hIIIO!L' t '; L'lll ~UIU Illl
tlPl'(' UtI<I' \
\]111l 0\.1111,L'1 1\
fll' \\l I" rl, "t, d
'11,1, L ,(I, ,1\], ,I
r-"<H \ !il 1"'')]1...
1II<I'p<I,'"l
tL) in JL(J"'pl~
'11:"[[ d " l
I' '11]( (lj thl
'" i III 1 ,,111-
~ 't I ~ . t I...e III
I'UII) :110'
,,/
,I :'.
.....1.1.
lllll 'III I,\. \1
! .. -..~ I \. I '.
t,
JI
11
1
.,
J.
j,
1:
l'
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,
lnJured, 318 were .Idmltted to hospltJ.ls .md 252 '\el e
treJ.red 10 hospital emergencv room~ and rele~ed !.tte.
that day
P"'m3ge
Flle dama;e other than smoke d.1mage :1t the :-'IG"1
Hotel '\a~ ,11lTIost entlrek blll~ed to the C,I~JnO le\ pi ,1:'('
second-Hoar DUlce Me,! T~lere was mmor Harne dJ.md:::e
m one or (<\'0 ;uest r:JO'11S on the fifth floor plus rea, .1l~J
sPloJ...e cLlInage an upper Boors. but the '-:'l.lJor Fre d.lr'l-
age CCCtllrea Hl the ~Lun C..1SL.--.O, ~!l.e !aob" areLL~ ~t thi:'
m.ll::' a,....Jd F:.1mm;o HOu.d cntr:lnce~, the hotel re;:5U.I-
no;;. ~.reJ. ~,nci the '\est eI'd of the l.bI, or F.:une Se\ ere:'
c::.n' .l;ed 8', fire '\ere The De;1 ~he Or!eaTJs cc~.;:':'
:2.o:..:.se ~he CJe GI:;:' t~e P,1[,S. ill Bar, tl--e CUD 52.L the
;~~t S~O? and othe~ ;:ue..;.s .1t t~e top of the escJlJ.tG- 2nc
I".c:ucil"; the c.l.SIn o-:e\ ei ele' aton and eie\'ato'" !o"J"
The ~eco'1d 1100r .100\ e the e3.st e~d af the Cas'~o -e.
cel\"ea some fire drrlTI..!;e ~I1ci st:-uctur:1l dal1'o.;e
There \"as a d",tmct separation bet\veen damageci 2.'12
unc.8.LI1J.;ec: 2re:.s th.lC C()I re::.popdeci \v;th the '~re he-
1:"\.. ee~ 5pT::l~,le"'"ed ;}Y'Od ~n~p:T:.1k~ered .l~e~s :';0 e\ :.c.~;--c:e
of 1.3.P1e c.J.~:J.;e coukl be ~een lP :he sprl::k:e:-~c B~"'r'. -
mo,es P.est:mrJ.r.t ~;'at aciJoiIicd The De:1 In the so,,:::-
s:de In the Hall of Far'1e. It was \e,v eVIdent ~:',a:: ;"e
spread stopped ".here sprmkler protect:on began Tbe
entrance to the Ziegie1d Room lL~e'N.se showed ve:-' ef-
fectIve stapp 109 of the TIre south of the ~.lam Ca.slPo.
where spnnJ...iers \"'eI e provided
Abo\-e the Casmo level was httle eVIdence of a major
fire There were no burned-out rooms or cornco:-s so
typcal of other large-ioss-of-hfe hotel fires In the past
The guest rOoms_ m ;eneral. were also clean or free or
smoke ceposlts In some of the roo~s on vanous l.Gors.
1.
-"
-j
j
..
~
.
Room :C-65 IJ.dI2C,..,t to elevator 'O;'::'V 0"1 twent-eth Poor-; wtoe-" --..,a.:e
VlC.lm ""it, found "1e~t to open wtndo\< 'n tipped-over chaIr :loom I'
hlPC li of ~Jest rOoms thrUJH.;hout horei v..,~h J]ttle eVlden.ce ('0; 5-'OJ'.~
or ~oot r:!-ttd.es ....FP-\.
----"\. - --..------l ~~ ~f,TI
_ i 'f;
- a~!~~I' =-.!
~ttttft~t '. -,' If
_.i;i~~~ A:
ii~~--' ~~-' If!~~~~i~ :~~< ~r;jj--;~:-.
~---- ~ --=.- ~y. ...:::.
'-" .~- ~,~- -_ - ~ ~:-;v.~
~ ~_~~:~__~_-h ~~ - .. _ "',:~:":..)."..
;;~~7!rJ.-..-....!.~ ~~..".:.-::J;-:..;:;:;r ~= pl. - V..s7.: '
~~~r~-\~~~'~ '~Q:7;~' ;!:~::-
'~"'!i:~:.-- \~~~~"1 --..-
,. _~...2~~ .~;~~,:;c_...._".__~:'IItu-':'-.,,--- f-~~~!~~"'~_,'-'___
~ - t~ " .. - ~~-;~ -~:::.. -- .........~.~~ ~
f.~ ~ ~." ~~-:~-"-~~l.-~~~-r-
"-..:1.- .a..... .......-t-~ ~~z~~~~
v._--,-..~~--~g;:".~......:..";--"-,-~~-~,;,,,~
_.~ - ""~;'_"";;;';i:l:"":~~-;::.~~~w7h-, .-~ ..-~
..:._.__ _-tor ....- -Y"'I l~-'~"'--fl_'" ___-~.. <._ - "._ _ J.:- 1" I '--'_-.._".. "_ -
;,-..-...~ ---
.:.~..: s;;.
~......""
~:~:i:;
}~o.-'--~
: ;;.:-:;~
......,
!r"~_":~~"
...........,.,-
"~-:....
~ v-..,i. _-"lli ..~.... -~ ......... ....-~
- .~
J __~.....
32. .
rIm: Joe H:\ -\1- - J \ '\, l' \In 19ij2
!
:t W,I~ ddTlcult to find ,lT1\ tJ ,ICe of ~m()ke (]I ~[)(It Jep()~lt'
The most eVidence, In ~enera1. W.1~ fOllnd III the h,lth-
I O()lll~, a~ (.omp.lred With the ~k <'pill\!; .tl e,l~ ~ome
~moJ...e depo~lts were vl.,>lble 1lhlde the do()...~ to the g\le~t
rooms, alon~ the carpet1rll;
He.!\"\ ~moJ..e condLtIon'> III the 11ll!h-rl,>e towel dllnll~
the fire \\elt' documented _'lee tht' ilL'1 '\ IT \ Il"P'" t ,'t
:he \[G\I Gland hre. ,1\,uLlh\e "Pill thL '\1 i' \ ~-."
In\ estH;at10n~ De;:Mrtl'lent -, -\ppdre'lth the l.Ld. or \ hl-
ble e\ ICeTlCe of ~mole p..u tlc1e1.. ~!.ite! tile rn (I ~Il t: II -,
\\ :'ere occup.mts h.ld reported d~,tt 'leLt\ \ ,)",' '!..L vmd --
t~ons e\.l...teo \....:1" due to tl-'e COTlt=pl'ed Or'{ I It 'Oil O[
H\ -\C eqlllpn't"lt III the hotel cia: ln~ d.L :11' TliL
~-'e..l\\ ?L\'t~cle"" of~nl{1ke '..ere f-iter~d (p.1- :~., I-~It }~, \_(
..l~ :""~l~ ....f.101...e \\'lthln ~he Ll~ec.h in.::....d :-'t"1-.~1-1I11-""~- \\ i.,
pu"npec. thl0utn Ehe~"" "ltO (.r)r~l(~(Ir'" Il~H: l"1) ~1~ t :J
COlj U"1it~ 1.1 roo'r~ ~~~t illtc....ec ....mo}..c' ;-""Oln dle to....~.i ~ "";1
,1'lQ \\1:~-"1 ~bt' rCOIn 1~~~ t~"'eor~ F Yt'lntl)r~t~d :)\ L"')-
de'1ce of e"'~lePlel,' he.!', \ depo~n~ 0: 'Gnt 1:1 t].-L' H\ \C
~. ter~
T;,e ,l-llollat at prl)per~\ ::L.!m.l:.!:e JnJl 'I l(),~ c''1"t:"(: :"
the ': ~e \'b not I e;eJ..:>cJ to t:--e '\ FP \ :'" ,1:1\ 'ep e-eli;,L-
II\ e of ~1 G\l E~tl'lbte5 ot p~r)pert' J.'m,i-c:.e \ e~)01'e~; ~,.
C;,l'l, Court\. Fire De~.lI t:-'1ent <<-no Btlsmt IS In jHrc t:~t!
'TIagazl:1e":' r.l:1ged :rom 1:1 e...cess of 330 '111 ~l:or. to .l I..w,
of S50 'Tll11;on T~e :-'lG~l Gr3.nG Here! E.re \'..l~ one ')1
the IJ.I :;est p~opert\' damage c!olLlr-lo~~ nres In t~e
Lmtea St.ltes m 1980
-\,;:\ -\LYSIS
The followmg descnpt(on and d1J.~ram of the orl~m
and cause of ,re were de\ eloped ::)\ the ;";FP -\ baseG
upon the CLuj" Counc~ If'\ e'~-~_I~:Q:' Bepmt .lnd L)I'-
the--ce'le ob~eJ"\ atlOn~ nude l)\ tne :\FP -\ dunn; .h:,
Cl.ul-.. Count\" InVestlg,lt'on The In'. e~tl\!;,~tlon be~,lll ],,:e
mormn';!: on the da\ of the ijre. whlC.h \\",b the e.lIl.{C'I
~h,lt 'n;e~tl".lton callie! enter The Deh iollo\\I1l~ arE'
;:-
suppreS~lOIl oper,ltlOlh The entire .Ire.! ~lIrrollnd]llC: Tl'e
De!. and mcludmg The Delt, Orle.!m Coffee House. and
Bdrrvn-lOres Re~taur.lnt \"a~ sec:.Jred throue;hout tbe dp-
pro'>;lm.lteh- nme-d.lv Jur,ltlOn of the ()n'~lte m\e~t It;; 1-
tlon
The l\lO,t prob.lh Ie source of l!:lILtlOl1 III thl~ fire ,L~
reported In- the Cbrk Count-.- FIn: D('p,l~tment :; \\,\~
he ,It produced m the \\'{>~t-\\,dl p Lrttt!on of The Ddl
se rv In g ~t.ltlOl1 ,l~ .l re~ lL I t of elec. tnc,d ~ hor t -un_ t tit III g '.I
grollmi [\lLlt; 01 ,m 1l1ll!:lOllml,'d electnLd urclllt umdll(.-
tor to ,I fl.:"lbk met,tl Londlllt ~ Till' ol.l.lLrrcd 1lI ~\Ir[;lt.:
· Hhnlld. [ lit",,;', I 1,I"he, 1 IInth \1" '"I l. "" r \1(,' I ~ '"
("'lllIn... HIHllb..... /1L'l-Ur(HH~'" D~lI1~11ur I I""'EI (I 1 'lul... [-I
':. Cl nh. ( DHU\\ l'lH D1 jhl\llh Ht \f( t~f HI p~".-r l_..., \ It ~\.. (1....td..
{ nlln(\ ['It DljlutllRII( \1,.\ (l) II)!..,,}
.. '1" '\,....[1 l)h r I,.{l lit '~I.l.I.lt u I"llt... ....II( t 'III iBt h I\.L ..u~t "'~I 'Ii
JI"\C111 :I'" I i:h,.....Ii,11 I. 1I1\1 01 tllt I~H \t i II~ "1I11L q' I.....LII.III. {oJ t' I'"
fi 1'Ilr1 'l P \ \.. I'" II'. Lv.. III 01 L11\ 1'IIIl . II tllll~III~"" ill It I U:lIIL ItlLJh tl .1
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AREA SHO'IVN IN THIS DRAWING ~
-,
J~" FLEXIBLE METAL ccr~~UIT
"r )
CONDUIT L:NRAVEL~lED ~.;~!
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NO CCNNEC";ION ____ ~~ ~g~N::CTOR
LOCKNUT NOT T 'GH:" ._ ~ ~~
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ARCiNG
I 3:" FLEXiBLE
l METAL CONDUIT
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P u.......a
ARC'r~G
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· ,. SQUARE BOX
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Detail
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Within a combustible eonce..ded SiJdce on the we~t side or
a pie case III :l waitresses' serving ~t.ltlOn, .llong the ,outh
wail of The Dell ThiS wmng was an extensIOn of the
ongmal \Vlnng III The Deli servmg statlon, and pnlvlded
po~er to the refn;eratlOn compressor umt and
eV:lparator fan for the pie C:Jse locJted on the north wall
of t~e se:-qng ,tz:.t:')a
"Ihe wlfmg sntem lor The DeIt ,erVin:: ~tJ.t'on on:.;'.
netted :n an electr'c.Il panelboard located In the B~rr';-
mo.e Roo:r.'s btc!~en 2.re.I The wlnr>g r:let~Gci- used
:rom tre panelboarci to The Dell CQmrsteci of l~-!DC:';
e;ec:tnc~1 meta[1,c tt:.b:.g ,E:-'lT connected to a 4-mcn
s,plare . tn.de Size' -ccepracle outlet box loc,lted 111 the
eLl~t p....l~l ot the ~er\ln; 5tl.~tlon \\-ll~~""'~ tra~~l 4-~""lS out';ct
1~o~ ~uppilec!. pD\\er to ..1 reir:~erL....t:on, cc~~)re~scr ..lpd
11""1::; Del! ?!e C2se The \\-:rl=--=g $\ste....'l usee 1'1 ~!~e ~el' lP~
~t~:.tlOP \\;:'.S ~~-l~ch qe~\.1~1e !""1et.ll ::o:~c!u~t :~lu[y.l'l.uP1~
The :t~-i:'ch r.e'"nble 'TIeLll condUIt orJgmdtec at t~e
-f-l~~ch ~quJ.re rece?t.:.cle out~et co..... and tnr.-eled upw.1rJ
\vl~hln tt.e ,:)..~l ~...:i;;'~--'L~~t1.cn \\..::1 \' he~e tt ?~~sed ~hl~U;h
'-~ rOle in t~e top nc-:-.1~ piJte The He\lb1e metd! cC'T}GU;t
~0e1 ~r~\ e;e.J. ac.ross a :e'1cth of :::-:'lC~' e:e::t;-:callY]et~E:(
tUDln; "':JQ. e t!:e ~~' ~pe""':.ded ced~~~ ~0 a ~etai Jl1:';ct~on
bo'V~ ~~CJlP-' :ed 2.!Jo....-e the c~lbng T\vo J~"lnch e.e\.!I::)te
metJ.1 c.o::dUlts .dlu:tii:mm'-, left ~:-\lS junct:cm box, one
,\ent to t1~e ple CJSE' :md the other e'1tered .l ....Old space
betwee'1 the ?Ie case and the top ,vest-waJ parh~lOn :'e'Ct
to the ple case
The He'"lble condUit that traveled QowIl\vard along-
SIde the pie case was routed mto the partItIOn and then
turned mto the compressor compartment. where It ter-
mmated m an outlet box. The groundmg of the electncal
equIpment for thiS mstallatlOn was apparently mtended
to be accDmphshed DV mterconnechon bet\.veen the
electncal -metallic tub'ng, 3.exlble metal condUIt, and
fittrngs A contmuous :;roundmg path would be obtained
by the proper connectIOn ot the race'.va\- 5 to the
;rounded panelboard enclo,ure
The CirCUit Wlrm; conSl,ted of two number 12 "- \YG
copper conductors spliced to CirCUit conductors In the
receptacle outlet box m the ser.r1ng statIOn east wall
There was no separate eqU1pment groundmg conductor
withm the f!e>::ible metal condUit Overcurrent protec-
hon was provided bv :l 20 ampe:-e, slng!e-pole ClrCUlt
breaker
The I'lVestlgatlon revc.-1ied that where the fleXible
metal concl,llt was supposed to be med'aTI1C.lilv and e!ec-
tncally connected to the receptable outlet box. In the e.l~t
wan. t!->e fleXible metal eom!lllt md the box connector
were not In eOl1t..lct '''1th each other TI11s wa~ dl~covered
\vlthm ..1 c!D~ed wall With no dln~ct fire d,lInagc
The Hexlble met.tl Lom1u1t W.IS nut -eHcLtlvek
~rollncleJ, but It wa~ In LDuLlct \\']t h g:rollllded "lJrf.lle~
For cx.lIllple. the lle\.lbie met 11 concllllt W,IS I \'lll~ ..lcrus~
... \Vl"-lll~ "H...thoc') ..J"e dil"'l..fJ.j}~i "1 \1 II \ -0 \"(lthlUu.( l-Jt'ctncui
Co:'tJ.e
the met,i] ,upports of the ~mpendeci cc.It:l\;:. the ~-2-l!lch
e1ectllc.u met.llhc tuomg; .It the ,erVIn\!; ,t.:lrlOn e..l!or w,lll,
and t0e hon2.Qnt.ll ,heet met.:tl pa[(ltlOl1 rr.unll1g mem-
bers at the top OI the e.lst wdll The ..u-orementiOl1ed
IT'etal sections of the cetlmg and metal studs, and the
cont,lct wlth the grouuded e!ectr:cal "I1etai!Jc tuhm!l; and
hanzQ'1tal f. .l'nn'!..; tTlPll1er pra\ Ided ~ ,{'i,'tl'.ek hl~n 1'11-
pedence p,lth to !..:rOllnd
The ungrounded c'rcUlt conductor 1I0;t hl.;:ely C,lne
Into cont.lct With the He\lb' e CDrHlult C_lU~m~ ~p..lr!...ll1~
and .lrCI:I~ to t,!J..e p;..-ce .It 'he r::'lJ~' or contact The
Cl.:rre:'t foilO\\ea .1 ;?,lth :llo:Jg the ne\l'-le :i'et.ll :::ond.u;t
to ~he l.-~-ln(!l efect' ~Cl.ti metailic tu~)P' ~ ..It ~he ~er\"l~~
st~~~QVl e ~~t \\"..111 '.\. :"el"'e Llrc~n~ ''Jetvl. eel" t~e .-.~-lnclJ c'iec-
--:c...11nlet..llLc ~u:):n::: .PiG the 2~--inlh t'~':.biE. ~""'1et.-,l CGl1-
ciu~r too:' riiJCC Ft:-the: arc~n; ..~~1G ~,--"_.~~ 12: ~00~ i)~~.::.e
..' here the i\~\lb' e l1e~,,1 condUIt p,b~ed th-ou.:.;:::. ohe
~QllZ()'"""1t..-J filet..:.! f:-.l~ln~ PlemGe~ T:-'c. len;:h GI t~"\e
He'lb;e meta! (.o.-"du,t be:" een ~he :;~ound-bu It po'n'
:1'"lC ~h~ pOlnt of C0nr::..1ct bet"~'1.. ee"1 ~L.e ie,-~~b!e Plet..J cn~-
G~lt <lI1d the l~-mch elett;-Ic-ll P1et<lll.c tubmg \\.1'> "p-
p:-D\l'rAe!\ 16 feet
The :;::'our~ci-t-::ul~ c:ur:-e:1t tr:l\"e:"n; tI"r::)u;~ th.e fie\.i-
:~;le ~et,-ll condUIt :;'I.lt \\.-as iocJ.ted '\1:::UJ tr..e conceLdec1
spd-ce bet\yeeTJ tne ph"\vood-cQ\.'ered p:e case ,,:-Ie the
we5t-wail Dell pa:rtJl'oll CallSE-d n;;;., he.:t tD develop '"
t\"e 3.exlble metal cDndu:t The teI'1pe~ature was hu;1-,
enough to cause me]tmg: of the alummum fleXible mecal
condmt from the pOint of the o:;:-ound Emit up to a pomt
three feet above the ground fault
Fa-" Growth and D",-e1opment
The followmg ~ec:tlOn descnbes fire gro\...th ,:md de-
velopment at the \IG\l Gra.'1d Ho~el based 0'1 the
~FP\ dn,llv,ls of collected data and oDservatlOns F,ade
dUrL'lg the mvestlg'ltwn The fire most lIkelv smoldered
:or a pe~lOd of t:'il.e Sefore rt broke out of the concedied
space dnd mto The DeIt ser,:mg stahO'1 at appro\.lmateh
705 to '7 10 am The first materrals Igmted mcluded
pl;wood u~ed to enclose the pIe case. and then the con-
tents and mtenor finish of the serving statIOn
Imtlallv_ the probable movement of smoke was from
the servmg ~tatJon to the return-arr pienum through an
-m-tramfer grrlllocated III the celimg ......,thm the ~ervmg
st.ltLOn Once open fl.lmmg tack place, the fire beg,m to
spre<ld on bghtwel~ht meh and combmtlble mtenor
fil1l~h The fire then ,pread to The Dell from the ~ervlng.
~tat'on, comumml!; other av,ulable combu~tlbles ~uch d.S
IVOO(I and Jec.or.ltl\.e memben a'1d fO.l'l1 pl.\btlC~ p.1ddm:;;
011 ch.un ,lIld hnoths
-\:tt'r The Dell be(.J.me mvoh ed, the !.tcl.; of 'pnni.Jer~
,Uld file-re"'l~tant h.trt 1l r~ ..llltJ\\ed the tr,Ulsier of he.ll
.1Ilt! '1'lOke llLlu the C,l~"1O Large ..llITOllnt!, o/..IIr 1l0\\ Illl;
thlOllL!:h the "ti],Llt.llt Or1eJllS Co:fee House lllJ up lrom
do< \ll."i, t11'IlIlI.!h ti~, ,'P"II L~L,d Ltlll PIO\ldui II..-h
IIHI JI)Ll\'\L~J-\'l-\H'i 1<<,>2
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.Hl ~llpph inl the :lIe The C"'~lno cnnLu"ecl tomhu~tIb:e
h.l.m~hll1:'::s <'nd conte'lt~ .1nd combu~tlb'e 'nte' 'Of ftltsh
pi l:n<.nh- I1l the :Gl -n ot pLl~tlC deem .ltl\ e n;1I ll1U F1n-
rOl ed pb.tlc cedr1~ ;JJ.neb The plesence of fuel. ,m
~up;Jh', .1"lJ .1 ....en i.1I2:€ unci)\, Ic.ed ,lIe.l cllIo\',:ed fOl e\.-
tl el'leh 1.IPld :11 e ~pl ec1d .lnG he.I\\ ~mnhe pi odud'Ul1
Tbe !=-'e 'llC; .,~ 'Il'''e POl't c1e' eL')l't:'ci 0,,1- ,,: r'e Dell
I!--(: l~cLiet~l(t.Ic.i &-1~1.'il~;"nl~( ~ha.: (~...bl"n ~Pltd "( 'e .<-:~t'd
the '\e"l ;.:',~d ~\.i'elc l~ l,il\\ :)ut t]'-e COOl'" ~~llJ :'e:..:: 'n :-f)
't1\ cl. e ~;le pOI:::e CCC:~el e H ~"l(l... \\<.l~ :t. ~\ P~\ O~I eci. ~.\ ;th
fi. e :"V -::S -un
:c~ e'"; ~bOll~h t':e elit~re C.~...:no Ii) t1'e \' e~~ (1[ the ,.He 1
:::> \A i2.: ~ 0"::111 bec.\1'Y"'2 r~l\C'h.eci ~i'e ~1'.e H,l"', \.c-I\ Lr:L~-
t" >_ ...~.....:...~-=::::"::: 1~' ::::...' l~"~ 'L" :~I :.. ''-. !'"r; I-~-e c..'........ Tl. '-;~
"":"'.[j l~l:::-L"" 1.~~1'b:"'~(: ~Le "-p'C;- I~' P""'!:CI ~-h-'- "';.'I~'\I'l'H~l'" Ilr~
t:; -he' ll.l:~ .~~ r ."~"F> [:-:. .,-,l:l.;',)." C'l t.P ~~'_nLi"':"~ t~'t:' 0'-
'e '~""" Cci:ce n;li~....;': H 1~ .~..t ....p~ 'n~jL':.:--:::1 t";-e f I~ ...~:'~-
t:}~-~,.n-::.' "~"e e,:l~t \1 \:-~ 'e:::~'.c:--~d ;, (:,j:"~' t~o'n "~le E .... ~t
F l~l:=- n~ ~:"e ~_1')O-E' n en-:1 .~.1 r~~e O..I.=-~ '11.::- C')H~t:: H -:. ....'=--
\~ _:~ '''::-e'' \~~ the t:H'~ ,--.i ;"~~e ;:. ~ Tl,].... _l~~'1..\f':1 ~'] ~r, -t.,;',
~n :~'8U::~:11 "~"e Ol"el"-~ Cl)Cee rI0~''''e t'r)nl ~he '::~'l~-'-
I.. :e' C~~ H-1r --'d F -r~-"c '--'. ;11C. " ."') belie' ec~ I() :".11, e . t>(_:. '---~II
:he -11::: ..:::' P lc!. .1.0 :~:-:: e l~t \' :;..l~,." th:~ ....~..l(e
\~ +~le .:.,.::-- ';" en. :n T~"'e uel' _l~""::': thc..... 'n -~le C :,...111"
~.l~:.:e ",-:"~lOlln~~ at ~nl:.::;:...e ~::He l~ till ou::h ~he pb~'1Up1
..<]o\e the le~!'n~~ .1Ic'-''.:! \\'~1'.1 :::!:~e-...;.t de-l; .::::11 l"'e_lt T~;,-.:::
fire r~e'- e;apnlen:- le:::i~l~ec. l:~ tl-.e ~.l~~U~ e of the ~l'~r:e!'deci
cell:.,~ 5\ ~tem bet\'.ee" the C,lSIllO ,lml the E', e :'1 the
S~\ .seCUl !.t\" '\L~n\."""I.~. .1\ ,-.\ S~e'11 Se' er\l] unp~otec:'-ed ' el-
tlC.ll Ope1\ngs .'lld \ e: tlC.ll openmg~ \'-Ith e...closu: e
dcfic:enCles .1Ilo\\ed "~e beat and ~moke co "p,ec'd to the
hl';"h-l \~e to\\ C! T!'e~e \ ertlc.li ope'lm~~ nc:ucec. ~e'~-
f'"' Ie J0mt~, ''II-CI'or ~t,;.1r"\.1' s clnci ~mo',eproof ~~,m enclo-
~I:re~_ to' 'et e\~,Hl~~ ,h.tlt, ,'11(: othel hll\l'l'o:.:: 'el" 1(e
penet' .~t)lr-"'" ::,t'Cil \~~ ;Hpe ch~-"~e~
T~le :')"lloJ...e ....p'e~lc i.l the ''1tel:O[ "::lti.:~IV (~'... bec.n'i.,e
the =...t'l':" \'ete not e'1~lo""ed n..:th 2-hol1~ fi.....e-.;>tec. CC-t1-
l)trl'c';'~n." II" Ll: Ic~H.t onE' l~te' 101 '--.t..-=j]\1T.l\ '~\ l "he :::-"-
::.:::o....cd '1t~e 1 ...jH.h.'l.... t..JL1 '-)1 t~1~ hott~Hn of "'i"'le )tE.lll \\ t~-\ \l,;......
cl'reeth open to the cOl1ce.llecl ~pcIce ,11)0\ e t:,e C,t~Il'O
cetlll1'.:! In ,lckLtlOl1 .1 ~D.lce 'lPPrrl\.Ln'.Iteh ~'i-'nCf. 'nde
bet\\-een the "'LUi ..,ti~p~e'~ (.lnd the ~ p'-1Llm \\(~~lb()~.I~d
can.,t: UC~lOn h.ld no~ heen .,e,llee! off The.,e comk:o'l'
allo\\ecl -mo'....e .me! he.I( t'1 pel'etl,lte the ~t,tl"\'''l\ ~
:'\ 01'11: e-t Ited. .,heet met.ll .LtCe~., p.\1eJ door., \H" (' 1,)-
c,ltee! tl. t1lt' "11<.'110' ~t."1 entiU'lIre \\.lll~ "ilK1l .li'o
cont: Ibllted to ~m(lkc ~pll"ld mtn the ,>t,ll" Th~
'mokeplool ,toUI encltl~llle loc.lted on the \\ e,t eN1 01
the l'l~;'-l!',e tm\"C' 1 '\\2", te~ml11,lted .11)O\e the C.\,j'lO
plenum The lJOttO'll o[ the ~l'lOl;;e ,h.dt !ell the "Il1')ke-
p: 001 t(,\\ t'1 COll'l,ted 01 1'1-1"(. h ph~\ ooe! tl'.Lt hil'lU'
~h!"np{~h l~lo\\ 11l!.2; tI~t. "P~ t~L,~1 "'Pl e lel Dt [H o(lll(~'" ot C[)PI-
!Hl...t~lJn ~l1h):"t.' 11lL~ld L11t() ~he \e....tll\lllt...... 1]1(1 \.. '''' .dl~l 1-1)
e"'tel thl' ~t.lll ,h,dt \I.LI'\ oJ thl HlIh hOlll thl 'I;LOhl
~h 1.1' \\e't' U)\, 11,1 :1\ e\.tc "11 hltlhLII:': ,Ilt ,tll"ll!.! [It,
p~n\(l(ll; ], i'c' ..I,!) l...ht( (I III tl" l~2 ,t L11\\ I' "l)'\l \t'
-."l'lt.t t'll d..-l 'lill 't .<-11 d!L-." I Ild i,I( ~l,( l)lldlllll~ (i-IL.., ;.~.....{
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I ( ) l t: '\ \ I - I \ ... I \ n I ' ,.....:
did not lnll n tho [)u~h .mcl tIle ,[,111"\\.1\ ,lP\l.Il entl' I e-
Ill.Haec! lb.lble tillOl1!.dlOllt the fil e Tlw:,2 ,t,IW'\',l\ ,w-
Cll mul.ited .,mo;,e GUIIn!! the Ih e :)t] t the e\..let me,lI1 ~ 11\
\\;];Ich the smol-e entered th:~ tower \\;,,~ not determmeci
P,l~~en;::er elev.ltor ho:~tw.t\S Plo'dcled ,l111.ljOI .l\enue
lor ~illo]"e ,mu he.It ~plelci Tite [pc'tlon oi 11Ine
ele\ '~Ol ~ 'one WIth ')ren ('('p', or '11 '11' l' ~hl' C ",1'1('
Ic' cl .i.lld t'ne- :.ullllt: 1)1 .h()....~ I-'-'i-"'t '-. f~'l L-.\ f) , il. 't')....
'\; ;'IC:l .111'1\, ed :he Cel: ~ ~0 cI: ('I) he lO\' the CL'lll;) 1<.'\ el
fOOl cleLl:ecl eren h()l~t".\-.i.") l.)) ...~no~e ll1(i he It ~G
tl l',ei np\\.l'd He.ll .wd ~l'l');"e '~)' f','C: (}l:t r)'1tfl :':'I:,:-t-
lOCl1, :k)Ol~ hn'll t;",e hPl"'~"\.l\ ...h '':~'' .;
L "OJ C'-tec~c-cl \ el t:iJ_\lll"'pen' q..:... t~' r'"11 Itc'~l 'n
1 :-l' l".r e ..'le ~\.Cll~~ _......~~\ I:.hi:i L-::-IlL~-..:
L pep"",
J ll!:;:: .' (I
'i.111''''t,:' ....~....IL :r..! tp <'ll'" ~;::,,'11P"'1 ':l(: ....J1fl....t'l'll-'"ntl' -I-
nlt>c.... l~..l.l ~)::'P~:-.Cll'-C ')j,l t!",,( ~~"';l;~ r, ..._::.::..l.!', j'-. '.-, ~l
,
'-e."
.'1(1 "-rl''''~e ~\.~~ d[-...e tl~ ~...:..'"' ~'."'1n..:..:l1 ~~it t.~.)
, -'
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e!c.,\1tc' h:~'''';-~'~,~l\~ thi'-j;'-:':\ [he c.ll-::(" ...lo~,", ti) ~~-..~ 1.'~:'_
~....c p.l......t":l~t'1 -:'::1.:'\ .l~i)" ~J0""1 ~n(-i ~l'- '. t'r:.....Hr'-~~ tc ...;~~
:'":,,-~'l''' oj! :::~"e ~)en::ll--"p"'e
The ..l~' -!1.elll!ILl:: t'lll::'" u ~"'L" ....u~J:"'Il.. .::_J-.ndi.....)~l:..::J ~I~
~.:,)q" tl1[:" ~h(~a~ :0 the .~.-,. I ::.1.j'.... \)[ tl1:.. ~.L':...:I'-I ~"'l' I~ljl'" :jil
"'':: t~,=t:' :'11'~;c:"n'; 11 e. ~ ]""'c'!t :;::-r!l'.l-"l}t-:::: \\1~~1 "I~ll~~( ,-:\...I'-:'::~::'.t ~
.~1' ...n-~c.;::l ~o "lltlt JO\' ') the ..'.~tcr~o;;: ~'~G~l d(~e~:';,)11 '}~
"-nlo,-e --\~ ~~ le:"!ul~ ~!"e U.....lt.... C'Pr-tll1PC;:: ..-'") '--"~e] "lte r-l':.......
11"':; ~he ",p""lo'l.e-1,.lcen ..111 ~n the rnec';..,.ltPLLll re!'\rhalhe
thi ou;h thelr fdte,s ,mG COl\til'UFl~ ~o pump ~t [;.'c1..
dm"n tht ough Sh.lth mto the con 'dors of the ~l'e~h oom
pOI non 0f the hote I
The t.I--:-cOlI umts for the :ncltvidll<11 ;'-'e~t roo;n~. J.s
pI e"lou"lv stated, tooi.: their IT'd.I.,:e-t'p .111 from corndor~
Dependm; on pre~sUl e d,He,ent:.lb bet\veen t!->e cor-
IldOl ~ .md tloe g:ue~t LOoms and \vhether or not the :al1-
(vI] lrllt '\"'~l~ 1""1 orel~lt:o~. "oITIoL..e In T\-<.1J' In~ cle:!;ree~ 1""'"11-
~l.lte(i ~o the ~u(.~t loon".... In ~no't CLbe'). ~-l~i....et~ ,.l....OlPld
I 00'11 door~ reduced .'Ir mo\'e'nel1t, ho\\ e\ e" _ ~e' e"ll
g:ue,t-I oom (I 001 ' \\ ere found tb,lt ,lppe,u ed to he ' L!ldcr-
C!Lt \)\ "t le,l~t 1~-lIlCl1
One :..::tte~t 'el101 ted d',lt \', ;len he opel'ed Iu, e' Ie' '01
'Y'IKiow ~mohe began to pour out of the f.m-cOlI t![llt.
however. when he clo~ed tbe wmdo\\', the ~m()t,e \\a~
:cdu(ed E\ldentlv III th" c,\~e, opel1lllg the \\lnclow
c,lll~cd cl pl!':~~~Ul e dlffel eTJtl.I1 between the em rldo. ,l--:d
tbe 100m, .l1]OWlll<:!; .1c!cht'o..,11 ~mohe ~l)[('.ld
SL \ er,11 O.lt III [)[)m~ 111 tIle ~I'L ~t ~oom~ were fOllru1 to
h.." e he.L\ let ,oot deDO~lh Or' hUI 'zont.d ~lIr[Lee~ th.t'l
\\ ere lOll nd 1'1 the ~l1e, t I oom ~ t!' e tn ,c h e~ " \1lnhe t h .It
\\".1, t, t\ ('I,,,'.!: \ el tlL 111>.- In ,DIne tOller \"entll.LllOl1 .,\ ,Il lIl'
o\.el PO\H'I ed tile'! e\.ll.lu,t t.t~,.l<-,t\' .md k,l~e(: mto
!ntnloom,
.. \ ~h[lnJlIt::t!. dll;' "I" 01 hnl'ot\'L l\ . I Jlll'I~'~ rHlI~I"1l !~r-. III" \of 'l~lIli!
I'~ III~<- .IIL lit '-" L" 1111' (Dlldll<" tl.d t:-1I1'1I.~ tIL,,,, 111\-1 .."I.:,...l'tlll hilt L ","r\( ..
.,. '\'( .11' .111.... 11I'IIIOI,\4\\, I'... \\ I'" IIIUII 1,\ 1"1 '1'\1 ...tl~LlIql' fl 1111 tl'r
tll-L \"'hIILLII "IIo\.ILt\ ut \hLh.I[H{d L'Il!IEI(Lr...I\....\ll \1- "JL[\
( I",-l( '- .,ll l \. -'01" I"ll ['..,t J .to.... {1~III1Ulltli 111111'- ~""1I1 ,,,.Ii
)'11t\ll;t l(;I'I"I~I' Ii l[Lhlfl"ull(lll 1'1 dl".., LIt t \"'\11 ntlldl"'~u" \''''1
\:-! \11'11 r, 'ill '.i,rllll',d ",I'",.6i,j'l{ "rlf, 'rl (Iif/" :-'11 J J~ r f-'I'"
J),n.,i'l ddt- I.. j...., ..-iufl'l" and \1(J( l'l_ .~\ ./;.,
.
~
.
r
There w.l~ ~ome eVidence of ~moj.,e on the e'\.tellor of
the bUlldmg entenal!; \\Illldows th.lt hdd elthel been bro-
ke'l or opened Tlll~ was e~peclall\' true on the we~t \\Illg
on the south Lce of the bUlldmg Even though this Wib a
factor In smo;..e spread, It was rebttvelv mmor comp.lred
to the s:T'oke spre8.d wlthlll the Dudding
In <lddl~i~m ~O the r:1.lJOl contf'~ut;n~ :"C:O~~ ''1 tl1l~
fire. tl'e iQ::O\\Il1:.! lre ~1~ndk.l:1t J.dd:~lOr:.ll hrl(Lng~ ot
the ~ F?~. 'm e~t'~l.t:on ~tud v ;F or .1 det.ll:ecl clc~c:'p-
'Ion or 'he "l'lJor f.ictGr~. see the fuil ~ FP.-\. i eport of t!'e
Lie, <-,\.111.1'~JIl' ::om the ~FP\ F're h\e~:l'~:;,tmns De-
:)..P t"-:T:..ent
" ......... I I
1 1 ~LI l}e}~.Jl~r....ncc 0- L~L~tO:T -i.t~C" ~.prL-"'-...'cr p"'ctt'~tIU~
"., i.}':J~e.:..:c:l. L~.e_~::. 011 tl"'e C~~iflO le'\e' \\Ll~ '.:"'t.e":lent LlfH.l
:~..tl.:ed tbe ~r' e~.(i 0: fIe ~n:3 t~3~e are..)~ T~~ I~ pe' :or"~I:-
:~-'ce !., C"--Jn~] h.~ed .'\ltI1 C\_t~,..,~~....-c E'e ce\elop:nent Ll~-..-d
,p-exi -,'. "D';.~pI'll~jered .'1 e,~
.2 T:'l" e '\ .'S :~o e\ lcerce at .., f.~~ enel ~<=-'lC\ pl- p
:~Cl~"":'" ~.:'l. t~J ';'..:t ...l.l'":d the~e "',-)~ so......e Gel 1\ ~!'1 not:h~ll~
t-!.Ht'l O((~~~::-.l~lt~ a:"id t~c ~.e deiJ"L'rt'"lent Fu}10v 111'; d1:)-
CO\ Cl \ iJi ;:he fn == . llt -; G.3-- -; iD <-l.IT ::he C.]..)' !lc-ie\ el fll e
e~ L}C~l.lt :)'1 ;.-"~Y10l'PCe.T]en: H,.~l~ ~ot g:' en ~r.h~ -;- 15 or
~I'~'::,' i-e' lml the fir e departnen~ \\ .,5 rot nat1:ed unt:l
-;- 16 T\'e' e '.'..1~ no endence at ~ TI~e e\.lcu.,t:on .lL'rm
sqn.l! .,' f" t::'; !:I~h.'15e tower OCC:l;?dnts A !llJI:Jber of
Vict':m \\ere trapped by the na.r:le front thJ.t mo\ed
~hrou;:l the C.lsmo, .md lu~~-n~e tower occupants be-
cJ.me ,1\\ ~:-e of the fire DV mea'1s other tha:1 an alarm
sIgnal
3' Tl:e 'lumber of e'.lts apQ capac:tv of eXIts from the
Casl'lO .~t the tune of the fire were denCIent, b2-.sed on the
1981 EdItion of[\ FPA 101. the Lzfe Safety Code ;"> The~e
derJ.clel'cles \' ere pot neces~anly cil,ec~h related to the
lo~~ ol hfe :n tl-:e Casmo, as the occupanr load at the tune of
~he HI e \\ ~~ 'TID~t h.1.;:eh much le~s ~han tte 2,ctu,11 e\lt
C.l?-~clt' iJI 0'- Iced
,!.~ T'." e! dIstances In ~he Casmo from ce:-talll are~~
~ucij a~ the b~cc.~'-at pit e\.ceeded 150 feet The Lfe
Safety Code [1981 Edrtron) hm~ts travel d:~tance for
pLtces of a:>semblv to 150 feet except \Vnere spnn\der
protectlOD IS provIded, wnen travei distances up to 200
teet ,Il e "Honed
S', Thele \V,lS no eVIdence of m<1nu,ll fire ,lLum pu:l
~t.ltlon~ ~oc.lted In the ".atural P,lt!l of e~"",lpe on ~he
C,l~mo lc\.'e! The 1981 EditIOn of the Life ~(detrJ Corle
1 cqullC~ '11<11111,11 fire ,11,11"11 pull statlOm 111 t~.e p,lth d eXit
tJ.1\ ei
61 Thel e \\.l~ no .1UtOll1.ltlC w.w to return elevators to
the In Iln noo,- In the event of fire, tbereo\ prcvcntm~
oelll p l'lt~ trol11 h(].lrdll1g ele..... ,!to! ~ dllflng .1 fll e Ten \ le-
tllll> \\Pll. IOllnd 'Il ele'-.'tor~. .llthou~h the'" C\.ld .ldlOt[,
UlII ili no' he (lderIlllllt:'tJ the l.Ki-. 01 ,m ,d,lrlll .m./ UJrl-
tl'''L~.d ,1\ lll.tillhtv oj elt:'\'lt()r~ cOllid h..n,e UJIltr'bLLtul to
'lH'll' <\1 ~hl' t.'t Ihtws Thl" !Ol._.ltl<l1111! erp\,ltor l,tr~ .It the-
- t't:':" L\I Lilt.. ~"ltLulld u, PlottLtl\ll~ \......c~.ld';I.l lllL
C.~1I10 level .UlU open doOl' ,11,0 c.omt'IJllted to ,moL.~
~ple.ld mto elevator hOl~tW.lV~
i} -\n e~ttm.lted 300 lJel~on~ were evacu.lted flOm the
roof of the hlgh-n~e tower bv hei;c()pCeI 0 F,1\:or.l1}!e r',1C.
tors In the \lG:.-1 hehcopter eV.lcu.\tlon operatIOn lll-
eluded ele.l1 \\te J.the 1<, d,lvi::.;ht bOU1", .me! .11I u'1mu.d
,'\"111.1[}llItV of the rMrt:clp.lt':l~ \'r FOI U' he1lcopte' ~
Fm~ ~en'lle oper.ltwl1.l1 ,}[ ,,:);, 'II> Jll' 1Il~ thl' J'ejllop-
te' oper<.lt1on ~ug.,;e~t the fol~u'""..l.~:! !)t('ce(illl ~i Lon"i{.lc'-] :~
t!O;]~ ~or tutt're ope~_lt;oP"
· DII ect ,ur-to-al~ ,HIe! "I -tu-.!' 'H1\iU. LfHl1'i' 1~i11C It""ri'
ile nece....'.a~tr\.. to coorUlP-1tl' ht..ilt.upt~l ope~,,-it'nll~ h... rue
...t!.ppH:~~~lon _l11C E:-'-'e"~e~l'--\ \ 1L~..ill .'i .....t.:.I.. H_C P~(l(:;':-IlL
,
c~):rJln(ltHH:~""')
D lieJ'<...ap;:e' 5 ~~"'ould .-l;ifd ~i., i"':::P':) .:...n~n-~1 'riG p\J~~
l:'cl trt..:.;e' n c,lt'ne'lt .ve l'
· Herll.Optel t'nl~P1~ zane... "~)n..~t: he ~Jn .... ~.......,1. ir
f),H.. ed ..ue...!.:::,. \\- he' e ~)o~"'li..,IC
:\
~ ......u~e..~lt.'1;)TGf'~l')::I~j. r:Lt:...~['Jl'H J.'). .1(lJJ.~'Jja"" C..)l,no:.!..
01Jt'n l !oc:"'vj coor
The assbt"nce -:]f --he Cl Lrl.... CuLp'~\. F'T~ !)t..r' I' r l"t:" t C'?l( 11;:'
C"...f Rov P..:.rr.,h, Deput\. C~'ef ]0);'"1 P'l'r>.I:':C"":':C' \"','ml C~'e'
J-..lme:-. B,:'-e!'"t. CJ.pt~ln \\'JI'i!.ln :\ll~el p,,"er...u~ ...i.Wi l'~rer P1~Fl~er:-.
or "he F~"'e In\-'estlf"jttwn TeJ.m lfl i]lep..)nn~ th~s re;>r....t 11 ~-JCK110Wj.
ed;;ed and gre.ll]v .lppree'J.lec
\Ve "1C":J...po.\\.'~ec.ge a,d t".~.H""1.. nUPletev::. a~her .i2.~p::,-es "l.....d ..er....e-
sent~tl"e~ \vno \"'ere "'e:pfu.i d!.:nng tr-e in' e~[L!:,I11Gn e~pecuJiv the
Ls V,,6'" \Ietropohtan PolIce Dep'lrtrnert Bu~e,lU of -\'cohol, To.
bd.cCO dnd F..e..lrr-;s. ~~e C~"""k Countv D,~t""lC.t -\ttorne\' ~ 04~ce ChIef
Deputv Co~oner RlCb"l"c -\ \("\'ne Ol~ce of the Coroner-\leC1C.ll
E~"1lmer. .lno E-neqenc\ \(edlcd Se".'ce~ Coord'natar Kul .'-lun-
~1'nger. CLL....k Count'. He.!!t~ DL~tt1{..
Ti-e .l.'.S[~tlnce 0;'- \ FF -\ rersonne: I~ ~J..o 'c~no....lec~eJ JO}.,l
C UO\!6ero ..\~S15t int Elec"'-'c:u Fldd S~r' Ke ....re-c'.JL~~ ~ p"jC::. Eel:
'\V..t:>hlrgton Ot:qCE Le!{l~llt'\le Tec~r~'c 1.1 ~ re<.' I~L:-.r J-1"l~:lI h L Lt'l op
L.tt' S u~t" Code Speclal"t R,t'! F Ih.. \!.Lthem.ltlCloll' "ld :,teyen \\
H.n. FIre -\n.ll \. "-)IS- SDechliL~:;
Sp<:<:I'1 th.lnl, to'-\ E''''<)Dd \\'tlle.. \""t Ult \'t<:e-pc""dellt R..-
:-'e'~(.~ &. Fire InlUl-.-n,lt.IUll ~\.stt."ll~ li~1 I-"I~ ':UIV lr1'le to 'II' t:".,-1-]:!.ltor~
+rou!:.:houl the lfl\"e,t'o;;atLOI1 !nO Jocul11ent 1('',)1\ of 'hl' fi. e ,nd to
Cemldme Noon.ln ,md Lucy Hlrshber!: ProJ'-d '~rel.Ln",
.-'1, close wor:"lt11; rel.ltlomhlp bet\"';e"1 the '\FP-'I, dna the Umred
St;:Lte~ FIT€' -\dminI::.tr~tl0'1 of t'1c f'euer.j EPlev:~encv t..l lnL\gernent
'\2"en<:y :rE\l-'l.1 h", ex'sted jor Pl mv Ve IrS Th.lt LssO<.:atlOn w" CUll-
tplued Junnu tPL~ 1l1Ve-SP-gatIO'l L\l'I-Q ~he \'lo'd.,t HKe fJt TOll1 ,]e.n Fire
D.lt.l SreCL.ll~>t md To~ \\'r:!!;ht Dll U.tol Ill' F,rL D lta SYstem\
CSf'-\'Fr:\1,\ " .pprecL.lted It'd Lt.how:..d:.:"J
r1l1111" 1t'IOrtnl!HJn prmLtktl b\ j). Jol,n Un 10 ',Proi.."ur tnd
C~l..L1rrn LIl uftht..- U,-U\rr"'liL'lt (l~ Frrl P"'1tett'nn E'i.!;I"1~en"\! tnl\.t.-..-~
...]tv ot \1 uvh~d.1 thlOlH!.h hi... t.'{ 1111111 Lhnn \!U.l.Ulll"l."l' ut t~~ clvn~H.1H...~
u' the hllm In h...;, .\-"lOr Hi the \1(, \1 1I0rd ;,rt.. WI> ",'rerndv h<.lpl,,1
"ILl IS .l\lprl'cu~ed
T"l. U;'j<e'Wo of the :-; rp \ rq'u' I ,nd "ll' IrtLd.. 's to tlUClllDell1
"lnJ In d\."7'L .1 vcr" ~j~ulfl'--\I1t ~In. m ollkr th prL\t..nt 1 r"ecurn...ULe O[
....]Lh t u,Utf-lp5t lil ,th h)".. lTl "he..- iutlll L In nt..\\, (]j ~hl. io..., nt hk LEl tin..
]1I!!ll-n...-L tl)wer lIlli C L-..lnO 'n .l''1 t~lt' "'(Ont. I)t lh~~ rtp'Clrt 1... fun1h.c1 to
d111..,t l}(lrtio~I"!a 1Jt tl't \L( \1 (., \lill 1I11toL1 (Omp'k~ p"-rt'ue'llt .0 HI
L' III1In L:lon ut (I' { pi uidlll.... \11d II( till'" L'...O~..l LCt."1.i <\olth dtL lu..... crt t'h'"
DlIllIH.!; tlu pLrlCI(1 rlL.\t thl'" It pUlt ........ bLlll~ d-t''\-l.lupt..J .IH.
,\FP-\ ''''-0.1\ ,d\h{\~ '"~IL~ 11!>1a:(r/(Jrr hu..J ='C""t:'1I UUlllh.d (on.c.t.'.,..nHH.': tht"'
hn I~ thL \lL\1 t>!llId ll'l[ll lll') I'pt 1~11 '\1 P\... IIlh.ntJPU ~hll di.l....
J t pelTI 1)p.... 'H1J1!;H~ J'[ uH d~ 11\ ~I Lhdlt\ 1111 1]" III...., tli ~Lh llul 'i1HJP". tL\
.1 d'l ~l( \11 j; 111\1 Ibdc I
I ] 1\ I j () l 1\ \, \ I - J \ '\ l \. 1\ \ L. ''>2
. -
.
.
.
,
APPENDIX F
Twelve Die In Fire at
\vestchase Hilton Hotel
Houston, TexJ.S
On \larch 6, 1952 an earl,'-r.wrr.m;; f:.~ 1-'1 :he \\ e~t.
c:":LSe .f-il:~Gn Re-te: "n HOL.5~:J'-1. :-e.....:-:.S, resu:tcc l~ ~~e
deaths of :: hotel g'.les~s .lnd ser'ol.:S :n;ur'. I:) tb-ee
others The Ere. \\-111ch \\.2.5 re~olted to t~e HOPJ:ston Flr~
De?3.rtler:~ a: .2 25 a~, cC-:::tp:-red ~~.1 gl.lest !'(}om loc3.tec
0'1 -;.e Fou-t;} Hoor of -he hotel's :C-ston. bg:~-r:se
t.~T\.::1 T~-'e '1re :nJ.~nl\. '.D\ aIr e(~ ~he .::'J::.t2~tS ::;f :JJ:t:' ~llest
fO;Jffi. 0.:1.:':: e"{rcsed tl:e :Ol~:t~:-:Eac-r ..::..:.-.;:.:ulc!" tQ se-' ere
l>e<'.t and srr:)l:e cond:ho:1s Due to the 1::t.:lldmg CO:11.gu-
.:-~t:On. ~:Ce ,re 'vas 2.1=:0 2bJe to e"{feT1c h:Jrlzoilta11v to t\,vo
ad)Glmng rooms on the burth noor In additIOn. there
was mmor vertlcal e,tenor Ere e,tenslOU to three guest
roO'ns on the nah floor S !!loke spread throughout the
fire floor a."1d. m varymg degree~. to all levels of the
bmldmg
All of the :atahhes 'ver-e occupants of the fourth 2.00L
the floor or fire or>gm :\me persons Eor:' :wo separate
famlhes occupvmg three fourt~-Roor rooms 'vere UI"'ong
the 12 ~atuhtles Another OCCUPU'1t or the fourth floor
died '"hlle attemptmg :0 escape and 'vas found m tr.e
sP1oke-1i.1:ed fourth-floor e'(lt corndor Two other
::}ur:h-floo!" o::::~upants resc~ed from tre bu~ld:~g ::'\. Ere
de?.lf:ment personnel. d'ed after nospltahzatlOll
The foilowmg are cons1dered to be major factors con-
tnbutmg to the loss oE hEe ill thls fire
Ti", <lr.,c'e IS :-.~sed on tJ'e "F?-\ ~ m"eSI1;;::t'I"e s'udv I"'estl~a-
tI0"1; f.leporl on the 'i,"estchase lIi/ton Ho:ei~ HQ~ton T;;;cc.s. \lareJz 5.
1962 l~ F(Jtd~~.cs bv j.ll1'es H Bcq ~-ir:'-\ Leg's;at \.c Tel.1-..n~cal
5(1(."( ..L1,~t T!'omas J Klem DLt~"'Ctor of "FP-\s ,'....e hne~tl~atJurt',
J.nd -''l'pliCd Rc>e~~cl, DI"I>am ~nd -\ E~'''(,Gd \1';lJlev. ""'-iT'-\ -\SSISI-
ant \'lce.PTeslc1cnt tar Rf..M:' Lrch .1nd r~e !nf{)r"1l~~~on Ser. H...~S The
full r~nort WIll be pllbl,,!-:<.d ,oon D' the \, FP\ Comes m" ~e ~e-
'IUt'Slcd crryn Ire ...,FP-\ file In'e,t'gJ.hons and -\pplll,d nesc~ITh
DL\"]~Liln
ro", IT'" st;ot'on \\ tS cn'ldt'c'cd bv the ~FP-\ under 1Il ll:>:reemcnt
'I" ,t~ t:lL Ft(ll rod E......,er~~n{.\- \~"Vl.,~ellll nt \~encvJt;i1'~ed Sta.tes rlr~
Aurn.t\l,trHion 'r-r:::\[ \JCS;:;"-\I "ld the ~_ltlan1.1 Bnn3u (If
~' ,d lrJ"C,'"u ~l' FTl H"<.lr,h '\'BS,C,R" It "<L'il'}Iu'l, '-und..'
b.... tht"~L '"'o.:.t>'KU..~ l'lll thl! '- rp \
Tl't. "IP;-l.....lIKe 1)1 th~s In,,.t''~t'21t]\-e POL port 1~ GeoJc.lted to tilt. puhllL
It 1T1l..... :}L- .nt" rt pnntl d \\ lth tht' CII\[lItTl lfV c"'ed~.~'1C; of tILL '\OIlRt"
T~ t." ,.Hllhllr., lIl{;' L\lli~h...I''''r .Ire SUit 1\ n."l-p('n~lble far th~ u.t.HrK... 01
....~ Ituru nt~ 0'" JP~Lrf)n t JJVJ'~;" L"Onf t'nt-! !,!t.rt In
11..... rl port.., LIl~lrt'(....rJ]~11L ......1 P\."'''~I'liH:.'soffirl\t:l,t i~~'I.( ll~r-
8 L.l(.l 0: de:eC-tFJ"l ald ("1.~1";:'1':-'-1C It ,'f~:'e ",'C 'n
t;~e -nc'pent s:ag",
. Tr.e g~lest--0;-; L dQor 0: :he "--GOi1i 'J:" ~r!::'n tl~d I-(}=-
C'l:Jse <..o:npiete'... (/)lI.~""]~lJtr"g ~iJ t~~e ~e~. ere i'ICL1t ~~n\.i
smC-L.:.e e-\.posl..r'e t(". .;. he :D~L! r~~l-~oor COt :-lC.O:<" L~r,d l:'~11e~
gclEst :-OI1!lS
a T~le !2C'..,-: c: a"'"l e~ acu,J.t::.on .:;! lr~ ~n :!:e CL!.rh ~t;:"l:,=:e") p.
tne qre to ..le-: gt:ests 0:1 t!-e f:e i:~o~
~
B-\CKGP,Ot:""'-D
The BUlldmg
The \Vestchase Hdton Hotei ope'1ed for busmess m
late 1980 The comp:e':. was bmlt to t.1.e reqUirements of
the eltv of HOt.:ston BUlldmg Code 1:1 E':.lstence whe'l
the bmld:ng pec!:'lt 'vas lsst'ed 1'1 Se?tember 1979 _-\
Certl5.cate Df Qccc:;;a."1C\ fo' the hotel", as ;s~uec cY1
:\ovem'oer 2-l:. :9':0
The hote' c8'7lpiE'- consl~ted of tr-ree sepante ,.!reas of
,-arn'lg helgi,t~ '::'1,2 co'-'structton 'see FIg'.t~e 1; -\ onc-
sto-,"lobb\ :)lll::h~ g located ~o the porth 'V,~ 01 n,)--:C~::Jl'1-
bust~bie constrt'ct'0n '\.lth a sbpmg g!.bS '.\all ,md roof
facade Tr.e bu:!dl'1g cont:llned the lobbv, reg!~trahon
area, and admlnlstmt:ve offices of the hotel
tlcubriv 'mror".lnr f:'~iJ(a:~(Yl...l) or tec,,:-nIL..IJ I,...t~"'~st Tl"e JnIOr-'1~IC]On
p",semeJ IS b~s~d )n tl." ~"st (!J.t I ,vlll~bi" IInMednteh aftcr t'-le fi-e
'ncldt'T"~ "}1d ~~~J.t ")~)~"11ned dU"l--J~~ :,llhsefJ1'-er-t IUPO\V-l~p rlllS report
dl"~~l'-J"S ,,~( "te(' (",,:i,.ons It the ,\ <,'Ieh [St' [-Ht,," Hmel ",J ,)C<-~
sen~s- rr"ldIlH!S I'n ::'-:In''~Lb,..:t.f''U hC:{JL~ to ~hl" lu'ls of ll~ b llj,eJ on tl~L
'\:FP,\ 011' }.h'l-IS- m- Lr-l\..<..:ed d l.ta J"1d {)~,~t"""'.J.tl(Hl' d~.nJlg ti"'e In\.l-:!l-tl~-
:lOn The sco:--oe u. t\rs report ]s :unl~l..J "0 t:a...()~C ptJrtln..,.. ot the
\\ Lst.c~.l~C H dton hll..!1-f1'\E' 'i!lIL~t-nlu'n ~o......t."r Dt.rt"pent to iln t',...nlJn l-
t100 ni r-re prf]b~"-i[,,5- and f~(.:()f") ..DSfk...I.Jted \-\-all the lo'!lo~ of1lfe.. I~ b not
the .....F!'-\, INt"-:"'" ''1^,: ''t., rl.port p 15' ]l.t!'':II'''llt on or [,x r,~b,rltv
t--;)r tilt! 1")10,:5 li" l'It... krVJ prflrPTt'\. .It thL \\'l '\[~11J.~{' lhltull ! ('Jh I
'n ld,ILt'Oll [II al'!... 111\ ("''''Ii.::"ltl\.( Ttl'nrt ~ hLLlIl m Ill11 l\ tor ...tu~h 01
tllL Lott.l ::::lIt ~t" ~) "-.. '-l~ 1.I)ndlL'l.l-( d 1)\, t;~t 'i P-\ l1-d Dr JfJhn 1
13r~ In. o. I-Le l'l'\.t.""'I.' ui \1 Lr\ I L'HI P Irtll] tund'n~ "il'~V"Htrt .or t~lt.
lU1I1l L'l 1~t. h \\ ]"1'" ....t L .. h ~. l" \~. (.~ n Ll L \ (,1 ~rnln r~IL L lutl J , t Itl"l { 0[1-
~H"ll. r PI.,dilL{ "t"t I' ( '1IlIli.l'l-r.,.l0l1 ,( P""l .hl r. l'l r ,i I T11~ n_~1 rl!. \
\, I"~ 1::':-1 .)l.......}t \:!. "':" \ r ~ \r \ du '- .thJ'l J~ BIJfr JLt ~Ji ~J..J'Hi H';'
....... 1~.... 1I11 : l I"I'~_'~ { '~;'_I" " .p'l md :"1 '\ I jJ \
qll: ;ntH\,\I -f\'L \H\ ['J'I] ..
.
The fire at the \Vestchase Hilton. hke other recent se\"ere hotel nre5.
\\<15 111 ,1 modern recently completec: :,or e\.1~<lI1ded'; n](.:'-n:'>l,>tl\ e
~t: <'L tl'l e \\ ]::11 ,I lHll'I:)l'1 ot :)u:lt-m n: e pI ~)tL'l t;,)'] ~c'lal: c" Yt't 12 i)I'':
ot ,30 occun<mt~ ,-10 nelc.ent' on the rue BOlli \\e:(' Llt,tI:tie''>
. '.
~jrc'Yl the _\TP_-\.~s Int.e.st!~[;tlLe RC~Grt en the ,rrc.stchase fIt/tup I~rc
I
!
1 -
--
-....
J~~
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~ : ,- --. --~ -.---.
... ~"'~ !~~ .:~J-T-=~~ - - - - ~----~- ~_:.. --=--1
----. ~ ~... --- ~ - 1 -- ::: -------.; -- --=~ -~-~"" ~~-~--==-::- ~
I:~: ; i i_~;-C..:!3:1+J1~fb~~~~:~~~~ l~~:~7~-~~~C:~~\
j I,~ r, ~"-1 I ......-, '--J~:r""T ",,'=""-'-'--r.=~,..,------.-~-_~_- .~-,.~-=.<-=--or-,,\
---r--:-_ ,I ! ;HJ i :;i! ~ :i;~: _~ ;I:~ _r-_ I_-=-:...~~~-=~~.-:.=::_-r~- ~ ,~=-~~ s=t~4~--.:j
I . '_~' " ! 1 f---=..-' l . ;'fl ! ~"-'t-"'~= "":_-e-~ ",-~-..,-::',-A ~--:. ":.l:c._--==e:'!'i';-:.-=-:--:-_'\:!~-:t
. ; i. I ! ~ ' ';:; t i'>-i~-% - ~~-=--= : ~ --;=--,---6 ~--;:'~~'::':I--':;-~:;~"--;-Si=-=~
1'"1 ~!,' J ~ ~:l I '~;--!.--...:..~_~":r--~= _~r=--::-::::...~--:=--~......, - ~_.1 -F-:_~_-",,~_~--:--"'-:O~~+---:L' ....\~
} ~fij J I I r~~:J1 #- !~~-~-~~-;-~-:;=--=-~~~:.~ -;.-~:_1-:-~~ ~~~~~_--l~R~ I
-<-..f- . I' I,!,. '1 ,. .., I ~,- - ._-~~.. -------" "'--. l--t= ---= T _._'"'-~ 1
~ . ~ I ~ " ~~ I IT:. : -i:., r1:----~;.~ -:....- :.....: --~ : _ _ ~ ...!___ --; u ... - - --4: t . _ _. L -.
l r ., . I' J I J _il j- I~~ t '-rl-- L.~_...=-~ __r" :tf. ------ -:I -J. -~~ T -~ ...._._~-L ~.~-.....1_L,-
.. I. t I ~ i tJ~--" -1=--t--,--..-4........---..:D.""'Ii...:6.-----..a...-------3-' 1--"'" 1 ~ ---1"'-...-----+..-----
. ;:-h-- J Ii, f;~ i t~~li:-~- !~-~~~ i ~.;~~--1-~~;~- l_ :..~i_~___--:;l~,L--;-~~-;;..!:~L ~
_ "", ,_" '. I ,"'- .,_t.~-+-, ----...=.---., I L. ~". '_t. ~~--::l, ----
~ ~ " j , ';:-+-=\,~::. ; :~'~~~;;.::~'-.:-:_:L.- --,-:. -~-:;T- ·
. J . .~~ ,~_:7 I ',. - - - ----- --- - , ""-'- - - -, -l \
~~~: '~ : : f r: -;, i I~-LJ :(~:~ =~~~==--~~~ . ~ I, ", -~ :~~~-~~~~-~~-~ \
I I ' J i !' ~+;-~ l l;;.("~ -:~-!_-~ ~~~~..;~~-::-':~~<- - - ..,~-":"~ .... ~"-'
~ ;' ; ~1 ; ; -:~ ! J~i~~~-=~~?f-\~\-~,,:-:= --:-~ '. --.- --'::-:!'::- ~, ~
1 ~.:---,- <~ I I ::--;-J' ! :. ; , II 'I I \ i:::.,- . . - < L 1
; I" I _::i j I ~-~ '::': ; . ~ ~ I 1 r=- - ~-1-:--- - - \ -\
I ~., j ,i:, I I eM !4~~::,~ u~;~~~~ L -1- l '! _i, '-- \ :'''- ~...i- ~ ,,-"\
f ~~ '1J~.. ,-;~ ~ft=:':::.:.:;E-~ l - \ -1 -.. i ~-TEf.:::..j".!.-.:.' ~-...-r:.
.~f I ~- I I, ~-!-"":C i~J i..;:;I ~~-=----==<",-,", i - - ,; ..i ) - _:'1=\.~.4_1 ~ ~~-
'-' . " ~1i~t:L1 ~i~~I~~~~ ~\. ',t'\ 1 \ -~\.\'\ ~:\' .:.t:_:~-\~~--
.,'1": ~1;-tf ~~~. ~~ \ "\ \ l " .~w .!~ -"~-
~t -i "I ,.:.. '\ ~ ~ !r: ~"~ -=-~--'- . I I 1-, . uo;..-.o. '--==-
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~~~'"':i II ;;'I~~ \ L~~~~~~._ ~-=~~~<'".~ \ \ '
---': I t ""1" ....~~..L. -.i___~ I -f:1- - #r,.- "E"'""--- \ -
--.., . ~ -. ...... ~ --.J-......... J --,.,.~ 1. ----~- . '";; 1"11:' J t'~ - ~.... - ->:::- . . ...
.. -:i"-.f~,-~! iliS..-=-~ i-LT -i- ~:::.:~- -., ~:~~'1~,j __,' -4-_
~_~4____.,...........!I' .--- -4 ~".~..JI I \ . r
f"5 .~:i f~~~~~Z ~..~~ ~ .IIi___..~.~v\_::~_{-~
~-....~"-,-=----~~~':::!::d" ~~~.:...::...;. · ',~__.4.l
~-(r_.....q=;;;.~ ....-~;;:D-.,-.:ro;a-~ ;0=-.........
- - .1 =-=--"",-,:1 .... -.... ,. r-..... ~ - - - -
-----=-:::. _ -J.j;.T-.........;--:;- o:--.-\, ~ .~'. t::;:":---=-~
". C::;;:,. .... ~..(~~~' ~- (' ..~~
-"",. .~~~ -',' .;--- -. ---.....;;_.-.:.......- ~ ~ ... =""'- ;::j
,~;:::..-~:' .... ....."'~~__"'---i:...:~.6~~=~:~~ \,-"''\..~ ~ -'":--k~
.
!- ---;--r-, II
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1 f~
;- --
...
\1'41\ I '1nHIII....1 \.... ,"11111 111:.d1 II..... LII\\--I I '\.IJh ill ,,""I. \.hllL.1 Lilt 1/1I~11 II ,uLl \ I Illl d
I'rl.. L \tl 1I...IU11 ....... · ,
.
I l. ~~ I III' . _I III \ . I "'oj; 11III1 I I I I' "III . II' i.. 1'1" i III
. "I"t'llI' .,. II.. II
. I ... II 'I .1 .t I' ~1I "'ll ,I.. ..I I!"
IhH '-H..... 1-1-1 Itt I'
I 0 .
fl HE: IOl F'\. \L - J \ \ l \RY l'j',.,
.
.
.
f
Plan of hotel complex
I
r
FUNC71CN ROC',~S r
R~STAtJRANT
I AND
L: ROO;
NCRTH
~ o::e-stor.. r:1ee:!~~ ::"LnG rest---:llr~l--:t bUllc.~~g: to tt-e
e3.St ~.\-as aha 01 nC~C'JP1bu5t:Jle cons:r~ctlon T~l1s belid-
jJ' g contamed a restiiura:1t. 10 ur'ge kitche" banquet and
meetmg rooms. ana ancillary sernce are:L5
A 64-root-bv-23-I-fooL 13-stof'. hlg~-nse tower con-
tamed 306 guest rooms, \.nth a tvplcal floor contammg: 2.t
rooms The tower structure was of nre-reslstl"'e, rem-
foreea-concrete constr.1ct~on The extenor walls of the
hlgh-nse tower were of tempered g;ass m alummum
noor-to-ceilmg frames .-\.lummum plates were placed In
tne i1onzont.ll space ber.veen the evte,lOr D1..dd:n2; skIn
.!.nd the rc'nforced concrete floor sbb~ The "Dill sp.1ces
ber,.""een ~he alummum pLltes, Hoar slabs. 2nd extenor
'\.'mdo\\' lights 'vere Sned '\-1th mmeral 'iber thermalm-
sula~,on
Cornelor ami room p~lrtlt~ons crmslsted of 1~-";1Ch gyp-
sum wallboard on both Sides of steel studs Corndor
walls had an additional laver of :'2-mc~ gvpsum wallboard
on tt-e corndor Side of the ',vall to ac::'eve a one-pour
fire-reSIstive ratmg Spaces bet"."ee" tJ.:e stucs were
flied With cellulose insulatIOn far sound attenuatlOl1
Gue~t'I OO'TI corndor doors were 13~-I'1ch ~oIld-(ore
doors With .1 pl.l~t'c lammate ~ur:ace In steel frame~
Door, "\ere provlded ',vlth (>\.'0 ~pnn-:;-hmge du:,er, lo-
cated near the top .InO bottom of the door The center
hmge \Va.>. not spnng-hIded The latc1'mg mechafllsm
pru\.lded pOSitive btch:rg of the door In additIOn, the
doors were eqUIpped ',\11th dC:ld-l--o!t loc\.;s A 1/~_
mch-l)\'- '/2-l'1ch ~ pon!.!;e nellpre'1e ,e.l: \\:lS pro\.'ldeJ. on
the door }.1l11:}\ to Illmt .lIr mfIJtr.ltlOn
\\',111 l1111\h lor ~ue,t room, W.I~ .1 vlllvl W,IlI cO\.l'nl1l!;
u1O'I,tmg m,lIn\v 01 pol\"\ lI1\"k l,lof'de \qth ioo,e fiht'r\
oi LottUII r,l\ un, .md ,1 tl ,KC 01 pIll... e~tLr bondul un thl
Il.ll,,- \'1 .1dtlt'~l\(> \\.L\ ll\( ti tu ,Ltt llh t;lt' w,dllun lllll!; to
12' FIHL JOL'H\;.\L-J\\;C\I{\ !Cj~1
AREA SHOWN IN DETAIL
,__{If'
:"UTO PAR,('NG ,jj...
GUE5T ;:;'OOM "O','/FR
~
,
~
~':::;:;r=-- :
t~~e ~ pS:'lTr ..... ..'!.l'b8;J.rJ The ced:1'1'2 ~nbh ,..... ~~t...~ :'GO'~l,-)
J...."1d e'i:lt ~cce~s corr12:)i3 co..--.~t5~ed "'Jr te" :~re-d :;tUi...C')
;: ':s\ JJ::;Jltea dTecth to the t.:rcer<.de 0;- ~n(' re-
~,:orced-concrete Roor sl.lbs The concrete sL:....) t:.'Jor,
aCG cellmg as~er.1bltes tor the hH~f-t.nse \<-ere deIerMI" ed
to ~a.. e a t\\.o-hour nre-reslstl'"e ratJ:1g
Guest-room car;::etmg consIsted of a short, c:.:t-loop
:1' 10"1 pile 'nth J polyurethane paddm;!; boneled to a sec.-
ond2.rv bacl.;mg 0: Jute fibers
Room draDe~les were of.voven cotta, "'ztJn( The 1m.
l:lg J.ttac~ed to') t11.f:" draperIes \\as d :!.-)l~- ester---::..ot~"'~1
b'e'1d laceel 'nth vl11\.l polvmer <.Oat1O; The sheer ir,~p-
en ',\. 2.S J pclve,ter fabnc I
In the ~~lest-rD'Jm to'\er, corndor \' .1]1, '\ efe CO\ ered
wlth \. 1"1\ I waP co\'ermgs. ,UlU t:1e (vJr~'Jur HO(Jrs ,\"ere
c.'.r1?e~ed. '::c)\\e\.eL the compo~lt;on 01 t;-e cJ.r~;etng '''.b
not c.eterm:ned
E\.ltS for guest-room floors were provH.:ed bv e'lclosed
sta:rwavs located J.t the ends of the 1.'32-fcot centrai cor-
nebr T;,e stal'"\Van were deSIgned to h,H e a h\ a-haur
fire-re~l~tl"e rat'ng, as were other vert'c >1 sr.aIts The
east stmrwav, clo~e,t to the room of fire ~r:~t:1 \.' ,b .1
srno!.;:eproofto\.\er With ,1 pn"~t:rlzed ,talr\..!\. Tbo.: \.\e\t
~t.!.l["'.\"av \Va:, not pressunzed Both ,t.un\..l\. ~ d'~(h.lr'..!:ed
dJrect]v to the c\tenor of the bm!um ~ E,ll.. ~ clOD!"\.\ ,1\ W
the stJ.lrwavs \\".1..'> prOVided WIth one 1 J~-hour B-Llbelecl
door wlt't sell-clo~Hll!; deVIce EXit ~t,ll!"\.\.I\. IOI...ltt()ll~
\.'-~"e :m!:C,ltL'd bv ,1lumlll,ltcd (hn c.tirJl1,d ('''It \;1....'"'1\
pllt.ed .it the j1llldlOn of the lurnd"r ,lilli 1 ~J1l,t!: i'l\ t ~
\\ :!j'.n !h'~ ,m"j] fl}\."er ,In'l \\t re l \l! ~t..tl'"\\ 1\ .llJd
. r')T I~l t Ill., lit .\ tll ~ll'h~~ ol Lrpt tlllt.:: Lwl tir q'\ol T1~'" .... I \ . JIIHIII 1
'IOlltll(H"Y r.ut (]. r n i."i.. - /. "HLe: III "I1~.U,.t'4 'lo ;'r""1 ul ~~. "'r. JuH.
,"-"'I'U 1";1.; i" J/"In.iIJU Jl Ht' l "1I11li "-Jt ~r" t -',..,. ~"f r P>"I'li..( I
.... d,~.. i 1111111..........11 \\ ,.. illln.::.... 1'1 1) ( \11'\ 1"- r J.......:
1-
storage-room doo:-s. sImilar m appe.lrance. but laci<;ll1f';
addztwnJ.1 markmgs to dlstm~U1sh the ent
The smol.:eprooi staIrway was pressunzed bv '11e..111S of
a roof-mounted hn Ulllt rated at 4.000 cfrn The vestibule
between the guest-room tower condor:md the stalr'\vav
was pro'. lded With an adcilt~Qnai suppiv of oui:5lde aii' bV a
3 ~ 10 Cf1TI r"'~tcd 'Ju~:-p~\ r-:ln :md ~ur '\'.:15 remo\-ea b,r ;}
5,5-0 cLn e\h \U~t ;.1:1 Th~ t ('~t'bl1je~ ~n cite "'1C'[il~'. ut
:he !lre r:oor \~. t~~e p"'O\ Iced \\. ith 250 c~ vi stlp~)h Ll.ll.
.."JIH.i lour \,..as [elTlO\. cd at ~ 73 :::-~.1'" S t~ll \...-a..... pressur.utio......
ani! 'estlbu1e ~~~ppl'\. J.n8. e'\l'..lt~st fans ......ere ac.tJ" a!::ea
tj1JnL~;:1 the .Jl1:JTI p~ei b\ 0;:.e~..1tJ;)r 0: t:':e 6re JL~nr
..
't
~'.stem
T!-.E' ~-:'L'_lt-r;~ 'e'1~,L-~tlO~1 ..::10 ..l~.-C:J~'~ t:.o.--:;r,g H\ \.C.
~\)~Cl~1 :.J: :l-'e ~J~;~.....-r)e :e'=:J~-~~....:._:.i =l~~::;St-::-C..L..l t~'\e""
~.,(.l.l~l~ed :ncl,,, H:;..JJ..i}~ .:;)~-..tr:):l~:i i~l1:-;:::):'~ trni:_~ ~~;:..".::::::::-:i ..:"'
...- ..."..C.~l ~ue~t :ODt11 III ~'LIl ..l~L 1 ~:bG'..~ b:l:l:~::-01--: ~~~Si.:en2.es.
(~"'I L....... ~5 T~~e ~~rHti \Ve~e S~:ppiH~J \\ it~j GU~s..).ie ;nj,hc-~~?
,.II;" ~l'la!..l~h 2\lcts ~:Jc..:...te,--: i.n .;:o~nnJ.'0r'1 b...At~::-8:J:n '.\-tl:~5 be-
t,,- ee~l ~--.d~.l:H...en-: gl,:e~~ 180"TIS T!::e Sllp?:\ ciac~s terr:l-
....atcG !1) a I1lenlun ...lrea loc..Heel l:::ehl~cl :::he ~_'1--coll P~lts
Fc te:\1 81~ .r8Pl the ;l1e~t 1~.)a"'lS p..:ssec. t~:.:-Cl~~~ :;rliis to
t}~'e 1ln-(.;J'J l:..."'\.t ~]eT~u:-""! ,:rC',-~
G-"est.Room Contents
.
The furllSnmgs found m Room 40,-L the room of fire
ongm, '''-ere tYpiCal of the fum!shmgs of :-DOlT'S :'1 t1->e
!--.oters res1dent1al tower Ho\'.ever the number of fur-
mshmgs a110 the amot:...'1t of fire ioadmg \-ar,ed ',nth the
Slze and conngurutlOn of each guest room Room 404 and
s1ffi11J.!'!Y arranged ~oom.s mcluded two couble beds \\ Itn
spnng mattresses IDe. 00\ sprmgs. wall-iTIounted heJ.G-
boa:-ds, t\\-O upnoistered ch:ufs, :l small round tabte _ a
n:g:~tst3.."1d. a large upng~t c.lDmet cont~r>mg d color
te)e-1SLOn set. and a \...-all-mounted deskJdresser assern-
blv 't;v:th chal~
F're Protection Svstems
.
The hotel was prOVIded WIth a ~re alarm svs~em that
had .1 preslgnal feature The system was not dlrectk
connected to the fire aepal t"1lent or to a cent-~i st.1t'on
In the re~ldentlal tower, the s\-stem was .lrr.mged ""'.:1
three m.mual pull ~tatJOm located on each gue~t-roo'n
floor 10 the \'IClmtv of the stalrwavs and ne.lr the
eie\':Jtor~_ .\udIble and '.'I~II.li e\4Cl!.1tlOfl .11arm de\"l({'~
....en pra\"lckd I"} t!->e VICinity of e..!ch puil statwr: TIle
..dertln~ (le" lees were horp.:~trobe hght umb
:...ctl....\t:on ot elther ,1 m..mu.ll pull station or a LOr"'c!'lr
~l'lOJ...C clekctor (~e~ Cl~lu~51un 1.lter) produced .1:1 ..1I..1nn
..it the .1!1l1U1\L1.1tor p,tnei \I.'ith J. \ I~U.J zone d'~p1.1\ 10-
L.lted ne.lr trH: rt'~I~tr.H'OIl (1e"'~ The pre"'l!-,'"'1J.J 'L'.l(ll'~
~or the .d.lrm ~v~tl'llI \....L~ ~t't lor t!lree mln"tL.~ to .d:<JII
tUlle tor 'tl\e~t:gJt][)n of the .1).Ual "Jl!zce -\t the L'ld q!
tbe tj,:-(:'e-'nmu(~ pre~I~'l.d (.'. c Ie. the ~... ~tell\ \\ .1~ UL'-
slg'led to sound .in eVaLLl.:ltlO'l .>l.l.m m _I 8rt' 70ne th.lt
lOI1st~~ed oi the floor oi .let!.. .1t'un. j)lu~ the Hum .lbu\ e
and the floor below The sv~te'n was deSlgnt'u ~Ll th.lt
st:bsequept actl\atlOn or eIther corr-ldor ~moJ..e (letectars
or 'Panu.) ;)i,]j ~t..ltam~ on.1 ~C[).lr'te zone ,'I)uid 'Ildtc.lte
the- 7Uih.:." -tt I-!,~ 'rJP1!'1c.l~it~'! ~-,. '~'l i l1H.l . Ioih pie,\l~'~.../
"Ll~ (. ')~""1p;et"c~c '\ uuiJ ~o:""ll.d rlo\ lLt. ~lt~~ ';i~1 II_"'~ n"'\::. \, i"I..:)
f-'t..=.t LI)n~ --\ h.C\ -Oi.Jt'l...ltcu ..,\\ i~t~l t;~~lt '\ Ll~ ~)r."'\ Id,--u ~l'"
ti":ac ....,r:~.'...:nc.lJ.~("lr pirl~l (.o\..LJ :::;ll-n~_i 1 :.!(..-"'t.i.L"i ~ '....~<.....~j...'JIl
.:.1]:11 ~~1 .:.J" t'.,.t" c"'l tu e I)u d.dHl:!
IE .idJ:~I-Jn to t~"e <:,1 .lCtl,-~t"n" ..dUFi ~l'IlCtl-':}'" the
,L1,..t"'"1"\ s\)~~r... '\<-~::: ciC~j~.'c~l ~o ~hlit ;'.',;.j\.\ll t-~~ t.~j-l'('O)""
L....:~t.l-l::::: "t"'~L'~:~)"1 .tn(~ ,l'''-\..<Ji,,-~'- )"~"~ ~!\ \C ,~....-
~-::-'-'l '2:'''''' el.:,:\ )~'~.'~ t,) ~hL ~t....:__:_}',] ";.i.1l)~ L~;.,.~~ ~lncl
J.('::~ _-::tE. t".-~~ e ..')~ ~t.~1:--"" -c~ l).....L~~ ':"':Z 'tl.'P ~"':I: \.e~t].~, ...
e\.ll..:u~t :"J~ ~~e'J'~
-\. ~l~"'~\" p:....::.:.~:Je!ec.t' 'l-t-.. :-::e ;, iH-...1-.e c.!~ ~e(J~".~ ....I,)nl~t!( ~t:C
to ~11e ~re :l:;].1"Y1 ::;.' ;:,~elr -'.."~ K...-1"t"'C .,- :~.t. ~'-lt-..~'_~L~~
CC1....11~Q. :JJ1 e:"'CJJ 9i.C")L '1) t:~== lJ......:..,ed~..'te \ :l.'lH~\ ,-.,: ~l.,~.:
:""!..l~sel~;e'" ei.e\ ,.-:..tp:;S T:-~e PL1:-:--v";)e ,-.t t\-i"~ .::.:c-tect-').... \\_l~ tl~
!e~~n~l .:1":: ":":-c..~-i)llt ele\-J.t~-'.s ..'-~ t~1t' .'i~:)~]\ ~Q')' _'~~c'1
~::1'"is"rg S~""'-J~2 L'1 :.:..D ~ler ..It.-';.... Ic~1~, ~FC~i hut it (..lU ~;J~
PL;J~- ~d.'9 ('..:i! e~. It-corrH3or C'8' e....,);;e
E~lch guest :'Qorn ''""US pre' :cied \\,lth -i.. s!n;le-....t]"t' )l'
l~hltte:-\ -cperated~ jOnlZ3-tlon-t.. pe Sffil')1...e c.e1"ec....JT Tl-,e,:e
c.etecto;-~ ',' ere not connected to the !-ire .-IJ,um ~}St.::'TI 2
Tl>e s;'1gle-s~atw:1 de~ector~ "2d been placed m exh
gue~t rOom aEter the hotel 'vas m operation. to meet
req~'1rerpents of a Houston ordmance reqmrng a sTI'oke
detector "1 eaC3 resldentIal um~ subject to rental
The g'...est-room tower was equIpped With a standplpe
svstelr' tint ;;rO\'1ded fire department \-ah'e CO'1nelt:ons
at :r.e 5l0Qt l::tnchngs ~'1 eac.!t of tne to\~ er's e'-It stJ.~I'"\\ Ll\"S
b acd'::on_ hose cabmets \"'Ith l'-2-mdl ho;e lll1es
p-I:TI2.nh deSigned for occupant u~e II ell' prO\ Ic!ec at
e~cl1 e:ld 0:- the corridor ',' ~~.e "'1unl~\ 0\ th~ e....lt ~t.:Ir-
'-\:.1\ do,Y~ Tl-:e sta.'1aplpe svste'1l "-;:15 pro' idee '~lth a
750-;pP"' be pump dnd .i :.500-gai:on rt:'~el \ e ",Itel
supp,,,
The 8UJ[rlJrg \Vas not fuliy protected bv .mtom.lt:c
spnroklers. r-o'"ever, p..\rtlJ.l spr~nller protect'on \\ a5. m-
~tal1ed -11 \l'1en chutes A \';aterflo\\ aLlIm devlCe con-
nected t;) t!lC fire alarm s)'Ste71 was pm\ Ided 0'1 the
spnn;":ler ~urplv ptptng hum t!w ~tandp'pe n~er Spnn-
l.~el~ \1'ere 'ct....ltcci on altenlL\te ndd-nlunbered fluur~
J. s.iini!:ll-~tJ.t~O]] rl.~ll:t'llt! d-t\t1t ~nH)~'l. ciiltt_l.tor pro\.ldecl
..\..,t~."'1 a ;"Utl'_[ ~:uett rO(JTn .......lP 'Jnh i}rn..,JL ~1~n''lL ult pn>tiLCUtJil
;\VHnl'1~; tl' --Fj{. l"t'tun.Jnt~ ot tj'l( rODln (ruin ft...(~ LK'<..ILIT'["~ ,\.,tful1
"'bur r)~~'1 room Till., ,.ietLc"'or {~ [I0l priJ\'ld( d tur or rnknJed to l!BL
rn.I-!..c..:lfJ'lI\\...cnHrH~: t,}- t ruom I'{."vnr~"t hnn! ! "rl 'K.L'JrtlJH':: J..n ~~)-
n,l)lf ""pllJ pr pJ1t <)J f:'t.. hUh] PrBhttuIU tlt i.K.L.t.I'LtU", trull\ ~'n~
~x.v.""'n..: '"1 t"}I1"-lllIJU I"~ ;" or l.ont ,nUll It'n~ l ~illp~ r~lI'1-L ~ 'L.l1l Dllh hit.
:lTO\.IJt ,i ~J\ ;"rl llo:..'tLLt;LHI .....~t~..lh Ir'llll.d m ....IILil lrL'''1 HL...hu"r! \\
B":"i)\\~;"'i -\Il..lj\.,I'I ul ~H1.dt. '")~...Lt'on .....lIlu)..,.. 1)1 '...._tl)r... ~nllH ~I..~
\\r..tl.~'1'l-t' 111!~-'1l il>)h; 11h Lit \ll'''~'ll~) 1\]""".2. (~llllr "or F,rt Ih-
"'llr"'~1 '~~._."IJ~ ~1"rL 'I' \It ~tlLLl~..L,d.. [.A..l'Lr ({LI.lIIrt (}11td J..I\ ~{]
jiJ.....2
[WI jOL'W\-'.L-j\\l\ln l'I~; . I
Hotel Emer;encv Procedures and Trammg
.
Tpe \Vestcnase HIlton Hotel had a fhesafetv plan, e'1-
titled Emergenq; Procedures. whICh des:gnated hotel
staff ;nembers to specIfic fire emer6encv funct;ons aad
outlmed the .letlOns of each starr member m the ewnt of
,1 F.re e,'lcqe:-:c... ...., thm the hate 1 complex .\--: .lp9n~\ ed
~rc eIl1er:;erl\.-1. ~Lr~ tor 2.jl hotels l:."J :-equl:--eci ~... ~:~e
I-bntoa Fire \[ lrs:l.ll ~ DEice :\. b.lSlC ol:tlme ot .\ file
e'T'c::-;e""c" ~)l.:ln \V2.S p-o\- ~ded 1'1 tbe fire ~'1s~ect~ap
docu-y.e"ts presen:ed to the hotel at t;-le tJ:--.e of OCC!;-
~..\nc~'. Ho\\e...e.... t;"'e LrnCr_;cr1.C'J ?roccr!ru-c'} de" elcr'ed
b'~. ~re ho~el ::f)"';: ~l:~ oU~!::le :'3.d T10t beeT} ~:\e:' f'''~ll
,-~C::'t>r,~..1il;:-::' b,. the I.io.jS~G'L F"r:? \lLlrsh~lrS oa-Lce
T:- e L .~"'C""':::'!)~'C~I F"'cte-~t...!: 5' -:.~ ";~'.' "'1e!":t d::,~ ~l'...ted
:'ctel ::~L~= T""IC'....-, ~e.,..::. :j '11' e~:.~ lte ..-' ~01l:-ce U! :re -11-," 1"'-1
;::;---;-- t..~\ :::c,-u.:~..~~ te..."II~~ "':OtL~ '; cs~3 ::iC::2-;;"~"1e e\..-'::'~ 1-
:'01' 'outes .one. :OrIT' .:'e ~"e hr'g:de The dOCl:l'le"t
J.150 s;~t'u~ec .1ct1<JnS to be :~,:"e:1 b'. To,t cesk DerSJll'1e'
- '
".'r:d ~'qtel oper .lIar 'TI a"1 ..-:Ll:rr Dr eTT}e~ ~enc\. 5]tU2t}~'1 -\
Ft:-es~:-e:\ D'rec~o:-. -\~S~S:Ll:' t Fli"esa~e~~ D~rec~or F -re
B' ';::.2e ell"': FlreS.l:e' TI~l:'er, ,.nd :\";;~t f:~es,,-et'
D.yec~c-~ ~\ere ;lSS<;~:=:i~. rl1an~;e!Yle"1t. ;Iud ~~elr c....it~es
\-.. e:-e Ot,t~l~ed 'n the COC~Ll"--'-~~nt
The H::h'S:Cl:1 Fire Dej::s-::ne:1 t nj:2J.ted ;:]'::..t :'l'-p' GI.'
i'"'lJ.te:\' 33 r:le'1lbers ot the ~t2.if had rece:\ed f.resaletv
~ri.ll~]:l'; ..IJ fcur SeSSiGtlS ?r~-:J: tc tre Ope:""il:lg of :he hotel
The !e\:el ~d extent 0: ::resafetv trammg for staff:n the
e'llergency plan <U1d fire emer6encv actions after the
.
hHei ~ Ope'1l'lg .:no [or ne\,> empio..e1.:'~ ,\ ,1~ not (It te,-
mmed h, the '\"FP\
In .lddlt.on, the Homt[J1l File D";).ll tltH'nt 11.1(1 .t
prefi:e plan fCll the \\"estch.lSe HnteL 11'>.11-:;: J." .1 b.l.<.h
their standard lugh-' lse buLldlllg pren' e p1.m
Occu:).:l.nC'v St=:1tL.:.S:
-\t tIle t];"le or ~hc bre <lPPiq\illl~L[l j\ ':(~iJ ~lIl "J~'"I oc-
cupjed ~():ine 1.5D Df ~hL 30!1 "")~)tll... I~l ~hL ~l:~tl ~ \ i ~"l\ ()~
the UCCl1PLi..'1t:. \\e~e -tre~nhel'"'l ot >.)I'.L t ;I~~lh l~~(: ~ LI~ll>..
iY~e'1G,) ~tLl'.. ing 2t I.\e hq~e~ +n l~:--t... n(: I ~~ f->d~. ~L': ')'1 ..., ;~lIr-
da' Trarnp-.t
\t ~ht" ti'l1-:=- l\~ the!".. e- ~n,_)...: pC-... -':J ,-~t--. .. I'-_n. 1''':' j n'll
tl....~,. ":"~..~ ""!5 H~~," e' L~- "'L" (I-i' "'::"I( "L.:~ "~ : .~'lri 1 ~-I": -I},
l~otcl (r:rc.;"ec." "1 '1-::C' ...,:!l... t' l'.~i .---.] L(r_'t;' ",-+, H1""~ tl,
tl-e h~'i:.=-3.! ~G!L-.-.. i "..:.:: tt~e 2 ~--'r:. L:;i~ L!.hJ~' -.: : ~._ ...~-.i:.. (:n~,
10~lt1'2J."'-) ..1,..2 (j~l1~~ 'P [""e :-!n.l...t".l _.i..~C'
THr. erne
In... estI;..~~f).;) ~-""::)r1 :r.e ~:'-)i.J~tp.l \1 ~n'" 61" ~_)~: '1:'\ (..
dete~"-"-'~r~ec. t....lt ~~e C,;1:'se '"1:~;-'e -lre \,~";.,) _.;.~::'.":"C "~~1: T~~e
lC'\.E.S~~;2.tlG:~ COlle ~ :.:dec. :.....:a~ :J. Cl;Jl ::~te ::'~:'l.,eci ]-::;~ ~:-.<)jl
of Qie or the ~"} ;;ph::::stered C:'.lIr~ 'n ;0.00''1 ";U4 ;~l::'l:'
F~;ure .2 .: S:a:e':1ents t-ClT' '1 '\Itie~~ init-,d'. p1J.u..ci ,lll
inCIpient f::-e In the ,-rc:ll.:h a: the bed :'earest ;:he ''lr\-
dow and t!:e i'dl.J.eent :.:pholstered ch,ur
F'gure 2;
Figure 2. Floor plan. guest-room tower
LAST nVQ DIGITS OF ROOM NUMBER
HOTEL REAR
. ~
~ ~'-..
EAST 5T AIR I!
, 05 04 03 I 02 ! 01
" 11~: 11-11.11-11
~ E i J I U ~ 1 1; J ;;' ~ L T J ~
~, .i 0~07 I 08 I 09 ! 10
" ~ !! t
'\. " I I
~v "'(' ~r ri
:1 00 I I 23 [ 22 i
II E1E1E t- ~~r
I r~ --b i I
~ELE'JATORS
i~ IL'?~ I~ ;Lf: ~: ~
L 11 I! 1211 13 i 14 15 1
~~, --t
,~,r..~.'..'.'JEST STAIR
21 : 20:-:~ .,
ij I ~ -:) ~
I r ~
1~7 ! 18: L
~ l : .
. .
I~~_~
.1
1 -1 .
nRE IOL'W";-\L-]\'\L'\HY 19"1
. I
r -, I
HOTEL FRONT
'i.
f
,
!
.
.
The ,lctU.lj fl, e-l;n,tJOn ~cen,u lO has not been deter-
'1l111ect. ho\\ e\ cr. t:lrot:gn 111te~q('w<; and fire IgnItIOn
tests conducted b, the Cm~u:ne~ p:-oduct Safet'. Cnm-
miSSion (CPSC). 3. 1"r>ost prob.lb1e Igmtwn scenar:a '\"as
determmed h' est:;ators determmed that the t'.\O
;uests \\ ho 11.10 oQt1mecl Room -40~ for ~he e'.-em'1g had
l-:.efP,\ ~~i1:)~.~': +~-'r -'uC,I'{'1:.t tht! ('\-CT1~ng -\~ ::-;..I~~)ro\l"7L::.tcJ.
10 30 p:~l or'-L ot tl"'e C!lH:'..,~~ ie:t the ;""Jtcl to r"1eet 11":' d -:.tL
..:..nd dId ~ot ~-etur"1 u'1td ..lppro\.;;:n::rteh~ 2:0 .lTn The
[eln~Un'n~ ;___''.:'';;: ;;;t..l\ ec .~ t1le p};yn .........,th h1s c.':!C '\ ~'()
h...1C ,"lrr~. ed e.u-Iler ~:t the e\.enl;-'~ The l:lt:er- guest ~ dJ.te
felt ti1~ I-.ote! ~lt ,-lrJ::n.-;j'\l1n..:.:c~\ i:";5.:~ .:c.l..~!"'lz th~
:!l~e~~ l)eh]j]c1 a~-:.d ~L':;:H ~!:'pD..-:~~(l to In\. estlg,"i-Ol 5 t;:ll~
:o:ho::?l..? ~\~"~~. L1:~ 'r'l2_~ ~"~P'::l J~.... L;,..,..:"' '-"'ltl-p~ ~~e rO.;jr1 ..:.t :b0
tl1r~ '1: ller cle~:'.u ~lllt:' r.:,) , .:.1(:,~"':;.1":'~ C:~t:.. ~s ::- -.:., =-L:__
....l1a;\5l~ Set....1(.-:; 1i:-6115 ~::"~:~fJ[t I-'T..C~~i~';:-:-I"'~ l':-.:'l.:et('
:rl~~~ 1.1 ~ ~1-.,t~-:J c.:;:rette .11--'.~~:~C"Tl;:'~- :-ei1 :;~"'i.O or ~~-:J t~....:~.:
Cl' E'\ ~c e:, i)f the ~'F'.~15tC: c!"l (11.'11 5C17'e tj~e ~. '1'-":; ~1~~
~~ e~.H"1; ..::,n-::~ : ~i~ .1:~c! ~l ~"1t:,'::!e-'.'r:..~ G:e ~--: t!",e C;";~"' ii-I"::'
:'"e...."'!_r~.l1n_-: ,;.'est ..:;;:~ ......-e'...~l\ ''\ 1~ llT1i-l\\.-:tfe '1f ~\e (:'2" c. !Ot~--
[[1'; L~~-e
f::uh L,dn:- \l'ons or r,. ~ C,~"'CItI'J""5
Thel e \\ e~ e e~h 'nd~cat~o:l~ of ~lre ,vltf,ln :!:e bt.:~i~~lLS!:
before the '1.re cie~artl-;}e~t ",VilS :~otiliecl An OCCt:pJ..ait G~~
the tent~ floor. \\hose rOOm \V~ ~ocated drrectk above
the rOO'il o~ fire ori;:n returned to the hotel "'111'1t'tes
before 2 00.:1.-:: He ap?a:-ent1v smelled a shght odor of
smoke as he e'1terec Ius room The smell was so famt
that he dIS;:llSSeO It ~u:ned on the teIe\.'lslOn. a11c! got
read\- for bed H;s :1ext recollection oE the eve:J.ts wa~
he2.rl;~ ~ S11 e'"1~ ~\ ~J.en t.l e c.e~:Llrt:rr' ent pe~'50nnel arrl\. ed :=";.t
the h.Jtel
D,sr:O\e~\ "Old -\brm
One of ~he firs~ notlncJ..t:ons of nre C(mGltlQnS that 'Yas
made to the hate! stJ.tt was a teleprlOne call from an
elg~th-Hoor guest :..:!. Re:Oln SO-t the Fist oc:-uple2 PJOIn
loc.lted Cirecth nver the room of ongin repor~mg smolze
In lier loom
Thl~ guest had retlll ned to her molD. at apprm.1T1' a::d\'
210.un \\ hen ~"'e ol'e"ed t]w door, she roU;1J the p)()m
FlJed \qt)l mlO'.e Sl'e plOpred Ore'1 the door to c.1e.lr
the ~1-:1.ol.;:e ,1110 beg.m to check the rOom for ,ts ;ol1rc.c
l'n.lble to 10ute a sm'ree, she telephoned tbe hotel
o~'er,ltor .Hld re~}orted t~e slT'o1.:.e 1U her room -\t al.,opt
the ~.U~l~ tl.nLl. ,]'1 ,lLl1 -n ~l~Tr}lli fror"i the s]n~l~ el~hth.
:loor corr,dor ~mllke deted')r '.\ .1., tran~mltteo to the 111-
'lU'1C!,ltLlr r,mei 'ue.lred .10),Lc.ent to t~e ::ont d...,l.. SOll'1
arter the ~:'e~t Illl'lg' up dlc phonc. a hotel ~eu:nt-. c;ll.UC)
\\ .tikL d ntu f1er . ')')'11 ,1PP IfIHltlv d'reded therl 1)\ thl
iflHlt dl'~k nper ltor to;loWIlll! ,ll.trm sv~te/'1 LorHiltl"]h
l\lon ~ \..l"'~~11l Lt'l}ll 01 tl\L"" ....qllrLt" oi the .,tnOh.L. tih ~Il~\! (1
.,t Ited tjut It \\,,~ entelln~ tilL loom ch'ou:.:h tilt.: >t'llCI;,,-
tlOll .,\-.,tem
The OCC.UP,lllt H:pOl teell.. ,1~':"lCl the \!;ll.U Ii l( the\
should mlm:11 ot!'er glte.,t~. ~o \\ hlc'j the '~ll.ucl .,t,ltcIl
.,~o. 'lOt yet" The guard the'1 reentered the" (.orndor to
seal ell for the smlree of the ,>;no/..e TJ](' :<I,<"t ,'IJP lrent;\
dectdL'd to [e.l\e tll<' huddl.'C ~:'L ;J.,<.Lu1 ;'L" ['. h'n:.:-
lll.~' .lP~~i L'lt-(',(,,(l tlH_ !:..()~t li.l~1' '\ I)' .} .....~IL 1 )t-l ti ,"
e: ('..be H\ :-J'e r_Ollce':. ~r..Lt1on I,;i .,"nr,'-..L ~~""'" ...l' '-:'i'l 0:..1 .Lt ~ (-.J
L-tHl~e phone ~:)c..l~ed ltl t~.,e llH l'dl}f 'll;..~~U ."-L llL \ It:)" \
and L1~llln c~I..Ued ~i"e l1!"}tf_"l op~ l.l:l.t[
-\i~t" ~nfrnr:1'n':.! thL h()te~ .li....~lLI~-)r ,,: t'1l ....nlP:...L t"'''.(~'-
~~on::' 'n t~1e LOlndor ~J~e "'-~"~t-'rl r-'-o~_ "'1'.:..'" ',tPI S~~i;i;>ln :
!:iH:.' ~)i.~e',lt()' j~1..' lnh~l~nl.~: ,'t:.....-! '..:,'" ....t...... Tilt' :'llIU-- ..':
"'-l~:... ~>-="~""'~ltLrn, tt1:(~ '\.,')" 1"~ I' '.!-1~ ::11".~ '_~ .L..~~ ll~ 'I '--r
cc"s tlk' e
C;l:'tl'" ,~p ''::; hc~ e\ ,'lU,"-"]l
.I- [~ '-'
, ,
~.:'"t..:.... ~
~... ~ '~....l I"":
e1e',.1tnr (._~~'i i)uttlrl.... to '.11H'-:~ ~"e.l '\ Ll~ i~".i 1':""'1-~' ""v
..... I . I' ~, _, !..
~i-1C' ~'~t"n l\e''':'.lll!-Q Pi 11...... to" ,l'""'~' 1.... l::" 1"!- \... "'!"e (\'a ~i ~1.:'"
'_l !"oO Hi 13 "'\,j:l'~J:: ;..)t~1 t~'e C:1 t'(. "'i)~J O)f ~'.:.. t..I-\q tf~iQ .,~~
'10'::" to ~o th.."!.t ~\ c.'L\ ::)eL~lt'''''e ::f1e ::o\. it '.1 :...... 1, jLf...ed :) ;, '~.~
ti....etl l1:n"eJ. ...nd.. '-.. L-~l~ed tc',' ..~lc.l ~~H-' "'t..~((~-'<.i e~ 1~ .In-::.ll.~.t
tl-.e ~.J~ 1!!dlH~
T>'e Sl~t i""!,?lSO'i' ;...r,Ll\".~1 :0 ii.v e !,"I'''_:'':)l t"er:-l t'~e S.~.>. 'jl)
:'je ~<)rl tb 8C0r '.\ ~:5 JTlt;' of :l-'L- n<.~le 0C~ .~Lh1t~ I); i~:.Y)ll;
40---L u.. !-..o \\ 2--5 retp;-nulg ~IJ the ilotei \'"lt~... 1~,~ J..ite C'-"::er..
In~ ~~e hotel ~~t .-"lP~l,,)\.u"'1c:1tel\ :. 20 .1In ~he\ LltteTflptec.
to l'se toe ~assenger el,,"_ J.rors "111<.11 \\-0:'1 e iDo;Jerah:e
The\" no~eci later to 1m est!gators that they found the
ele,-ator doors In the ope'1 pOS;~IDn ,md the de' ator~
\"auld not respal1.c to th~lr acb atlOn of tbe floor but-
tons .\pparentlv tamllJar \\"lth tne Dwld'ng. ~he couple
walked to the e~t end Qr the eOI ndor and too!" the 5en-
iCe ele', .1t()r to the :Ot;, '.:h il-::J0r -\.~ t~e ch"lrs opened 'he
coppie obscr' eel a !:aze Gf 5[To/..e 'r' :11e ccrl odor
The ou_x.p.mt ll~ed hiS i..e~ t("l un1o<..i... the 000:- to R""l....
404 On 0re'~1'1:! the d'Jor to ~he :00;11. he found It p l~e2.
\\lth SlT'n[..e fl0:11 tIle he. "hl<.h he !.l,er cle~cnbt'd to
1ll\E'btl;,ltr:I'i 15 ,1 led ;10'\ '"1 ,[w \lUnlt\ ur the bed
closest to the '\ Indo\\- Eater 'n;! tl-Je 1001:1 he .lttemptec:
to extmg.l11sh the fire bv beat'n~ ,t \\ lth what he thou~ht
to be .1 [idlo\\" ThiS actIOn appdrentlv Increased the \01-
lime .1'1d mte'1s;ty of tbe fire :,-\fter ~ce1l1g the fire. hI~
d.lte .1pP<lrentlv took the sen Ice ell;'\ <Itor bach to the
grou'1d ~oor She rcportedh \\e"t ~o the re[pstr~t'on
fle~1.. tn :'ot'P" ~l~e hote\ .,t,ltf of the nre " \ie,ln\\ hI Ie the
retl'uHll,r OClUn.Hlt ot Ro')m -!D4. lllUl)le tr) c.ontrol the
~ ..
gro\' th 01 the are .lb,ll1c1oned I1\', ,\ttC'l'lpt to e'l.tm~'ll\h
It He then ,c,lrcheJ for .me! rJ!t:'n,lteiv IocIted h1s
\em'c.on"(.lOll,> rOOl11lTI.\te on the Eoor ,It the end of the
bed tlo,>e,>t t,} the- ((}Indor urmr .lIld ]wlled hlln mto the
<.01 r:dllr fit .l.,.,l.,tlo.d Ill'> I nllllHll,ltl dm\ II tit..: eornc!.ll ~(j
thL \\ L..t ,>t,llf\\ 1\ Lt .'\ "'~ th. 1'"1111l1l.de 'Il till ,t Ill-
...z 'l\LrL[ ~IL,...t... \I,lt"t 11'!l~"I"tll ~lIld'\Oo,l'J j.'\. (hit t~lt 11l.Jrl..lI'~"~
duur 'll "}'~f IIH "t \\Lth'll ,I.'l ,....l r "I r lad IIll\ 111,\1. \(tL ~~lllt~ ,i t'l
l'lllH ,;.. "'~'T'I~~ IllLuLl d-J,.... -'l""r I(r ,11....' LlI\" ,\ ,llliIL'" '"Ill \'Ili. ........
"1,,-11"11 .Ii- ~I"" 1"1 p'lIl hll t.fL;,t.P" _! .i( f II~"
{ 'nr'11IU~' .,,, I' f'_' l/J
1110: 'OUl.... \1. - J \\.l \1;) 1'),>) 1 J
\Vestchasc Hdton FIre :co7lt",,,ca ;-H1J!] pae.c 151
.
W.IV. h~ rep'1.~l c;\ retuI nee to the room to se.Irch fOJ Ill'>
roomm.lte S c.'te He did not know at the t!1ne tl1.lt !\lS
roomm.Ite 5 d.Ite l''ld kit e.rrher
Up.J.Sle to locate Ips rcolT'Ma~e s date 1'1 the room.
WhlCh bv thiS tI'l1e \":15 heavl!v charc;ed \vlth heJ.t .Ind
smOke. th~ g~.'est retuned to the west stain1.-;;'V to J:,~i,>t
Ius I,)W'1"n_~te 'rr'TI tht' :''''!(:I''~
,\Jtl': the '}lULp.l.:l1 lc'tt ~:( L,"1'n ,.md ~)o~'l;)l\ dt'l"l:;
Ill> enorts to I e~(L:e 11l~ . nom 1'1.1te .mu e...tJ:1';U~SJ1 the
fire:. the ~':.Te:-:. t-rCGln L.j~~ LlGI;~~] cnth . elnUined In ..1 p~1r-
tj<.li~\ o~)en ~os~~.on Bo:lt ()CC~'~)..lPr.s e~C';],peci S..l!ei\ ~1~~~-"1
t~1e bUlkh~'~
Fire Dcp.:Irtl'"'""',cnt \c:'rn5
S:..li:-c.r. 6CJ ~h~ ~.-l.-l"l-=,...t :-~ ~~-Lll;.J -'1
::().llp~' . ';';; <j-
c..Hed 1"0':' ~~'I.:.cl p~<::s ~ :")'''1 t:..t:> \\ e~ --: i'JSe I-Il~~J"l Hste ~
\t:':3 13 .~r:i' t!,..:;- fte ~e~"'..1.~:q~e.:t c.~:::p.l;-c~e-"'leCel\e~ Lt
LJ? ~n~r~ ~hll hote} de:=.\ c\:....~ It'pOri:T'J;; Li. Gle of ..lr- :"'li-
hno\' n :\ ?': _-\l-::e:" ~o'ne '::]~Cll~StOr~ '1 1(h the des~ c:e. k.
t:~e d ~iJ"i..-(':''' 01 :::'~e ;r~t--L)Ll.J"'l -:'~~l;:~~:1cnt V~~lS oe;:~~n Llt
.: 27 ,:is ~1~n
Flre DClr'::l;e
T'e ~re \\ "S cO'1h',ed :0 ~he room of or;;:n and J. ~o~-
t:O'l of tl1e c~nr:d0"" :""'1 ~lle :nl.:1edLlte \ !Clll1t'~ of the ""Q8"T
of ongm Bec.mse ot the sa\\ tooth configuratwn ')f t~e
e...terror \\-J.iL the '1re \"as also able to e"~e"1d honzontalh
.
En~- cear to gl"~s.~ rOoln :,-e"lte" O:f~)~10("'): arci ~1Je~t rOOln --'03 CQ'n-
bL:stlble conte"Us ""-ere 2.lmosc tT'"llh. copsuttea HOl...STO..... FIRE OEn
.
I ~- -::-~~'~:.~_=:.-~"-:-:.-=~:~}-~~.:;~:-:.:-:,.~]
[....~_ .~' ?-_- _ ~ ~~ =______,...: -., -~~:_c:-_~ ~_.--cc::-
F---'::';;:...,. --.. ':J .....-~-=-- -..... -... ......'":...~ ,..!~----
I--_~ _~... :1-_ .... -....:- ~~ ~ ..~~ ~ -- -
="'~ ~', . ~ " 71 ~ -:.~~' -, -- - ~, ~
--~- ! ~:: - ~:.\ -~: ~; -:;:~;;- ~,-~~
::',' ~!t -~~ , ~---_ "!;4~~~_
~:.. , - . ~~ ... 'J -~ - - ,j: -'ICl:.:"
,.:~_.- -~ i"'- t l ~ ;~~r:
~ '1 1 - -~. <-'"---'=]
~~ "',, 1 ;" L~~~:f~
.- ..~- - ...... ~ 1 ~""'~J~iM g-.J
~ ~..:...- .. ...--~~, L - ....-- ~U' ~~
~-.:;- I~.,J..::' --.- '1 -.:. -:~', ,,';_~ ,~ (- ~~:'-;:qf U ~__
',,-, .:;.-.;..~-. ,.=> '~.t ~.~, ",,' ",'
h-...~=-~,- -T~ ....,:~J!. -:.,;~ . ...,.;~. '-"'.-~-
__..."1# 1.~ T~ k~ ..-.~Il L ....__~ _ I.... -or _______.... II 4~_
.~, 1 "..~~ fi/"'-. ~ -- -.:"_."~.~
"-~1;::-~-6r\ .I ~~~~ . i--~ -~:.: _,' J- - : -~~ ..;:- ~
~'-:'- a~~~J.T~-'5:;:~;'(';; ~L;':~1-
II~, --T__~' ;< :!Iit"" J >l'F1'i. -~
",~~-r--~~~ ~-;: :' -.. I 'rA~~r'-'::.:.
r~'- ~ 'fii.,p... l"<~''''--
!~" , ~U~~',
>i_~ ~;~ :;f : ,,'j'
~~-~ t"''','1t
kT"'~: a ;"~:,.:S, ~ -.
...-c-~~--.. ~,... .. - 1 I
"-- ~ - - ~-~_____ J t__, I
,. _ ~~__:..t.:..::'"~-~~ :..~ ,:,
, - ~-",.-~t}:L.~"" . '/':- _'~,
~"-~ -;--~--~~~~ : _!:-;" ",'~
..~~~-~......~~ ._.,.~Ir-:1."~
_-==- _ _ .-vr_ :?~ ~~ "'-;.., j: ~",-oJ
. _ _~...-=~~~ ~.J! ._1
-<.... 4-~.p~~~~~.. J-1~r" i
-;:- '- -- "- ef~';~;",
__ ~,., ..,.....o;I.r ... -
~
2 q .
nHl: JOl H' \L - J \ '\ L' \W\ :'j').]
to ('\.no~e Room,> -HI:) .Ll1d -to') \\ il'lh \\ <'fl' "dlIU"lt t'J
tIle loom of Oflg'l1 Ti Ie flle \\ .I~ .d,o .llli.. to l \t,<mt \ ,.: tl-
l.llh thlDllt!;h the L \terHlr \\ lIH10\~ ~ hloi-ell 11\ ti'l' 111-
ten~e heat to .I fltth-floor g'1e~t I""m d."l'Ltk .d}o\ l' the
room of orll!;m However. fire ll.J.Jn..lge to thL~t' lOom~
\\ <L~ 1 (' I., 11\ e 11 Tn 1ll0r
Tlhre \\.~UI ~e\erl'" fp:. {~,rn.1~2J '1' tl~{ ~(vn~" I,. IH1:"::.1l
., I':' .1;..\()~t toLd lo-bll;,1l't"1I1 "J hu:,L:]'-: -LI ,t, '1 ,I, ',' ,11
i.ll)cJ Hl~Ol co\.elln~'" .1.)(1100111 ~-l".L.+LIIL\ \lt~.o",~h "hlfe
\\<i~ {LIP) l~e ,lIoll:! the t:'~ltl1 e ]l tE.:~il i)( th( :PII' t;~..H')(H
L \it-.ICle~~ corrlclol l)V)\t nt t~....~ (~LtlnLL"..~e \\.L;..... CI)Il~--l'-t~~ tl'
:l :)e~lrt"lt (]~ llJ11'C'Ul ~1 .111 .1"ld I,),)... {i)\i' Il.!.., Ln ~l)1
~tT"'-:lt'C:I-lte '11C1l1lt"\ nt e'~l tiJ']],l (.,- .J> .:.:''1
T'-""l<" ".1' llO ,tl ';ct.-;,': d 11",1'':' to; -It, '.,....,1;..,.::
C,JSlJ.l:tLl;:~
-\.~! :)~ the ~~ltLlb~[(--,-... \\(.e lll~lIi~-L'lo.-"" ;)i rhL-" ::-c' ~l"(H \.
Eil'lll' 01 ':JllI .'nd ,'Il'''h tll ~1' t \I"C 1('1"1,; '11 i{'\Oll'"
~07 J.pc.: -111 g':JL~""Jt-l(};)." c:;V)] "I tq l)dth '1 cH L ]~iH\ <-1')")L(;
Ooe 1 :C:U""1 '\ ..1.'" '-r)H'~d In ~hl:' L~J~ Ildor ,'):"'~"'ll:l_ HnillP -: 13
In ~12d,t'l)n f1\t' r)LlP!):nt\ ;;)11 ~he ~'e Hn--JI \\.. ['-" Hn...-
[)' LdIZt.. c. f(Jut III Ll:i~ll,"-,i' l'Pl~:h:'Oll <-~nd t);":.e )k) "L' ")P",
c..on~'~.-'1a T\\(J I")i thL lllllped ~,t:'d ~pljn 'i":..-' :hL L~(
.See T.'ble 1 : Fl't' h:.;ilte-" lm..'cl the 'llP'LUJ he;"mi
(lo~ed doors 111 gue~t ro~p-"-lS ...:n(1 PI .J-I,t' ~otlrt.'~-~tnor e\.~t-
.l(.(.ess C'~a Tldor
The \ lctllr.~ ranged In .lg:e from 2 \'e.lr~ olci to 67 \ e.lr~
aieL Seye'1 female' J.na ih e m,lles \\ ere ,uno'lS; the \ IC-
tlms As reported bl' t!le HJ.rn,> County \ledlLal E...,un.
mer. carbon mono'\"lde 5dtUI.,tJOIl le\ eb of the \ lctnn,>
ranged fro'l1 is percent to 55 perc.ent Tj'e \Iechul C,-
ammer J.ttnbuted elgilt of the deJ.ths to 'a.~pl1\-\'Ia. due to
tIle ,r)'")t .It'd c.u-hn'1 '110,),)...I(le T\\ 0 'Jt th,' de,tti.,,> \\ el e
:-epr-' tel' .~~ L.lu~ed I), .1~p11\ ,'a dl'e ~ll "oot c.!' IWII
'nnn()",'cie. .md C'-~,f'lde mh.IL,tFl:1 .. _-\11 11l:' one or t!'e
\'ct;,n~ '.\ere found b\' fire nrrhtel'> ill:'hl1ld Limed ~llLq.
nHI"l d'J()r~ ,-\ut:lp,>\" I e~lol b mdll.ltl'C: t!ut m ~ll'ne
L.):-,e.., ...oot l~Hl"l'd ,.ljPllj",t Lf)lPp;Ltl..... ob~tl ~lLtHJ~l '}! flL
lUll; ~ ~Ul p..~~c.tge~
In\ e~tl!!;.Itor~ noteu \ ,1[\ In\!; degl ee~ of ~O()t depo~lb 1Il
tIle IfJl'rth.floOl g:l'e~t . ('nIP~ hn e~tlg.lt')J ~ couTJ not de-
tc' l1"ne c.onc.lu~l\eh whethel .U1\ 01 tbe \ ILtllll'> fuund m
the'>l:: I (]01n~ it"c! ope"ed ~ll<:~t-l num door, to c....Ull ml
UJlldlhm~ m the e\.lt-cLlce~' un' IJllr, or It.ld .dt, mptul
e,>C.l[Jl ,Uld tlH'1 1"t'HlIl'd tll t11L'1I rOOlH~ Il"'\l'\l'l
bOlI,,,-, oi lOUI \ 'dlllh ;n Booll1 -Ill \\ l'rc fOLlnd clll,tl" l d
.It t!k' e'ltn dum \1.1'\\' oJ the ~I'I\ 1\01'> melltolted tll.lt
one 'It ~hl1r fll,>t .LLt](Hl~ kid been to eX,UTIlIll thl lOJlch-
tll)1: 01 the ulrndol'
The; e \\cre 'L \"<1 .li IIIdlL.:t'll'l~ ill mOl l'lI'l lit :n the
h)lll :h-i1oo1 LOI1ILl11l Tilt OlLlIll lJIt ot HLllIl1I 102 \\.l'>
!ollnd 'II thl lO1nd"lllIl~,J(lc BUlllll l13 (lilt \l<llllIln,l\
h.l\! L \[llorl'd l'~C.'nL ll11Lt, ~ L1HI thL II Il ~lIl11l d to tllt
~'l( ~t 100tll -\ h2-\( ,H-lI!d '!I llIdlllotllt I I' ~l~tf .. d III
i{''''-'l II ~ \\.L' l'llIud \\ Ilh j,u'HI\ [Ill lid" " "II 1\"""1 III
L:i1I; 'II I~ Ih~\l it ':ll it! II tn j{iJ(i111 ; 11 dliL III!..:. ~II( l'lt
)
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T,vo SUr\'1vors (m ..:.dciltlOn to the occupants Df Room -W4 'I
succe~sfuI:v used the corndor to eSC.lpe, .mci two others
\..ere rescued from the corndQr bv iire ngi1ters
~:-.rALYSlS
Flrc De"elotJ"""'c'1t and SnH)~(: Snr-cad
-\s deternul'ed b,; tIle Houston FIre Dep,ll tmellt, the
rrob.:lbie CL1~se of :!"e i"1! e \\-;.lS an .lC:::lce:ltal clg.~Llette
~gn':::J" o~ 3.'1 upnobtered c:h.lir bcatea. m the \ IC:"Ht\ oi
~he ~outi: \\mca\,> ,,-all oi RDO'l1 -w"!
A.ctor(~'1L!I to L,,"be-of"1;~,t1on tests c8rdected b\ the
C,m~u-ne: Pr,'dmt S.:;d\ C';>J-r'ss,c;:'~r C?SC: till'
lip110bt":-lcJ C:1.. or '~'G~t III.....'::'.~ '.-L~d )-nGld(r~ci tOl -~~"'Ir:p)'.....
l~"'i..!.::~: ..b~ ~iOll: O' ."'('\':': Lt:if)le e....u:;.:tjr; :.~t!i ort'~'1
q~l'''-'::- .!.Tl!e clg,-ucttc .=~~~~d ;1':' e be.:?ft c.~8pp~d ~)" ;nle'l:
the Occllp.mts bet\' ('ton 1': -i3 2.''1 .l'1d 100 .1:'1 :~' '<lr :0
t' st l~d'c...l~'O"--'~ :J~ the s~neil 0:' snic\::~ <.It ~li)pr(1\.:P1:...teh
.:. S-t'"\t-T)j e;].~-e-"":::':"}~""-"~"Dn:,;, ~""""':'::l~lt' ~e.st"5 O~- ....~J.~~f'-~".=o .t-'n'J\~:.1
:'r:.l111 tl~~ ~"\ cst::."'".-" :~t" Mllk-" 'y ~ile [i~"L'st.-..[' F"-e Der-.lL -iT' t' Ilt '\e':;-
l-J:l,L :::'~G. ~, t',-::- 1...:) Cl SC F,..;r ....;,-eo 'n!~lr -.--....~+ {~'l ~~,=--'!" \ :];.~p:t? :
5i.~' l'-:-'-::.....,' t'h'ri 'J:....:rl'c.:.,.. T,--~~"'1:: S-_I"'.,,~}".::'s (.....O'1l H ,e)..\:"\~s~ l-.',:r:J'~
Lt _1"'[': };:} j]CNJt;:....l T~ :";S
2 no ,un \\ ltl1e\~ \t.Uement\ .111<1 l)!l\\K,tl e\ Ilk llLt. t.'ll-
rn bm J.te t ne [,diOl ,1tOI" n!lO; 11 c;
PI lOr to dhl.o\er.... 01 the fill' ~11111;"e I' 0111 the FIl L 111
Room "!O"! "J.S J.ble to ,1$cend 'l'1 tl<.,tlh to llti1~r BOOI \
-\.n occupant of the tenth nuoI \RllOm lOOS! ~l11elll'd
smo1..e .It approxlmateiv 2. 00 am -\nother nc<,up.lnt ')11
tIle clgnth fioO! ,Room .'30-f - :iil' RI~t (x<"lpleti 1('OIll
1 r -, I ,
\.)(..... e :f(H.)lP p'!" ~11 e lH 1!!'1l' ""i:rHl "1inn~l .~, ".l' I r~nl'1. .1"
L"!.p~)lG'\lmLlte~' 2. 1U ..un -f!,l' ~~\t:"lll'e OJ ....l~'n:..,.t:' "Ii):,-- ,d
""e~ll~~'.ng Iil the~e e~111\ ~"H_Lt ~tll1!1., \\ i"l Lr"}...,t I" h.!'" 'L\
t~'rou;.1a :h~ bd~h~o()ln '..t'llt ":1\ ,~e-ILl ar .':I~nli.....e ~l"o::::r !tl')()
thlGUgil t~""e fl-1 c.Q~l urut p~e'nu~n to "\ \ l~l tn...: l PH)l"" L ~l l"1t.)
In r~~e (OlP~'lO"1 \\,lii l"Lt\l..ee'l ..IlL h~\.tl'[i~nl~~,) ~)t H.rF\lQ 1Ij...:
~l'1(1 ~03
-\.t L\r\p~n\1 n ~t::,1~ .2 '::t1 Li..... t~1c ;~(::....:..~~~: p. ~~=.'.,l'l ~II t
1116 I"..~~ ~~'~\t retu~nC:'(~ ,:nc.! ",!Ll1l}Cl...,--u .'lL ~ r~"- .:;1 ('1
rU.Jt~d L1 h"lL~ 01 '1r'o~c ~'l tiLl: l(,"~Ct\Jl -\t~ll l!.,.!..\ l'l~ "'~"....
~GOr~1 ...1'1.ci p~1~~II,)\ (llP~CC; ~lll qlV'~)..\.r..t... :....ir(H:"I :\) ..t~-
('..Ie- !~.~~ r:)OIl"i~rLl.tt' 1no e"':l'"~:':ll~~h t1lt-.. D.'t" ~Ile ''':I':..\t-
'OGll-:' de;)l ...~!~t:::.Ll"'e~--:tl'" ~ e"'1~:"nl'(1 H1 ~l !'\_:: ~'l:l' Ol't"l r'n",l-
tlGj~ j"'"10!.-t :~1..\.e lv beC_-l~' ~e tl" ~ c..Llrr[~[~n': ]11 tl:'T~Lll F_ C; \\ l~h
6~e G')Uj ',:, '"'lP'" e;Tlcnt . OCCUp(Vlts ..)~ the- !""Gn~~l ~Ll~l~(: :i~"lt
tl1l0~_'ghOlJt :ht' Cf)~l:~t.' of I-"::t:' t" !-=,')IP~, ~:~tt r1tY)f !~.H: .') !,t'
F]"'~h.cc :~:J~t"J otht'l'l !~e~ 1: re'nLu.::~ed ):)e~" ;....~)"n ~~ ;;", ~)
Tahie 1 C;su;}:h- InfoT1l1atlOn'
Vi'ctt..f')..
L;Jcat~:Jn
i'c~ccnt .:1/ Cc~b~n
',!c"'ol;,de Saturcf'an
l...ewl
C:I~rl'(Ic LC:"'t,i
.'1 Pc=rts ?<.">r
Age
Sex
~Hi"'J'on
Car/'ll? O}'" D.....ath
Rc.tlq.rJ:.s
Cor!d:}r
..17
0:2
\spil' x'a due to so"t
XH: tilrOon ~loro"cde
-\t:.crnpteu e~c lPc 'vLLnl1
In <....)rnd'1T b\. nr}l)lh ..H3
9 pe"cot..nt IJur'-"S ~)ll aoo(]'.
25
f
\1
-\" P~':~ld due to ;oot
=lnd carban mO'1Qxlde
..107 36
40- '30
-\0-; --r ~~
.W- 2
.Hi 45
4D 37
.;11 ll)
,Hi r~
..Ill 62
414 3.!J
-H5 67
52 075
'03 J -5
30 ~ en
-!'i LO (J:.!
32 0 G)
39 0)0
+l 0")0
~- 0 -()
-"
IS J) 73
F
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-\:.o~.'"n ~.,....L JI'e '"I, SODt
.lI'C C urynn mnnll'\."Gc...
-\~n''1. X'...t Jut. ~o ~l)r.)t
cdr,un nlOIH)"(lat.. un::!
c..\ J.l1,(1e ln~l.l'J.tH)"1
-\~rh... '(1~1 dlle to 500'"
" ,
"- l"-'~-Pfl '~"'l\rH1'd::':'L ..It..u
e ';'"lK:-t... 'n!):t~ ltlO"\
_.J...snhvx'a due to .)oot
,od C.lrbno tnOO<l'-'c<.'
-\.=.p~v'(\.. ,Jut. .1-0 ").Ol.1t
lnd cubon 1l1UIU)x'Ge
\':;p~l" '{:.l {h.e to !'oo~t
.lnJ. (~[roon m'JnO\lCt.
-\.~jll)\ \.l..l Jl'L to "'l~l)'"
.!nd llrj,O'1 rnnrllr\){~~
-\~l.}jl\- ~~.J dut to .)cVL~t
Inl~ t..lt'IJOll tllllllL)'(ICf.
RL.l.::l')tlnd'n R~1411'"l 413
found ....I.h lJ..'"Hh
mt mhLr~ '1' HOOlll ..a 11
He.. ...c..ul.d fnnl1 fOIJ1n 1)1." rlrc
ULP.lrt'lllllt ll't..1.1 ].'l2':'-J2
\lHn.:t t l1l.L ph Llolll.ll Kll
dv~ tl} "'lIlll~L Ind l11"-
"l)LiCl CCHHln\l<l;:, IlIh c~ ~~iull
lh \.rr~r ltOj\ I aIH"'~" ..~IH rt~
..IIlOi-.1. mil alltlun UllIlpll"
l. Lh.. d h\ I)f~ L11l'-
I"l~ pldlllllll l(,\ 11:~rll"'1'"
nl'\(.-llU~ :ro'H rl)~}PI l~... f~rl
d,1' .rtll" ,,: ,1-0 <l "11.,2
. D It. JJJ : -:IJ.... r ,Lilt .1] t Irom t 11tT'''' C':"llJ't' ,it I:l\. 11 L'\ \In II!. r \ 'J~rlp"", H. jllll 1.., ~.Hl ~ J: :r~.t'l .... JnuJJ .-In \\ ~ ...tl h t\l '1lihlll 1 t(ltl. I Ilrc I \l t !Jt ~'I\"'\t
rooiH u.ti \Ll..tllLl 1(lt.lLI'II, ll...L'.J. "'ll"~~Ld In 'I. p\
lllU JOLH\\1 -J\\l"\ln I'.....,
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IIH_hes ; Bel:'.veen llllt'.lj dl~Lo\'erv of the fiI e .l.nd hls I e-
turn to search for hl~ Toomm,lte s date. the OCLU~)J.nt
fOll'1d th,lt Fl e condltwlls had worsened to the e'l.tent
th.!.t he could not reeJlte~ the room
Once the upholstered chaIr had erupted mto ope'l
flJ.mes, the fire most hkelv gre'''' r<l9Id1v, extend1:1g to
t!'e t.1ble bed ''lattress l)(l'I: ~pr'n!:!:s, and beddm2; m.lte-
] ~,')I'J loc.)tec: (:o...e ll) to'le (.h,,-~Ll JJ1{; uhl'n..lteh :uil "'~HJ'll
la\ nI. eplet1 t OCCUl re(~ -\.... the fire ;rc\\- III IPtep5l~",
sma\..e nd l'e,lt entel ed the lou.tn-Roor corncbr
throll~11 t1"'L ~)~rr(ld~l\ .:)l~t'" Gi'Jor, leL1(b:l~ to a rapu.: ce-
~Cl :DI anon ()f ten.1hle c'Jllcbtl<)I1' tn the corT'dor Fbl~es
"llp'll~eci d'll~l+, 'J1l the ,1')0[<; ol ROD'" -103 .next t") ~he
. n'}l.l f't '-"t ".::~)'l I L:r..d P "j'rn" 407 Ll.nd ..1.!]S~ ~h~cct\ 3.C"'~}')
tliL-" (PI !'"ld'jr ~. ...~~ Bc=cr--. .l(L!
Fl ~ rr l ...Dl:.. J,.<..l '~1 ~~lC (1'1 ~ 12~\r ~~..b h~"1'tcd ::j the \ lCll~-
It\ Gt ~~~~ "'c'onJ ;)~ 01 ~~.~., II-.\., t::'~ er SlrQ~t:' .u~d ~I.e..lt C.O~1-
(~.:::'.~~i"" '.~ Cl t..~ :..:"'!. Ideq: :-ll~:' (!'.-~'l ~ le~l '::.~" oi t~1e C011']Cl
Int~.. lL .... ~ .ro,t lOll' t\-"-f.-~'l~ ....P:~. l' "V.'S C.011c.~~cted ':J\ l-lcu"'-
~Q" p~' c'::;tll~ Lli)['" p~ci'c.._lte(: ~h...:~ ~~nu~e ((1~:ci:t~\lns"'~ ere s.)
~e' e~e t"~lt :hL~ }'..1G. to Ieei d~elr '..\..1\. ~::Juc~lln:; t~)e C'l[-
l1d'H ~1 ol~~~ 'P ilr(:e.... ";, ~e_lci~ ..1]"' e'~t
(1~-'le ....l:l()~e e".t;_l[Cl ~::e- toprtl~-:-:.-"'-~cn [D}rldo; f'-"e
~)I':r ll'. .l"..ellI1l'" p.;." ~iTlo~e sp~e.ld t::. ::~pe~ Hc:')r~ 1....-
::-".i~'C:L'd ...:'1..." at~'lr ~lL~::5 -r~(~ t!'-e cor. ~c:~~:- H\ ...-\C S'. ~~er1
OV::Up.l"b 'It aprer :ro()r~ nDted tlut s;noke \' as e:n;;'Ilut-
'P~ In'11 ....leVcltor "h,l:tS nto e\.lt-8.CCess c~r~:dors
E \ Jdcnce ot smo:...e SP' e~d m fourth-floor guest rooms
'vu~ not un'lorm, md soot depOSits yar:ed SrrlOke \\'as
reported to ~l,l\"e spread mto several gue~t rooms
through doors opened b\. gue~ts to e'l.amme conditIOns In
the C(Jr.-.dor E\ Idence of smoke penetr:ltlOn arou'1d
guest.loom doors was also noted bv lll'est1gators, and at
!ea~t')ne '\ Itne~s !"e?01 ted Sm{lL;e entcrng under .1
g'test-:Gom do01
-\t ~o'nc tUOle beton' the dHI\:ll of t]'e fire dep.lrtment.
the dO<J' ::1 the fOl'Tt~1-floOl we~t st.llf',\aV reportedh had
been pp)pped open 'nth ,\ ch'ur TillS condition dilo\\cd
~ITOI c t,) ~l:"~'1et,..lte thl! ')t..1U '!\. a\r .Ind t=i lTIl;r.lte vert~c.:l~h
to upper le,els The smoL.e prevented the use ot th1< C"lt
~taJr,\-,IY a:, d mean~ of esc.1pe for ~ome ofthe occupants on
upper Aoon Smo\..e \\.1~ .lbo reported wlthm the east
pressunzecl ~Lllrw.l\' The ~moke most likely ffilll;rated
mt0 thiS sLm,v.t.... c1nr'm; A.IC der,1rtme'1t operatmns
Aba pr'or to [Ire d~l1l! tOlent ctrrl\ al ,It 231 am. the
mten'e heclt m t1w 'O{'''l oi on:,:'n hrol.c out the "lt1(10\\
gL.L~~ 1'1 th~ ~outh \,-.111 The fire vpn tcd. .111owm~ il.une.
he,It .me! 'lllO\..t. 10 e,tend IJp the e'l.tenOl of the south
f.1cade oi the b1111cll'1':.!;, c."pO~IlH( .we! C<lll~lll:': mrnor d.1'l1-
.lge to Hwnn 'So I The \L'ntml!; t11()Le~', however, mo~t
llt.e1y T('(lpu'd thL' .1:nll"llt ol ~Ill()\..l .md he.ll l nten'll!;
tIlL 'Ilkl LOJ '[lct({'~ ()t ~11l bLllldlll~
Rt-cn. lthln of Ptoplc... \lo\.t..ITh.nt lilt! \dLn.1\. T ..lkt..n
H th,' 11111(' tli tIll (I" 11'" h 200 ~1L{ ,h W'II rl :!J~-
t(-"n~d .Lt th( h,jtll l t,lt ....t'" :., ul tH t TL l........L~)H (1 : Oil I U... nil 12
> , .
IIHI' J(lLIl....\] -]\'_L-\In 1"....1
of the 13 floor~ or !he 1, I I!ll-L ,~t> to\\l'J On tbe lourlh
noO!, 15 of the 2~ rooms Wel e occuplea bv 12 gllc~t~ ~<,e
T,lble 2 for detaLls of fourth-floOl olcup,mt .lctlons
Some of the survn, mg nccup.Ults of the foUl th floor
were awakened !::y runm.,~, yellmg. or loud nOIses of the
;uests In the fourth-f{Qor COIIICior or 11\ other rooms
\[ .In\ ,eportl>d thJ.t the' "1 \ p, u:.::.lted the UIITldoT [0, t 11<,
sour ce of the dl'1] 1l~1t:(}n
-\ few fourth.!1(,o'- 0CCU~) l:\t~ \\ ilO ;)cc.'l1le .1\\ ,11 e of t ',e
Ere e.\rh m thc 1'1C'dcn~ '.\(,re J.ble to t''I.'t ;eom 'hl.r
100P"'5 to the stalr\\ a\ r.; Ll.:lG e~c 'pe Othet ~ entc red thl~
'jtT"'l\e-;q1ed cc~r.C'1r and \1 .~:.:::- ~~b[e tll '.. 1; 1-')\' h e...c.LLJ'I(:'
L1S co~d~t]O:1S dctC"-"LrjrJ.ted ;",~ \\e.~ re'-)c..~ ~C ~1' ~ne
,:JrL21~ :'01'\1 ~he c.rHnc--;.... ~, \) 1\elC h:...1I~1(~ 11!l~n~ll..:..'O!~...
T~"e ~n..lJI)J Jt~- H hr~ ....L-::...}J~...!.. ~?\' ~l:! .....i t;~l f.1 <. '..~tCl !'}Un.:
~h..l~ ~ ~l.o1..e ~l'l(~ J:.{:";.-.;: ,:'.-1"-',]1::- )'-1'" ',~ ~ht. t.Q'I -dpr p~ ('( ~ i.'tl~.:.:.1
esc..lpe b, t:,~S 'ne..J..r~. L:1'ci \E e~~ ~l -'~~~)eJ. .Jl t:'e~: J'~(H"'"
The~e qc.cup..lnts (:~t""t"... \'"..~" e ~" ~r('-)'ne ];'\ ~"'10(~;'t.:'-.. ,~i
c..olnb.ustlon or '\('''c ~C"c..Ll-.....c 0' er l..~(:.dt~.... I)r letnO\ec.L
:rOl1 theLl rDOn1\ :;\ [-r-c dE.- ~J.rtr'l1ent iJe' ':lnnlle] SlH1H:"
or d'em too\.. a: "or" "'~hln t~'e'l '()'JI'h to 'II,' 1\ e 'I ...
.i)L~c..~d \\ el- tell eis ..lr :'':"1:1 ~~n,~I.....[' L'~ltj \ ~"'OL)lt...
:1Y;:: del)_'rt"1e" t ,~,; ~:- e;- )' be'lC: dc.
.,'\ a,tcc I eSC'le
1 "
1.Pl t(~(j t~~t
\' ~I~ i..- t\~'r::'
Table 1.
Summ::l~'" of Fourth-rtoor Oc:c'.luant
Fataht'es and Sur'nors
Esc'-'red thrOLlg~ c'11"Tldo...:!!"d do\.\-"') sto.......\a\-s
"\....ltr-out !ire cer.J.TtMert .:!5SLstJ.rcc
5.
st:.....".~vors rescued b'~ R""e department
Rescued from rooms~' L"Gee-
Re~c:.Ied fronl ~OOmS .''''-.')ugr corr~cior
~nc rlo\....n .,+al!""1\.:l\ S
Resc"l.d frpl11 c.......rr.L.....r ~......~ ~h\.. n
sr;lIJ""\ ;:t.,,;;
FJ.ta"['(,
'. I(,tlln~ ~(KJ.~( d 'n r')o""""S
()CC1i.r'l L"1~S ....Cc:;{11t.Ci ;[Ijrn rr'iJ......1~
.111(: ':le(1 . ~k r
\ l(..!-.'n "K. ~tll; 'n u,,"'r~..-
13
!-i
~
,
2
'2
y
2
Tot.ll f"urth-f!"nr U1."C1I['1O~'
30."
... lpdtldes hVIl (){.'(.lL~.lnts. f)f R-){)'TJ ..10-l- a"ld thcJr ~lH...\t
~;iI I "Ich1(ie~ on]\-" thosl. f}CC1l!"'l1.nts ,-.. hose "l(,"lon~ or ~1Ir\ t\ II <.hSpU'\l-
t]()['" \....er~ dO{'1LTC'nted C-.e OCCllr> Int ~\alii r('~~~tered hut \....}~ nut (]Tl
the ilrc f'oor at the tl.-YIe 'If-t~e ,..( Thl:" ~(}CJ.~U)Jl Ind lLtlOll"fi. 01 lllllthtT
ixcunant .......ere undt. tlrmLllcd
Several OCCllPcll1!< on t],(' fOl'fth .me! otln r Hoor~ .1t-
tempted to bre.lJ... the tempered gl.L'JS wt'ld[)\\'~ WIth val'"\'-
mg dl'l!;~Le~ O[ succc~s OCC[[p.LIlt~ ~t,ltt'd th.lt the\' h.ld
l...:l\..ed ,It tll(" \\ mdo" ~ or (lIre\\' Lh.lIr~ or other ohJ('d~
.1l!;,Un~t tlH'lIl 'I h{ ~!' t. Irort~ to l)re II- IhL' ~II'~ l).lll! I~ In'
thought to h,1\ t LtlJ'l d thl Illltlblul\! .ltHl Lf.I,IIIIH':
!llll'! ~ 1l!'.1l d h\' [JthL r IJLlUP t1Ih Ih It Illd Il ll(.d '0111['-
thL'I:! l!l'll":,11 '\ ~~ !:,mpt Jl:n~ 111 tIll' hote i
I L!-..' IIl,UI\ ..I tll( t"'lrti.-llll'll <Ill lip l'lt, lit II< 1 ~llt.h
II; t}ll ~111tl ~ J}I tt IL.t!:h~ ....t rtl d t;l.Lt t1u \ L.. (UIH l\\.l1f ,,1
[
,.
i'
~
i
.
the fire through means other tr.d11 the fire abr-n ~\\tell1
(1 e . nOIses m corndor, nOIses m guest rooms. ete ) 01
the mdlYIGual ro:)m smoke detector umts Due to bcl.:- o!
early notJic3hon, many occupants we:e awakened to
find that smoke had spread Illto Sotel CDrndors or e'ut
staJ:"\\avs. wnlCP preciuded theIr me fur escape
St:ceessfu; eSC:1?e efforts of ocellFJlts de?enced on
se'.eral !actors
· The tJrn~ fr~;ne \\lt~~1I1 ~ne f.re seen3t:o 'Ii \' h;(!~
thev bec;ln~e 3\,\ are of ~re condItiOns and .1t~e''lpted to
llll::ate tnelr eSC2.pe
· The ~o'1r OIl '\\!n~ch ti'ev \\ e!"e lQc~ted
o The e,>c"pe r::lu::e [he,' .,ttempted to use. e ~tJ.lI.
\\,>\5 ete
4) In::>~~ "- (~-.J:1) ;"- en b'\ h:)te! 5t..lt:: tiJ v::cap.P1~~ '\ lli.l
~-'.:.1cl (~il~G. ~!"e :~on~ c.t"S~~ ~llC.
'"
~
n:-e €g\tet ~
· O(:Cl1I'~lntS l,el:l; IO::::J.t~.l
;>s~'5tedTt"'1O\ ed ircm the j,c,el
T11e l:>i::.:ll CQ~rse of .:tctlD"1 ,,-)[ Iil;ln~' OC21..-1p..:litS \\,J.~ ~q
c~lH tl'e ho~el cl::erat0r :J!" :he fiopt ces~ to el:her ~~ce~-
t~un ~..'[ ~a: ~~, a~ g:::ln; O~ 'TI the ~oteL or to see~ g'i.:;.d,":tnce
clBel chrectl;}n ~ t8 '," holt ~!le\ Sh:JL-:.~:i de: Thl~ ~~.d~C:ltE'CI
J.Jl 1l)1:2:::-nt rel:.':I)Ce 0f t'""e- hetel ,;l;ests O~ t!:e hotel
~Lm11.;el~lent ~8 :nstr...:.~t the~--' or:- '~\- ii.3: t;:) de l'"1 1 :lre
D" ,
emergen-:'- epenG.i~l~ 1...:.;aon ~:Je~r h>':::(Lt~G~ ~L1 :-eiat~on to
the fire md the tIme at 'Y!llch the" caGec. oc-upants
reCel\ eci a \ anecy of directIons ff:):T' the hotel staff Some
OCCUp:u1ts on t~e fou:-th floor apparently \",ere gIven ]ll-
struchons to enter the hotel corndor and were directed
to tUfTl and move III the dIrectIOn of an e'(Jt st3u,vay
Althougn gr,'en those directions. some of the occupunts
of the fire floor found that condltwns had detenorated to
such an e'\tent that they CiJuld not safel" enter the
~ourth-8.oor cO! neo:-
SOlve cf ti'e oCCt'parlts on upper Roors elected to at-
teIl'pt to escape rather than remam III reams that were
bCCOml:1g BlIce! WIth smoke Several oCCUpa.:1ts \dw
elected to rem,l1~ l~ theIr rooms reported takmg sever,ll
,lct:Ons Thev JT1cit:ded blockmg dams Jnd ',ents Wltl:
wet towels and other matenals. shuttmg offheat:ng, \"en.
trl.ltlon. and ,l1r-Condltlonmg SYstems In the room, lyml!;
on tbe 300r, cr3w1ll1g helo"': levels of smol.:e, tllrning on
room lights to indicate theIr locatIOn to rescue personnel
on the e\.tenor of the omld'ng, and nohrvmg other f.lmlh
members '\ Ith'n the hotel \hnv OCCUp,ll1ts mdlcated
tlut, upon leavmg t!'elr rooms. thev attempted ~o l1otlf..'
other gtlests bv veHm~ and k:lOCKIng Or bC..Ltmg on d()OI <;
as the" 11'0\ ed toward eXit ~tan,vaYs One occup.mt 01
the Sl\.t~ Roar c.tiled the fire department dlrel..tIv .md
a~ked \\ hat he should do He rc(.clved instructIOns f10m
the fin" departl~ent cbIMteher th.tt he should riot e~(.,IIW
'I.t >he corndur. .1I1d ~hollld not ,lttcmpt to bre.lk 01lt the
\\ 'ndo\\' Th,' l)((llP,Ult loll'J\\l:d these m~trtldIOIl~ Thc
fir~ dep,lrtme.'t camm,md post was notl1.eJ ,lilt! III [
fi\!hte~~ Pl,IJe th....n \'v,IV to the ~l\.th Roor to re\UH' thl
l'ltln"dl'.d .Uld h I~ tW)lh
()(.('lp 1:lt~ [oL.tkd tl'111'1~ ~e,lrLl1-<lnd-IL'~ll1L' .llti\ llll'
\\ eft' etther led um, n (.[lllldOl, Ul(i ,t.IlI'\\ 1\ ~ III ,null
glOl1p~ bv file fiu;htel \ or ll'.l ~l"\' L1.,>l'~ the\ \\ell:: ',11...( Ii
out o! the buddllIg over ,He'II.li or gIound l,ldden (kL1l-
P,ll] t~ ,lttemptmg to e~C.lpe hom hotel Ho()r~ on theIr {J" [J
mdlcated for the most part that thev knt'w the\' +ou:J
not lIse hotel elevators as J. me,InS (;f ('~C,1pe Ho\\(:'\ t'".
~()llle l;ccup,lnts mclll,tted tl'.lt \\ he" tht'\ iounu ope "~I
b(j~h :1i ~he !totcd st..UCr,,\.l\..... (ilk(l "\1~1~ q"'Ckl th,_' ri'~l
a~l' tile ,e' \'Ke ele\ ,!tur b . ")l ,:" ')1 l'~(,:l)t'
C)cC~~pc.ult~ 1'\ >;e\."er.li IJr the PH)ln~ nn 11iJnt"~ ;lorn: ':a (~:
the tll)te~ 'l\t"le not i.l\'-,lrt' .')! --:'''-co f~e l1nh~ -;uc ~~!..t,-...'1
ore'led t~"!.elr . 00111 ue-nr~ ..H1C. ...l\\ ll~cnt"d t~1e ...t~ l~ ...rf-oe~l' P-':
l}LCt:p..li1rS clt'rln:.! ')eJ.ich Dt~{:'l ..tl!Jn~ ...
PertO....."1.l11CC 01 fire Dt.-tectwH inu. ~.a""" ~'..,C('I"1
,:'~('
T~~e ~rst nOtlnCa.:"Cn _:): ~J e (pnt!-Cl'JP" ..... ,-it th....-
....tLdrleten eel \\ LPi tl"'.a:2' tele~11lC"'nL) c...~1n h.)lL-~ .1 ~T"!.:"...t "lo'J
I ~ ~~(Il ~ed ~"1111l'Le 'l~ her ei;:..f. _:>~.;'J' . ';~J~r - ~O! l:i ....: 1--'1'"
c.'lcc~l" .lD0\e ~he f=:le -\bG......: ..I'e ~..ln~t' t'I~"e ~be.1" ~ '.1-
Cl..lttP p.Dlel recel' eu ..~n .:..... ri 5l~r J !l(~'j"n t:~L t:"~'- t:.
tL;:~: The f,"e "Lu"'1 ..,\ ~~c'm ..,QJt](; t'1"'" :lllt;.,~~ .j L
3-'11:'~c'k pre~i,;:nJ.l :'dKLcH1 "\:'Ii.,.h I: 'let r :rLv_'I_Ll
;.(,~,...~d :-es~.l~ ~;. e' .."'lCl1,)tiO~l L<.alri1~ rl'alC-l".~ I)~" i-.:.... I~t"'
qCOI, ~~ e 8.001 abo\ e. and :he aoOl ;)t' ;,.,\.
~,L1.n\' of the hotei's Qcc!.:p.mt:. Illdluteci t]lJ.~ e,~II(.
the" did not hear e'. aC1l3:'on .1LU"11;, 01 onh he:;rcl :;:e
alarm soundmg for sho:-t fenod~ ot tune Houston F,~e
Departr1ent m\;esttgators aeterfll'ned th,l~ the c.e~k
c!er\c on dutv repeatedly ac.tl\ <lted tpe arl'1U!1( '2-tor
pand's bell silence and reset 5'.~ ltche~ TIm _1(t:o[' >]-
lenced the annuncIator panei aLmn ,mu dllnng the earl"
st.1ges 0f the fire, appare'1tl' re~1I1ted ill the re:)orteu.
bll.. at e\,KudtlO. ,li.1r'n ,<etl' ltlalll'l t1,c :-,<11_'''~1:' trJ'; e~
:\ postSre survey of the ll')tei'~ ;1T ,,1.1"11 '>' ~teq1 n01-
c..tted additIonal s'"~te~ nnp()lrlne"lt:) 0: ~n,t1i~~i:iC."LLJro~
that may ~aye contnlmted to ,1 1.Kt.. of e\,\( t'.I,'Oll d:..!.n'l
.lltl\ at:on or other \\ ~tem ped()f'>1,!..:'ce PI()!)le"l'> ~
The~e conditlon~ 1l1dudcc!.
. The smgie photoelectrIc ~mo/..e Jetec.tor cent"dlv
located In the ele\.ator lobby at the fourtl-J-f!oor (orr'cor
m,lV have been moper3tl\f> p110r to the f1re i~peclnc 'tn-
pan ment det,uh were not a\ ml.1I)!e to the '\ FP.\'
. ~l11itlple-,\L.1nn zone d(.[i\ ,1tllll1 WOll[J (,lU~e the \C
.l!.lrm ~vstem power ~[[ppk c:ru.lIt I)re,d..er trl t, 11' \\ It)lln
10 to 30 seconds, fo]]o"'e8. by .J DC UI lId bJ l'..l'--r' !lut
\\lHlid t:lP III 20 to 10 \c(l1l1d, Th....~e .ldHHI' m.ult- till
,1J.trm ~\\tern lTIoper,lble d.nd pn'\cllted the ~oundt'1'-: of
.11.n m, th tnll~h()ltt the buddll)''':
" \)I:,OI,d. i\'IH.hIPlli rill L~'f111 "....h UI h...b \\~,., ''''Itl~' '....1 t' r.\. ill
'll"\"jlLl":l,t Lil,.\\ \\(l~"""" ll~lrtlll rln I~h "lIlil'I~"'\\t'-l 't.'lllr
lIJrI'Pl.llll11HL\ \IT''-'ld1p,. tl.1.......1 p\ Il'lrl,(...~I'l '-i 1'\ II'-~ ",I.ilt
UPHPlot tot 1I1ldUl~'lo of tl,f... "lrH' t \- nH op" IllolI.J:1 ...r ~t';., J..J 1:1" ~ Ii 1f"11
.., "'~l 111 "lrl Il~',tlhh.l'l.l ~nl ....'tll:.... ell tit. tl~r.... HIP'II tll Lt. h 'hrn I":' d,{
'-'11 \\.I.....;otlhhnIPllldll\ ~h, "\Il~\ L1Uhll tll\ Irull"r1,.t, i 11' r~ II.t
'Lh lit
( l'lIr"I'{' d .,,, _ ~i
11lU JOll','\\1 -j\....L \l\\ ;'}',;
, .
- ,
-"+ -~~-~- ~-.JI'"
-~
---- ..---~---
-~
\Vestch.lse Hilton Fire "COl't'IlUj>,j frJ'" I""':': 23;
.
. Tile m..l.liundJOll of the ..,.... \te'll ,U10 )0\\ er \lIppl\
mterrupt'on "auld .l!low the H \' -\C ~\.\tem ,mu the e,l.\t
.>t.lln\',1\. preSSllrlZ,ltlOn .>\ ~tem to retm'1 to tl~elr norm,d
nonemergencv oper.ltlOnal status However, the ele-
vators \"oulc.i nave had to he reset m.mllallv with .1 ~ev
. The s'noke detector loc.1tea 'n the ret~'rn'.llr {lad oi
tho' t')'\('l H\' -\C '\ ,t{"ll \\",L\ 'I1UllTecth lli-itched \\ lth
th:;> other ullrr,,"enh ul the [;1 t' ,l;.1I"n -\.>k n .1.110 ".\ Ol'lt!
not h.1\ e .u::tl\ ,lted
Ot~'e-r ....... FP -\ o~).':.er,..}tl()n~ tb .1C '\ ere ~n_:d.:: copce-rq"':;
the f::re .11,lrrr \'"stem ',';ere
rhe1 e '1\ el e ~1.O l.~"-t!""l~( hnn~ .1'&' the p..lne; to 1~ C '(LIte
the t)per.l:~l)n Ll~"'d C"on~'l}l Dt t]~e ~\' Itchc) Jilch 1') tt-:.e
'lor~ll.}1 ::d="'~l'el)t.~ ~)t Jdi.::"l'(lng ,"~...:ilr l~G . e~~t~H"'\:':: tne
_"'=..U1C I
2 The~~. '\ l~
, ,
.I...... ~.. '-:-;:.. .~t.. ...
, .
LlL~r1t'~)i....ac
lC;;:~e": t~.,
~J-; ....1-..2:~. ~ :)~;2l..1tCt.... ~CI ntJLli\
. - ,
: --e 7i.' c- ':"'L~:'-:'J :-Tic -.:"- ~11 j.]o]
~o 5.iie.1~ 'n.:.: t'.,e ~~LU"."YJ HUH e\ f!-' t~'1e r-IL1:~ '~. ~b J~i:~r. ~:t
to re ~6 ::r"'\~e It \\ ~::...... close to tbe ~:~or
.J l~-"e Z:)!le h;:1t 1~"'\ci]cLlt1on::. ~:'p)lr::: fU-l) 1 ;;h ~t()t::, Iil
the ~1~1;1el ., e....e POl); 1. lcentl'::ed L1S to H ~~z~-:: zones 01
:,>e<..t~Cq u::'" ;-;'ie hl~l\l'~d! ~re hS:""t r~;'re~cPted
-i. D:'l'ns fl1"--"~~'onLlj =:;\'ste'j'. t~;.,~s ~her2'". .15 dl:f'c~-':~~
l-:'~ ~le 1r"12. e~ L1C'!<.lt~8'"'\ Ll~:LrIPS Pi '-or"'\e '1neS~ ~"C:r.fl~ \l I t~,n
.
the hl1~c~ ne:
It ~he oh.>en ed .l!.lrm ~\'ste'11 po','"{~r SUP;JL" -na1func.-
t~()n~ QCCtll red dUllnl.~ ~he lllc!.del1t. Interm~~te!1t :Jpera-
t;on of the candor H\- -\.C svste:n and east stmr\\-av ;Jres-
sunZ.1tlOn s'. ~te'll would ha\"e occurred It IS t:nO\Fn from
mter\"H:'\\" d.lta th,lt elevaton were returned to the lobb.....
Inte""or \ 'e'"v oi" a porion of Roo!'Jl -1.07 ~lustT3~lng tr.e n"1lotl.t of soat
depos;t ''It'1"n a g<.:est room HOl.-STO, FIRE DFPT
.
') -l '
FIRE )Ol R'\ \L - ) \" L' \1\) W....1
Ie' e;. h'J\\l'\er. the (Lt,l \\l': L 'Jl\lJibLIIIJt ~() (:l tll-)])]l!'
the npel,\tIOll,tl \t.ltll\ lJt the i [\ \( \\ \h IIh dill 'lit': t h"
lllude'lt
Guest-Room Smoke Ddcclor<
T:.~c ;;uL....t-.nq:n ''In(l~L t'L~Lt~l)'''' '\ ~t t]H "'L'~~" -"'~.l-
tlOn b,Ltter\ -npel J.ted lon' ,~,ltHlll t\ 111 11ll'~L l:l.'l<'l Illl \
\1. ere C:C'''']~''"''!t'd Inl ~\ tlJ rn" 1(:(" ~\ ..... !l'.L! tq ;I-~h' r 1-(t.LLr- l:!.....
oi the ~lHll'1 ~)i lllt'\ With,]) rh, JI I''';]]) Till .tl'tlWI,
\\t''-e .1~)t ~)](1\'-d( ,::1 j1r 'lltender~ ~'-l '!I\( \\. U"'"!Pl'''':; t.) ~ ]-"Hltn
OL(llPl.li1t n: ..1 ilr<-> t)llll'll~1:':: 'n .~'-:':H1h_ r to"n'n 01 p.J ~ ~d
th,- :T.~1:-L~1 -\..dt..r~l~Llrl .dl ~tp~i": .:. -1(CI1;'ol"(... r-) r-1]-'.. t;~.l. ill
O<-~~'] ....p~'.: II~ .;".-'.l1J"lllrl L' -:.. ." I
"-.. .. ~ - -..:".:.} it 1 ~.: f....:.....l
r"'L~:t...~ l" j~ \.. 1 l'-:....p.1nc..~ -..", ........u. J-)l. .'I!";; :"IJ.... ....:~d )'
~_l.::te(~i.)n .1nd .ILl-in .,\...t~r'~'" "~L-l~ld i ~ ...ll ltL="l., IJ
\Lln'l J~Oti:'1'~lL ~pl'lt"l!..~";I1.t..:..~ t:- .;..r;J-t' "J.J1)~:e-...tl~.()n
:)L";(te~\ -l)(P\ p! ed deJ-f--,( t~}~\ d....: 1'1 ~t "'I:ill....::.! t''- (P'j t\lOl E.::h
'-Ino~....e lOIlc.>aqf};) \\erc ')1)'.1-"11 ... ()\ ....~hr ..111(i ~:llt.l~ '[1
"n
~i.le':' "':)~;L~ ll~::'.'e' -e- l~l~~iJ:'.."":.'!"')r. e\. = ..11.....;.:'011 ni..1 'l.'r'1-
!"'ie U~ de::EC:iJp, Iv- tr~e Ce']''":..... ;")] F 'fe lh_"~t. .L' (.:-:. '., ~l-
t'~l'1.1" Bl'~e-.)l' CJI ~t.l:ld"ld~ nld:c..,:,<i t"L'e '\,1- ,1') JTI,tl-
~:T"C":-:JP of r:""lL '''d~\ 1dl' 11 -:'It:'~;:-lr)f)'n J.Lt~c..~Pl~ tes~ed
Ti'.e reporrc6 'Ll(.~ ,-,f ;"l('~i\ Lir-lC.-1 ot ~~'e~e G('\ lCe., 1'n ~o[n('
c.J..ses :n~:r\. ha\ e resulted due to t.'1e k)I:lJ\1.'n~ l.ond~tlL)n~
o Cold SmoJ..e Effect T!-te t'~~t:qt:J.l ~".iture of smoh.e I~
Its t:1stabtl:t\ As s;noke tr~\els :J\\a', from a fire. .lnd
ages. the smoke parncles '0 a cloud cOlhde \\ lIb one
anotne:- .md duster TIus i)roeeSS goes on contmllousk
unt,l the nurTJ.ber of p2.rt1C'e~ has been conslder.lbk dl-
-n:~:lshed .lnd the avenge s~ze la~'..>;ek mcre<bed
S'nce the response or an IOOlzat101l ~moke detector IS
de:)enCtllt on the partlc.le (.('r'c.e]]t~.IWJO ,i'ld ~Ize sUlne
of the- ::::ue~ t rooT'1~ '1l1qht rIOt !J,~\ e held ,l ...t"t:loent c.On-
c.entratum of tll1~ a~eu smohe to 'Jpt'r,lte the 'Plol"e de-
tector~ 'n the gn'st rr)')ffiS -
. Lxatwn of Smoke Detector> ~ome smoJ..e u.etec-
tm, 'H':e luc..lted III the ~m,I;: <'}\l':- Ire.l het-\cell the Lln
c.0I1 unit return ,ur gnn J.nu the room C.UI nour Jllor~
SlPol;.e entenng through the cr,KI.;~ around the duOI .md
the door fr,lme \V:lS mmt h1.,elv Jrawp ,Kro~~ the lm..cr
mto the tan Call tWit ,ur-return \ ent !oc.lted 111 the p,lrU-
tloP. between the Lltiuoom ,lIle! tile room >()yer, ,me! \V.I:>
clre.dated th:ou~h(}lIt the nlO'l1
Summa~v .md \lIJ"'- Contnb"tLn~ r'd"n
The flit .It tlll' \Ve\tc.h."l II:llol1, \;1.,(' other 11 t( nt
~l" ere ilotrl fllL\. \Vd~ 'n.i lp,ltlcrll 'ell'lltl" ullnph ttd
Ii- ~\h."jLl(i \1, ~l..l..(l.......t..1 \nl:.....",t1...la...dl-...,,:II...II..,..lL'k~ [~ltl"1.-
tlU-'" --om :~lc.. \'\1 ..c\.11 hl !ll~flln il.I[.llln ~J: \lltlb h Pj"l2 l"lh r
lur r In Ht ". L1-Lh '\ :.Jlo"1 ti BU'I LU II" .....'llId ,nh Il 1ft .- Jl~ Hurt d It! d
J!li, ':0 1'P,2
S \l aft'l \1 I[ I~.......ill ",1I1l,;"1 jjl ~I" 'I'Jl1IJ\. ~ I~n.~ Lld 1 h..:.;lt....~ Ltt( r
III~ j"U I, I }1I" :d':', \ 01111111
j I 1.1" .r' j'ir1-' .'1' . 1 ~ I
'\, ,
.
(or exounded'; fire-,eslstl've structure wIth a number 0/
bUl[t-m fire protectIOn features Yet 12 out 0130 occup,mts
(-10 percent) on the fire floor 'vere fatahtJes ;-";I:"'E of the 12
Ylctlms were found m gue3t rooms One b tJ.h tv was found
'n the eXit-access corndor Two guests were rescued from
their mdlVldual rooms bv fire ngntel s, but later d.ed ~roP1
"11'1{j~e lilh..ll..lt U.l l'ln:ries The ~l"ccessft:l 1"lter~or Llno
C'xte:-lOr re:'!eue3 or 13 o(cup,mts ot t::e !ounh Hour ::l\ Sl e
dep.1l tP1ent i~er::,onnei J.re con~ldereci to hd\-e been
Sj~-"ll~::"-(llit ~i1 reducln; ~~~e p(}s~]ble It...mber of fu~i.lt'tles
.ujG: or ~n) ur es
The se\ c!:e !~e3t ~!nd smo\.e e\:?os~:-c ~:J the nre Hoor
r~s-..;lteu ~~!ter .1 Lombln"-l~~Qn cf el,'etntts (loa f.lCtOIS
~':;(:'!..lln~n ~ed in ::J~::' ~ ero~ t L:Il..)'.\ e.J_ Lh.e ~G.Ji7i. of 0r:~'n ~n
t!11~ iJU;l~pn..-'! !..:e:-{:{l '.Jll~I.:::~-.; t,:,= 1 e.en E~~: ~;-~ In\ e-h. e-
lnerl t I~nl~]{}n '11C::,: ~;\e:"" ~1CC ~~~T~ci ~'" }-.Cl1 ..1 L:.~hteci
C:;3rette '\-Z~ L!~QPpec. O!"1t:J .1....~ l ~~:l)~~:e~ed 2h..u!" ~n .J.
/ou-~h-Hcor ~ue5t rGGlT: the 'JCc1lp,mt ,"J.S -::)t ,L\\ Me ai'
~~e :::JT'C~~1C] .:)Y" u,,~s p --.t ~lbh;, ~G ~:J.~~ dCtl:;:1S s~ch c.l:)
..
~otlf\,!qg. ntL.,e....s
The IllltlL11 nQt~Ecatlon to tt.e r~OleJ ~t3.if \.~.a5 from J.
g:'_'e~t n H.oum 'SO-! report,~; :\ sr'.ol.;.e CO'OC.'tlOI' :!.Iid
~llbsequcnth. tl-:e ~l(t~\...ltlG!1 or ..l-..e el;~:.~~l-RDDr ::r!TIch.e
deteL~o!"" =-It ..l?pr-O\.l:P -lte\: ~ 11) J.n~ i~:e ~_i1.::::J.I :lOCl~ca-
tlQH fral1. ~h~ ~lg.hth floor ::'~l,\" ~:.."\ e C ~~..;erted .It:~nt::{}~i
from tpe nre ilour t:-.us del.~.'v'n~ discover\' of the actu<i.l
locatIOn Tbe actual 10C.ltiOO \\'<'<.5 discovered a:w re-
ported at approxunatelv 2 20 am \~ hen an occupant of the
room of ongm returned to hlS rOom
The fire was able to develop III the room of ongm.
consummg combustlble contents and e>:poswg the
fourth-naor corndor to severe heat and smoke through
the partlallv open guest-room door F,.lU rOom m\'olve-
men~ "'m, reached Suffi<:>tlme pEor ~o 5!"e de]Jartme~t
arr:,al at 231 am
A~ t!'e fire gre,,,- III mte'1S1r.- and exposed the e,-lt-
access corndor. conditions m the corndor detenorated.
r.lPldiv 1:1 ,1ddltlOn to the ~\iO occupants and their guest
from the room of ongl'L onh- two other guests i.l couple
m Room 409) were able to successfully evacuate on their
own from their room Ilsmg the corridor, and their escape
was barely achJe\!ed :\obncabon was not soon enough
for the majorIty of fourth-floor guests to use the e'at.
J.cceS3 corndor
Of the 22 guests who staved m their fourth-HOOf
rooms, eight were succe'<'Jfulh rescued over ladders
These gue~ts \vere In tv,iQ separate rooms and h..ld broken
their wmdows to notlI)' the fire department of their pres-
ence Three other guests 'vere rescued from their rooms
bv fire dep,lrtment personnel .md taken down the staJr-
'v,r..~ :\"I:le fat.lhtles were lound m two guest rooms,
benmd clo~ed door~ Two occupants m separate n}()I'1~
wcn~ rescued, but IJ.ter rl'ed The dd..lY m notJlkat:on of
guests ,md tIck ofextlIl~lll~hment of the Ere III the tnup-
lent ~tal!;e gre.lt1\ ,lilccted the potenhallor survlv,d
It 13 not J..nown whdhcr the gue~t-room door~ (uthLr
th U1 the room t)l 0I1!!1l1: r~'1I1,lIlled clo~ed thrtJll~h{)Llt ~hL
.
mCldeRt, howe\'er, there '\"IS con~lder J.l)le nlln ement 'n
the corndor t.h'e to eSC,lpe ,ltte'llpt~, ..].;ld doors ma\ 'j,jH
been opened to ~sess conditIOns or to ,'ttempt t'~Llpe
Soot depOSIts mdK'ated tInt :'!mohe h,td :mgr.lkd alto
guest rooms \~here fatalIties Gccurred The amount of
soot howe,er, 'vaned [mm roan to rOOl"1 throu!::hollt the
fire qoor -
13.'-'e2 on the :\"rp\ "l\e~:'::lt'\L ..,~'Zd,. tilt;' L};1.i\\ln~
.J.re CO'l~idered ~o be .ndJor iJ,ctOt~ ,-ont1;bd,a~ t-l thl'
[03S Ot life In ~hlS f;re
. 1) Lack of detectIOn and e...tmgUlshment of the fire
IU the mClplent ,tage
(
\ Se"'-cre thre--lt to !~~c sJ.f~t~ ~~silb:eci ;rCl"i1 tjlt' ::"'ll';:,~:--
r.--:-:i:r"l f:-r= t~d.t ~n\.01\eci c(_n..~l)i."':;:.)h. L(.:nte~.H:;: rl ~.>'~
..lo.....~r:~n~de,..ed hotel Ti'e ~~:~ :-:-,-~~(t.. 't"Lo~ll ~11 ~l1lh ~ i.;" 1>
ItH.~~ p~otec:ec b) cOr"'1plete ,lt~:~"1~lL.....t11_ ~p:"r"~~er ")\ S::::-l~--:::,
;.> e\ce:lent .l:..n automatic s~.;-.n -.ler 5\ ~~e'l~ U)II!G 1'.1\ e
, '. ~..... ,,~ "_ 1 .
e'tI~lg:~!iSnea :ne nre .;nC! d~:'::J ..::!'""O" 'Ceti ..1[1 a'.lr.:" =....:. ~1':.)_
~~s.cu..tl.on :)~-. ho~e[ :-o1..inJ.:zerpen: ;:tuci (!t'e....t~ -\\..!.tor~..lt.~::...
i)OtlhC.l::OTt of the fn e dep,::..:-: ~l~n! H nuld ~'ll\ e J.il,-_p..\ ed
tne !ire depart~ne~t to rest',f)"lU :0 t11C' ]"\o;:eJ ::D ..b...l...t
;::.:e;,:s aad hCJtd -nJ.lugeG"'en:
· 2) The guest-room door of the rooll1 of ongm did
not close completelv. contributing to the se\ ere ne.lt and
smoke exposure to the fourth-floor corridor and othCl
guest rooms
The door. although eqU1pped WIth self-c!oslllg
hardware. dld not dose cO"1?leteiv ThiS condlt:on in-
creased the seventv of heal and smoke exposure m the
cornua!" .md greatlv reduced '::he chances of sUfVl,ai on
the lire floor Smoke aiso sprc.ld frGr'l the fourtf> qoor to
other !toars through e!e"'2.~:Jr sh.itts ;md tPe cor!".dor
H\' -\.C svstem The door Ii1stJlbt'on and rl.llnten,mce
details were not available '::0 the :'\FP.-\ It ,Ippe,>r~ th.lt
the carpet mav have mterrto:-ed \\ lth the doo- S\~ m:.;: -\
closed door througbout t:'e f.-e could hay t' re.J.uceJ or
de\aved heat and smoke spread to the lorndor
. 3} The lack of olD evacuatIOn ahrm In the eadv
stages of the fire to alert guests on the fire floor
Proper staEf actIOn was cssentl<ll ll1 order to cDntmt:t'
th:, ernerg;enc\' procedure~ thdt ,hould h,l\ e been In-
ltIated fO[[Qwmf1 notificatIOn and the alltom,lhc ,lC'IVJ.tlOn
ot the fire abr; ~vstem Th:~ dnl not m.cur, md re~111ted
In e\'8C'U<.ltlOll alarms not soundmg or be'ng iw,uu
Fourth-Hoor truests bec.J.IUe a\\,lre of the fire b\ other
b
means. and unlv ,lle\V \\ e~e ,lh[e to ~\l(..le3sfll[[, e\ KUJ.te
the b\lJklme: Oil tlwlr ll'\ n T!lthe who \\ en~ ~oru:d to
.em,lIn In their room:'! be(..\!l ~~ <il ~L'\ t'l e ll}r~'dl)r lUIlUl-
t;on~ tiled .1 ,enOU3 thr"-.lt to their ~,dd\ Th: mltlll
POtIT'LltIull hom the l'1~hth t1<'llr l.lll~eJ 0\ ~llW!-..L 1'11'2:f 1-
tlOn Ill,l' \),I\!c oll\"ertui .Ittent'oll IrOlll th... I'lL fluor. Jl-
HHL JOLlI'\. \L - J \'\.l \In J'J",
") ')
.
.
.
f
<~n'l'lg dl~c(}"en< and the .1lertlllg flf fourth-Hoar gue~t~
There was msurTIctent d:lta to detefl-:-ll:~e the effect ot
possible file .1iJ.r'TI ~\'ste'n ImpalPnents or maifunctl8n
on evacuat:on ,darm per!o'mance dur:'"l[; the fire
The following are considered slglllnca....lt addltwnal
hndm gs or' the .\' FP -\ In' -estu;Jtlve st:;dv
11 1:1 ad[htlOP to the I.1CI.:: of ~V'1Cl'at'on "hrm ,'ctl'-~-
tUJ.1i i'~ tl"" t' ~ll ::;:"-1' ~~ ten\. el, thel e \\ ~b ~~ de lL1.... In nL)~' ~\ I"l:!:
the ~re c:e~)J.r'men, Full 1001'1 ;;nol\e'nent m file ,me
:he se". e'""e e'" ~JaS1L~C ~o :ourt~l-Roor OC2Up~'"1t5 cc::an eci
~)I :or ta '~e dep...lrnner, t u:,1' ~J ,it .2 .3l ..UTI \\ ater t.!"..lS
c.1ppl~cci to the fIle ;,n RJO'l1 40-4: <It aprra\~i.111te~; .2 31
~:.nl 5.")"ne 2:) ~r~nut~s -liter l'""ltl..d not"cJ.t~on to ~~(}tc:
~t..!.:':: T~"~-==- \1 e"e ~e~ e-r:J.I ~"C'ct'....;:-~t re-sc~'e.::; cf ;:""8: 1 ~h-
t~".nl "CC~':"nt, e-' e" ",,:h ,be c;d:'.ed J.hr. C",l':t" '1"'-
f--::'::':!.::Cll ,...: .l-:~::- r..~ ~ dl..~p~~!tPie-...t .:o:"lG l--':"\e :le:)(..;,~ >--)
~c~ ~=He ~'l::'_~:" cc;.r'-~Gl J: .a.~..:: fIe 2..nd ;:t;;~~~ '-~..l\e "-::!-
(lU(('j C~~ll J::",~
I '''l+e'"- .t-'~\.... CO""" dill tee: b\" L~e :n\ estlgL::;J....s ~1. U~
ioii,v,\-uP ~~_I:-'e\~ Dr ~lIr'..',\nt.... oi ';"l~~ n~e l:1dlCJ.-~ed. t--_1-
~ _ -- ~ 1 ~ ,
;:.-.e~ er...-'l ~::e'-p)..: '.~t're (!In.u~t'G. DV ,:he e\lt 'TIarKu1.~5 :::::- -r,'
:'-he ~l1~~'~l..t' P: e-"lt d0()~~ ..r,d J.d.JJ..cent stor..l;e rO~j'n
c.C8"'S Y"e::.: :--E'C:~O')..~~ i?\~t Sl_;~S -;'i.lt;'i~n t~C' e\.;t ~O'i e: S ar
:-:1E e'l.ds Q~ ~11e ~'o~el ::.J~l""ld~~ S ~nC~]c~;.~eci ~~1J.t ~tle C'\l:
p.lt:1 t"OIll t!'b pOlllt ,,\ouid be rt:':puld-u:Lu tt} the l'\'t-
dtU',~ tOI ndor Some 01 thL' O(CIlIMnh III 0 \ L d to\\',t[ d
the lu("ed ~tor.\:..:e room d(]ot~ me! .m,I\' flom th( L \It>
j": IlHel Views UlIlc1ucted h\< II'Hhwn PH e,tl:!; ltor\ .me
questlOllJl,Ure responses reten ed bv the :'\ FP \ !rom \ lC-
tpn, Dr the file repe,ltedh- IIlcllCltl'd the Lit'" II! ,111dlhl",
rue lLl'~1'" ho:n t~~e In(l'-\Hb',,l l),-lrt(J1\._[)~')( t lttd l(l;"~l
.."....lOh, =ktlL~.-)''''' I~LP\{\~' l;~h)~~"';;-\ j"\li.'l"llltliJ" 0")'
filt' (~L~:.:l~nl~ ~)\ ~he CLl1[Cr lo~ rl'l nl'c,t~(h '\,Lt'!)tlli
B~'ie L~' f)fSt.r"(.Lu(~.... P1C.'L }tltl ~'I::.~tC '-\-b '10 ril..lHl.Ir.(':~-lll
or 'he' 'lllllZ,lt-PP-t', l~e ',nokt C'<,~eU(l r' ;t<<' 1 :\ I-P \
",~-"'ec..~.l~~~~=; i,c :1;.::-,,(;'" t~,:t l.!.~.. (...-u\l"'j"'v)h.e p:.( q~l'lh-I"('q -.....~~
r1 ~l.( 1"'1:.. 'It ".; the. (:~~t(-'~ 1-';'1.'" in LL :-L~"Hl'"J~i'-:) "01 ~he.. . "":~l ....
'(~:IPn-l:. :..::,.11 )""1P ht..-~~ rlt~"\l.l-(i ~I._I .:!:..._:....~'}l...
... t...111.......-
Ti-'t. "_'-'T"::,I
:~ .... -t 1'[ I.. ~". 11'"\\ l d...:
L Fi..::...... "I" .
ti., j:.
I),
...... .....J..:...
.;'- .,..' .". .ri
,., L. I..
( .P"
......: "
\ r L. ",1' , J)..~t. .:...
L........ -1".. ...~ t'....-: Li" (' -'L~
1" E, [-. ..- -.,)'.;" ~...
t'-":..'-J" ':1 ..'L -\l...GI1 F-.'1- :.1
~E~--I :...~~:;lr_llb._d
.:,."'1," "':::l '..r '. ... -~..~"l1l'-'P ,.~ ".:.1
'\ ;- r -:..... ['...:'. L =-- -II~:':: :J" I,. -'1 .... ,-. ...:. I ....,..
\1: ,., :~ II''1il~ ?'I'.~i_(+ S' <...-. r~,. Llr .-1....- '.1-...
~_, I.'" :':~ \II'">.'~!..
I
,.'...., ..,::.t ,.
.... L ~ .. '
. '1
L" ::. ~ :..::: .... ~ -I! , ! . -. . ,..
....1'
'.
r _.....
L :i..,.,
. I' Ir 'r I-'-~ .
:\"FPA Standards Council :\leetmg . CO'ltIl"P,edfro"ll'qe 5:3 I
+:-11' r' ro'i ..
sponslblhr-, for lrfe safeh lS 'nth t~e
Lfe Safety Code Camlmttee If It IS
:elt that tbere are speclai needs for
nO"'l-'1uc!ear po"ver generatm;
piants. these should be discussed
\' It;~ the Lj:! Safety Code CaPlIl1It-
~ee to dete~'nFle \\lether u~ nat
these specal needs ShOl:ld be !vn-
dIed III ~FP\ .:.0:. the LIfe Safi't[!
Code. or :n ?rapG~ed :\"F?\ 5'50
In reVIeWing the Committee re-
port further. the COU'101 noted t!'a.t
there are ot1er P 'J\ ',''':'., <]1 the
proposed :.t:md,u ~1 th.\: 'wed '0 !Je
COOl cnated '\ Ie, Dti'el VHnl~ltt('e~
';e ~. Fire Te~ts F" e D001~< d( ,
The COlFlC1 t!'m :T~e~ that ,,[(h
coord:nat:on ile "c\11e\ ed ~Jet(>1 e tbe
Committee submlts ItS Techmc.tl
Cf)Il'I1'lttel:' D"C'''l'_':lt H"1ll TeD,
tOl pU')]'c':'on .,
St.::Jter-erf of O\"nershi~. ~ ta'1:J2;emc"""t J."d C'Tc.d:l.t'on
:R:;:r.(I-.rec ..~\ .:)lV..'" .:;;~ --._I~.].J -I'. ,'1'(, C '~.l
"'i"'.~k ,-f r.lbh:~:Jtl''':.''l }-['lE lO!~ p"';,J L
D3'e 0;- t. ~I'l~ Octur'-!;'r L 1!::;..1.
oJ. F-t'~IL.:.~n::"" lj'- .S'IUt" fillm:m('I=-.. .It. '-:0 ,)i '~"':Je"!; L'.IL.:i...~ed ;mnu:Jrv -3 B -Vm'I.1I ;;;1.h~crlr~UIl1 ;J-.u" "Sol- '''I)
Com')I~'e ......al:-niC .1u{irl..ss,I" ~nQ""'-n. o."i]ce 0' !l110IU_.3.tlon r~t'e""'.lItt('11 :)lr~ {....In:.. \cr+\Ji"i: (".1..1'....1 "'1-\ ;-~~:r-...g
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APPENDIX G
,
I
,
-\ fire in a mnth-floor room of ~h:s modem ll-storv
high-me hotel on Septe>nber .s. 1974 destroved t!-.e
room and eventuai!v In\"ol''ed 6e nearby ele';ator loco'.'
on that floor A motel emplo\ee \' ho atteDpted to ex-
tmgmsh the fire was kIlled Of slgmficance m thiS ::ire
';!:. \\ as the dela: ed alarm and the faIlure of certam fire
protectlOn dences to funct:on properly
The Clvaher Beachfront Hotel !S a Ere-reslshve
bUlldmg- about one year old The Erst ten floors con-
t~llned guest rooms. the eleventh COOT 1,e1d a restau-
rant, and the basement contamed :namtenance sloops
ami. a p.uking g:J.rage
CO,,"STRCCTIO'\;
T~'e hllllC:lng '\'1\ ,-on~truc'ed entlrelv of rc!";nrccd
u)t1cretl', m( 'lldlllg eolllmn~, be:J.ms. and Hoor ,I Lh\
".
~ l.~... It i"'ort ,... L.... i (OOfr r\tlve eEcrt i.:;y the "\.atIO'l Li HI'-:-( 1.1
(); ", 'IOl' ,Tel, ,IT'll the ....l P \ f,-e -\~dh ~IS Dt'p" t'll' I't 'h
llltl.our :...:.rdl.I'ih: H.~r(}\\ltd~(.s tre (OoJ'er-LtlUll (.t '. IP"L::I"'I'
i'elLh i lie (~-.]{I flu'" i)'LIt!
l i;
rIP!: ]()L[l'\L-]\....L\R't 187.5
HIGH-RISE
HOTEl ~
FIRE
\' irginia
'T~-'~crl" 111" .....
Y.LIb a
"'!r'\ L
.beaCll~
JOH~ A SH.\RRY
Fzre ...~nc.lY51s Departr:reilt S~)ecl{:i=-st
The extenor curtam \\ alls cOTISIsted of rour-u-:eh con-
crete blocks faced Wl~' fou:-!f'.ch bnd:: The extenor
walls of the gClest reoms consisted of h,e2 l~-n'c~
plate!:;lass :n a:umu::.:m Erares ard ';-,;-cn .,.,h:e ;bss
shdmg coors opemI"g ~o a COr.tUIUOUS ba:co:l'; on the
north. SOt;tn. and east s:des of the bm12mg
The :loor slabs ":ere foured In 9bce and measured
5], menes T;ie slZlb-to-sla'::J he:;"t ';\ as 11 feet
Intenor \\'alls ',\ere of '~-,r.ch g, psumboard on mct:ll
studs The stalT'\VaVS '\ ere c:-:c1osed by eight-men ce-
ment blocks
Doors to guest rooms \\ere of U-!nch composIte
core wooel Stalr"'av coors were of metal \\ Itn frames
listed for CL,s; B locat:ons
Inte! 'OT fin:\h In roams :lull t, db:l.' ~ cons'stce! of
vmvl-~O\ ('reel w,tllpa[1E'L \\ all-to-'.\ ,Ill c.upetmc;, and
pla~ter<..d ,md p.untcd ce!lmgs
The hmlclmr!: \\'a~ rro\ Idea \\ 1th a manu 11 fire abrm
,,'qcm t\1,lt '\",\ dcqc:ned to ~ollml .Ul ,tbfm '11 the
front dc..k ,lfP,1 ,llld In the Ill.1"lti'T' mec l)i~('c and t]wn
lftpr L t'J1H d~ Ll\ ~r) '-l()IP'(~ t \cllll tt~llIl :\~ i1.... ll'lf)1H!!]-
'HIt th, IHllldLl1!! Oi'lr'~"l'1 ,)[ 'Ill' l\.ll111~IOIl 1)(11"
timid Il' (.1IlU ilL d ',,\ 11\1 01 L \-IIP' >,'ted "\\ltlhl\ .ll
tl". d,..1.. ,lilt! ,t ,10< '., <Ptt d :Jtli[ "t Itll'l'\ 1 ill ",\lllll
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F'gure 1 Fbor :;::an for r.'r.t.\ E.cor
_-\ '1-'\- et stand?lpe svs:e:!1 H~as ?rc~ 12ed. thJ.t ca~5':sted
Q! 1]2.:~r:!l hose c:?o:nets 1!1 'l1:e n?ll\v2.Vs for occupant
use :.;.nd 2il-mch hose con:;ec~:ons In t:e s~aH\,el:s for
FIre Department use AutomatIc spnnkIers were m-
stalled m the basement. \Vater for beth the stanc.?lpeS
and the spnnklers was proVIded "bv an eIg.~t.mch s~p-
ply from the pubLic 'vater system Wlt.tr an electncalh-
dnven LOOO-gpm automahc fire pump A Fire Depart-
ment connectIOn was also provIded
THE FmE
A maid makmg l1er rounds on t.~e nmth floor notIced
smoke commg from around the door of Room 906 at
about 11 35 am She lIT'medlately pulled a fire alarm
on the nmtn floor Hotel mamtenance persor.r.e! ':-e-
sponded to the mnth Boor to detennme the e'{te~t or
the fire but upon arnval, they decIded not to ope~ the
door to Hoom 906 The assIsta.."1t hotel manager arnved
and decIded to attempt to Bght the fire He opened
the door and an attempt was mace to fight t.~e f.:-e
from the doorway usmg a pressunzed water extm-
gmsher and one carbon dlO'l:lde extmgmsher
Dunng thls attempt, the plate glass shdmg doors to
the balcony were open and a 30-mph wmd "...as dn...mg
the fire toward the corndor door
The assistant man:l!;er told the othe: persorneI to
start cvacuatmg anyone still on the mnth floor As they
moved cml.:n to the east end of the haU, the fire burs:
out of the room of ongm mto the halhvay, lsolatmb t'~e
a~slstant manager from the other personnpl AV'a"-
entlv the assIstant manager was slightly burned he-
caml;' clsonented, and couid not find h:s ',vav to ~he
sta:r-:'f:"~.... 2~t te"'~ est end 05 ~~e :;(..:~ _\t :~:s ~~~2 -::1:J"':le:
hetel e:nplovee cd!ed the F~re D~??:-~e,.,t
The \'ll ~'ma Beach Fue Department :-ece1\ ed the
call at 12 05 ~nn, and dlspatc::ed t'.vo eng~:).es and a
ladder com:9am' Arnvmg !ire 5ghters atte~ptmg to
enter the west staIr\vell \Vere ur.:.;.ble to p:-oceed be-
vond the seventh floor because of smo~e a~d heat III
the stairway FIre fighters wearL"1g self-contamed
breathmg apparatus were able to proceed to the mnt.~
Hoor and attack the fire usmg ~mes from the F1:-e De-
partment standpipe connectIOns m the st3.r:-". ells
Eve~tuailv four 2]~-mch and fh e 1 ]~-!!:c::: Ir:1es 'vere
used to control the fire
The aSSistant manager waS foun:::: ~"1 tr:e nor~:r,-vest
cor--:.er of the elevator lobb' :ot t..'-:e v,'e,t e~d of the
mnth floor hallway He was trarsportec to the hospItal
and pronounced dead on amval Cause of death was
carbon monOXIde pOlsomng (blood ana]nlS showed 50
percent carbon monoXide content ';
A Few people were stIll 'nslde the bUlldm~ at the
time of the fire Seven guests 'vere re~cued bv nre fight-
ers ,\'ho had brought spare self-contamed brcath:ng
apparatus up to the trapped people for their use as
they were escorted dmvn the st::ms
Th~rty-one fire fighters mfFerccl heat ex:,amtlOn
.... ~ .\LY'lIS
The Are \\ as mltl,llh coutamec1 In f1(-' roo'n o~ on-
~I'" If the room door h.Hll)t f n left clf)~cd a'ld the r're
Dpl',utmpnt h.ld heen (,11', d ;1ro--n!'rl\ the d,l'n.l~i'
\\oldd pIO]),lhh h,ne ~H'l'1l U;l:t"kcl t'J th It l<lOIll Onl{~
rill!" jOL'n'\:,,-L ~J \'.L'\fi\ :",-" . 21
..
.
the door was open. the fire was dllVen bv the WInd out
!TIto the hallway
The \\ est stall \....el! filled WIth smole and heat early
l.... --he f]c. :--d&.holl;n ~ne COOl ~a the stalJ\'\".r '\~1.')
c:u~cd .i~ ,l~)<)e.'rs tc.,t '1 gre.'t de:).l of he.lt and S""'ol-e
enteled the stauwell '::1ecJ.use 01 poor mstall.1tlOn of ~'e
~t:J.t~~\.ell GJar
~ -> D~:lm.!; ~re-Gshtlag operatlOns the e1s"t-:pch ~1.ip-
piv to the st'lndppes bro~e at J jo'nt m tl...e unc.c:-
;;rollnd T!......e~ ~ 'YZiS ::.10 check .'al\ e In :r:e ~lrnn~ be-
tv..ee~ :"...e stl.l.n2;nj!e J.!"',d ~he p'.Jb:_c scpp:~r. thus aP
5~anci~-,-:.:e use ,"vas ~ost. as all .\.z.:e~ bel::!; ?"..:,......~ed :n:o
t::-e F "re De~J..1 t~ent :':I' 8.rnese connec:!C:1 ~.i.:-IS c.l:scr.,.lr;-
lD~ ,:hl-:m;:, ~he br-<J~e~ >-:nder::;:-ound con:'ectWl1 :or-
tun.:tel'. t;:e Flre Def"rt;pe~t \ad r~used J. !,;.c8.er
with .1l.1cdcr Pipe to be used as an cxte'nal stJ.nc2lpe.
If needed. ,mJ .t \\ dS promptlv put mto u~e to contmue
the fire fightmg
.. \:J C'"(~~I~H')t r]llct:, \.~.Jdp"':: c~ c........... tl-'e h.-.th: rY)D1C:: ..- 1'-[
plo\.:d_ed 1.\ltn C~"jt~l.ln-t\p~ -;1 ~\~:""'-C10:~ fl](:;, ~~ .~"...~~C!.'.:-
thLlt \\ ere dec;;lsro.ed to clese \'\ ~~(-"~l 1 l.':lh fused C"1~ Gr
tpe~e dJ.mpu5 failed to oper.,-t~ .15 "~tendL'd _",':1")'1;'1
the fusi':::;!e l~Dl, fu~cd~ !-ne ~et~11P':1~ b..l'1ds 1:"..:>.:.0:1 t8 :3.::
..l\'\ J.\ Ll~J l;toc.\.C'd t!:~ d..l..l~l~e!" :r=j:""l i'Oc:~::!,"I~
-'\11 tl~e :-CC--"-' cL,-")ors 1.-'..-,(i betH"' t:.n.jt'~c';jt -, I r;:"':('
l'~ Inca!1 ~hl:-~ " :::~ L \ 1S,t-:1LC ")f t:lc "'!~!e..,c. ;:~r)r'- :.p~
h2 E to ne 11"t;"i' C:lr:)f;:'"t l!l:::c.e ~ GOITlS b, T~e-Ln~ ct ~~:e~:..
0~":-m:;s E the Le duL.::';;-' :-a~ bUH' ~';'1;'-: th~ ~-.,~-
:':l';]:.ilt"\ or the 'Jtne~. lOC:ilS ~elP; .::.. ~-1~ l2. ~~ \er
e\ e:l t-""cugr.. tl1e :oom cieor '..\ ~:~ c.~(::"sec:
., ,
"... ('"1\
New from Collins! ,~~ --~~E-~~~
d!.~-=, \~~ - - .
The "5ig Musc!en Make-on machine is built ~F~' n- ,--_~, '~.~P:- 't;;--~
~~-4'- _~,.....,~ ~ -
s?ecif.ic~ny for high-speed, high volume ~ ~- -==--~~~~~1"-.~
pipe ilttang assembiy. ...........;t, -- ':~~
1: " ~ Ek-
L- r r~-- ~-~
-.
Now-P'oe fittings are qUickly, safelv assembled-t!-Jen
torqued automatIcally to your deSired settmg PlUS, the
CollLr.s "Big Muscle" make-on machme IS reverSible for
brea'.('ng down fittings CJ-:eck these
. -"-'
aacltlOnal features on the Coillns yr-
. F
"81g Muscle -,
.....
. Easy size changes-sImply
pull two pms and re-pOSltlon
dnve plates
. Compact DeSIgn-ail welded-
steel constructfon
. Safety Hood Cover
· Two Models to choose from
"" to 2" and 21/2" to 4"
.
l~ -.'f} .J~~ 2-, ::::'~ .~~: ,~., ';:.:,:~-:- ::~;..
- 1?'3'~6B rJa~ C_'J .A"U .......... rll. l.lI 1-[.
L.-'1 _-1'.....54
!!H! 1(H'It\ \1 -j\\l \Ii)' [Ll75
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I-
14
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.
,.
FATAL HOTEL FIRE
Ne\v Orleans
LAGRE~CE D. \VATROCS
Supcn/isor: .7vFPA Frre Record Department
)..1
1.1 OVEF~- Rzc:a..iusr:: ~...;:OTG~ HOTELS .=:.=-e beco~Ing r~ er"-~
popu::1r.. &na \.herr CO;I;..eU:t:rlce a!:d J.t~r:'C~l".er:ess :::?r;:'~YI-~
travele~s Ho\"~eyer~ fe\v gJests e\.G.-t.L11ne r::-e ~r8tect~:J:1
a.nd e'"Ct :~clhtles be:ore t~e'\ check iD _-\fte: tr;l' elers
!l::;.-,te re~js:2:ed thev a:~ ~ake:l ~o t~~2!r :-::0:-=-5 bv ~'...-"'\. of
L.~~ ele-'::-,:or Th~a""''I~!laut tI1.0~:- st~y the e!e".-8:or be.
comes a fam~h:lr eut r:.nd sen-es as t...I1e onl-.- PJ.th t:) the
outs1de
On July 23_ 1971, m :-.J"ew Orleans, LOUlsmna. 51':
people died when me erupted 10 a twelftl-l-storv :-OOhl
or such a bUIldmg F1"e of the v1ctlms 'vere tryIng
to escape from the motor hotel by usmg an e!e"ator
from the Sfteenth Hoar '.Vhen the elevator reached
t.~e t\velfth floor 1t stopped and the doors opened Fl\'e
or the 51'( passengers d~ed from the beat and smole ,n
the t"ve:.Et"l-story comdor The sp;:l.~ "lcbm '\"as aZU;trc
who also died m the twelfth-story corndor -
THE BUILDIXG
THIS ~lODG1" ~IOTOI\ HOTEL, located m the :le,lrt of
downtQ\vn New Orleans. opened for busmess 111 1968
The bmldmg measures 231 feet long and 114 feet w1de
on the first seven noors, above 'vhlch the W1c.th dldnge~
to 67 feet for ten floors The bu:1dmg e'ttencls to ,1
tot~l heIght of 17 stones (the top story IS called
the Clgh:eenth, ~ there IS no thllteenili star..j The
roof area of the sevcnth stor'.' ~as a sWlm-:nlI'g pool wltl'
patio
The first story contams the motor hotel lobbv, ,1 fL\-
taur,mt. :1:1 automobile denIer, several offices. :md the
ramp for thc par\:mg: g3.rage The ~cC'ond throll[.:l] the
~cv('nth levels are rc\crved for oJ1Ln-,lIr rar\mg The l ('-
IT'nll~mg ten ~toIles CO:,t,l1l1 SO room~ cac~ - 1:1 .111, 3Qn
I :tL 111tlwr I~ <Iu.ply II1<h.btul to t'l<- :'\ew Orl, 'l'l~ [-'re I), _
p""lrbULnt "l,nd to Oir:<'hlb fl).... trllT (.(lO[lE-t'1.t.on \\ hl!~ h{ ,\" L\ (Ib-
t WlJ"<':: l'riw-n..tlon ;or th'~ .lTt,dL .l,.li the photm I" 11" ,f I"~
vm-t,-,,' ,.f ,tJe ....P\I 0,)<. In, Fore D<'[''1-tment
APPENDIX H
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r.:---....---:. - -:'. "_--;'~-_._~..L . _--.-"iT :.:--.:..----_-.-... __.....:::..~
! ~~-~~.'rr. .~>~~r.r~ !..,,:'\.'t':,"~_:f f'-::-:fi:'it
~";i ~:. -- :.-. ;'--7-~~...:-:_:_::->-~~___=___~ ..-70.,;,...-....--0----.._-.1'-
NFP..4 pressure-sen.nZIt;e lLam'n:; decal. G-7
rooms On the !'~ght of the fire 251 or the rOo'fls '..-ere
occupied bv 40S guests
The fire-reSistive structure 1S or poured-m-pLce rem-
forced-concretc-pan constrl1ctlOn. sur:;ported on con-
Ceete columns The thinr.e<;t P<U~ or be t:}or structl.'f('
IS three inc!1C?s thick The ('xtc nor ,,;,.:1s on t!'e ft~ st
Rear ,1fC of masonrv con~tn:.ctlOn wlt!l <1 one\: ... ereer
~lctaI ~Lltlng~ and decor~ltl\ e r,-l:h~~s e!'lc!o~c t~c park-
]~1:;' ~;.llL\~e a~("~~ Fra"l the elght~) ~o ~hc ~c\e.....t'..e!lth
ROQ1. shdmg sl"ss door~ openil1~ to \lUall ,<uied-'n b,ll..
comcs ,1Od a m,l>.onry-bloc.k p<mcl ..."all bct',veen the c'(-
tenor concrete columns form the t...\ 0 10'1:; c"\teror
"'..lUS Both ends of the bU11dmu: ,lIT' of soha ffi.\Sonry
con\trnctlOn
The c.ghth through the "evcnteelith <;tOlle~ <lIe <H-
rdn;l'd WIth the rDOI')S off .1 lung u ntr.d corndor
The elevator lobIN, WIth .1C{:t'\" to the thrct. 11.1,,\t L1!':cr
cle",ltOl \. IS loc~ted ,lbout Olll'-t!urd ot thl" \\ ,n from
tho tW,t end of the Inuldlllg Then' ,1n.' I", () endo,,('d
\t,lIr to\"ers, one ,lt l'.\l.h eml o~ ~hl' Lllltr 11 ll)J Jill!)!
Cll"~ B fire door\ l!;1','C ,ILL""" t,) :)J" .,LIlT tll\\ c'".,
Llll) flpor 11,1" !" 0 llllll!l d pll1J >.U!:OIl,> ,!lll1 !\\D
;ll)lll~ Illl Ill( Inl,l! ('1,[( l/,t!/(J'l ,d,ll'll I" li h ,t,dHl!!
'11'( ,.t'" .tll lh,. '10ft!' thlO1I:..!:!;rl1lt thl' iHn;dHl~ \ jO{)-
C::;.'t'l ,~, (till rlll\( fill Jl[IU'l) '11[1pl", Ill( llltd'~'rI!.~\
t~ir" (fc::1il fll'r. '\, t ~t,([fdpq" ~ \ ill' dc I' UCl1illrl '11-
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lut',,",\" -1\'.[ \l,\
, -."
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6 .
FIRE JOCR\AL -]--\\TA.RY 1972
.
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can be seer. rn the forc~rouJJd
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1...1; c:~ e--'C"1 fie-or the~e ~le fl~L"'~ '~O')L
e',": ~i:?~)~(l ''', Iti-) l'~_lil(~ ro:.c bC~i..::.les :=-t ,::--:.tCG
ol'tlet f~~ F~:::-e Departmc~r use T1"'eIe l~ -,~~o
.;"ted G~t:et at e;1C~ .::oor le'-e1 ~n each oT
to...... elS'
The mtenor partItIOns bet',-een the corndor 2.:,:1
the rooITI~ consist of one ~lck:H~SS of ":.,nch ';) ;1SU::'-
board on eacl-t slde or steel studs The partl::o'1S be-
tween the rOoms are construc:ed '_vlth a slll~le thlc1..-ness
of \-mc~ g-.-psumboard on one sIde or the sted st~ds
and t\,.o tp:cknesses 0:1 the other The doors to 'li:.C1
cct.\\ee'1 ~he rooms a.re of- solId-COle .,,,ood ....,~t Iii ~t:"~,.1
(.' , "
...: _--T :.:'
: _--1'C .
t'-le 5t~;.....
fnmes
Thrci1~hout the corndors and rooms the Boors 2.~e
CO\ elect '\ ,th .1 rubber p.'d .UlU ,1 c,upet T1w ., J.l1s '1'.
tll::" ~";!l:':()," h'l.\e ,1 -,1"1,-1 \\..']1 ::'O\.l'rlt':! \" ~,l:l.r
'.'! t.lli La\Crlng ~~ u~ed i.~ the PJOn1"'J. (. xcc-r't t~~lt .n "1lcl"-i\
roum~ the wall behmd ~he bed IS cO'l.Trul wltr. '\ ood
P,lDl'l"lg Tlw suspemL,d ce'l'n~ III the roOf'1~ I~ ~pr.1\ ('(1
\....,th " r.o"lcambust:hle fim~h. \\ h'le the (k '\ ,ltor lol}h\
and cOrrlt!cr cel!mg~ .ue of noncumbustlble tile 5Up-
pm [eel III mC't.ll ,tnp.>
T11<..' room furm~hm~~ conq~t of .1 h.d .1 eh lIr a
~m tll 11blc. ,md .1 dre"~rT all of '\-ood ({]n,tr"ctI0]\
I:.IL\) loom 11.1\ .In .llr-e"m11~llln1ll~ III1:t bltlit l'L~U t1it
l''{tl:nor \\ ,Ii ,lCJj.1Ccnt to thl' \hhng ~1.1~~ du!)r~
TIn: rmr:
,,:-~j':H T .2 -L1n ()[1 J~I\ 23 the 111otor hutl] 1l~1]1 t~1 mf!'""lt
h ,r! L dL,.L":'ll[['lnt \\lth tilL ocuqunh lIt BOfJ'll 121')
O\t r ':" i. t.; d!~ l....tll\lt...\...'tllt'l rull.... \, n ....III~ tj ~
fjlL"lD tlL'!'... i't ~lllt rOOPl <-.bl ,-"cd out Ulr~ L !.. !~.t ~.'~L~ f
1.1~ '"') rL'\ ~'~lll.. ]'tLr t....\ tlnh-f!o'lr nt-lU~1 LLI~'" II'Jtll Iii It_.
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odor or smoke :md ~epm ted It to the front desk.
_ Reportedlv ~ search 'vas made, and It was deter-
~med that t.~e fire was m Room 1218 One of the
buzldlng guarJs broke open the daer to that .room.
wIule the other ;u~,<rc. stmed evacu3.tmg guests on t~e
t', eHt..~ flocI ~{:li:~=2r 6,u:-rd h~dL ~r~y..:;~:t a char;2u
hose or e'{tm;:"::s~J:::r ~o !:be loo'n berore c-pen~I'::; t}-.e
door _-\fter t:1C ciuard \'.+~a hJ.d been searcll:r; the
t'.vc:t"th .Geor hJ.d eVJ.c:l~~ed :;,.... 0 eI~..atQ~ :oJ.ds cf
people... smo~e :::nd :....e:J.t rc:ced h1m to :e~"I.-e tee E.8or
,\-!thoul le~c.u]n~ an~. othe: p(op:e He "'yas unJ.~le to
~~H1 t~":t:: ot!~cr ;~1'11d ~C'forL-..l-'e left
_-1.t 5. ':6 ~:[11 ~~le '.)c~u:--_ln:s oE P80m ~21-! ::":ll!-:.>:l ~be
F~~ c D:=:?::.::..-!.....,e'l.t ::':lr~c::' ..l:1:::" :-~~)O:l. t~d ~:_~ nr2 S~- or:::~
thc:-c~[J-.:r ;::~'<.J r:re I:'.:=:r:: ~-:-c::: !""ec~~~ ~c.
a......~ ..:::. .s~~cet :1re L~~i."l"7:1 00". s:;.......::
8:1:e:- 2".1 ~l~
.
Re---,;:o:12~n~ n:e E~hte:s c:Ju:cl ~Cc: ~:::mes r'J,;::J:~g
froP1 d:e t".elfth st0r}. [Lild the\- pJ"omptl\ c.l~~ed ~")r
t::~ te;:l1n cr r'l~hlv tra:necl men C".;.11:cc1 the FI.~ ::lg
Sc;~acl ~o ;:lL.:;"ne~~ :irst-~!J.~ ~:.n;:C'1T.e~ _-\t S 35 3-
Eu] seconc-.J!2r::1 ,"1S51.;~!1le~t ~., .:15 2~ ~:ed ~e;:'2use ~='-'~re
\yc:-e m~r.y people I)n L:-:..;: .Galc::;~ies ~'-~.J.;.t::::s ;or rcs:L:C"
7:...e shiJ.~.e of :rlc ~ulldLn; :..:c.d ~~-4.""\ltcd J.':~css to :~~
east slde of ~he bUl~d-.U.~g p:-ever:ted effectr...re use Dr
aerldl ladders One truel: company }!sr~ Ed at the eYld ci
the build~ng and a ladder ;:ipe was set up Tr.e aenal
had to be extencied fully to dlsch~rge 'vater on the fire
The stream was directed ag:l1nst tbe far wall of Room
1218 mro'Jgh t.~e opemng 'vhere the shdmg glass doors
had been The ladder prpe was operated for acout te~
mmutes. until 'vater had blackened the area
I
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InSldc~ Pre H,;hters '''~-ere !1~'{.lng trouc!e re2c::lng
the fire One of ~~1e three elevato:s was oper2-tmg '.erv
sIo',,,,}::, one 'vas gOlDs up ll~d dmvn oet\vee:1 h"o
upper Hoors, and the thIrd appcx-cd to be steck 3t
tPe t...velft, star\' SOP1e of the fire n;hters st::rted 'v:.:'...:-
rU6 up the stilir to~'\.ers \Yl~h t.ie!r equ::.pmee~, ~'. t':~e
others wmted ror t.~e elevators to come to t,'-le lobby
\V:1(~n the men 1:1 the stair towers reac!l t.~e fire toor
-thev found the coors from the -.:ewers to 1:....;e corr,cors
loc'>(ed The fire fi~PtQrs ,> ho rode the elevator to the
eIcven~h noor readily o?ened the doers to the sta'r
t'),,\-ers on the eleventh Boor, ~ecJ.use t.~e cears were
locLl'd. onlv :!O!'1 th~ ~talr tower slue
Se\.'cr~ 1 fire fghtcr1) attcwptcd to t~~e the e]e"ator
dm:_lth- to the fire floor from the e!e\-enth Boor ',\ hen
the c:.'r rc.'c.h:cl t1'c fire :laor and the doors oner.ed. ,1
'....all or he.lt ,md slpokc forced the men to Cl"~ for tbe
fionr of t:1C c~r For~~n3tr]\-~ 3ftC'r a short t:;;re thl~
clows drhed .mel the e;eV,ltor proc.eeded up'vard .-\.t t!lC
urper f:oors peoj.Jlc got 0'1 th e ele> .Itor '>'Jth the fire
fishcr~ Altll<Jll~h the ur ,lid Ilot stop ,It the q,e :lam
SL'\ cr,ll of the l' ''>'>l nlrer'i '1,lll '0 he s:'''.en ox>'g' '1 h..
cU'se of '~l(, '>1l1O'..\" CODliIt'OIl'> '[l"lde
~-~...:.:;.....:..,,;;r::--..r;;o~~~'~ . ;1.: ~ ~- .~ .'~' ...,.>. . -'~~'\l' h ~
~ -I.~ ~L~~ ..~I I -. '. r ~iJ""""'" , -1
I - -=~ ::...-+~t' -,;., \ "'. d,.. · 'r=;....:, ~~~. ,I \ IA" -
. ~-r.;t!""~""'. It.l -~ - .'" ~ ~l !l'fl '
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ft.", l.---~ ' '.. - -",' ~-:~ ~- -"tl' L:--" t r:;\.f \ H 1
:4,- -:.'1....~,l,.. ~ -->'~-- - .....~~!> ~~-~.l;:.,t'.f ]i l l111\
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E.:;.ch 7-'"";Ont ~1c;S :":I~ G;~j .-':CTia ;.,-c-r:{!r' It L-~..J 01- ., ~........;.......~..-I';t.:C"\.
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- _'.-....-.-----.________ __ Oo~~ _.. _~~_ f-
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t::,~~<-~~~.~-~~~t-<~~~~~ ~: -~1~:
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~H_ =- L~_:::?:.:vi~ ~;- ~!l; I r:11 '
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~i"'~ -~ ::i~~ j '1' i. - .=----.:--
r- --- -'.-'1 ------~~
L~--=:-;~ t~~~ i :.~_______ ....._--. _ ~ -____~
One-2nct-J.-;;,:;.[;-:ncs. hose t:]"t k,d ~~e:1 ;:",r:;"c: to
the elc\.enth Booi' "...-as connected to t~k standpipe .1m!
ad',-apced up t..~e staIr tmver nearer the fire to the fire
Raor After t.1-te coor haG been cooled <1112 tLc sm,lil
:;bss wndow In the door h2d been hmJ..pn the eoor
was opened from the ms:de. :.ll1owm~ the nre fig1'ters
:tcc('~~ to t..~e fire Hoar The h<1TIU hne \\-',IS then ,ld-
vanced do...vn the corndor ;:~d mto Room l21,) '\ III re
l'10~t of the he hJ.d been k'1oeJ..ed down bv '\'.'C[.,. from
~he bddcr pipe The hand line '1',1'0 uwd to (()ol hot
'pot,> ,mu (xtmgt'l,>h ~m,1n fire~ :n tIll' corridor "1\01' lTl~
the dam' tl1(' w,l]l CO\'I'I'n~. mti th[ urplt ,I, lId, tll~
fire rJ:::)l~('rs WC'f' .....orJ;:m~ 'll thl'. ,In',1 t11l.... lch'lld thL'
l;(J[h or th[ !2;'hlld '\110 h ,ti 01" 'll d :1<1, cion I to t!'l'
Tl'em or oll~'n
Otl,t: '11<..':1 '\ \to 1:<1(1 LOllI<' IIIl tlll OlppO,jtl ~t.111
to\..., I "l'll t;.lll" d ,llU \'> tl) tii! fl'HIl h\ hn Ll,'ll~ tIll
,<111,l;1 dL'" \\JPcl'J'\ In Ill' L'Jllldlll f'l ([ III< , I, \ itor
.
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8 .
FIRE JOURYA.L - J ANU.'1RY 1972
lobov, thev found the bod~cs of a doctor, his Wire.
and their two small ca:Jdren .-\ woman was round, her
body ;Jartw.lly ill the elevator, along \vlth her son Flre
fighters moved her mto the elevator and closed the
door \Vhen L\c c;u reached the ground Hoor both tre
\,T..om\c~'"1 ..lnd he~ ~on \vere t:::ken to t~e :~osrlt~l \\..t..ere
she ciled Rescue .1nJ e:ner~er.cv treat:T.:ent ar the scene
bv t!:c Flre Department sJxed her son
The F~e Dep.l~t:::er.t :n::ice no estlill:1te Ot the nul'1-
ber of peo?:e rescued .\ cOPslderab!e number \Vere
t:J.t:e!1 dc"/~ the stL;'J.r :G\\.ers ::Ind .;l\-en Qxv6e:l ~v a res-
c...:e squ~d ]cc2.te:i ,;} i:'ont of :..1-:e bU1~cmg In ;dL four
...:.~~nns '\-ere >::ouncl-d m('lst~\ far ""L'r..PQ\\ e~ "Co e\ acu lte
f~'e b::::dm; T've> e e:::';l::es :J.:"'~ four :rucL, '\ ,th
~~bout 90 ~en "'\"ere l~vol\ed :n :esc:.:e :l:,d 5:c-Q:;n::r:;:
_';t 6 C2 .."";'ill, }bo~t 33 m::.r:.ul-es ::.rter the F~~,~ Dep3.rt'Tent
had D:>e:1 notified. ~~e fire \\ as declarea. cut
D2.:na.:;e '.\ as e.opf]!'ed to 6e t\veifth stor'.' : onh ,1
5mrrl~ 2.::1oum of sr.lo:..;:e e';e~ re:lcnec. the :;p~er st:)n:.:~ :.
With :,e,-,,'/ d3.r'1age to the room of ollgn imG heat J.nd
s::Jo1;e ch:'1J.g:e c {t~ndln?; thrcugr:oGt mc~t or the
tv... e~f~~..story carr:c.or T:12 s:Jhcl-co:e ')."... ced .:::'Qar~ ha.G
held "'71ost of tlie he.:::.t Zlr:d s:ncke out sf t~ie va:: .o:.'~
/-
rooms s!, people 'vere ce::>.d ~b.ny others reqmrec1
Frst ad for smol;-e mhaIatlOn The less \vas estImated at
S150.000
FIre offiCIals beheved t..":e fire was of mcendlary on-
glO The two men who had left t..~e motor hate] dfter
t.~e argument ,vIth the management were promptly
pIcked up, but after mveshgabon offiCIals found that
they were not responsIble for the nre At present the
person who started tbe Ere 1S not de5mtely known
The man rescued from the elevator :ndlcated that
he and his mother and the doctor and hIS family had
entered the elevator at the fifteenth HOOT ',V:.en the
e!e"ator rC:lched the twelfth Boor the doors opened
ana heat and smoke pou!'ed mto the car The c!octor
and hiS ramll;. left the elevator and started down the
smo1;-e-nJled corndor toward the staIr tower The sur-
Vlver's r:other colhEJsed as she started to leave the car.
blockmg the door The surVIvor hImself was overCOrI'e
by ~moke :lnd collapsed mstde t!:e car
Th!s 5re dr::imat1caIlv po~nts out that 3. fire-resI~tlve
bUlldm; :s not necesso:u-:lv a nre-safe l1Ul!dl-:1g: Had the
!;u<lrd not opened the door to Room 1218. thereby al-
lo\vlng fire gases to contaml:"\ate the corndor, and had
he mstead operated the alarm, notified the FIre Depart-
me!'t, and started evacuatmg people, he and the five
otl'crs who (In'd would prob,lb]y be ,lhve todaV' In .1
omlt!''lg of tlH~ de~'gn fire fi~hter!' cou!e have confl'cd
the [ire to the room of ong'n If the door had not bee'l
opc'led amI they hJ.d been notified promptly The (!c-
lav m reportmg: tl>e fire was an obvIOUS error on tl,e
part af the f'1otor hotel '11anaiSemcnt
The doctor and l11s h:mI v had bel n ~t.l\'mg ll)
Room 1520. .\.hlCh was aClaccnt to ,1 st:::.'r tower on the
fifteenth .i!oor Their door to t..,e corndor was mones
from the door to the st.:l.Ir tower Had 'hey turned kft
amI ~te!?ped through that doom avo mstead of w,llkmg
n,=) feet to t'-.c ele' ,lto, lohb\ tl~('v \' auld 11,1\C l,('cn
LlbJe t:J '\ Ill}.. to the g~ aU'=1d J-:;;or C::~2:ej\ T~]c ~~Hni' ;~ f. l!(l
for the >TIothlr ~nd her ~on The. ,- \\".' IJ...cd J.pprO'<I"lLt< tv
100 teet ~o the ell" ator Il'ste' c..:. c, '33 [cet ~o t:'c ~t.~lr
tower Dt:~ n:; 3.~c.f3h~:r~. \' I~;) ']-,c t\\dtth-;]oor dem..
to tr.c ~:;:!:- tD\\crS opc~ed t~e ~Lilr5 ~(~..trf!cd L.l~..l:~h.
Se\'eral r('cent .utre\?s :~<'J.t,.,; e\ ,ICU.'tlOll '" :'."Ii1-
n~e bu~' c>r;:: ......1\ e st.ltes th_:..~ tot1 i C\ ..l('~'.:.ltion .... J"ot
6cnc~~:.~ \ llceSSLlr~ cr l~: :c:tt(.~: ~ CO~~ tier ur (.:~ , L~ t=)l '\
~Cl'"::ctl' c e'"...::.-::.:.:.:......~~a~l '--'_!ll:' ... ~...~ L'T!._"'-l:-' lrn !"L~C')1n-
me!1t!ed :\:"aDe of the :1r:1C.('5 -'c.-~ oC'::'..tes t:~l' ')[ ell.. 1 ,tOl
~\ ~tert}s for m::..5~ ~~~ acu~t:c"'1 Ele' L:to~s ...)r~ ~OL dL'~1~T11_f!
a~ a sL-::e re--1T1S of eVL:.CU..~~"a:i C::~rr['!~ fire CC~lUIr:'~H"
Ihe~e ha\e al~c bee~' sC"l.er~: r.:ce:rc a!tlc;C~ In FI~r:
r
Jot"P,\" \L :c::12e:-~::1g :c.:es G: IncenCaar\ Oi"'~~n lil
hotels .::~:J. s.l~!.!J.r cccu~~~""'::::.es - 2S ' l~t:.~~ ';1 Tu:=..-
"'on. :0 :n S:::-2..t:~e~ 19 1:" :'05 _-\p;:"~es' ;].r!.J no.v 'J~\
In 'C"T~ Ode.l.TIs !: sl:a~J.::: ~-~ ~~Y...!lOllS +r,,-lt ~l"lcre !~ oj
need for ,:,,:...to:nanc ?rotec.tlOn to lessen the ence.:s of
:nC€r'd.d!T - and all othe: - :ires .-\n autom.ltlc detec- .(
tlOn system \\.111 eh:n~nate the huma-:1 tactor tram the
search :or ~e fire and wla g!\'e the alarm to the
bm]dmg occupants and to the fire department. an auto. 4.--
mahc suppreSSlOn system. m addItion. w1l] cont:ol the
firc until n:e fighters arr~ye
Perhaps bm]dmg deSIgners ::tr'e beeomlOg .nvare of
~he cangers of fire A :ece:1t 'lrtlcle m Ells'neerzn~
Xell-S Record ~lscuss('d t~e are protectlon fm J. r.lgh-
nse bm]dl:'.g m S,lO Fr~nc:sco ~ Tl:e faC'lltt'e~ \\'111 lU-
c1mte ;1 spn-:->kler svste"'l1. smoke--,entmg arr.condltlOn-
m::); svstems. commumcat:ons zcar for the fire Eghter~.
and a ;msJ.c: addre~, ': ~teIT] to notlfv and .lC!\ ]~e ~:.!l 'd-
mg o(e.upant~ - ,Ill steps m t:.e nght dIrection The
cost of these faC1htle~ IS small compared to the value
of the bu:~dl:1g These few features should be m:mmum
regulatwns for all new tall bmldlOgs
As a result of thl~ fire the ?\ew Or!e,m.. Fire De-
pJ.rtI'1cnt now reqU1rc~ all hotels to Ill~pl'e.t ,md ..('cure
rooms of chcc1..;:mg-out guc~ts hefore they ,He allowed
to pay their bliI ,md Ie.we the hotel 1::...
~ ~f.-e L.:lp'e'lLC D '~v Itr(lU~. 11lt i nLnlln 1 ~Lr'l.o; of \1 \0""';>
~8 Dw 'n PrmNr fIotel, fULson, ,-\nz/)n.1." !-JlU; }OLH''''!. \'oj
65, '\;0 J ;\t,~ 1971',~, 20, "lnd l,urLnu D \\',troll' "Two
r l'~l I!r:d f'.es,' f'.n. jO,,1\' H,. \'01 "'5. -';0 1 (j,mllary
1971 L p 33
~ .",-\nr.~}-ai..'" S~ '-''of.. I" le't 1" Ct.'s r~H...)ft t\ r)L~l~n . EJlI!!J1( l rJtJ~
lVf..lL-S Ri..'ccrdJ \ ul ! 'i7, >'0 9 i '\uL:.t.~t .:.1). 1 (J71 "I. i) 1.3
. Die
APPENDIX I
ill Pi011eer
Hotel.,
J
ArizOl1a
L.\URE:\CE D
~
1 UCS011~
j
S1lpen.'LSor, .\ FP.4. Ftre ReGel d Department
\YATROuS
r
l ....; ~~e j ,;:r"-~d~\. 1S71 ~53~e of F!llC JOt.'Fp~ -\L ~n ::lr:i.c!:=
~~5C'a.1SS2d a :1ote! .:::e ~n L8S ..~J.ngeies In \".j-uc~ :9 cC::~J.-
?~-:1ts aH:a ::::':Jci ~:1ctner !1ote~ E~e ~:1. Seattle ~~ \'-D1C;: :0
OCCl.:.pants alee.:. T:;.e st:.Jc~.;.rcs 1:1\ ol.\:co '~"'ere ~c:~
oid. nUll: abou': 19~G Ectn v..'ere c.O:1st:ucted w16 IT'3.-
soror\ walls 3.:ld 'nt!.: \\ cod floars :oof aI'd frG.'Tle Bota
of the:7l. had open stan"""ays In bot...1o. the !ires were of
:'Cce!ld.~:::lr~;" C2..use
On De-:ernoer 20 19-;-0. lr. Tucson .-\r..zona anc:.rter
majOr :ire occ1..lrred-~ri a:1::)~he: ~otel, k:H~ng 23 or the
oCC:lpar>t5 Th:s hotel \\ ~s a lu\:urlOliS ::.~;h-nse co', n.
to'.....n hotel However, i~ too had open staL.'-wa"s. and :t
too expenenced a nre apparenth- of :",cencwry cause
The quesbcn now anses How many more hotels ...n11
..e to expenence a disastrous nre - and how many
, e people must be kIlled - before Sre protecton peo-
ple, :people \, ho know how to prevent such losses, such
as you, take correctl\ e action':' Let us examme this latest
fire, "\'Ith corrective actIon m mmd.
~,1
THE PIOXEER J:::....lUL'AnOXAL Ham.. ~s loca:ed on t:le
POrt'1C~St comer of X orth Stone~\'e:'ue and Penmn:;ton
SQ"('('t In the l1c:>rt or the Tucsoa busmess dIstnct The
ll-.story mam structure !aC!:lg :-\orth Stone .'henue and
a two-star'>' c;).st \\"lng facH'g Pennmgton Street were
erected m 1929 A n>,'o-story seeton east of the mam
stmcture ~nd north of the east wmg \vas constructcd
~bout the same time, ;l':mg :;..e total bmldmg: a nearly
square groune-noor conpgur;1.tlOn (see Flgurc 1 \ 0\':.
so~e bter date four more ~~oncs \\'C:l' acuca to the
tv"o,~tor\' c,'st Wlll; A.t tl1(.. tl'TlC af t.~e ~re the 'J:.l'lcl;ns
had tl- ree (lIstmet Len Is - two ~toncs. SIt; qtonc~, and 11
stoncs
The ong'11.11 hUIldmg wn!. con~trU(:"t( d WIth l~-mch
poured Cf)]]Cr('tl' {\tenor \\ ,l!h The vxtenor W:llis {'\-
tC!U1Ctl .lhm t' tilt' roof Ollt' ~ton , (nC1f)\1'1:.{ Illl.lt .It OI)!'
.
T'lt IlIl!,,,, " llldd't. d lo Ih~ fll' 'On I"m ])q"'H"lllll~ iOT
.l.....I't UJL-L- llll1Hh.:- lu"t fl\ IL\V of ,bL flrl .\!l t1u. photD". "';rL h\
tit.. Z-tiP 1). 11 LTtUI1 lit lLtlh........ nUn r'\\ 1"'\ (. T( dlh 11
t ~ '11"'lI~r. 1-' \\ lllt"PI... 1\\0 rLtll )11"~~ r~fI'- ll1U' 10\.ll~
..... 11 \ \.J lr'"'; ,,' i I ,'p., \I '\ ~ q.-;- ~ j. p ) 1
tr-e \\.~5 ;t ::::0: ;'1:\.1\:::1 ~nd ;2\.ln; t~t bU::.12:.~~ ~~ .:~-
:~c .l::::~~[' of ~-=:C~~; ::: stc;'lec; hl;;: Fa:;'" acsf....c:IC. :{' ";.'=0='.5
tne e"\.:~!~O! \'\. ails \'\ e:c CO~'re:-cd. ..., ~th ""-..~C~- ccyr,en~
;;:::s:e:- _~ ~~ :nte::c:::.- \-\-rJls '\ ere of tr:~ce-:":Ich hoHo\'\ ..t~ie
cor:..st!".:ct'c-' C':)~"re~ed Ca C-2<cit SiC_Ie \'1; ]~:1 .::-i:-:.tn ;~ ~sum
~~:ls~e:::- .-\.~: (o~umns~ ~e2.IPS ;~lC::'~S :lr~ ~OOi:" 10~S~S
,\' ere of rel~iQ:-ced co~c:ete The -.--oofs \'"ere ~etl'-i cicc~
or pc'..:red ~Ol'c:ete \\ Ith J. c..ompo5:t~o-1 to"\ er~'""'I; T~e
3cars tnr<:)tl;~Gut \t: ere pacrec cQ:lcrcte
T:jej~ \'~ e:-e t'P~'O 5:"-:--'~ 11 r1anuall, ci;e!""G.ted ~::?"=5e~;c.:-
e1.et-2:::.:)rs tpa~ or;-e~ed to the carr~2or !n ::"~e :nalr1 se~- -
tlor '"T~'"\eY ran :rom t~e bJ.seme~t ~nrou:;~ ~!1e e~e-Yenth
stO;"'. ::-ea:- +:e no;::;' end or tne bUlJdm; :::~e:e '.\ as aho
a se!doITl used sen,ce elevator :hat se:r-.'ed al~ .8oors
A f:elg!1t ele\ator operated only to the se~and-stary
ht;::hen frem the base':1ent
There were two open stalT\.vavs. one m the roam sec-
tion and ODe m the east ..vmg The stamva~ ill t,~e rnam
sectlOn was open from the tlud floor through the
eleventh floor The otner stau'\'ay had self-closmg fire
1 f'e "WI" se::'t'on. look:n,; from the ...ort; North Stan" At..en!rC'
rs Yi t1lc forcg"Gun.d.
Ii O~.T 6' L- _.:.
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r::-!} - - -~. ~iE~~JJYl~J]l" t~;.'~11
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t=.:.:-~.:- f".'!"'i - U::..;:,:J"':bft;B~~]
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,,-~~7\\ .! .iiI 11~ J d.l""" L.,l.L11" ~ ~l t ~,
L\ I-> 1 L I r J
-~-
Fl;we 2 Floor pIa." of the fOtlrth f1oc~, Ic..n'ch 'S tYPIcal of the
tiwe! tl1ro'r;:~:7t "l,--zh sto~'cs The a,tId,ng llldlcGtes the arca em
!liC fOllrth foaf acstro:led oy fi-c
_..-
\: ~1;\~"-- r' ~ 1d N ~\
\ . \1il-. d.a~l 0 \
.I I I f;ir-- ._"" ~ _ .."<~o,, ~ III
'''m:tlrlrI~i3"''"-''
I.
f:_1Ifl" 3 rl(1(1' !I'(J7l or tile /C'lIril floor It/Hell" trri>'tlll <lJ III'
'\~ l (Jtth 't ,-prf:')1 lie t I r~lh ~/f,rJL'" 11~~ ,\1J(HiJJr~ rudu lIC'" II,. rlJI4I
.Ir~ 'i"1 :l r~'11 1LhJr cl('~tHJyt d J1H /-rc
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::. --:"':c lcn! Idee ~Ul'" .1~
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TIlE TIIiRD [\. .t 'lZRTI:S OF .HA.\T~
. 23
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~-;.. '-- --'1"_....-- ':"-. _.... ~:=.-____ .....;I'1.1":--_~- r -......~~- -.-" ~~
/ . I .~~:~ ~ 4.d'-:~';;;';""" - ~~~I.J ~ A~:"":-:"":.~"";:~~: ~
/ ~_.~.~._- ,!~~~ -..... <" -~---- =.:= '"
. I _ l-=-~_~_:;:;~_ :~-;;:~..~~~~~~:-~~~-~~ - ~1
/ , -:~---.;-~~,"i.~~-&2-~ ~F""-- ~-l1
/ 'f .c........ ~~-..L.:.... .-"",":- ~ ~:y ..~~....,..."~-'-
/ ~/ ~....-~-..,---~~~:.."'--:. -; ...:~~...~~~~~
/ ~~~ ..' ..... r- ;T::: -*:".....,;,- ,....-:;.~,j;,. ---.--;.............-"--.:,...,. ~
I ~ ~;~~1:~~ --: ~ -.-- ~ ~~ ~ .-~~~~;:~-:::i--~~~ ~ -~r-1 J
~~"""""""_~L- '-- I. ~ ~...- -- ~ I~...I I
. ~ij;~~;, - .: ,"~: ;-. - <~~~~~~~;-~
/~ ~._.,..~.c~.~~ _....-.-.....-...=.1" J?:~-''';''_-.h-~ ".....-'o"\,: .."p-.-,.:d
-~ ..._~ -:~:::::~ t_'- ~ -;.-~__--:- ..1-~ -~ ~~:;. ---~ .. --s:--:~---;;
/ ~:..T>~..::,. ~-I' r-.....--....:..~.....~~~....~.....:.:.:::;.~~-- _---;~.
/ ~ .~.. -."L"~~~.. .........~";"'"-~~... ::-- ~::.;~ =:.:. :--:::=-}
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..... ........~....~ fr -- J:' ....... -- .... -... ,Y -..- - r'"'- ~ ~~ ~ .t
~:i1~-~~~~::~ii$:;:?;:: - -:~ - -~~~~~y:.~ -~ ~
L...~J:;~t;; .{-~~":i.-~~"".;~"_-:-,;r'" ~/ or ;_~__._:~~~~_~ ~ ~~ Ii
~~~-::i"~..~~.;..,..~~~_.......-: _ _ -f~ -L -..- --=-:----:;:-;.3 ~ ~> -c.:Y r
~;::-::~~~~~:r5#- - ~~~=~-5.~-~~:~ ;?-~ .a\ ~ ~ ~~!-
__~__ _ &;:;:_...:_. ~ __-.... _ _ l.r~ .. _~+-,....;;I ~~ ~~
:..-;-;;:-;~;J~::;:?;;~.-:;~"~~~. -__-~....., :-- - : ....,;~..~ ~
....
,
T;'e Q'utl1nes of !~.:J yOU"1G DG''js u.no dted of c~rbQn "'1ono::-i:de p01S0'l'T'g
daa:-s at t..~e seeand-flaar level but was open from there
thrcugn t.'1e sLXth aaor
On the saut..'J. end or the mam structure there \.vas an
e>ct:e~lCr starrwav. part:ally enclosed by 6e extenor 0;
tne 'DUllci.mg It extendec ;TOm the seco:)d nODr to t."e
roar and was open to the outslde at each Hoar level En-
t:an~e \.vas ga~:ned to d"llS extenor stamv3Y from the
:YJal;J cO::1car ~~roubh a .fire door Tllere were also two
exteno::- fire escapes, one at the north end of tl1e mam
bt..~ldmg that e...-te:"lced [ror:! the second story to tr.e
roo; of the ll-story bUIldmg and one on the rear of the
SIx-story ',vlOg t.'-!at extended from the second story to
the ~cof of the sI'G:h story r'1e fire escape on the mam
section "as accessIble from the roam comdor, the es-
cape on the Six-story wmg 'V:1$ accessible onl:- through
one guest room on e:Jcn floor
All: ccndltJonmg was accomplIshed by umts above
the cerlmg 'n t:.e er>tr::.nce\va" to eacb. roam P,oom alr
circulated by these umts \.V~ cooled or heated bv a
co!d- or hot-wate::: svstc~ No air was mec>talllcailv
ma\ ed frm'i rOOm to'room or from the corndor to th~
rocm
TI'e cor~:dqrs and ~t:\'r\ ',\ere covered WIth a ~\Ift('d
100 jlcr cent :Jcryhc carpet that c'Ctcnded ~2 ml..he~ up
the \\ ail, from thc Soar. Cnder tlw c'1.rpct III t\1l' {()rn-
dor \\{'re two h~ cr<; of p.Hldmg Onc bYl'r \\ ,I~ pri-
m In 1\. ill.1\. Y Jute ,"ld ~hl' othl.:r \\'.150 a f,1Jrom Ill,lt\'ll 11
Tl'CSQI! Da'iy Ctt ::en
'vlth paper cavcr:ng An S-mc!1-by-:l:-mch pIece of p1y-
'.-yood covered WIth a piastlC la..'mnate \Vas attachec to
the wall directly above the carpet The remamm~ 4
feet 8 mc!1es of the wall was covered WIth a \"1nv1-
cOJted ....,-al1p.1?er, separated about e.....er}' five feet by
ver~lCal one-b:-t\......o-mch ?l(,c.::'s or ',-'Dad There was a
scspended ceIlm:; of gbss-Eber panels placed ~n metal
c}-]annels that hUll; about eIght m(':~es belOW a Wlre-
lath-and-p!aster t::C1i:PS T~e \hl!e 1<16 and pbste:r en-
c:oscd the ,1[(:',1 bet,\ een ~[>(' Saor ]Olsts and ~he Hoar
aho...e Electnc condUit and cq:upment wa.s msta.lled
between the plaster ,md gla<;s-fiber ceIlmgs
The guest rooms con tamed normal hotel furnlture-
beds. cham., Gressers, and a TV The waiIs and ceilmgs
were p:JUlted, the floors WCT{' caTL'eted, c\.c(.'pt In the
bathrooms The door<; from the cor:-ldors to the guest
rOOll'S \.\. ert' of light wood-panel construction
The bUl1dmg \\ l~ not eqUipped \.',lth automatic pro-
tectIon of an\ kmd or \.\ Ith a manual e"acuatlOn alarm
Tlwrc wen' ~ tln -P'iX' stamlj1~pe 10 the extenar stalr-
\\ .IV ,md a \.\ l't ..t,llIdPlPC In about the cent!.'r of the
111,1111 ~trU("tllrt' Thl n' \\.ere two ho<;(.' cahml.:ts on l'a( ~
flo<Jr thrnll~h tht' ~"th .mll dll re \\.1\ 011e em each !loof
11(1111 111< ~l \1 11th tltlml~ll till' ~ h'\L nth ~upp'll'll h\ th['
,\( t ..t lIulpLJw Both ~t.1l1dplpl'S l.'ouid bl.' "lll1phl.d b)
till C11I 1)( p ",rtlm lit 11I;m thl ullhll1! .Lt ~tn l t It \.('1
'till '~'lIlll"l.fl"lll .Il"l \'..L' (1l1'IPlltl 1,\ Ill!" IUIlll
~
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FIRE ]OL"R.\..\.L - ',f.!..Y 19;"1
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...~ ~..u....-?:- ..' 'Irro ~~.{lf\--~Y
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_ f w:~ ~' ''''I' l~'l- >:':l ~~<r~':;'..:::{'
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.J- ~~~ft', \~<~ ~~~. '. I~ ~ ;....~~
, _""\ H, \.~ ~~~_.Ii C.. I ..l:I;~ ,;...\.~ \
--:;;:~J \ ~,r ~ \ \ ~~....;;-:.:~.:-;: It . .......~, ?(
_____--;,,,,~L.~, '~"~~~""""WII"'~"'''''~ 4-="':; ~_.....i("..-
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~.~.., 7~;1 ~.at ~~'-;~;~~ t ':~;;.. -\~i1~
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r g....:.~ 1 ...~. i I t H ~ ~" .........~~~~---~--.. ~~-;!!I ~!
........J. ~ _..' .. I. .. ..... ........ ~}-,:;.,; 6T &_.--. _1
iL~--=- ~ llt"'L1~1" .-..;;~-::.. ~........~~ ~l!ot-':T -;--:'
-a,\('-, \1' ..f'~,>~'2~S""........;,.' .-..-"", -,--.- ~t ",0
':':" I' I l ... '= -.. -~ ~;VP--' "'-. ,P,
r ~ .pllpl:~r~'b~.-':."~'- -~ d'3:~ ~ -: '{r ~,
T n ~l. _~"j~I;~~!~~~~-:""_':' ~--~~~t:;::;"l ~~. ~ '-nr
"- =,v., .,t.......,.!. I , "' - ..., ' ~ ~ - I.
~-~: ~~!! ~ ~ ~ r l ~ ~~-- - __ --.."""':~ .-"""~..
~:; F:I ~~,uJ~r& ~""~.. "..'!~:;;f"""-""'~
~ ~ -v....t't, I ~ 2 ~. ~ ~ ~ (1. '.:-- ~ --'-~p.-"-~
~ ,'-,', i~~ ~ ~ , i; i' l ~~ \,l. _,-, _ __ ~7~',;",~_' ,
\-_ 1 Io.~ _.. .... e. ~ .. .. t1 ....._ P" ....... ~- .......t..... --
~., .... ~,,'" i a! ~ ~ E l. l ~ or:~ ~. '^ ........_-"'1
\._~~ . 'j:~ ~ tj ~ 2.. ~. \I. ;:-I! '~_. .....-::
~ ~~ 'l ;!!}'- ~. ~ t !OJ \ - ~':"':~'""'" '~.
,I l'\' ," '4 ~ l<, ~ t;; L ' L -. . - --- --;-
_......-.- .~1 r1 r:: :H ~ iP-I I ....41 ~I""" ~ ~
~__ ~ --=- J- \ j ~ ~" ~l L ~ -::._~ '1-:
".-. -' .--,-""J,,-\ .;~, '\';{ -j .tl )!,V e: ' -~-.
'r.I.., f ~,,__-~ ~'Qj td r::I ~ - ..-J:..
i' ; ~ l' '11 iI p !1 Ct~""':I 1Jlll! ... -'..=;...J..~" ... ~ ",,-\;.;;..;1
""jHil:IIII'II\i~~I~I~l~~-wrr=\!~ 1 ':~~~
"'I'I'lll l\l\ .~5~a"~~ it! ~ tl' ...~~ ~ ..)" ""1
.1: i I II I j:! '1 J ;; J ~ ~'" i ~ r. '..1 ,==.... t:"i ~--"',..""
'(:llIj'\ . .1'~~ijSE;~, Ua~H'.~~C~~~ '- --~-----
.,1[11 '\' I 'u L;, r. f! ~'" ,.. E' ,\- <"' ' ~
;:Ilh ll'..ti' Hil ~ n:H "i1~ ~!i ~ t ~ :!~ ~~~ 1 'tj ~~- -----;:-
_J...,.....u... ....t..............m. ~ -.... lit- it..........,...... -11:.0III ~ -
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T,'p Tllc o;laHu..~lJ frO+ll tJU.! f!t;~ !:J ~hc \-~t12 floC''' ~ntc 1U1[( f!lc
heat tJCJJt dte radrll~ l.l~td spnilcd ~hc plaster COO(?:'Ult! tiu 'J/(
IWI!
.
,VJOLC 1 hc .1..rrj.PutJr dCL-owr lal';"J 'Sate the carT" ',,,e: :h,
It:.!.i1t-uu:..h ,t?'[}J of (,J7t1JJH1tlr! Id'/~.uJod. "lid the lJlu\trr rr {.r.' f rH
(rIU,a: .An :!n (.lu.-a:ur inJ1iJlL \ Uln.- 1111J...~
iohb\. a d~~lIng raonl ~11l(1 \ '1rall:~ .....ornll"1r[c 1 ~i ( ...::,r.j)ll\n..
n('nts -;-hc \cc.oml Hoar h.1U ~C\'( ~,~i o:i1Cl.. \ TU nwe.tm ~
rooms :md a l.\r~e b.lllroom \ll tht upl1cr floors \\ cr~
..~rr::::--..~~d ~'\ !nc.hc..ltcd 'n r.~ll-"....'-I 2 ~'""icl 3 ~l""l~n'1rli\ rcr
t.. ~j:'..:)r..~"'\ ;::"I(H...~L." 110\'\ c.' II t'l(' ~ ,\'1 ~ 1 ('- pU1L' T){ ""111_LuCT'J~
~~e~t... Lit ~h<.. llOl( \.l[ ~:jL ~rl- !.il( .Vjtl 1 ~1 .(. : 73 i"aO~l1'\
il'ri{~ l;;Ultc~ Ll'\'::ul..l"')lc ror ler-:. L~.ld --Lt tl-..L "'n"l( of ~llC :~C
:l3 :;!uest'l \\(:'re rcg~\tt~rcd T~'CIC \1 (rc Lll~o Ll"-..:)"~t 330
!JCqplC atte:1L:r; ;1 Ch"'~stn"",as :)~l.t..- "~. +~.~ s!.<:()~":.~-stQ\
I,,,,,",:',,,"" r.
-'L......~o.......m
-\
_-1.1&.. ::CT.-----:' :C '\ :::~....", ~""""":::::s
f .....r::.
, . ~
~.:? ~ ..:-
:r.r7~:-i -: ~...-...... ":::--T ~ ~..(
...- ~
--.....:.:'n~ :ec: p~ cc.. .:"l :1r:;:~ c..... ..
-It
.. l' S \. ~'
iL .",
~ I ..... -. -,.-.
;..~ L.. ~ ~
t~1e-e T~'\-3'<= i1 (~7" fire 1;:1 ;:-ai"'t 0,- ~1',t.. ?;jf'\-......- i-r-)t.~ .... ')('c>
c-nc c~:.': :-cce~'.. ed le:,s ti:~~fj ~ --'''J~:8 ~_I.t:..:- st~tcJ t>.~..('
\\ as a ,rc O;i the se\ enth fleer o~ t:iC .'1::tC! T~c f'1( ,~ ::'::".11
\'\ as ie~ep.e:i r;C;Il tl:e r-lotC: St~..~TL"'-; ~h(. [.;:ri.:" ....~ ..15 Or""! :'1e
t~1:rd floor ~-\t 12 22 a :ourt'1 ~alle~ !'"!"'i(r~LaJrcl ~t"e Sre
~,,~d ~}en chat he could see Sr~ :::Pl....l~.ltu~ !""e~1-..~)')c11flg
.\s the appara.tus ar:,"' ec. t:-e cF:::er :-ep:J,-:<:,d s;nokc
shOT"".l~g irvm the upper 500:5 - Fca~~e ~~\ c:'e lc~:r..;l;
::-0"Tl \\ l!lG.O\'\.-S screa'.""'lrlg ~c-r "he~:J Be ~--:.re .:::-c ~;;-ter""
CQuld pl~cc a~ ae~~: l"l.cloer one U.Oi""'s.n It:'""'1:;t?C. to ~f':
death
\Vhen the fire fighters e:ltereG the bu:!clm~ thc\'
round heavy smoke In the corr:ciors from 6e rourth to
::he top floor Some fire could be seen c:)r:"l:rg from '-\'1TI-
dows m the upper stones A combmed attack of rescue
and nre-nghtmg was :mmed:ately lmt:ated Aenal lad-
ders and ground ladders were placed and rephced. to
rescue those who appeared at wmdo\\'s Hand lmes
\\"cre tr,i..e-:'"' IP:O the bU11cI:1~ a:-'c .1t'.:~creci. t8 t'1C c\r"
standpIpe at 'vanom floor le\'els Hose 0:1 ~\-c n C't s~"pd-
pIpe '\\-as a!so used as the :ire S~~tcrs !?-=-o;~('s~cC: up-
\\ard Hoar b, noor. E'"'{hr'g~"shlDg the bi.'ze ','-hen "'('5-
elle opera:lOns had been c.ompletca b\ ::--e ae,....11 at the
front of the ""uiJd~;)g ~l L....C:der rape '1.\ a 0:; .':let 'i.~p LU1[l d1"
Tccted mto tl.c clghth- and mnth-storv ,-" meo'>\ s
When the ChIef of the Department amvc;'d hc <;et up
a "yc1I(]\\ alert,' whIch automatIcally C:llls for J.~~l'>t.UlCC
from precktermmed outSIde a~cnC'(", :lnd \ :lr'ou<; uty
dep.lrtme'1t~ Off-duty 'TIcn " ere call('d b,\Cl;: and 122
I'cportcd to hoi<;tcr strcngth. TCI1C\ C lDlurLc! fir,. fi~iltcr<;.
,md man rL~crV{" ('!1"lpmC'nt :\ :r;-lrC' DCj1:nt:'H'lIt Opc!':l-
t~om Ccn~t'r was ('<;t.lbh,hl'd :It a ne:u1);> 5re statIon to
control tlw over-all op('r.~tlOl1<; and prm ldc prott'C't\OlI
for the ft...t uf the (It\' F\\T ffilltll:l1-,Ilc1lon'i'.''11( <; w('re
c.llled m .md With fOllT Tllv,on re<;('I'\"<' en~m('~ pro-
\ \tkd pI 01< (tlllll m tllt \.il .lled \t,Lt:U'l...
\hOllt LII hour ,ell. [ tIll lllltl,d d,l~:ll tIll l,n' \' l... ('111-
\ld. n d l\lltl.r c.olltrol IlId.,,, .lnh ~llr "l tnll\ \\ ,I...
I" ~lIn (',L1I'Oll lll"I"'''''\' 11 Ld J...dll<l 1'-\0 (l(l(lpmt\ 111
dll ...I"th ...Iel'\ 1"" III ll11 "\111'1, ll'l< ;'] tl" 1'lIlh ...1"
.tJ tJI\ t.. .,ill 11Id ...1\.. ill ll~( I It \L ulll Hlun..... ~i:;{ ~1 t\\tI
~f" l r T"'"
.L ..101.......
TI-fIRD I~\ _1 ~rHlr.S OF \L.--\ \) ~
, 2"3
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!
.~UP:ll1ts 0:1 the l'1:;'1th :J.ocr al~d f\ C' on t~e r-.:1t..1. ~oor
ee people on t.J..,c el;h~'1 5.oor and CIle on the n:nth
or dIed as the lesuit of bib To ;.:moHnt CO:1fUSlOn
o\cr ,'-h:C.'l lCO:TlS h. j bc<,n se:-rc:'cd. ',vh:te :-~;s 'vere
::~::- ~cd
:-:> the dGor~~;::\ jf C"C~1 roall rJ~~: ~t h....d beeT)
.~~lcc.~cd Srr'1~; ~)Ot 5PO!~ '\'-, rL L-:J:31;::d C.O\--~ C:ui"~~"; 2..'"1::1
i.1rtci ~ile sc~r~h ;n mer' aGe! ~lP;J~!"~t~s ~aci. bee:l rc-
.:~:Tlcd to 5e:r\"~ce b\~ S; (}G ~..." eyce?t Of'e
C~!T'pap, ~
\yh~c:: '!"c:~al:1cd as 3. qre '\' [I.~cn ......~:..: 3 CJ ?~..
\'-llen ~~:! t~~ 'nfo:-:n..,t~c-- h.le ~"'CC:1 ~"'~1"2::-ed t:-:.c :-c-
:HJ:-tS :012 a gr:rY:. stor... "':.b("."J.t ~ :l:-e..!eyst:ve bUllc.r'~
~\-: e-'~'" -2~::}-.~ occ~r;~:-"'~5 !1:'S, 2'~:L~ ::5 G:-:~_"~~~;-' ~r~ ,3/3
- .
~:-~ ':::;'-:~rs l~ad ~(:'cel" ed ::--.~u= ?~ ti' 1.':" --e:;--=::t.~::.
r~ L~r~:hC-:l
J.~ter-~lG~
105' es~~:-..lt2d :::.t s: ::8~: C'~JO l-:J.L GC-
3.nc. d
C:-':-12S- ~]:e ;:~ e :1~2 se...c:-c.:'" (~::~~:c:e~ ::l]e 2Crr:C:0:S
and st:l:L'".3....5 froIT' the fo~rtn ~iliO.J;:~ the elcver:th
sto;. ,:.[iG SIX :-CC,.-lo1S hac bee~ }J::~e2 co.:: He~t a~c
smo~e r:ac. caused '.. ~l~.lng am01;.=:ts c-~ dn:n2.ge In t:le
ot~e:- lOC.InS
l~, r:~--Tr . --:~C'5 --.,-~ ..."....J"'=" rT"'rot::'" D-::-"9 3. "::)......... '!'r....~ l:'TTI-r'" D-r;---c_
.. ~ .............,.."10...... _"" ..::J.... .L~.-.- ......~ ........_........~......___-...... .......l..L:.JW. .1.........
" E~~IC~ Dr-rs:ic.....; fOu~2 :~~~t t'\t 0 F-.res h3.d s::::-ted at t"T..O
locatlG~S on the fC1;rt~l floor of tile :na:n se:::Q:1~ sepa-
!":lted [;; about 60 feet OEc:als belIeve L.'te HIes ongI-
nated at ffaoI" le,,'el agamst 1:...'1e \vall, \vhere t..":e BOGr
ca~et met the wall ca..-pet They feel the fires were set
ametIme before mIcin~ght and t..l,at they s~Jread rap!dly,
~:ng and tnen spread1ll6 up the nvo open st:unvays
Lack of su3clent arr allowed Incomplete combustIOn to
gene:ate la!"ge quant:tles of fire gases and thl:::k smoke
Dun~g t~e ead... stages. before 6e fire had taken con-
trol of tne t:pper cornaors verv few people were able
to make thelI way to safety 0\' wav of the staIrs anc
ele\ ators The nre qta:::klv c'..l~ off the weans of egress -
the cor::dors Vcrv few people became a'vare of the
fire m tIme, as there was no alarm system Only those
,dlO s~eI'ed smoke or heard cnes of fire 1:1 tIme were
able to escape unrl.1ded Several occupants made bed-
s~eet ropes to escape fram theIr rooms Several others
Sh~~~;1C"d dO\lI'n e]ectr~cn.l condUIt attached to '(he 1 e~u of
the DUlldmg: .mo adJacert to their w.ndows as smol;c
Cr"tCft'CT around the door~ ;wd Flled the!! rooms Others
t!lrt"V m,'ttrl"SSCS to roofs b(':o..... and juwped, some re-
ecn l!'~ Jnluncs ~\.rost of the occ'Jpants 'vere rescued
0.. er FIre Dep,lrt'1"lent Jaeders
Thc I:g:.t panel doors held up fairly well and dId not
albw a qgmfic:>nt amount of fire mto the rooms, eVf>n
though there \\'a<; severe bummg III the corridors The
mom" m ',\ hK!) tilt' clOO.S h;]d been opened ;mu jeft
open \\('rt' tmnp\ teh hurned out h\ .'>uperheatul fife
g,w<; th.tt burned \:( :011,]..- \\'h(''1 Illl'[('d WIth the tr('~h
. air Hl t\:e rnoll1~
(C.mtrrltud il" 111tTCr" 2-
S;~~\~;: ",,-x.;;.,.-:=, -:-:;::::;- -:-;::..; .--
~-~ ~~~",'- .-
~.....I. ,. ~~~_ - ~.. - or
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~~ ~"!,..... -:-. -" _ :;.1.. ~ ....~~.;. t.fJ J...._~-~'-'"'!.~~---;....::-..~_----.O'......,.-A
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i\ t-, f- _ --....- -,-p- J
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t' ....l.;~~ ~~~:f4"-""? r:~ "IT~:.::1
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:t _--- ,c:~~ ~--i-\.~~ ...(r'--~"--"'"I"L..iJ"r ........___.... '"=_-,,~ _...._:r: L 41... L_
->"' - ,- __ ~J..._,-':'~_ -:......,"'=-'-f..-"._,~,...~-..-.~,-,.....'o'!,....... .......~
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- - - "'"""II:.~ IA ~~........"""~-__ ;....~..~ /e.;-'.... ',.-:- -gI" -,.. "('~-~A..( "---cr:
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~ :-.... - t-='-....-... ...... .....~;:- -~~ .. __::zr-'I"__...A I ~-+:;",-: --~..~ ~
~- ~~.7..r "~~'"'J:........(-~i'"-:_'" -....~... p.-~.~ -=:-~.:!::~~~ ~P- ~..W=-
Ie.-?"::.~_~-.d,:,,-r I.:__..._L:.....;::;:..~...:;;_;;:-...~._~ 2..~~ ~~_#--.'""-
.,
Inn I lit l,t/ll-fi lPr (ll ttriflf 11~/J1JI' (Lilt.. r riz( hr( J 1',( rllr~ flon uj
Jln clllOJ ~ u {rt dl'J(.ohll( c,' hut nu fin }JlJ'''Ld Julu tI!C 'J;tl~ft
\IJfIl t J :"\ J(I~"" ''I tn, d r I .~lrlfr (Y'Jtlr' 1 {l(' door lu lIt( r nr-ndlrr
IIlh !. 'f I'JlI II (;J~ HI...":: tiH !~r~
FOR ___lRCiIITL(~'15-; ,:\\0 J){ ILI)r.R~
.1">~ Olle 'S ~ S\\'I"'''''''nrT ,..~.~ ,100- 'Tl'e sil.ln""' <;re ':~r,-
... ...., .I....L ~~.::: 1::..1._..... .. ...... ~"""":=:t LJ..... ...I...J..........
:~: be kept open ~~\ hen the Du:iC::1l1';; ~s ccc~Jplcd
:\' ew te;."t on outsJcie l:lmps (5-62 ~ has oeen added
to Sect.o.. 5-6 ?rc' :C.i~ <.cht;ons ci:c :wt caver cut'iJ{lc
r, .'":'" "'s
\ ve\~ :),:'I,'~r~.?h !~5-7_-::~ 0: 11..~S :"ccn ;:c:ded:c SC'~-
tlO:1 5--7, "r:\.~t P.:?.$s;:;e\v2.Ys n The ne\v tc"'~~ :cq..;ues th~t
~he :lear De S"o!~ d 2nd ,\, ~tl~out ?erfcrat'!o~s
~1e c:-e~~t rer U:l1ts of C......1: ~.\.~dth :0Z" C~C~~3t~:-S :~
5-S:2~ r2.S ':.;ee~ e"{p~!"'~eG. o~c~ 5-S12-~~ '~~~r.:(.~;1 :eqt1~re(~
e~c 1 ~atca5 to rree: Lhe lequ!.re~11cnts for 5ta!.l5 as ;'.,J tre;.lu
(."'lY}cl r:se:- ::''-''''-:''--'Sl-8:-'~_ !"'L'S be~~ Ge~er,=d Tl:~ r.~\'l' "'C~L:
~-"'':'O\\.S r.~~ ''':~-l~ 8: e~.~ ~, :(~:..:"":. ~O"'" tl. .:;:- ....:11 C'S-:1.~}:Gi
The Tlurd III a Senes of :\fany? (cDntu;.ued from paGe :5 ~
. Ah:hou~h, 2. solId-core, door .on th: elev€~t.L~ Hoor at
the top or tne stall"S ".,'lmstoad t..\e terce or L~e fire, It
had not been mstalled properlv The aoor was too small
for dIe open:!"; In the t:le wan anc wood had been m-
s~~llec. :."":.:cn.::l::: ~: to ml.1~e It fit T~::.s '-vooe around t}1e
ceor bUIT:ed on and Zlllm., ed toe fire :nto a VOId space
m the wall abo..-e the door Heat and smoke :ined t.~e
rooms oehl:'ci thIS door. k.tllmg the occupants Tne
t\\ a pernanel1:: resIdents wno oc:;t>pled the area Iud
been bmg In ~he bmldmg smce It opened It:s lron'c
t!ut the'. dIed. because there was a Ere escape wlthm
several feet or ',-,here theu- boc,es 'were .founa. Several
.. eMS :l.g0 the "'mdow to the fire esc:!.pe l~:ld been cov-
ered o\'er ',~ ;th a C.U1\;1.S sheet pmnted the same color ,IS
the wP.il .'i 1';'1: C:~F(' 11ad beep Inll'6 to COver thiS part
of ti'e \\ a '[
.
IT lS n.:m D~FnCU.T to protect a bUIldmg from ;1.rson
nres lIo\\ C' e:-, once the F re IS started the~e shoulrl ne
\\ an of ~io\\ mg: Its prog"e~s C10setl fire doors on C'')-
cl'1~ecl ~t,I'~" ;': ~ ,. ell 'd 11;1. \"c g:rt' It!) l]mtted tIll' .. l --'.::c ,tT
~~1Il1d d Ile,lt ,lI1d Fre' ~.l~C'~ ''I'11Iie the he OD::!,Jn,ltC'cl
on the fOllrth fao- ,!nO ~nrcild tl'rou".h an the c~rndors
to the roof. o:lh rooms ;n t'le sn:th~ cIghtll. .md Pint!>
Foor\ \\ l r( 'C\ ere h Ll,l'11,t~L'd hy fire T!lC 0(( "o,lIlh
~\ ho dlcd "cn loc.t'ed on tI'e Hxth throngll the l h \-
'1-
- ,
{\.\ G ll~pt~ for ,1 -~S-Blc.h 0\( L~ It Jr
In 5-HC21 011 tIle ~ui)]L ct or T' i'( 1 C"illl":2.1l \ i,g:r.c-
lll~. tJ](' reqUlrem~:lls t1',lt suc.h II ;il1 111:; hl, 1'10\ l(.kJ 0'1
f;(~\~'(:" of POCPl d llg'!1ting- (~U{l tn Ill\- +.t~d~ 'tl "ll(" nl..~~n
11;;:j:ln~..: '-..,\;."t( ~~~ 11.j~ 1''''f..C~l 2]~ l~':":t ~~ ~fl 1I"~ f ,!t r t:iC
c:~::: ~:Lt., ):" iL(~i~ '-:icrr;;- 'l..{ill,' :11:: "I '~','~!"\IJ I' :,,:,',,!,.. .:.
In St.C'~ion 5-1~. E \l~ \ L11 l.. Ln;. ::'~:cll1l1~""j::'n ~o ;.~ se
:r:.tc.......,Llr:' ::~urnlr.~ted cx~t S1;11S \\ ~tl' iett-2''''' ~ _ "ro:::h~s
1"1.;11 }~L~S ceer cie:ctcc:. ~o t'~.~: c-\.~t 51;1'1 In(.<)~ ~~.":.~ e
lctte.:-<-:. .:.~ it',-lS: s~\. 111:::~"\es 11l;~1
Rr,:H \..,v:[ STL' '-', ,
"\-tP_..;. IJ:~ c~ tl-~
--. "Il
.. ....("
~ '-" -'- ~
enth nom Enclosed sta~rways m,d closed fire doors
waule probably na, e held t..~e Ere to one foor
The \vaIls, cellmg, and aoors of the-> c.orr.dors were of
maso!:Y'.' or pla~ter constructlO!1 and, therefore. did not
co~trlbut( t~ ~:""JC: fire ~oac T~e c. ~"pet Zi.llC the \\ an Co\-
erm~ dIe:. ho\'. e"'e~ ana to a cll'~r('{' ~uScrent to crn.:se
the :'ltahlt's and the 5('\ ere ci,t:na;t'
E;'cr:\'-\\ armn~ detectlOn eqU1?''":.cr~t <.onnc('teu CI-
rectI\' to the Fl~e Dc'p,1rtonent would i1a\'C brougPt md
~QOI1L': an~l ti1l're would ha\C' h('('11 a ,nl.l11er Sn? to
fight -\lItorn,lt:<. ,pr;p;"lers \\.uu!d 11,1\ ~ c\.t:n;lIIshed the
two fires berore they met m the ~ourth-ston comdor,
lnnitm; the lo~s to ::ire ,.'1d ,\ ,1ter U..lffi,1ge
<-
<... -
lJ',I-O~T1.1~\Tr:-lY, n-n::nr: AP.r PLor!...E ',\IlO ';-\.LIC:Ol.SL.Y
Sl-\.W .Il"_\ .\11 tjlO~C 111\-ohel1 :n c;re pro~{'<.tlOn must
work .0 :lllut the rest11t~ or the :lctlOns of the ar~On~st
COI rel tl\ c ~teDS '"I1ust l)e t.1kell h\ \ au thl' re:1.dt>r and
f)ti1{'~\ iJhe \ O~I ~lImed,I\' !JOII rn);~t hc: in :1 I'ote! Slffit-
l.1] to the PlOnt'er IntematlOnal Hotel \Yould \ ou feel
{omfort.lhlc kno\\ 1l1~ ti'c ~t,ur~ \\ cre Opl'11 ;1.11d that a
\ (f\ "Jl.~1! llnnlll1t of co:nhll"t.hl( ~ :n thc {('rndor <.auld
d'l 'o'l( It d.l1ll1~('; \\ hit ,lholl' tIll 'lC'\.t hotel fil{'';l IlO\\
\\ ollld. ou f~ll.f It ',' {I(' 111 \ (lllr .'It I ,md \ O(l kl(l hl'l'rl
,1\\ II' of 'hl' proi ,I, nJ\ th,lt l \.t...tll! \ d took ]10 c Llrr.:C-
11\( '~I:f)II~ l~(rnl'll,bt r fUl dOt" l'ot 11".1\\ il 1[llllll ~()
('jt utllL" ill' 'UlI' i:..
:t)
~'--' ~~.~:::r;;.;;;;;""":3-':;"~=;-~-.~::: --'-~=:.. -~ -.; 1
.. .......... -....'-':'""1. rt-'...~.......-..oI'\.~---........ 111 ..---v..l.;
.:y......-~-- ~ ..~--~~ ......"--- -~~:-.;.. ---- ~ - (
.".... . ~, _...~ t~""=T*~-"-""'" -e.'-." - ( ,.
i-of' ......... ..~-~...~ 'L"t ----: -:.. ~ ~ ~ ~ -~.";
~ - .._ .,.~JtY._-;'~","--'t ....~...; 4.,," -- 7#" ~,~ .L: .
-. 1 """l:J"'~-!r"'>::::{" ~'t",""-l~~ ..-- \..:: 4",. J~. ~~
-T"'-'". .~... l"'~ ~ ... .. . I "'1'
......1...~~..~ _..:; _ ~ ~.
, - - - -ft~;"'Y/t~f-t; C, r-' ~ {i1
. - .!i~:- - - ,~-r 1" ~ 'A J
:::: =3 t..~~ .1... -W-..i... . -~( -)- w".L;' 7,
"::-_"""'r":~v~.... -L. .. r.... I ". .....1
""-""-:i -1 .r -r."'" - J."."5 j,,- , ~l
I 1 ~~ ~'-- "'-"-. ,. ~.;
- fEl:E'&;l.-c: -~t;}~(;-.:: ::: .:/ ~t
~ f ..J ""'-...j. "......... J ~J . ~
.., - .::::...-z:-~'~ ,....-;.'i,:..~~~:::('
jI- t I -r' 1"" 1
.~ ~_...~ - ,.. J, J r
- ,-'4 L C ,- ~.i ~ ~- f':l\ 1 - ( . 1 ~1
"'"~..-N-;=..po-....... Jr.;=;. "'~!;' ''-
rJ 'I ~_ r"'V"'" L L -!..- L' ; ; - _ >' I
R~~' _~... ~ - ....-.;~- :;C-" I' ' I
;r[-c..c ~ - ;;:., ~';:-. :1.-.:-.. '/"-'1. :r:;:. .' T I
.. ~~--r-=-r-"'-?'~-:', _ '_-~_:l~-"'- ;;.-4_. '/"] :
If., ~ ~ -A or -c" -.......,fIt -t" ..,tf'!,.. S J , 1...-....
5~~ ii~~~-~~::3 :.-~ :' ~-/ 1: ~ ,
...---............. :r'"'- =-...... .
~~:-~L ~- ~ ~ _~:
ffi- ..~:~ -Lr :tL--~~ --..-
:'i--;'-:r--~-
--~-fc'e ;-
~~~J;_
~...n-= 1 ~ :
__~FrF'~
ow -. .. - - \...
- -:-1~ _:.- F~
if -<- i.,.r-~ T
-. - ....~ i:r
.~ --"'-
~~
all
~"
UL
n.
lmg
t
"'-"'l'
~,
~
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c
~
~~o.
'ng
lngs
:1ty
~
, ..
lcmg
)mg
"'lth
g oi
jes
~n
~ ;
N L. oj ;:
.~~~k-~
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a'" -'.
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ur
Jre
'35.
APPENDIX J
A Phenomenon
of Human Behavior Seen in
Selected
High-Rise Building
Fires
Convergence
CJust,ers
JOH~ L. BR Y.-\.:'\
fJt~
The concept of "convergence clus-
ters" was de\ eloped to describe
beha\tor mltJaih reported b\ occu-
pants of the GeorgIan To\\ ers apart-
ment complex In Slh er Sprmg.
\Iaf\'land, dunng a fire there on Jan-
llan' 9. 1979 DUring thb fire. occu-
pants of the bmldmg str,mded In cor-
ndors were taken mto Ul1lts that were
not their O\\tll, either at their request
or bv the mhabItants' 10\ ItatlOn, to
take refuge from the Incapacltatmg
effects of the smoJ...e and heat
ThIS type of beha\ lOr has sll1ce
been obsen'ed m other hlg;h-rl~e res-
Idential bmldlllg fires and un be de~
fined for our purpo~es ~.
.
!/~
the grollpm~ of persons In .1 room
J..!> an J.red. of refuge J.ntl lholr.lc-
ten zed bv the grollpm\;: of nonpnmarv
group person~ or pre\ 10115 dcqu.nnt..IOces
lohn L Br.....n Ph D IS Ch.urman of FITe
Protection Enl/;tneennl~ ..t the l m~er51tv of
\[.Ir.I..nd Coil..".. Park. \I.in boa
RE JOUR:\AL - 'lOVE\! BER 195.5 . 2 7
I:, .
Ii
I
,
,
,
I,.
:. i
)1'
ji;
,il.
i"
,:j
I,'
1;1
~ll
.I!I
t'il
':
t"
..
,
1';
1 i '
i1 \
II
il
il.
p
ii
I ~
,/
:1
'I
'1
,i
I
- Convergence Clusters
II
~
~
HOTEL NUMBERING SYSTEM
jFlOOR NUMBERS
USEO IN THIS REPOFm
...
25
25
24
23
22
21
20
i9
18
~
17
16
15
14
NO 13th FLCCR ....
12
11
10
9
6
7
6
FIRST GUEST ROOM FLoeR ... ~
ABOVE CASINO LEVEL ~
Figure 3. In the MG\1 Grand Hotel, the floor
menl1ficahon numbers <hd not correspond to
the actual level of tbe BOQl"!i abon!' gr.we
From Best and Demers, lnLest.gatwrJ Report
dlnded mto three \\mgs conne(.ted
b\ a central core th.lt contJ.med the
p.lssenger and ser\'lce ele\ J.tors
StJ.1r'wavs ,vere located 10 eJ.ch \\ mg:
near the central core .md at the end
of each wing As Figure 3 mdlcates.
there was also J. shoppmg arcade In
the subfloor area .lod a CJ.smo, restau-
rJ.nts. theaters. and a sport:> .Irena on
the fir~t Hoor of the hotel
One gets a more accur.1te j(]e.l of
the size of the \1G\1 Gr.liJd when
one realizes that the dl~t.lnce he-
(ween the !>talrw.l\: .It the end of the
we~t Wllll!; and the ~t,lIC\\!.l\' ,1t the end
of the e.L~t wing WJ.~ .Ippro"l.lInateh
710 feet And the .lre.l [xlupled IJ\'
the guest rooms m e,llh \\ 11I1!. \\ .1\
.lppro1(llnolteh 70 feet h\ '320 fCl't or
22, -100 ~q uJ.re feet
ACTUAL flOOR LEVELS
ABOVE GRADE
..
23rd
22nd
2151
20th
19th
18th
17th
16th
15th
14th
13th
12th
11th
10th
9t~
a'h
7th
6th
5th
4th
3rd
INTERSTITIAL SPACE
1st FLOOR
MAIN CASINO
ARCADE LEVa
2nd FLOOR
on the MG\I Grand Hotel FIre. Las reeas,
Netada SOl,ember21, 1980. NFP-\. 19&2. p
6
The \\ t:'~td1.l~e Hilton Hotel \1.1\
bUIlt 111 1979-191)0 In comph.ln(.e
\\.'lth the Cltv of Homton BlIIldln~
Code. .Ind It" (.crtJfh:ate of occUP,\n(' \-
W.IS I~~tled three dav~ after the \IC\l
Gr.\nd Hotel fire Although the
hotel:. l:'"l.tenor lLlrtol1I1 W.ll1 \V.l\ ([>11-
stnt(. ted of tempered ,gl.l~~ In
,llulllllllll1l fr,une~, the lHllldlll\.?; lould
proh.lbh he J.~ted .l(.(.onllllS! to
'\;FP -\ d,I:>\lficatlOlI!> ,1\ .l T'-pe I um-
"trllchon
TIle 30B glle~t r()()m~ of tlm hotd
were loc.lted 011 13 ~tonc~ of fire-re-
:>I~tj\ e con-..trudlOll, 2-t r[)Olll~ to .1
floor The Hoor 01 the l)ll[ldlll!! ,1Ild
the .lrr,mgemcnt of the r()OIll~ olf .1
lentl,11 h.lllw.l\ .Ire ~llOwn III Flgun'
-t Stall"\' .1\ \ wen 10(.,lted.It eltlll'r
Llld 01 tl.L' (.orndor The \t,lIl"'\\.I\ J.t
30. FIRE JOC'R'\-\L - '\0\ E'IBEH 1\)<;5
the east end \Ias deSigned to be
smoJ..eproof. mechamcal s\ stems
preo;surlzed Its .J1r ,lOd entn could
onh be gamed through a vestIbule
that had both air ~lIppl\' J.nd exholust
s\'stl:'ms
-'1.11 three of the,t' 11I!!h-me l)ulld- f--
lllg:~ lUG ~lIl1ll,lr nre proteltlO11 It>..t-
turt'~ III th.lt none hold (.omplde J.U-
tOlllJ.tlC spnn;"ler protelt]()n olTld all
relted Oll .11J.rm ~\ 'tem~ to .llert Ol-
CUP,UHS '0 emer'.!enl1e~ The \IG\1
Gr,md Iud (omplete ~pnnt.ier pro-
tectIOn 1ll the ~he.H~C\ ,p')rt~ J.re'1ol
arl.lde J.nd ~OP1e oi :he re,tJ.'.lr..mts
on the c.l~II'O 1l'\ el HO\\l:'\l r the
res t.l.llun t 1'1 \\ hllh the fire 1\ bt>-
he\ eel to b.I\ e ~t.lrted the LlSIllO
.lnd the re,.denttal floors \\e~e not
'pnn:"1ered The Genf!!1.ln T<l\\ers
and the \\ estchJ.~e Hllton both hold
locoli ,t,,-tlOn smohe de'ectars In the
mell\ Iclual remie'lt!al Units and ~he
\\ estc>-t.lse Htlton had J. smoke de-
tector locJ.ted m eadl ele\'ator lobn,
-'l.ll three bUlldmgs '\ere equIpped
WIth manual fire ald.rm actr\atJon sta-
trons The s\ stems \l1 the \\'estcnase
HIlton and the \IC\l Grand \\ere
preslgnal s\'stems, and the \IG\1
Grand's was connected to a central
station Sef\ICe
In none of these three bUlldmgs
dId the alarm wstems operate effec-
t1\ ell .IS de~lgnl:'d The\' failed be-
C,Hl~e of eledrKJ.1 lll.llfunctlOm or
hum.lll interventIOn In the preslgna[
ph.be
The BUlldmgs' POpuldhons
The pOpUI.ltlOn In eoleh of these
bll1ldmgs .lt the tune [)f the nre was
comp.lrJtl\elv l.Irge The \Ve~tehJ.Se
HIlton h..d ..ppro'\lInatelv 200 resl.
denh. the Geor~lJ.n Towen. 210. .md
the ;..IG\I Grand 1,-WO
Bell1!:: .1]) .1p<lrtment hlllldtng, the
Georl1;J.ln Towers hJ.d .1 more stJ.ble
popul.ltlon tbolll either of the hotels
f /(1\\ ('\ cr. It \\'.1.'> .ur (lrkm poPUI.I-
tlOn Illl<llHllg th.lt the re"'IJent,>
\Iere !!,l'lll r,1I1v <.'ltlll'r \ Ollll\.! - In
their 1\\ entll" - or elder" - III
theIr ~l'\tll ~ .11](1 older - Jlld tllolt
th,-,\ dId lIot ,Ipp'-'.lr to hd\(' heen
'((lrtllJwldonl~H.:'f "hi
i
;;
i
f
!
,
-Convergence Clusters ICQnlJnuedjrom pag!' 3{)!.
more famlhar with each other than
the botel guests were In fact, several
residents who were later mtervJl~wed
_bout their expenences mentioned
meetmg their neIghbors for the first
time dunng the fire
The populatIOn of the \IG\!
Gr.:md Hotel consisted pnmJ.nlv of
aduits whose .lges :-.lnged [mm 20 to
80 {see Table 1), as mJght be ex-
pected In a notelloc.lted In .1 resort
conventIOn. and gaf'1:11mg commu.
nIt\' Smce the fire occurred ven
eJ.rlv on .1 fnda\ ["lommg, occu-
panc\ was at a predlctabh high le\ el
~lost of the gue~ts \..ere not famIliar
\\ttn each other e\.cept those who
were me'nber~ of tour. professlOnal
and farTuh' groups Howe\ er. onh
103, or IS 6 percent, of the 5.54
peuple who later too]" pMt III the be-
hJ.\ lor stud\' of the guests who hJ.d
been at the hotel dunns; the nre were
.Jlllne v.-hen the\ first beC..lme aWd.re
or the blaze :see Table 2"1
The populatIOn of tl->e Westchase
Hilton was relatlveh" low smce the
fire occurred ear!\. on a Sunda\"
mornmg, a comparatlvek slack
. penod for a hotel \\ hose occupants
..\ere mostlv busmess and commer-
cIJ.1 trJ.velers .-\g,un, most of the
guests were unfamIliar With each
other. except lor those who belon~ed
to se\eral famtly groups attendmg a
we(ldmg
The Fires
.
The blJ.ze at the GeorgIan To.."ers
began In -\partment 214 The occu-
pant of that Unit JWJkened WIth hl~
mattress on fire and Immediately
tned to remove It from the apart-
ment When he found th..lt he could
not, he ran down four floors to the
lobby to call the fire department
Firefighters arnved on the scene at
248 am, by wll\(.h time H.l\hover had
occurred In theJ.partment .Jnd ~moke
had \<ltur,lted the ~ec()nd-Hoor cor-
nllor of hoth Wlll~\ of the hlJlIllm~
Smoke pernwated tbe Ceorgl.lll
Tllwen ..bove the floor 01 fire on~!II, .
and \V.I"o l "ope<-I,.!!... lw.!Vy 011 the "ol'C-
lIlHL ~l'\'l'nth. 1Illlth. .lIId eleventh
Hoo r\
1
~
~ORTH
AREA SHOWN IN DETAIL
.wro .._"'" 1
'. -:-i..-::::j,~.~.~~
/ ~~"~~T.:'"
L.ClBrI " '\
tNTAA'<Ct
~~,.~
. I ,
i 06 i
1 j
FIgure -l This IS a dla~m of a reSIdential
floor m the \\'estchase Hilton Hotel From
Bell, Klem. and WIlley, Int..esilgallOrl Report
Westchase Htltofl Hold F're, Houston Te-::as.
\Iarch 6.1982,12 FatalIties l\FP\.. 1952. P
5
Table I
Age of Cuests at T,me of F,re 4.warenes>
In the \IG\{ Crand Hotel Stud~' Population
.\~€' \ urnherojPerr;on<; Perc(!nt
20-24 19 34
25-29 .35 63
30-.14 69 125
1~)9 "I'> 159
.lIW4 " 12 ~
45--l9 67 12L
5{)""~ .,2 112
5')....,5';; f,() 10 't
(i(j-.f>4 ,~ 51;
,-
h5-.fi9 20 .. ,
";"IJ-";".\ l-t J --
_ 'J
75-79 -t 07
SO-S-t 1 0-1
l:mletermll1ed 5 09
TOT>,L .55-1 1000
Ref"-"n,,e John L Hr',ln_ .\n Eramuw/wn and .4.nal'I~JS of tl,e D!I"l.I""C< of
Ihe H"'mrn Belwl.Ior HI tl,e \!G\f Grand H<JIe{ Fir!' Cluri. Curmty \ ('lad(J
\olemher 21 191iO 'FP \. QLIIll(.\ \1.." 191\.3 pp 5--fi
A totJ.1 fire Jep,lrtment re\pon~e
of Itlllr .11J.rm!> W,l'i rC(lulred to
C\',Ktl.lte morl' th.m 2'50 O(Ulp,U1t~
from the IHllldlll~ .\ppro\un,lkl" 21
of them m'eJed emergelll\ IlwdH..ll
tn.'..ltment 171m \1l1u]"e lllh.llJ.tHllI
The fire lhell W.I"o umnnld to tIlL
ap.UtJlll'llt III Ofl~1II and to the .,d),I-
(.ent areJ. of the \l'cond-lIo()r (.'Or-
ndor
The fire .It the \IG\! Gr.lllllllotd
\\..1"0 I11ltl.llh dl"o(O\'l n.d III .1 re"ot.JlI-
r.1I11 nn tilt' fir\t HoOT It H.I~lH.d o\"I'r
through the re~t.IlIr.llIt .mJ mto the
<-a'\1IHl. ,lIId the re,>ultlll:!; ~1lIl)]"e 11I1-
~r.Lted to .dl the n "oldl'ntl.ll Iloor~ III
86. FIHE JOl:H:\I-\L - ,\O\'E\lUEH 1%"5
T ~hiL ~
'\UIT,hl r uf (',--r...un... ".,Ifh (.lIl"'h
.It T,me uf F,re \W.lrl'Tl""
III Ih~ \IG\I (,r."Ii:l Hole! Slud, Pnp"idlJ/1II
(Jtlu J PI F\fJtl \ j \"nl/HI of I'~ nr'lI"" I Pf FIt ut
'J i '01 I I" r,
I J I ..I/O J :-.: 2
, " I -l2
- -, I
I I If> 2 lJ I
1 -l I 2 I ll-l
":i -I I () ;- I
1 (, i [ 0'::
- I ') i I, .,
ll)j \1 ! '])-1 I 10111' I
I I
I ]h tl n It-Ll h)11Il ~ ~ lk'p \r1 t 'r1f1l1lifHIIP( ~-IHl "'{ji,,,r" (It r/n DI(1HUJ"~' ("
d.t llUlrlr~1J f3( :rfH IOf lU ~/IL \/(, \1 (,ur/ori li'Jf, i 1 "rr ( '!I";" ( liun."I \( Ifln'(l I
I \ (I{ [ ruil( I II [',VI '\/-1'\ (,)j'nl.\ \/1...... l~") - " ~,
'j
.
.
the hotel thwlIgh the lllllldmg .. ~el~'
['lit JOIIlt>., ~t.ilf\\ ,1\" e't'\ .Itor ~ihlih
.ind .1Ir-tOndltlOnIlH~ ~\ .,tem
The nre dep.Lrtment \\ ,I~ nr.,t
notlned of the fire b\ the hotel ~elt:'-
phone oper.\tor <It -;' 16 .1ll1 fIre-
fighters confined the bl.lZe to the
t.ismo level 111 .1bout .in hour. but It
took four hours to eV,KU.ite .111 the
gue~t rooms EIghtv-fi\'e people
died, and apprO\.lmateh- 600 guests
and staff members were II1Jured
Slxt\ -one f.itahtles were found m the
residentIal tower. 23 m rooms. 12 III
corndors. 9 on the stairs. and ;) In
the elevators.
The \\'estchase Hilton fire was In-
Itldlh- reported b\' d guest \\ ho dls-
(Overed ~moke 111 her room \..-hen she
returned to It early on SundaY morn-
1I1g The room was on the eighth
floor. four floors above the fire Al-
though smoke from thIS blaze mi-
grated to every floor above the
fourth. the fire Itself wa~ .1lmost com-
pletelv confined to the guest room m
wi-lith It started There was onh
mmor Harne extensIon to three roams
ImmecilJ.telv J.bo"e the room of on-
gm on the fifth floor and to the two
rooms .iuJolcent to It on the fourth
floor The fire eVHlentlv spre.ld from
the room of ongm when the f1eemg
OCCUP,lnts left the door open, thus
e)(pO~lng the corndor to severe heat.
flames, dnd smoke
.
-
The fm:" dqJ.lrtllwnt l"t'tt'l\ t'd the
.11.lr"1 J.t .2 2'5 ,un -\ !ullr-.lbnll r('-
'POll'!.' \\,L~ lH:'eJed to e\,luhltt' .tp-
pnnl111.lteh 2'j() ot( u[1.\nt\ from the
hotd 11 tllllll the Fue Hoor Three
of the ot(up.mt.. wele .,enuush 1Il-
Jured .iJj(l 12 dll::,J .-\11 the f.lt,Lhtles
were found on the fourth floor. nine
I1l t\,\D guest moms .mJ one III the
corridor T\\o people who \\ere res-
(ued from tht:" fourth-floor rooms
later died 111 the hospital
There ,1re tntK.i1 ~1Tml.mtles III .i[[
three at tht'~e fires The\' were .III
considered to be mJ10r fire~, .1S lndl-
c.1ted b\ the multtple-.II,lrlll fire de-
p4rtmellt response~, and the\ .Ill
ot(urred dt night or e,lrh J!I the
morl1ln\'; \\ hen mo~t of the otcup,mb
\'vert' asleep In each cJ.Se. the fire
alarm <:'\ acuatlOn s\'stt'ms th.1t should
haw alerted the re~ldents failed to
operate effectl\ eh Thus, o(cupant~
\"ere alerted b\ ".1nous other means
The\ he.ird or ~dW fire app.lrattlS. ~.1w
or smelled smoke. heard other guests
yelllllg or l..nockmg on dooTs As d
re..ult the\ hecame aware of the
thre.1t 0\ er all e"\tended perIod of
time rather th.in at the outset of the
nre .-\nd \..hen the\' dId become
aware of It. the\ generJ.lIv pertelved
the fire to be severe and thre.1tenmg
bec.ime ~moj,.e had alre.1dv spre.ld
throughout the bUlldmg In all three
fire~. 11l f.let. smoke flllgT.lted to
1.'\l'n floOl ,Iho\(' the ilCl<II ofhrc Clrr-
gill t'\ ell though tilL tl,LlIIe~ \H're
Imuted to ,\ ~lIldc 11.'\ t r of tilt' h\llld-
1I\ 12; III tilt., \ \'l'" tdl.l ~t' I hltllll ,lIltl the
Gl'orgl.lII To\"l'r~. the H.11111.''> thel lmt
1.'\ ell prllp,l\~,ltl' IIt'\'oml .i "lIl!.dt 1l'''I-
dentl,1i Ilrllt ,md thl ,\dJ,lll nt lor-
Ildlll
Thc Fnrn1.ltlon of
COI1"en:;eIKc Clu~tcn
-\nothl'l \111l11,1I1h I)d\\ l't"1 thl ~l'
thr('\::' lirl' \\ ,L~ tht form.1tlOu llt lon-
\ er,,!L'nlt_' du..tl'r~ Oil Hoor.. .Ibo\ e the
flool of filL onC!:ln In the Ccor<.!l,m
Tim ef~ ollup,mt.. I eportt.o t\\O ]IJ-
~t.iHte., oi ~\lth du,>tl'r., Both 111-
\ohe<l one-bedroom ,lp,lrtmt"lh
one illt,ltcd 01\ the ~e\"l:~1\ th Hool ,mJ
the other on tilt' eie\-enth The~e
\\ ere fl()or~ 11l \\ lllth re"lclenb ,lllcl
flfefi\1;hter., reported ..-en dense
~m<lke
The duster 011 the eleventh floor
(omJ~led of .i1TlJ.rned couple J.dnllt-
leu to an ,1p.lrtment by Its mh.1bltant
.liter the\' f.uled to e\',Kudte the
bmldmg succe~stlllk The hmb,md
de~cnbed the rorm.ltlon of the ((In-
vergence duster 111 the follo\\mg
manner
\\ t' de<.uled we better gel dre~~ed ,md
tn to ~.!et out. or look. or somelhlLl!
,0 - \\ e opened the door Ther~
\\ as ..ome ~moke m the hallwa\ ), ou
couid ,mel! It .md wt' ~tdrterl to ~o rlown
tbe ~teps \\'hen we started down
from the twelfth floor, the smoke was
ver. thick dlreJJv .md we couldn t see
\ er. well Jnd we couldn t bredthe \ en.'
\~ell, eIther \Ve didn't thmk we \\ ere
game: to make It.1l1 the wax down ~o \\e
deuded thJ.t we better go l>.1ck up So
. \\l~ ~t.1rted gomg b.lck up .lnd got to
.!bollt the eleventh Hoor .lnd ....e re.lllv
hJ.d trouble breathmg b" then .lild
thollt:.ht tll.lt v.e would trv to b.mg on
s()llwbodv ~ door to let u, III If there \\ olS
somebody there So we banged on the
fint door. next to the fire e"lt. and there
WdS somehodv there .!nd \~e .lSked them
to let \IS m \Ve went mto the ,'part-
ment J.nd ~t.l\-ed there for .lllttle "-hde
~he Wo\S un the phone the ",hole tIme
She W.J5 H.'n' nervous and she was c..ilmg
to find out where her reldtl\'t's W~re th.!t
11\ ed In the bUlldln~ We looked
FIRE JOUR~.\L -- ~O\'E\lBER 1955 . ~ ~
____~_Jc
- Convergence Clusters
outside J.nd (ould ~ee .llot or ~Olo\..e mtn-
WI:' out there 1
.
This sequence of events, In which
e\ .lcuatwq occup.mts ~ought to re-
turn to their 0''''11 umts followml?; .111
U1huc(e~~f\![ e' ..lCU.1tJon .lttempt
\\.l~ ob~er\ed III ,Ill three fire~ Ifthe\
\\ ere un.\llle to re..u;:h their o\\"n pre-
fe~n'd .In'.l~ of refug:e. thE' O~ll[p.lI\t~
selected .1notl'er po~slblE' refu~e or
mnph foHo\\ed other~ to .1 ~eletted
sIte
Th~ I~ \\ h,lt hJ.ppenecl to ,111 mal-
\ l~il'..tl dl1nn~ the nre ,It ~he Geon;l.ll1
Tu\~er< HE' de~cnhl:'d hb mtrouut-
tlOl1 111'0 the dl1~ter on the ~e' enth
floor 111 the follOWing: mJ1iner
-\nd I th'lu:.:ht I \\ ,", 2:olncr :0 the
Ane! If It \\:bH t ;OT the gU\ ope'1lO~ up
thl~ C00T le'tl'H~ u~ "n come in \t
thJt gl\ en pomt- 1 would ~..l\ ~ou,"nh 10
to :n.l' ';)e 13 lJt"Jple i1"d em'll? In "rid out
\(JlI )..no\\ ·
'1.
_-\. tot,li of 106 reslde'lts of the
Ceoq-pal1 T 0\\ ers was later g1\ en
que~tlOnn..ures to ans",er about the
fire In ,1ddltlon. researchers mter-
\"1e\\ed 23 reSidents It should be
recogmzed tbat the questlOnnJ.lre
and mten le\\'s were not deSigned to
eliCit speCIfic mformahon dbout con-
\ erge'1CE' clusters because It was onh
dlll mg these open-ended mten le\\
seSSIons that their eXistencE' \\',IS fir~t
noted
FrJllo\\mg the Ident1f1catlOn of
con\ ergence clusters 10 the Georgian
To\\ er~ fire. It seemed Important to
obtam more specific mformatlOn
about the phenomenon. such as the
length of time a cluster might en-
dure. the number of persons a cluster
ml!;ht contam. tht> dctlnhe~ of the
pMtJclp.mts wlthm the duster, and
the type of mter:Ktton between the
I John L Br-.ln oint! PhIlIp J D'''enno.
-\rl EramlilfltWrl <llld .-\rlUI'l'LS of tl". Dljnt/llllC'
of Humu" Blhulwr In rill lire [lIC1Ju,t fit ~It,.
L. ur!.:wn T"'ll n "" J''''''f1nJ 'J rr'J 'B"-
G( H.;-'j-l";- (., lItu jor hn' Hl'<ldr,h \: ,-
Im".!l BUH',1" oj ~l,lll(i,1rd, \\ ",llIll~l"n
D C. "prlf 19.9 (l :!~
... Rn 111 .....Ll DL't 11111. -\n FXrJnJf,wfHJU
and 41IU/1J)h ul th-l~ }JlptrJrlU( ~ of IIru(uul U('-
ItrH HJ'r 1ft lJu~ f~r~ In( Id. nt at tin (.'1 un'UIII
YOllf n ''II }<llJrwrlJ ') )!)'i') -
S ,<j .
T"blr: 3
Floors. Rooms, TIme Durahon, and Persons In\'o'' ed In
Convere:ence eluders In the \IC\1 Crand Hulel F,re
I I Pc r"i(JH,
F~or'r Rn(lIP1 r""(',Ho,,r<' '\rllu'Jf r Per,.,."t
I 7'31 I) 6 I J f) -
') ')27 '>-10 : ~l-;j 1 I~- -3 J
9 I r.J:!.- 7 - I L2
I - ~
j() lOll,)"" 1023 lO,~ 1-2 I ~1 12 -
i, ;rJR) I
; I ll:'J i.llS 1 - , ,n" , -
;--
i 126/ '11- !2;J-\ .:~] t ); 22 -
i_ ~__:J
I~ L413\ ~~(.l-\ 1~,}1 1 - , ~. 19
, , r-_ I
I :4li,'I
l'i I 15m 1 ~3.1-\ 1310 ' , I 3~" 1 C) I
--)
Ir- i lG.l} 1"25 11'-3.3 I I
:6::9 ~B2-;- 1615 2-33 3)"'" ;1-1:
j, I 1-'- 1-;-....j ,--- '::-2 ~ I 'l~ 2U 1
._') ;i " J I
l711 171'J 1--' !
I 4PJ_
1,.3fJ I-:"J)>,.
i'> I ISl9 :'>02 ~"50 2-1 , ':1) ! -l "
19 1929 IB19 lS02\ l~J S I 13- I :1 1
1 ltfrt2 :SfH .U"-
J ] ..._) i
2fJ 102- 2013 2030 25---33 ~ ':'3 I l) 0
11 I 2~13 2221 2229 2-1 D .11
23 I 2329 2JI-l ::331 l 5-3 :3 .W' I -l ':i
:30'> 23';0 I I
~~ '::--14h 33 -l 09
':3 I '::SL2 25091- J 'j .. I a
; I
Tor~L 1;- 3;- 1000
Ih"c,E 7-15 1-7 l) 5-1 '} 0-20 1
* Person, mdKdted ani\' ,,~ uther.
Refen'llcP John L B,-...,Jn ....11 EramlnfltlOn f1IJ{f 4.nnlIfsl5 a/the DY'WJnlCS oflhe H'mU1n
Bd"Hlor ," '1". 'IGU CIiulti Hotd Fire Cia ri. C Ollltllt, "nuda \olemiJer 21 1950.
'FP\ QUill'" \Lh~ 1981 P 31
duster me'nbers Some of these de-
tails were obtained from guests who
sun 1\ ed the ~lG~I Grand Hotel ore,
the next 10cldent 10 whIch the forma-
bon of con\ ergenee clusters \VdS re-
ported Smce more occupants were
mvolved III thiS fire and the evacua-
hon times were longer th,lO they are
m most fires, more dusters were re-
ported
Occup,lOb of the \le\1 Gr,md
tended to ~eleLt room~ With a le~!>
~e' ere extenor !>moke expo~ure for
their (l)fl\ ergenc.e clu!>ters, [worm\;
umts on the north SIde of the e~t
.lnd "..e~t wm~~ .md on the e..l~t !>Ide
of the ~outh "" 11lL( The roO\ll'" on the
Ilorth ~Idl' of the e.l~t ,\lid we.,t Wlllt':~
\\ere preferred ll('(J(/~c th<:v pm-
\ I<lt>ll .1 Vle\\ Ilf the fire .1l1d rc...t ilL'
penol1ncl dcplm cd .llon\! FI.unm\!o
HO.lll ("'I't' FIl!;lITt' 2) From the.,t>
FIRE ]Ol'R'\-\L- ,O\'E\lllER 1%'5
rooms. occupdnts lQuld cammUnI-
C.lte With rescuers bv shouts, slgnab.
.lnd slg'1~ Occupants also converged
1ll room~ With exterior balcol1le~ be-
cause the b.llcome~ pronded 10-
creased venhldtlOn and, agam. al-
lowed the occupants to commUnicate
more effectn'elv '....rth rescue person-
nel COll\'ergence dusters were re~
ported on even: floor from the
!>e\'enth through the twelltv~fifth
With the excephon of the twenh'-fir!>t
floor Table 3 ~how~ the IOl,ltmn of
convergence dmter~ bv floor ..md
room numher ..lnd mdlcates the dura-
!ton of the c.lu"kr. ,I" well .h the tot.!1
nUlIlhl'r of pl. r.,om 111 the ~ lu~ten on
{',Kh floor
COIl\t.'rg:cm_c dll\ten \\{'n'
formt..d III ~e' I;.'n room... on the "<':\'Cll-
teenth ,lIJd IOllrtt'enth f{llllr~ .1l1d ~IX
rOOllh Oil the ~I\tl'llllh lllHett'l'lIth.
...
-!
~
r
.
.
.
-;
---
T"hlc -I
Flnors Rl)fim~ Tn"c J)lIr"llon. ~lln P<r""" 1I1'"h('n 111
Clln'''r~c''cc (I"'t~.. III the \\'''Id.." Il,lt"" IIlllel ( ITe
I 1 I '''l f\tnn, I
TOlu !
I tlnl R.;tmJ ! .. \Juu/Jr \ I \ ~nut'N , ! Pil'/lit
I I ,. )
h 1;1'; 120 I 11-1
- 710 I iO I J ] 2/1 ()
- I 7'.1 ! hO Ifl f-,h r,
I T'll \1 I l'5 I [I'll 41 I
I !
; I
. -\(i.dttll)'l 'J ~..~ r....nU'... not <Ill LIl[Jfu d ~
Ht f{ r.enu. [;,)>n I 'in ill III i \au""'Jfu", 'wti 'nfl""'" ,,/ ';'l' /);JIIIiI1U<) of I
'll{' HU'''(Ht :]( ,'itH 'IIJ Ju t11[ U f \ic 'Ul'f i/tft'm /J'J(t i' ; ~1I I!'ill....iptl [1'iH r'U .
I '.liln:'!1 t1 1'1,2 '.1'\ Q'Hllt' \, i....... ll.)~ 1 11 -, I
1
I
,md t\\ en!\ -t111r<1 floor, The br:.!e~!
OCt urred on the ~C\ C'l1tec.1th fbor
\, here thl:' ~e\ e'1 clu~ter~ cont..ulleJ J.
totJ.l of S-l people The ne\.t Im,hc~t
Ident;iied popl'LztlOm \\ ere In the
four clu~ters on the tenth floor .md
the three on the t\\ elfth floor Ti1e~e
h,ld a total of 5J members Con-
vergence clusten on the el~hth.
eleventh. fourteenth fifteenth. sn::-
teenth. mneteenth. twentv-thlrd.
,lOci 1\\ enl\ -fifth floors had an un-
specified number of members 5
There were no con\ ergence clusters
011 the f.fth sl\th. 1>\ e'1t\ -first, and
twent\ -sl\.th Hoors Ho"ever. the
t\\ent\ -sl\.th Roor c'mtamed onh
IJ.n~e 5U1te~ and J banquet J.rea In
alL the smallest ('om ergence clmter
con tamed three people and the
l.J.rgest con tamed 3.S
In response to the questlOnn(l.Ire.
five men and three \\omen md\Cated
that the\" offered other guests refue;e
m theIr rooms ThiS confirms that
room mhabltants \ oluntanlv offered
assistance to guests stranded In cor-
ndors. thus lnlhatmg the clusters
QUestlOnnalre ans\\ers also mdlcated
that dutlng thiS fire, people trapped
In corndors requested refuge In m-
hablted rooms
-\ total of 57 rooms on 17 Hoors
"John L Brvan -\n ExaminatIon and
-\nal,!sls of the DynamIC' of the Human Be.
haclO. In lhe HG\I Grand Hotel fm?, C'ark
COllnt'} \nada \ou'mil"" 21.1%0 QUine,.
\hss 'FP\ \pnll%O p J2
\\ere lI,ed I)'," C011\ ert:ellu" clll~ter~
11' the \IG\[ Gr..md Hotel firE:" The~e
dl1~ter" tunt,uned J. tot,11 of -.ns Oc-
t upJ.nb Thl~ I~ the mo~t e'\te'1~I\ e
)(lentrnldtlOn of tlH~ t\"ill:' Ofl)(>ll,1\ lor
phe'lomenon to date
Fe....er convergente c1u~ter~ were
reported durmg the \Ve~tchase HIl-
ton fire. apparentl\' became fe\ver
people WEfe m the hUlldlllg J.t the
bme and fire spread was limited 10
companson to the \fG\f Grand In
thl~ respect. cluster formatlOn ,1t the
\Vestchase Hilton \vas sllmlar to that
de~cnbed dunng the fire at the GeOf-
gl.ln T o\\"ers
Some of the occupants of the
\\"e~tchase Hllton formed clmters In
three rooms of the hotel These were
uJl "bove the fourth-floof room of fire
ongm, on the Sixth and se\'enth
floors Table 4 shows the locatIOns by
floor and room of the refuge areas III
which the con\'ergence clusters were
estabbshed, the number of persons
parhclpatmg In the clusters, and the
length of tIme the convergence clus-
ters lasted It :,hould be noted that
the three people gathered m Room
710 mmed to Room 700 about 10
mmutes after thev formed thelr dus-
ter In Room 700. the\ Jomed 10
people aire.ldv there. m,lhln~ a dm-
ter of 13 \\ hlch endured for another
50 mmutes before Its memben were
rescued bv fire department person-
nel Some of the occupJ.nts of Room
700 broke the extenor glass wall to
help \ L nhl,lte the room and to 11ro-
\ ldl' lOllll\1llllK,ltron \\ lth re't III' per-
~llnne1 lot,lted III the p.lrh.ln~ lot
Iwhl\\ tlw roOll!
Condu""(Jn~
rhe n.~t 11th umdllded 111 the
\\,ll.:e 1)( tht"e three nre~ h.L~ ..lll<m t'tl
rc'(',lrdwr~ tn de\ elop a concept of
Uln\ er~ellte dll..ter LhJr..LUerhlLc~
\ tlll,rer Ull1t,lIn~ ,1t le.l~t one Ollt-
.".dl'r In .Iddltmll tn the ortL:;'nal Ill-
h,llllt.lIlt\ oj tfw I (:'f\l~(' 'lIllt J.nd ,1['-
pe,lr~ tn he lorllwt! "h("l the on~I]l.l1
lllkdllt,mt'o Ill'lte OtLUp,mt,
~tr,llded trl t'lflldor~ mto the .lfl'J.
HO\\ e\ er, :t 111.1\ JI~o re~lIit \\ he'1. the
OtLlllhlllh tr,lpped In the corridor re-
qllC:~~t refuge and \"hen occl.lp,mb re-
turn to their own rooms or enter va-
cant rooms
5111te mo~t of the refuge ..lreJ.s
~tlldJed were alread\ occupIed at the
tune of the fire b\ at ledst t\\.o pe'Jple,
the number of mdl' Iduals needed to
define a clmter was estabit"hed as .lt
lea,>t three In refuge UllltS that were
ongw.lllv vacant. howen'r. a clu~ter
was not defined unless three people
v,,-ere mvolved In umts that con-
t:uned three or more people to start
WIth. the number ma\." be higher In
additIOn. dusters mdV merge "Ith
e.lch other Con\ ergence clu~ters
contammg JS man\' as 35 people were
reported In the .\IG.\[ Grand fire
\\'hether the mell\ Iduals 1n the
cluster are acquamtances of or stran-
gers to the ongmal occupants of the
space or to each other appears to
vary In the three fires studled. the
ImtlJ.l dustenng often Involved fam-
ilv members from other umts or ad-
ditional members of tour groups.
professlOndJ orgamzatlOns. or "ooal
or fraternal orgamzatlons who \\.ere
stavmg m ..ldp.cent are:lS of the struc-
ture at the time.
However, ver\' few of the clu:,ters
studIed were lImited to pre\-/om ac-
quamtances. ..lnd one of the mo~t
common charJ.cten~tlcs of the con-
Ver~en(e duster IS the ub~ence of
prevlOUS persan..l!, ~OCIJ.1. or profes-
SIOnal reJ..ltlOnshlps ;1mDng the mem-
bers The pnmar\' prereqUIsItes for
FIRE JOUR'J -\L - '\;O\'E\IBER 1955
. S 9
- Convergence Clusters
membenhlP In J. clu~ter .lppear ~lm-
ply to be the individual's pfe~ence
wlthm the bUlldmg at the tIme of a
. fire, as weil as a perceived 1fiablhtv
to evacuate the bUl[dm~ without .I~-
slstance and the resulttn11; need to
take ..helter m a ref\l\~e .\rea lmttl .h-
slst.mce 1\ .n..ul.1ble
The 101l.lI)]tant of the room Of
ap,utment lI\ed 1)\' .1 UJn\('r:.;:enu'
ciu\ter u~\l.lIlv ,I,~Uml::'\ the rol". tJf
. hmt. . \~ hlle tht' other\ In the dll~ter
..L\~lllne the role\ of ~tle~t\ 'In ,onw
m~t.mce~, the ho~t a~\11l1H'\ tl't'
le.lder~h;p of the group In othe' ~
le,lclershlP IS ~h.lred or J.~'lI111t:'d In
an mdl"'ldu.l1 who h.l~ ,peclahzed
kno\~led~e appllcJhle to the ~ltlla-
tlOn. sucn J.S a hotel empto\ ee Of ,1
volunteer firefighter Cluster "l1e'n-
bers also observe the SOCIal custom
of gl\ mg preferential tre.ltment to
the elderh and to women
The reason members of the t\ plcdl
convergence cluster choose a par-
tK:ular refuge umt appear:. to be that
thev beheve It to be 'safer" from tIle
devastatmg effects of the fire tlun
theIr prevIous locatIons In the Geor-
. gmn Towers nre, for e'(ample, the
refuge areas were selected bec,lUse
they were located out of the p.l.th of
the extenor mlgratmg smoke. \\ ere
acce~slble from corndor, ,md ,t,ur-
\Va,s, and were In pO~lhon~ th<.lt e'l-
abled occupants to commulIlc.tte
With fire sen Ice per~onnel 111 the
A SELECTED BIBUOGRAPHY
Bell, James R, Klem. Thomas J , and
Willey, A Elwood InvestigatIon Re-
port Westch4se RUton Hotel Fire,
Houston. Texas, :\larch 6, 1982. 12
Fatallt,es QUlncv. '1a55 :-;:FP-\,
:-';ovember g, 1982
Best, RIChard and Demers. DaVid P In-
lestll!atlOn Report on the \lGJI Grand
Hotel F,re, Las \:egas, ?>.'ell:da,
SOl emver 21 19.'i0 QUlIIev. ~I.lS5
,FPo\. ]anuaf\' 15, 1%2
Bf\an, John L An E.wnJl1latwn and
.-\naIY~ls of the DynamICs of the
Human BehatlOr En the r"-estchase Hd.
ton Hote! F,re. Houston, Tems, lIarch
6,1982 Qmnev, ~la.ss .).FP\, ~larch
:9, 1953
Br.an. John L An E:ramlllatlOn and
4.nalysls of the DynamICS of the
Human Beltauor In tlte "fC],! Grand
Hotd FIre, Clark County, Net.ada,
Vo!:ember 21, 1980 QUincy. \lass
~FP-\. Aprtl, 1983
Br.an. John Lana Dl:'\enno, PhIlip]
A.n ExammatlOn and AnalysIS of the
DynamiCs of the Human Behauor In
the Fire incIdent at the Georgian
TOILers on January 9. 1979
W.lShm~on, DC. Center for Fire
Research, National Bureau of Stand.
ards, I\BS-GCR-79-189. Apnl .30,
1979
Burldmg OffiCials Conference of
Amenca Basu:: BuJdm~ Code
Chicago BUilding Officl.Js Conference
of Amenca. 1%'5
Cl.1rk Count\' FIre Dep.utment HGM
Report Las \'ega.s Clark County Fire
Dep..lrtment. \fav 19. 1981
IntemutlOnal Conferepce ofBUlldmg Of-
fiCials L'mfonn Bill/ding Code Whit-
her Intern.ltlOn.ll C,mierence of
BUlldmg OmcI.J]s. 1970
~atJonal FIre ProtectIOn :hsoclatlOn
Clnssificatron of Budd!TlE; Constntc-
tlOn NFP-\. 220 QumC\. ~rass..
l'\FP-\.. 1979
XatJonal Fue ProtectlOn Assoclatton
Life Safety Code :<.FP\ 101 QUincy,
~lass XFP-\., 1955
:-:atlonal Fue Protechon Assocmtton
"FIre at the \IG\I Grand, A Preilml-
narv Report n FIRE ]OtlR"iAL 792
(\Iarch 1981) 33-36
'1atlOnal Fire ProtectIOn ASSOCIation
~Westcha.se HIlton Fire Clmrns 12 n
FIre Sen.:lce Today 49 7ljulv 1982117-
19
ParISh. Hm' L. "The \IG~1 Grand Hotel
FIre" Internatlorn:zl Flr-e Chief 47 1
aanuarv 1981) 12-13
streets belo",; The~e .l.rea vanables
\\ould .lppp..lr to he the common rea-
~ons for choo\mg a p.1rhcular area of
refllge m the three o1re<; ~tudled
Fm.llh-, It seem~ that comergence
clllster~ m.\> fUllttlOll.1<;.1 mechdm<;m
for redllcmt!: the .l.n\letv .1nd temwn
occupants feel when confronted WIth
a hfe-threatemng fire Thus. the ac-
tIOns of member'i wlthm the clusters
tend to he concentrated on mform.l-
tlOn-~eei..mg. commUIHC.ltlOn. and
reducll1g smoke mlll:rJtlOTI mto the
refu~e .lreJ. l::...
American Iron and Steel
Institute Releases
Publication
The Amenc.m Iron and Steel Imtl-
tute ("'ISIl h.l~ I~~ucd Deslgnrn!!. Fm!
ProtectiOn for Ilteel Beam.~. a tom-
prehem]\:e g;Uldelllle for drdHted~
engmeer~. ton\trllchon ~pcclfil'r~.
and bUlIJmg offioah that 1\ mtended
to ~llpplement \peclficatlOm for fill'-
re~l\t.lll{e r.lhng.. 1"\lIed hv Cndcr-
wntt'r.. whor ,ltOr!e... I Ill' (C L; The
new 2.S)-p.lge booklet. whlt-h 11Itludt'~
the C U AI~I Be,ul1 SUh,tltlltlll1J
. EqU.ltlOlI, c()ntJ.lI1~ figure, .lIlt! t,lhk..
that pnJ\ Ide d.It,1 011 .UJIlC\"1I1\.!; op-
tllTI1l1l1 nrt' re,l\t,lIlte m protetted
~ted he.un...
Thl" nE\\ puhltcatlOn I' ,111 Impor-
t.1l1t .1ddltlOn to the !Jter.lture on fire
re\l\t.llKe tel.hnoto\!;\ .Iud (h"'lgn be-
C.lll\e It \ho\\\ how ~teel he.un.. that
differ from thn...e \[wClfiul III the 1.1Ir-
rent l'L Frrp Re'j~t{/llce Dlrectorlj
C..!!l he \llh\tJtllted J.l1d \tlll mamt<.llll
the '.1Il1C h.'\ ellll perfonn,uKc .I, the
Pllbh...hed fire re'l,t.mte r.ltllll!;, The
hooklt t .iI\!) dl'UI'\t'\ nrt' endurallu_'
te\h h,l\ednn -\ST\1 'it.lIld,lrd E-1l9
("\FP \ 2;')1 ,m!! L'L 2fi31, le,w\V\
hlllld1l1~ t(lllt r('(l'llrement~, ,md de-
\tnh" tilt, !.ll.tor.. that .tlfed fire
I P,...t,lllt ,.
9 U . FIRE ]Ot.:R\:-\L - '\0\ E\HlEH 19\")
S1l1~le cople~ of the new puhl1(,.1-
tlOTl \..11\ he ohtamed ff\lm the .\mer-
](..111 Iron and Steel Ill~t!tllte, 1000
16th Street. ;..; \\', \\'.1~hmgtol1.
D C 200'3fi
IFSSEC Office Moves
The ot1ke, of the Intem,ltwl1J.i
Fire Jnd Setlmtv Edl1bltlOn .md
Conferentt' h.l\e moved Their neW'
IOt..ltlOn 1\ COlnTlHll1lt'.ltlllll I1011\t',
b,g High RO.ld. '\orth Flllthlev,
London \, 12 ~Q -\. En\.!;l.md Their
te]p\ numher rem.lm.. the ~,llIle hilt
the telephone Ilumher 11..1\ been
(h.ltIl.;ed to 01---1-1 6-S211
I
~ .
.
i
i
~
~
APPENDIX K
Hotel Fire
1.
! .:t
;;;
~
..
'.4~
...
Chicago
u
..I
-I
..
1
~
-~
.,
I
~~
:l1A R TI~ E
G R I .\1 E S
.'~FIJ_l ~Selllc-r FIle 1~;;;i.Cl..t1(}1l .Spcc'ialzr::t
1I
-~
.~
1
.~
~
-~
TiE 'I.',onc/s L 'cI'GI:ST rID:T:.. ~'e 2.r;::)8-lcoiT. c:;, :-.:J
H:l:cn ~E c>,.\....:~8. .T ~lS ~~i2 5cei::: cE 2.. :-.~::t!1"===~D~~ -- 1
+:...at claimed t~e !l".es ot ~'I.'! ~ de..::-~L:~::s J.nd l1C'::;'Lt..~l-
iZ-2U ~6 othe.:. ~e('-p~e ~-':.:~\ o::.~ St=nda"- JL"..~~.;Ll~'I :.) lS~C
~
,
i
:-j
~L
pi
_~M
~~~
- .-j
~~
B ""SIC \LLY OF FlPE-RESISTI\T. CO~STR;:C:::IO); the ~otel
ferms a cO'7lp!e\: occup,- rng t-hree-q uarters of a bloc~-{~
the rem:lImng sectwn of the block bemg an open p~lr:L.:-
mg ::re3.
The ;ram hotel sect~on, bUilt m the late 1920's. frant~
tbe block On ~LchIs~n Boulevard ::nd measures 401
feet '')V 174 feet. '-nth 25 floors and sn basement lE\ els
At ~he rear are t",..o a:r.ne'{es. both con:1ec~('d to the
hote' G~le a l";'--ton ~ef"\C~ '',.):1:;. the o+er a fO:.Jf-st;Jn
exln"'ltlOn elnr: ::on\cn'~on 1J.Cl1lt'. that '\'as added :.., the
rrnc(lle 1%0',
In the m~;il 5.ect:on Floor;. Olle through Fan .md
the '-..- ~e~0n:s ,-ire uS~:ld :or :reS~~Ul ,-lrts~ c.:1.~1rC'rr"".s Te-
cept;c'l !"oc:"s. sen 1(('5. and .1dr:11;1:~~rat:cn FIC'of;. F~' e
thmugh Twentv-fh e are all reSidential, e:lch floor a:. e,-
ag!n~ 125 guest rOO!:1S
An ele"ator 1~ark for the gt:ests IS ce~tral~v PO~]-
t~cned ,....,th 1-1, elevators openmg to J. lobby ~'l e,lc:1
flcor (see the fleer plan of t!!C nmth floor. next p,l~C"!
The lobblc~ are ,\r:Jro,{lmate!y 50 feet by ~o ft'e~ lm'l'''-
dratcl'l nart11 of the O;l'est e!ev,ltor'i l~ rr sen'j(.e \fC.l "Ylth
e!ght elev,ltors and one ,talf\' ,1)' Fife ,-",\lis amI door~
sei=l:nate that "re,l fmm the guest sectIon
The guc~t :u{',\ of th.: !I'nth ~tcr'.' I;' t\ Plc.d pf ,\ll tIlt
ot1lcr stor!C~ Wltl\ flJ01n... OpCf'lLlg off ,I c('ntr,d n.Ull
corridor mlt hr,lllL il cornelor...
.
(1J llltlli Ilkr'o'l\ I. .~~.l'll't'.... P" Hit tlJ IltL C'llll,.nl.....ln. I r Hlli)-
lrt J ()\Illln 1J1I1 uHLlI ro., pf tjll ChH.- l~O rHL Dlp '....).l...t 10"
tht Ir L()llP( T L.\(1]1 'n rr\p H.i n':! 1I1fprnl .tlnn <lnrl ~"""ht Hill ITl: 0"11-
l)!tll';! t~.l'.. '"l ~'Olt \Ii tl.(' p:'(ILn':.:f Ipi" U( o;h'll il ( 'ILl ''0.:..) i
()( j." . rt'lll I'" [') li~ t I d
......... -or __ _00-_
~~ - -- ~
- ";-~~"----"- .. p~---'"
T~-:'":- :i.....rrr:.;on r:"\,:'Hr;;;; of t~IL~ ..'\fCl c.Olll~-'r:l;:"e rt_..")~er-
(Ji'-~I~-etL1:-~a~j1 CCl:l}l~-':~ t]'L >-.')h\ ~dJi..l !~'J..Lr(!l c.r-.ri"C"")7--.
- . ,
1..1\ -'-"1 ..:::"C!J~t :..!i t~ :.,... C~~
:';ld .1 ....,.il(" .d_f:l);.:
th~ P'L:H"'" COrr1,:Qf)r
-\11 t~-:: ',.~H ~uif~ce:;: i..lre 1 ~nl 1 f.1hrc on :""\L1ster ,-'d-
he~l.~ e :J.nl-.::no\\TI \\-11<::1 te~tec to _-\ST\,-C';~ the f~:.hllC
lh~ci 1)een ;~\en ..1 C.."I~S .-\ r..::.t~~;. \\+!th ~l R,:1.....--.~ (:preL~d :t~
lo\'- as S
E.:1ch gUEst room has .l st,>rdard !1.;-mcn wood-frawe
door \\ .t11 a ',-men p,mei Tne oniy e'{ce?tlOm are tv 0
rocms ooenmrz dlrecth to tne elevator lohb\' "i!Jere '4-
mc.h plv~"ood'11.ld bee~ .tdded to the outs:ce fac.e of the
doo:-s ~o complement t:!1e ele'.\ltor ~obb}" decor
n',:
F rc f~;ltCT"!.J at!C11~pt to reLn.1.? {~ ~~ct''''11 found ::ptl~ ':9 het fron1
c.:r l?rt
L _ --1' ['
[ -=-~.--:::11
~Y~.i~ i 1\1
~~~ :;'~1 } II
~:- #'="'41 1I
~'--'-- -"~,,, "
t:::=.::~r !l
~~}.,~?"~ \'\
~"l- ,_'- ~'\I, ~
f~~~1') '1
[~~- -~'l\il';
~.r_ -~ .1
l~ _ -4- II'
f- ' . -. \',
~ . -~ ~ 1 ',''''-
-. "1 "1, II L_
i P
t:. I ~ .
"I'
1
l
_ ~____ _~ _4_ __~~
-~ - -.. -+- -- -
"
-~ - ....
~~ ~:7~~ :~ ~~- ~~____4::~-~ ~;;~~~.t;~:i;,~~
~~~;i~~~:~ -,-
'1u <:;.-""~,,,. -~~,.....~~~..~.
:7~~j~ ;.~~:;.:~-!~ ,. 7:
......,I.o.~~_1" '1''''+ -""'-~...r--~"''''
~~ ~U\ - ~ ;-.. ~ .-t;;..----.. :-.....~ ~ -:. -
~'i:~~~~~-;'",: ~~~:~:~~..:::t:_,...~
'+- ~:.:..~~-_....... ~'V- ....."'l~~....;C".:;.~1t~ ~ _ ...,.
;;~~~~~~:;:',o-~2;${!!-~~;~~3' . .:%
';,~:."";:~- ~~..:::::,:-,...:..~;.- _S.....;;. ~"" -~ -,~,..~
;:-~"Y"~~- ~~ r-'-.-'I",~~1'-f~~-1l ~~, ~~..",..~
,- ,,,C;""l < , -- !:.-,\... '1'1" .1'::).-;,..t::t.::.:~
/l;~Oc=~~-~ll ~ ~ 1-~ -:r:, ~ l~ i-a -~ 7'~ Z 5-~~::~~~
1:~~~':;1 \\ ,.: ~- ,,~\~ _~:: -r.~:~~~~
--" ~ ,/ '-.:-.......... ~\.:,'~ ...\', -~. r -'-:-.:..~~,_
I" ,........ " ~ .""" ~x.. '. '\: .>- < -. ....~-#,.
_ f_- . ('~. ~..~.. ...~..~~ -:.ot-,r.,.-- ~ ::f4..-.v'__~~~
" i -v:r """".-,..- ~t~. . - _ -H;t, _U\~:ir,-;;;~7;;...
. J _-"-.;..~ . ".;'-4'-~ "'... t_ ....~;:..".
L ~ _~ _' y __,. ';t "'\, . ~ ~............,:>'"-......." ~ j~
.tf~~~~~~~~~-~~~~:.:~~~'~~::J~~~~~r~
"'---..... T~~ .. i ..\ \ -- - - " .......~ ~.....,J!-.~ .,-4~
1'_...~ "'I ..~.. . :..! , T~ .-.......... p!J: ~
~ -f'" -,. It ...../ -- ~:;::::--:: "".3-:.
-~- .-
\.
-~
r-'"-~ -::--r,;:'
l- -_
.-.
, ....
. -..-
,....-........~~.
.. .... :......~
LIL CHIC \GO Fuu: DJ:p\.R-n.rI:),'T. respondlllg to tre
.telePhoned d.mn WIt.l-: .1 first attend.1nce of three er:;lr.e
ompames, h..o ladder eompames, a specIal ser-i!ce
squ.ld (snorke]/rescuc), and ,\ battalion chief, dc-
plo, cd ,1round ~~e hUlJdmg on prcpbnned procedure
-=.-\t t~lat tlIre t!lere l.~ as no c\.ter:ar c\ tce-:"ce of :hc ex-
tent or the he
Cre\vs enten.n~ 3.t g;rounQ 1evel hJ.d dn3cu 't'.' ~n
IOC.ltU';':t\ bod'.' "nth '..;:nowled:se of the Fre unt~l a
memce:- 0: the hltchen st:-rr \\ '1C~'~ L~"'gi~sh ".;~S 'C~\
h~Jlted m;::)L~;;ed to ~ndlc;.lte tnLlt It v~ a.> 8~ the nl;:~;
Boor.
C ~::.~2: ..1 ::.tT\ :L~ t"iC \ ....tc.)! ~:-e 2:-Cv... \ ,"-lS(e~-J~~c::! ~c f.-:~~
-L;~21~;' Reef lr;:,,1 ~-l~";:-i:~; ~!-'c ~~ ec.c:-:-neLteG 1"_-1..1(.:; .~cse
p"c. ..l :..:... ~'.cl"" :ire d~p..:rt~~er?.t ho,e lIne fro;:"" -~e ~tJ.ncl~
pIpe Out:et -=.t ~!1~1t le\ eI rliY- ed up :h~ ~e!.'">; ~ce st.J.lr\~~ ..l~.
to :re ::i;.:-~~) I do()r~ ~: r ii"\l~1-....~0:\ :e" f-?l
\\ b~~ ~~~,.;., (~l)~.lec ~11e dOG::-s tbe\ ;'let P.:li":::e h~<.,t
and stnc.~e _1Jld zero \l~lblht, Fr:Jh~ :r~lt pc:n: ~o p~c;-
rt':::s cuu1d ~~ ;:"'lJ.d.c p~ :t~IC'l~ 1:n0'-:2t~1:I",,; _"\:}P 'r~t:..:s
Oti'el :::-r-2'\ s t]lLlt ': LC cnt2rCc. :");. ~~.:!ns a~ ..- St...-~l:-1": ..-:~~
.?t t:le <'<JL..t~~ enel of the QU:::l::l!::
, ,
\"'C:-~ d.Dle
'\ e~rln':!.
breathl....; _lPI-Ll1.1it's to \-.; or~ GC:".' ~~ tj-:n: n!:-..~h-:i:Jc-r cc:--
Tld:Jr U~:;-'~ 1.1. 2-~-mch h~e :ro"rY} the ~~Lltlci~.:.pe s....s~e':-' :\.:
tha.t tUlle .:1dTI\- :H:r:~h-f!co~ gtJ.ests v ere st' ~l In tbelr
rooms. ,::~d fire fi.;hters could l'ea.r the:n caE::"'g for as-
sIstance Reas:"Jrmg them and wam:ng t.~e:-:1 to leep
. thell" doors shut_ the fire 5gbters contmued ,"orh~g
down the corrIdor untIl thev reached the seat or the
fire m the elet a:or lobbr
.c~ T T.IIS S 'I. ',~E Il:\IE RESC'"~::: CPr:;!, -\ TIO~S V:E1'1: I~ ?POG-
BESS .-\.~ the north end fi',e \"ou::h. plr: of the C'~"t-nl'te
g!"oup_ \'[ ere hLlnglng fran} \\'lnaO\\' led;cs of ran:::l-
Y!le elet.~~ar rOi)!.Jrj ll.Jlere i ~'C irf!' o"':.;~--~!ed Gr :,-j,(" -~"ltl. -.'.]('...
.
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lOl' The I11.!PH '-o..~rclor on the f.-"'e rDQr~ [(;01.. 'ri; south iron) tI'e
elel-:1....~r- ,'ob,rJ~'
...",-bOL!! yr'L' ifla'n cot~.dor of tT'e "cn!h .pO!1'" f"Of], .,he sa1r]e 1l()~2-
fton r;-..,'. :';'vta zndli...atcs the cord,trOll of t;~e jl1rltl1 .pour ')€TOre
the f-re, IHid the Ciblje'~ce of daulCl;e pnmeduJtcit1 abcl"e the fire
Eco] rooms 111 .\ rt'ces\ed are.l o\-er ~he fLt rGo~ of the
10\' es~ foar levels Flrc nSI]ters entered rcorns 10 the
c]:;h:h '(0[\ ,md pull cd four of the \ outb~ to ~,lfL:t:-,
JU': I" h,e [Ie {auld h rCoLched. the (11th fell fi\ c floor:,
~(J t!'- ['.(}t ~l1~Ulli1\1~ tr.lLtl~rl>~ to both k~~
Gil! ....~;., t'l1 l1r~1t [ Hprl].... \\ (. rl l1fn\ l'" pL "':~)nlln'.! .....]nn~c
l~' ~~~~- L(lnl{l{)l~ LLli.d ~lIL\ "er( L'4~lLLltHl~ ill ~~Lr.!e
llli.r1J;"I.." LL..IH'.!: HI~l]lO! Ll)ld C..\.tt.Pllf ....tl'r\\\~\.... \ :qUtl-
Lt r 'f ~';t ..:.... \\ t [l : ,~{ ~j duq n ~:n~n tIll. 1"lIt~. ilu~Jr J)\ ( r
till 1)'~'lLtlI1lnt"'llii-hJ;.;t <"Jld~\l(.ll~~I""
J. S .
FIRE JOURSAL - -'fA.r 1970
J /",'vE 5T1 ~"Lt
. I _ ~/"';:OP.~L:lC.A T:;:: S.ER'..ECi
'.. " FlRE ~SC"'''E
i\{:~~:::;%~ ~~~
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:Sft:~~~~ l~, :~ol ,"en
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944 '42 I
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935 ',,~~.23.! 936 ;55 i Q5t
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plC'l of +~e ~rftth -roor The s~;~d color ~nd'c~tes tl;e sea.t of the -rrc. ~he SCiCCIiCd co:CtJ heat r~ci frc ("!f~niti~e. the "';i~'J ';(..;lC1, ;'er..:.~~J
sv-roke dC'"'1cf;e The coLon~d CT'~::.ses Si'OtL ~l-.e loc~tiart of fne "[l-O t.-i.::"'ljnS
.
.-\!l vertIcal shafts and duc~s e'!:cept those servmg as
bathroom vents are sealed eIther at Boor level or 0>-
doors or covers
The room .:nr condlhomng does not connect wlth or
enter the corndors, and It was not aperatmg 2.t the hTe
of the fire
I
,
1
~
:::> F Il'E PROTEGIOX Ie-; r.dE HOTI:L dces not mc1uce
sprinklers ar Ere detectlOll s"'stems
.The seve!l mternal st~:urwavs are protected -vlth self-
dos~ng doors. some metal. some of -vlred glass m met~J
frames .A.t the rear cf the butld~n~ there .lIe 6.\.e ex-
ternal fire escapes accessible directly from the corndDr~
i\o smoke doors are provIded throughout the L~OO-
foot corncor on each floor
Illummated slgns mdleate the eXlt doors to stalr'V;lVS
and fire escapes, nomllummated SIgnS the routes ~o
eXits
The eIg~t standpIpe systems. ~ocated at vanom ("ut
st~l1~vays and fire escapes, are provIded wIth I ~~-mch
precannected hose and :n-mch are department con-
nectIons at all levels Slarr..esed mlets arc 10c:1ted .It
street level for FIre Department use to 'iupplcment
domestic pressure
The hotel ,1J.irT:l 5\st(,ffi coml~ts ani... of 0:1l' 1'1];r ~t.I-
tlOn ,It the e1e" ,ltar lobby on l'.lCh floor The pull "t 1-
hens gI\e .! (oded slgn.!1 m the telephone opu \tor<
roDm T:'~ re 1S no ge'1er,tl ,lbrm or fire dcp.lI tTlll Ilt , u"-
!let tlOn
.
BEFORE THE FIRE about 50 ch2.lrs :lwalt!ng; repaIr h"d
been stored m the e:evJ.tor lobby of the nmth story The
c~atrs. conslstmg of wood frames, foam rubber scats,
ard cotton-p2.dded arms 3.'1d backs, were stacked form-
ms; an !~land about 10 feet by 15 feet In the center of
the lobby The c.haIrs were concealed from public vle'v
'>:. c!r,!!Jenes on alutrmum-fraP1e stands
The L.1St knG\Y~ n per~on In tlllS Y~c:;nlt:... ..\"~1~ ~l :)CCt'.ilt\
?a~rolr'1<ln who clocked In t~1e eUe:l at '3 DO " '1' .'.nd re-
?orted nothms aonormJ.l
An'lOng the 6uest~ on the n1D~h noor ',','a5 a ;urt\ of
~: "': outns f:Oln <.1 del.lf-ill\.~[e "c!~ooi .ylio \'-'ere !;l to.~vn to
,ltter:u .t b.l~hetb,!ll g.1me
THE fUll: WAS Dlsco\'r:m:o about 6 45 am when a guest
m the mnth Hoor called the hotel operJ.tor reportmg
smo'.;:e emu hl'elt III the Cf)rndl}f
A. ,et lint... r1.I:l \....ent to the nmth Boor J.l'J f1rdmg
l'c,",,- smo\:c.'. rOtl't't1 Olc.up,mt-; bv c.al1mg and hI'OC.l.;:-
m~ on door~ lIntIl ddt'rlor,ltmg londltlOm prcn~nted
hlrtl-:lr attcmpb
The tl'll phone (I[lCr,llor rL(CIVllIl; other reports from
:,:;ul''ob c.,tlll'd the FIre Dl iJ.ll tnllllt ,Lt 6 30 ,un
ft ., rl'FPrtld Ih It :hl' hold oller,ltof' tlrlll ,\ 'tl '11-
\'l~ ill'.' c.t!ll d ,\11 'lll" f[llH\l~ to .lkrt :-:lll"t~ Imt the
'I {[m'lI\..(' llwd ,l[ld tl I< I''! I c.tlHlll"" of till Ld!~ .lft. 1I0t
('10\\11 \ ,tll.llht'l ot t!1l1"t, 1l1.llh ~t.LtI 1m 'lh to till'
['-II~, th,lt tilt \ 11 III I( l' "l d [Ill ~II' II t dl
20 .
FIRE JO[/RXAL - :\[...1)' la7D
.
SECO'JD, THlTID. AND FIFIR "'LAR~{S had been struck In
faIrly qUIck 5ucceSSlon. bnngmg a total of 20 cng!;,e
comp.mles, 10 ladder compames, and 10 ambulances,
together with speclal ~upportmg apparatus The m::m-
go\ver thus assembled was fully utIlIzed, dealmg not
cnlv w.th lbc fire 3.rd tIle c:lsualtres but also ',',dh the
prab:e:n of corti'O i~l'Jg ",bout l,SOO ~uests. t~e ~a~on~''-
ot \.~hOT11 "'vere e-P~c..Jatlr~ 0:1 theIr O\Vil ~'ltlatlve
SeJ.r::~m:; :ire c:-e,vs lccateci t~e bcc::es of tc.o 17-
vear-old de:J.f-mutes 10 the mr:tn-storv corndoL ,1Den
20 reet from the northe;:!.st comer fire eSC3.pe Con-
~;ILOUS re~U'ic,tLlhon elIolts bv the fire fi::;nters were of
PO 1\;;.1
I~ L~ll. 36 :~ecple. ~o~t Gf tre~ deaf-:n~.:tes '\c:-c ~()~..
rlt~;.::z.2d, ;:-o.:];}]. bec.-="t'~e of sTflo~..:e Inli;;llat:on or l"elt
e~..r:-o~u!"e T:~e SCtl~:-:~. .;t":trci q.. no .2:-st .i"es~on2cd :0 t~e
fire :md one Ere fi~llter '.\ ere a-nong:he ;nJurec
O:Je f,lmlh y, ho used ..m e:e'<ltoi' :rc'TI :he sn~ee:1th
f.lOCL~ e\D2:~enccd J. Cl::ist of heJ.t :li1G 3Ll1oke \\ he:r- t~e
ele.... :i.tor sto;;ped ~t tre fire t:~Ci F ort~nate1.,~. berore
~mo~e cculc obscure ~'e e!e~:::c e1.e c.e1..1ce :~e dcc!"s
:eclosed. and CJe~/ desce~ded s:J.:e:--: to ~he :E.:st =8or
Other ele"r ~:c:-s :-esr:~r:d2d ~,;noC':::up;.cd. to t~e ~.i.:J~h-
fbar level. _'pparently bec::LUse of 5re damage to t~e c.all
ClIcmt at the fire scene T~e elevators that temm'"1ea
open there were severely damaged
.
IXYEST.:G-\.TIOX OF .dE CAV"SE OF THE FIRE, which ong-
mated 10 the accumulatlOn of chalIs ill the elevator
lobnv, has narrO\"ed dO'.vn the probabIlities to c:lreIess
dIsposal of smokmg matenals by a passer-by or by
SQmeone who for unknO\vn purposes went behmd ~he
drapenes cor.ceJ.lmg t~e charrs
The questIon of dehberate Ignlhcn IS stIll be:ng e;::-
plored bu: mctn.'at:on or purpose for such an act was
not IlT'medlately apparent
.
THE BEFu!.nOR OF THE ~L1.V'....RL-\LS A:'>'V FCVIShZ:S mdl-
cates that the fire proper "vas connned to the stacked
ch2lrs. L~e foam rubber produ!:mg consIdertlble heaL
dense sIT'oke, and earbomzed particles
Appa~ent!v rad:atec heat I~:tcd trIm and "'ood sur-
faces III the Imrt'.edwte area of the elevator lobby, and
comected ~le:1t wlth same rad'3.tron appears to f'ccount
far the Ign:t:Ol' or coor surf,lees alcng the corr:dors for
about 100 feet On eIther SIde of the lobby
The entlre comdor svstem of the mnth story from
cell:n:; to fleor was damLlged by (;''Ctremely hc~tvj: smoke
and c:1rborlzea deposJt..,
There was no ev:dcncc that the carpetm~ ct)ntnh-
uted ~o the ~pH',ld of fire or \moJ...e as only thl' rortHlII
In th: -rn-,edlate \'ICLlutv of the ~t.'cl..cd L!l.l1r~ burned
The ~Jl'h,1VlOt of the \II'vl \\,'a11 Lovenpg (,l]ll1llt be
full\' dete"1""Inet!. but there l~ no douht th It'lH It (,lll\cd
the .1dhe~IVc to wc.lkcn ,lilo\\ lIlll; the c.o\'('rmg to peel
and hang FJT(;''T!en h.1\ (;' ..,t;1tcd th.lt tJw co\'crlilg (hd
not seem to be burnmg as they l'1o\"ed ~long the cor-
ndor toward the Seat of the fire The '.'lnvl surf' ce 1<;
b,lcl..:ed hv .1 catton rcmforccmcllt. .mci th,lt ,1ppe,ucd to
b,l\.e carbOnIzed
..-\5 \vas not2u ,,-lho\ e rccrp doors Llnd ti i."\c) \\ ere
charred for about lea feet ;"1 l)oth d'rl'ctJOl1S frn;n the
eJe\ ator lobbv, hut no penetr.ltLOn occurred C\ C"1 111
tho~e cIoor~ opent:1g 2Ire(>;;. to ~:'c JarJin In ;c:1cL11 'Ill'
electro::::!l c:rUllt'> \\ ere uJ,lffel tcu ~)'; tl'c 6re, re::;c:" 1l ~
on Iv TO[:11 d..lr"'hl~e- T1"1e ct"'er~CI-",C./ ~1~~'r-:.~~ on t;.c T'~i1:.h
Hoor cont..lnl!(d to fan(':';)Jl lj~e t:",]t v';;n~. ho\.\ C\.t~r
',' Cfe 'Jh'Cllreu b,. ,>Of)t clep:-"'1t-.
SrTIo1..:e tr~1'\.ele(1 to t-:.Pi:c:- :""r~'clor; l.l~)?Llrentl~~ lJ.. ~b~~
"p'_''1mg of ell v,ltO:- cloor, :Lt +e fire Joer -COnn:, Oi;i...!.;,,~
~pread of ~!j101.e ,l:~O O(C:'l;-:-CC. dunn~ Sre-5:;-:".tp-",~ ope:--
_ltlO:J~. bec~me hose lint,'i hJ.d to lJe hf(Jl1 :;j. t thrcu:;h
~~~l:r cnclosu:i es ~{l::-ent:-: :inca carl t~01 s at: UPI=-E-:- lc\.e~s
oc:::urred "hell' gt.:.e,>~s "',ere C'..lCU,lt:t'-.; b" tl,:] S,lme
~t~lf"-'~ I.~'l S
On
e\e.~ :h~~!"~ ~~, 1<:' ne~~~~~"'J:(~
'::-1........0. 'IJ~
...............o:..:a-r
LL.... oJ__...
dJ.~a ;e
TEL: IXTERlORS OF O.......L Y 1""','-0 ROO:>'I3 ,,\ ERE 'FFI:CT:OD-
9:29\ .:md 940A. the molT'S :n.1t ~Hcl been occu::ned by
the t\\O youths who dIed and the others who were
rescued from wmdow ledges Both rooms sw;tamed
severe smoke damage
It appears that whIle the t\VO VICtIms were attempt-
ing to reach the stuuwav, smoke forced the othe~s to
climb out the wmdows As thev '.vent thev left the doors
open ,\11 the boys v....ere deaf-mutes. J.nd presumably
the smoke prevented them from cO'TI.mumc..tt:"; \\'Ith
one another ~n their normal \\ av, us::.ng: S:igTI 1~ln3~.l~lse
(COJlf'nucd D1') pd~C' J~)
TIle door of Room a01. openlr~ [!zreci'!J off tIle (,l(]1;GtGr JO;~;YJI
I lze :ntr:.nor of -rr1e TOOltt .:.rlsta ped '10 r[.I1JW~C
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32 .
FIRE JOL'RSAL - 'lAY 197Q-
Stat'dard for F'rc Test5 or '\Vmdou, AS5Cr>I'Jl:C5.
);FP.\ 1\0 257 - 1970
The test mctt>od cescnbed in tills St:.lncb.rd :s aPP;I-
cable to the fire-tbtm~ of \VlIldow a'i~embll{'~ ,md ;L,s
h\-,cl,; :md ot~ler l';h~-tr,msmltt'n~ .1'i'ie'TIbl','i The .1,-
.:;:L'm:")l....~ :lpdt'r tr--..t 1:' exr.o",.::d to the CC~dl~:~:;-~~ or ~1-..('
st'1nd.ud t:m~-tempe!"~ture reL'tlO:'~:l1p U~l'd ~c~ :~n:-
testm~ butld::--; :T'J.tcLd :,ssemb'le~ Thc tc~t mcthcd
!pcluGCS o:l fire endFr~.ncc test ~lrd ~l ~'ose -stre:.l'n tC~I
T2.e text that \'\.".1\ Te'1t..~t1pe1v :.lder-ted 1;01 1 S6Q 15 hi?r-'~
....-ul-..'!"ynttec1 \\'lthGut l ;1-1n~c b\" the Cotn~"Y)1ttce on F'le
T._.:, ~s ~G~ OrsclJ.l..'ldGp-'--:r;~l tl- .. \ C,1r
S.tr;;:dc;-.--! t'~;
Pr;~:: 1"'12 Srlpi'H~l:;
T'--~~- ~'L '),
:--"ff\
Y.,
.,
-:SG - 1971)
~r~~~~ SL.lndJ.rd (~i:~:'"Li.lt~ln-; dfSl;~ L:.f:ri. '.:.O;"".ii...:-:-.'~:";;."', ::-~~-
'~JU~re-'-'ln~':., ror rGlt_'"~)ll::' -=:~'lprl;]~ ~.ln~s ~'lltl'1 (Ll') l~.r\
iJet,\ E'Ln 60 ~lnd (60 -;"oc'Jllon~ .~ b( lll:; ::;l-b~-.nltte~: lr, ~he
SlCt10:--'1~ C:)rP..--.;,t~(1? -JP Tr1n....!1()]t...-,~]QJ of r~"-'~...-o.~l~--=~._..:...
L.(!'.i'1., for OTCll lC;0!'tl),' "Pie tC\:: .~ un..-.'" --.. ::c~l
:ron... the' e~~:8n TC'r:.-~::'.er~. "-H..!c~~ted :111J61
Standald for E\.plo:nL:?s ~!otOt '\~el~~clc TC~lp':-r;!1)
:'\I<T....:'\o --i9S - 1970
ThIs St~r.dard. Ter.tat:\-el," .1copted m 1969. ~ro' Idee
.fire preventJOn ;lnc protectIOn recom~enc.:'tlO;]~ for
explosIves motor ve:.udes terrnmais :\lotor ,-ehlc. 'e tCT-
mmals provIde an ~rea ,'.here motor veludes t~an"part-
mg: explosIves over public hlghw,lv~ c.m be Pd1..ed
pend:ng furtrer moveIl'cn::. tl'iualk lw ancthe~ C.:-~12"
Tle Standard ]1re~e:]tcd this \ ear ~or OlfcJ.IJ. <,d(]l~tll':'
Hotel FIre. ChIcago (coot-olled frOtT> l"1<2;e ::0 I
STOR "r:: or covm.:s nnL!.:'; 1"'; conmDOR~ OH C"\.IT :,Ot'-TI:~
lS not perrmtted under ChC,lgO <; r:rc Code. ard ~;'('
hold ~1,1~ ~mc.c been c:ted for ,1 vlO1.1'1O:) In tl~,~ C.'~C
The prehrml1,uy e~tlm,1tc<; of the j)r[\pertv If'~~ 11.1' ['
l'(Ccn g:vcn .I~ S73.0CO to ':rICO_COO
0""1 OF ,ilL ~H"[HC\"\1. H \TCl'IS 01- TIII'- Iml \\,1'
~l'e IlC I.; 01 ,111 ,lllnn-'>0I111l1111g 'v~tem (ntjt ,) L'C!:Ll 't-
q1l11t ')'t+nt III Ch,c. Igo" Thl" I,U~LS ]'1"'1'01 t,tnt CJ.'1l ,tI'1l1~
011,lt IUjllllC uJD\ld('r,ltlOTl ,lllcl ,dJ()lIt 'dWIl UJ"lbc."O]:,:
Ol'lll'Ol1\ ,)T{' :H ::111'. Tll.lll'.
fIo'\ dr, lt1\! lIm!t'r f\~t 1I111thl'''Tl~ "l'l It lJL' 'n cdl
t .lCh rr'["n h\ "'i, [,lIonl' ',ht"l OIH lOl1'>ld"f'> h. 't 1".::,11
Ht ]"1".1... [If till'" Itt-~ ~(~ 'I~ 1\"
,.,. _I.
cop tams reVISIOns of th~ FOIewonl r:.nd of Chapter\ 1
:ond 2 The reVI~lOns were 'Tladc to an<;wc.r two CfItl-
cI<;ms of the Tentative Standard - thnt the Fore\'>ord
dd r')~ stre'iS the pomt th.:t the pnril'1<;c of 1\0 -!g!j 1~ to
plc\cnt fircs ;,nd explo'iJGm (r.lthC'f ~h,m to umtrol ~he
Q-rrc t... of cxpTo\:nn.., "'I ~ -li"'d trl.-:.t tf~1! [('\'\t LC.~~t 11 n~ d a."'f)
lnL}ll.... lI1cefir-Ltc ....p..l{.~~}; lCC0r'""Y'Lnd ~t!Oll\
Standarcl fer RecreC!t'orral l~eh!c!::1 - l"IT(!jlatrOf1 Of
pl~n't"'J7pn::~ f{c('"t~n-:':1 ar(l E!('ctrH~{;1 ~:.'~tCI"H; rr;""\~"~)",C(:
_-\~SI :\"0\::":92 - 28-;0. :.. FP -\ :0..) SOle - ~ TIl
Tli.i~ S~ ~n(l..~ l::'~ ~J-i.~ :)l-~ 'I :~rCr....l ('{1 10.... ~lh r: -:,,,,,,Y....,tL.....p
on '\If"i)'~,- I-lOT......!';:" ~~~c~ VC~I~)trGTj~l \(""'::."-:., nr :.~i.-
_\rr'cr( ':::",. :-:-.:~~ ~L< S~- :--;c."'-d) I~\~ ~'i"(' I \: "J
"~~... '1""";-
....clre~! :C'i:~--..~h, ~}\.- t~1'-~ \r~"'~""~:_, IIr:'--'~C' \ L-- ~:~f ~(.tLL~' . "l \.......,.~-
(,l~t.01') tl.e '\"~tV)llL:.l ~'If'" PH"o,tlLIHr-, \.......:"lL ~;..,JL l:j!~
R:"..c](:~-,t'Cin;::l \-c~-~::..lL L~~~i:l~::"'-~ .~nd t~1~:& ~r"- ilk;- C:-L:'~'~
\_J'-.t';':'l..:: ~J"J. r~ "'\1~r ]C~"'''_ICl thL ""-''''(1'C. 111 "S:- ....,::,.) :.....:.1 [;1_
''It('i-1lri1'o'!"!) ('I:' pli.i1rl:":'-__ !!"~rtnl"..:. 1;":-[ ~~:[,'" t: ~(I''! ~;,";t{';no:;
In -: lat.C] TJ(li:'C~) "_\~~'J: - ~S~2 I
. .
: i 'i... ~ -;( 0;. (~ " .:- i ....::C' ';-
~r,,-l Tl ~I..l~"t:-s :~~ tl)~.::; ~:r'l"'~.:'l :'- iP \ St-"~I'"'\L.l "~,~~ t.~~1::'
rJ"(;'t.~nt'c ~ i'!nd F ~re prOTc~tlQn ltl :~I Cr.ll :t(; j j. 'tT>>!:C: tinE;
rrTrn..cl Ttcr!'C~ 5" . ~o 50111- ~ij6!.'
In it5 prf")"ent farJl1 ):n 5L'IC d~)cs 110t COt cr I-hc (on-
~tructlOn cf reCleatlOl'.11 '.-ehic:e\ or fc.,tllrc~ rc~:\tec to
t~elr ~afet':r. and perrc-rma:1cc ....'1~-!je!1 thev ur.: In u~e ~;.S
',. ehlc1es
Tl'c part:c:p,lt'on of tbe :\'FP..\ ;l~ a "ponsor of thl~
pr01t'ct E admlD'~tratJ',.e ami unde!"t.l "cn In the soTe in-
terest of safety to Me ar.u prcperty from fire ape} aliled
lU7.1rd~
C,n STTn I B \rcon;:
of t"'''n~ "C(.!!'-""">,;:.f" ~lp(1 t~" '!"Ic::.xl ~fJ cJ!.-'~L rnl~~C ..,( qilr nee
~r} 1-)C u",c-G ac.cord.n~ :0 fire lr')p(htlon~ J
\Vcu1d ,I gcr:cn1 .I101'1n ~Jg;nal ha\'e helped J"1 tlu5
CL-'~e'l I"V o],p)ng: L~r;8 nuP1l\lrL. r)f P(I')P'C, In..J11~- of '1.\ lH]111
LOl'~d and (lid rC'ITl,l111 11l t\)elr ro[)]'),> WIth <;.lfe~', ,'nc1
\..1'0 '1"Ii;ht h,l\'l' 1,CC"1 ~llG]('cll'cl to d lJl~(T h.ld fit, \.ft
thl.' rcC':n~ ')
\"nu'd .1 ',OlC.l ~],11YJ1 w\tem \\ ltl1 '~l"1{ r,ll ,111t1 .rolled
O!)l'l.lt](\n 11(' ~ll1t.\h Jr. ~or .' ],l~:!l' 11'1t<'1 ~ If ~O. \\ ho
"i'muld m.'!..c th(' J('l1~lOlI Whlcillhnr or lIuor" to C'"IUI.
,'te Gl'>t~
Slllm!tl hotLl~ rn.,l(. '[H u,'[ .If',1I1~( lilt nh for 12;l't'~h
\~ l[!) (h....~);)I~,t'(.... fit ....~ll)l:r{' ~lh~ Ol~ !Tll/' 1.... 'If ~"'J lr~.'.... of
"1l11 ~"l d., t!;("ll~l h",> nn.' Ide lei, q" Ill' ~llp' r\ hltlll
h\.' 11l1....on'"J\\Jt~1 flll~ ~Lltlli~q"".J C::...
'll",'\ .....1 (I(l '\\ Tltl :(11 pi H ~ '1I1 pi '11"'-" (JIl1( r,
,....
-~
;;-
-'O..-~
, .
APPENDIX L
~1.. Nineteenth-Floor
~
-,
DiYj'''ml. tOl-"'"' T
_ V.1.. ~ l.. Y
"
F" '~~"'p
..:. .i. '\..;"
Kills
OIle
,..., d
.:L._ r' -I........... ~
'-! ! 1 tr ~ ! ~
U",,,- _......_......
l.;.~IES K L\ THROP
:..-FPA F:rc .--1"'d~:"s-s Speclc!'d
A ~ate mornmg fire on Julv 22, 1975 ~ook 6e hfe of a
2.4-;:ear-old student at the ~fassachusetts Insht"...te of
Tec?mology Alt.:'lough the vlctrm was found ahve. at
L~e elevators, he dIed several days after the fire from
.mc1.;:e mbalatIon The fire was con5ned to the m:::.e-
eenth-noor corndor area
!
.
,
~
,
~
.
",
~
~
-,
~
;;
i
1
1
'I
.,
i
,
t
i
l
.1
1.
f
~
~
~
J
~
Background
Located at 550 ?\[emonal Dnve In Cambndge. ~[as-
sachusetts. thIS modern. 24-story d0m11tOry pro'vlded
F !gl1te 1
- .
</~~. ,". OM 1..0... I..,... \ .~u.~ ! !ED.... ,<~,:>
/''---'/" ~! 1 . iLIVA-C;tNP;""
~/ ~ ~,.oz.r~,' >.d~1 ~
,II ,,~ ^' I
TO..... CKun__J _.., ~ o-."~ "'" - L.-; r---J":YI"'-_! ""F
!.. __",,- Io:t1 -.JRA TH! !1"IElU..T.. --, .,..
11.____.91- _ _ ".5 . ('/"j
" :"-~ ;'~"'--~I" ~ I -llT ~'>.J .
~ ... -"-IUilJ"tM I
! lII.lT :~ !i : ....-.... ---']"f" \ :~-.:; /
"-, r---=.' ~ ~ "Ii<:-ll' 1-
fI'D"III~J I i I..jEl-: IEt-I:ln.: 'iIlATH.< rY'l!I:lD"C.I.III i
""-ypr.... ~~~~ .. L .
~i r" : ~; I
"<.. ~.. ~ llTJ' .'.v
IIIEDI'I",,-r. :: I r...II:I)IHII
'J: II1' .1<'lEC 1 ~ ....~ i? .
.....) !t.(~~ i ~ I .I -'.~ II
.B.II,r"', ''!IAPoI I;.r . 1'-
;- .'D'" '~, 1 I "" I ~'''''~-N_.
:~"'~:... - r .:i~:t~:f~T~'.~7N !
-_ , , I ; -
CIIIlGlM ~_____ ~ _ _ _ __ ____
--~--~ -- ,/
k_
Ii (
~: !IiEDFI" ~
1
'I
il"
! !
~{)"I"Atll.O(:AT'OtI 01' ~...'AL.IT...
kINITEl....TH.L'i)Ol'I
~O.I.....TII: \.1..dS eoi' 11"11'1.1( :!P'IlI(A..O
- - .:;----~ --~ ~
~~~~~~.~-~-~~-
:~- _--I:~~~
,. _.~~~~~I
~r!~~~- ~~
;.iCJt::' ...-2 ~ ~\~~
~~.~ ~::! ~~\,~
~-;- J~ ~~~t
~ !"~....~~\\:
... ~ "'TI;....- .. ,,\\
~ r: -"- - _~..:/\~
'jJ7'" ;-! :.I ~ ~ .:.=~~-'\\ ?~
.-r:r-- ~ ~...\,
~ '-- '''-.;J ~ ~ -:: ~--... ~~ - ,,~
_.-; ::S ~~ ~ 1_-=3- .....\
~ :~ r=n~~g~\~
~~r~ ~ - - '.~\.,,'~
~~N.~...r:rr e-..:-?...3 r :!~~--~~
r-- --V!..---- 1'-;. \p'
~~ ~ ...,- ~. ....., l~'. "'
~~."'"""-~ """r":1 ; ~ -""~ ~-,-:~;, .
~~...... ~ .;-.- -.!'L~~---~ ! --.. '\ ~ _..
.......~..~'1 , -=:'--0..; "i "~' ,~.
~""t-~-'-""'" t :t '- -c - -- -_..a ~--=-=--}-'-~~'-' j
~".;~~~,~ _ ~-: -'"__ _ --.. "L...~'"~::~~
~~h ~-"--.. r- ~ ~ ... ~'-.....~ ~.....
~:.-S;I)IT .:!n ~~~~=- ~..-w ~-~: - -- --i~~~:;~__~~
~~"'-~~ ~----Y----I -- i-- --r~-,-~~
....... ~- , ,- L_ ~ .---- - _.--L-_~ j< L~-=::I'
~-:_~-:~_~"u:.~-_-~~_ ~ '_ ~~""?:.-~,,-l
~.~I--.4:..;., L.L ~- -- -c> · ~ -., ~'. ---:-t1..J
~~~~ ~~--=:~ ~- ..~~_ -_1-:~~ ~~~_ P_ ~
t-'->.~if'1 '-1_ L~:.t ~ "~I I i .~,--"~~=>>- "*
~~~~-=~~~ ~~~:t~~~:~~~~~~~
I~~. .-.- ~ - - -!. - -:=-" ~ .._~~
~~~~~:~~~~~~~~~~-~ ,-~_:-
n~_7~~"::'.i.;;;:c~_,,,-=-....:..~,,,a ........~.....-"?....~
- 1
-~ -l
1
J
1
- ~j
Tang Han, ~nT dO::n'lt;:)~.'
hvmg umts for the ~nT camr):.!~ The ~:ne'::ee::.th fbor
t\'Plca1 of most of the floors !-tac SIX b ::'g '.l::lts :: see
FI!;ure 1" Tnere were t,\,O cne-0~cr:'::C:'1 U::ltS. ~,\ 0
three-~}edrcc~ urHts. and t'l.\ 0 .:o~r..btdr:=:8--:J U~lts
The bUlldmg was of centralIzed-core ceslgTI WIth
three cIe'-'"to:;"s and two enclosed. 5:2.:........\ a\s (of SC1SS0r
design) Columfls and beams \' ere s'r..:c:t:~al steel wIth
spray-on "fireproofing"' F!oors \vere of ;:oureci concrete
on ~teel ciC!ck Extenor walL, were cf non~e~rmg :retal
and g!a~, Intenor \valls were :->1.lde o~ ;\ psumboard on
each Side or t~e metal studs
\VaIls henveen the comdor area and reams consisted
of two lavers of ~~" gvpsumoo,lrd on each SIde of "'et,11
..,tuds Doors to the hvmg umts \' ere: '>aot:r nre-r;>ted
(hnr\ \\'It~ ~elf-do~ers ""eatIIL'rst:- ?-1':'1,:! " :>5 prrr IGcd
.111 ,lrOl"1d the door. ('XC.L'!)t \\ here t~, c:cor (la~er \\ I~
,1tt,ILhLJ to the fr,lme. to pro\IJC .... _1:.:..1-.t ft TIle lorn-
dor\ h.nl 100 perceIlt ""ool Clr['l tm:.:: ,~vu 1" 1'lrtL'h
In front or j.1'L trh~ll.hlltL'. "[!lIt \ pr 1..~.,L, ...to... t,le '\..';:,
: [::,; j()L l\\; \1 . ,," I
.
1
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..
I
...
::'
:.J
...
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1.
1.
1
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~
~~
i';:-~a- ., .
'. ~.- ----. ..,.~
r~~ ;~"3" ~..
I ~----=-=-:~_
...........-
~;-~ ~~~-..~ ~---~=--=--.::---=-==- J
~~~ - -- :2::r~ ~-=--=::.~"~ -= ---=-~ -
:::;;;............___- :...--", --=-=_ ~-",,"_ -- . .=....::: -=- ....._ .........-rs-
- ---- -------
- ~..........
~~gL - ~~~~~~~-~=~:t~J
~._~~~ ~
.:oil-~~~...-;r ._~... t.i1
~. ~ &~~~-~~=~
--~~\l~, ,,_-r- -- --~tl~r~ ~
- ... ~- ...... ~ t".. --,.- - ~"'}'"-' .
~: --:'~""G1~ ... -- L~ 1H'~~-';
'- ~~flT" J....... - '.. f " ~;,-
':~~~' ~ '~~i"-~' -', ,I ~ }~~
.. t t:-:;;.. .... r I ~:.. ,... . ~ rt.i.,.J ~'..""
- ~W.<-'l." "'-=~'" ~
. .~:~ 1..1;.r- . ~~~j~~~::f4 - \ ;r ~~
-~ ~.~~- ~ r-~
~~~- ,. L..::;..ft~ . : ~
- -::..0111 ~_.~..-",-A."," -~ t.-+--.J;' '"
- -or_ t~,~ il1:l'.:" ~.;-l:it~~.... ~f""L: ~
- .: ~:- .:: ~ -; r - "--':':--;=:-:~~ ': -~. ~~~-:-
;t --_~~.:~ 1 -;.~-;:.. -=-=-:~_i-~~.
~:j'1 _:: :t--~-..;.._ -......---..-.:- - ~... ;;-:-....!~
_ ~ _ _... _r",.-__ -----.".1 ....._~
-~~ ;::~ :~:~ ~.~~~-:.:~i~:~~ :==-:
--~i:~~-:-'~-;i~~ E_~..
. ~';--:?~?:~~4)
,/ ';-~~~~'3~~_ ...
r --.... - ..
--. --- -------:------- --- .
.~ - : ....:-:---=-~~--:.-=~~. ----=--~~ <-=-.
r--" ~ -~.::- - -:=""...... -...~ ~-- - --= --
i-..- -:- ----.:- II( _~...~--~___~
~~ --:-..~......~ oJ .. ...-:-:- -...:..~-... t
'-.
... --
Leit T':-.e :'.eJ. ci 2:-e C!"~::;]J ~.;);::e ~1:e -:-asr ::\:':''Le d:::~r T~le ~~c.~ l-1efc ~:::e'1S ~O '"-I S-~'-'\aV C~7l~e-~ \" L-te :-""e3. _~L let~ 15 d::::.---.;,~'\- :-.,
tne ".::crr aC:055 t~ e ~':l.I~ i"':"~L~' ::::..-~~;:.:-- -re "--r";' ......o:-e 1--.-1.'\ .~~2:~ .-~~- C."t L-~lC ~le B';;.: C..:r' =-.......:" ..~..c .~P-c[!".-:?,-~:, -0'"'-;" l."""\c:,....:: .::.~~
tG\\.c.r~ -re ~:e..1 ci ::'re 0-1;-....
msta]:ed CQrn20r '"J.]]s v. e~e CO., ered '<'.'l:h a '.lm;-
type H;a] covering
Eacn b mg umt was p:-o\::dec \Hth e!t.~er one. three
or four bedrooms Eac~ of 6e oedrooills proYlced '-l
place to siee9 and stt:d,' for one stucert The It..r:.;
umts also Incluced a hVl:1g:-d:nmg rcom d b~che!l, and
a bathrcom The floors were ca:-peted. and the wa:}s
were painted
HeO't was pro'vldeci b' hot wa~er baselco2.rd umts
there was no aIr conc:rtlOmng The ven~latng s'ste!Ol
consisted of a supplv shaft :n the core '[:11S s,stem de-
lIvered 1.700 cubiC feet of :u: per ~:nme : CF~..I, '0
the plenum above the -~" g\'psumoo~r2 cell:ng :n the
eorncor ThIS created a pOSlh\e ?ressu:-e:n the ?len:rn
Abo'.e the door to e~ch hV:.Ilg umt was a ver:t umt that
permitted alr to enter the Ur::lt from ~J...e ?ler::um Tlese
vents were rated at 2.00, 250. .-.nd 300 CF:-'L depefld:n:;
on the Size of tpe Ilvmg: umt El..h:mst frem ~he umts
was provided through a 1~5-CF.\1 btchen "cnt ['I'd ,1
12.5-CF\1 bathroom ve~t that openec mto exh;lU<;t
ducts that led to the root
>
Automatic spnnklcr protect~on was prOVIded m the
hVlTI;-ciTImg mom, m tr-e k:tchen, and 10 the hall".1\
ou~sld(' the bedrooms T:~ere \\"IS no sprn1dcr wotlc.-
t'on m the bedrooms nor lTI the mam carrcor )Tnn-
k:::rs were prOVided ~n the tra~h (Pute on ('vl'rv r:thc'
Boor Smol"e detectors WCfC located ~t trc ~;)!' qf "I
exh.lllst ducts the trash chute. ,mu In ':ll' tr.l~h [';(,.,-
78 .
Ffrrf' JOCH..... -\.L - ~l-\HGI l:J75
-\.ctl\ ,1tlOn of the smoke cietectors on the emaust ebe:s
turned of the suppl\ ~:r ..lTId put L~e ol111d~r~ on 100
pe~ce~t exhaust T.".o IT'am:2.l pull st2.tTons "'et e pre-
\'ded on eacp floor. and "..ere located .-.dlacent ~o tl->e
nit doors The spnnUers detec~ors. .meI pull stat:o!'s
\\ e~e an ~Ied :nto an afln::nehltor p:md In the grot:nd-
Boor ]01)oy The ,mnunc:atQr Fine] tl aps'1l~tted slgna]s
b.1Cl.: to the \IIT control ce~ter ThC' syste~ :s a pro-
~'IC~r-,-~['- OIlf" ~:,d Op~lc~~or.s z.~e on (TU~~ 2-1 hOL~r~ II d2.'
The FlfL De~Jart;nent .) no~':ied ~)\.. a comT'"'''I(,~] [(>.t'-
p:1cne !OCcl~L d In the cortI c-l ce.-.tc~
Thl t're
-\.t 11 2-t ,1m. the :..IIT coptrol (enter receIved an
,ll.lrm notlh mg them of fire m the dormltorv The
.-. 1,lrln '.V,l~ rc!.i: ed bv tele)) "one to C,imbndge F:re
He,lclq 1l,U ters
Three two-piece engme compaTI1e~, two ladder tom-
pam('~. ,'lld ,1 rc~ct'e UllIt " ere dl~ratc:ted to the ~c.ene
TIll' nme tl ('nth-iloor cor:-ldor \\ a~ Vl'f': hot .mel ~r1okC\.
lJUt the fire \",l~ (Ont.ll!'cd at O'lC end Fue fighters
found rnc pl'r~on OH'rcome h" "rTIoJ..e m the Lorndor
'W,lf the CI{'\.Ltor~, he wn~ tnu~portcd to a ho~r'tal.
\'.h 1(' lIt d,( d 'l\('r.d cLI\~ '.Ltlr
!)....lll......IIUl
!)Illlrl~ t'll rl~(~ ,tt lt~l"l~ th~l'l ['(llo1t ()[1tIlld t1J"
ell""" :rlllll till Lf 1o\IJ]~ IllIlt\ to th. Lllll,dlJI \1.. till:!
~ ~
..
~
1
.
.
.,
heavy heat and smo).;e, they qUlcklv closed thelI coers
When the first fire-6ght~ng Units arnved on the scene,
they reported seemg one person standmg out on a SlX-
mch-wlde wmdow ledge on the nineteenth Boor Al-
though some people on the nmeteenth floor so.ld tno.t
there '\'- ...15 smo~c ~~ :he~r r00rr:s :f:re fi~~ters fOU-:1U ~l-"crc
was ::0 e\ Icence In ::mv Dr the :COlYlS of a s('!"!ous srr:c (e
or 3.re ccnc.:non It 1S be:~e"ec t~at t:-e smol.-e e:1tered
the rOoms onlv .."he:) the Goors \\ cre o~er.ed '0'.' :he oc-
cup:.nts --1. srrall 2.rr:OUr.t cf srr:ol.e rr'2.V h:1\ e seeped :n
2.rourd the door closer. \\ :--Jere thel(, 'vas no '.\c cJ.t.1.:::r-
s::-:;:;.;::c. ;-
It.~ ~-.,~~" :)'Ie ~''IJ.: -::-;.e- \~ct~J h(,lri tht> Z11,,1-"--.. ~.-:2.~ ~-..---d
ster;;?ed cut of :-IS b _::; un~t 1:-:0 ~::.e ::o:-:-12or :'nd t;,e
::I~ar c:-::::sec. ~~Q!::~d }-'~m '.\ he:1 :"e C~YJ: C:'OSCc1 . ~ ~:.:..:to-
m~tlcOc"'!1'1 !..JC'!-~ed Zi~C. ~\.'~:~cut ~--::!.s ~e'\.. ~e ~T-ol..:ld riot
ha....-e ~een :tble ~o ~et bL1C:': !nto hIS raGEl It a9r.;::=.:li"S
tl:at ~":C 'T.;~S h-'I~ In~ to cse the ele\ atcr r:.lt>er d:.:~n tIle
st:l.lr' ~\. 'tTn:~h ',t ~s on!\- a fe'l~ fee~ :}'~\J.'\
The ::re ::-:.~;:e:J.rs to ::a\ e st2r~ed :n .sc~e 00Xes :le2r
t:-- e tr:;.s~ ~~l::e ::C::1 .:.n as..\ e: u::-..deteirrn:-e::. ~-:)urce It
then spreJ.d dO\\D t.l;e corrIdor b:rm::C6 :::.e "';lll'.T'-t-.-r:e
'..-all co' enn; The alarm was sounced from t~e :::2,r'.:al
pull DOx that \Vas d~rectly e\.-posed ~o the fire Gng:.n
and apparenily si10rted out, causmg It to go off It
should ~e noted that the sernce opening to tt:s t:ash
chute was not located In a cut-off room but was d:rectl,'
exposed 'n 1:,.'e corndor Paragn.ph 70.33 of "\lFP.\ 52,
Rubb1Sh Ha'1dlmg, reqUlres that :hese ope~l~gs be en-
closed m a :-:)om or C8mpartmen':: sep.rated fre~ o6er
parts of iDC \:JUIldL'13" bv c:-e.nour nre-reslstI"(' ccns'-;-:;c-
tlon
Th;s fire mdlcl'::cS t::e Fob!em of ;::ea?le overreact-
Ing ~o il ffil:10r fire S"lt1J2 han The st~de~ts ";\.-:l~ :re-
mal:1cd III thelr rooms were m 1:0 danger, ~~o'\.ever. t~e
man wro .stood 0'1 a sIx-mch ledge mneteen stones up
was 'n f;g more dap.ger tran exposure to the small
amoupt of smo<ce t~at 1TIJ.V have been enterm; !-ns room
'vouid hase produced
The iack of sprmkler protection III the comdor mdl-
cates the behef of manv people that there IS no need
for spnn;der protectlOn m such locatIOns. Since they
uorma:h' cont;lm no combusnble r:1atenals Th1S fat:11
nre IS ,lTI example of how such a neWpoint may often
be ~""('lhst]c II' t>;.s c~se. Cf)'T']wstlbl" "',.er'a1s - the
bo\.L's - :-',lG been :ett J.dj.'cer.t t8 cl:c tms:l cr.uteI:1 the
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The elevator lobby On the 'll'-ereerth fleer The o'11v '..lC~T='"" of
.h.s :::re was fauno In t.ke left foreC"'"au~d
F"o"'? rl .....rPA Fre -\.-:\;'.<-5 O~p1-t7'ent In-.e<t'~:)twn con-
~:\'c:ei bv \[[C~:Ie1 J DI:'1eo and J""";lCS h L1t'lfG?, :"2_\ ?J-C
.\r ,1"-5'5 Speclahsts
Tlle aSSIS'''-ce of Chief \V,j1,".., J C-emws ~nd Deputy Cr"ef
Ge:1D;:JS 01 t-;'e Cambnd::::e FI~e D..'n.-tme'1t and Ravmond D1f-
.1ev, A~<cctate Dlfec.or ('f ~e ~:I7 S"fetv O'-";ce, 'S acknowl-
ed.:::ed 'l.H p;,otos are bv Ed Fowler of :r-e Cambnd\:;e rlre De-
part-rJ e'1 C
Comphmcntarv Sets of FIre Journal Covers
-\ hmltcd numbc.. OC Sets of covers of the SIX Issues
of FIFE JmJn~ \L Issucd In 18';".3 ,lrc avatl,lblt' 'vlthout
<.:"arge to :\FP:\ IT'cmh{'rs If \011 \VI~h .l ~d. ple'l~e
notlfv the Editor of Fm~_ JOl'Il'" .\L
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APPENDIX H
FOllr Die
.
111
On :\larch 22. 1972. qH~ on~'!,.,l:Ld ll' th, \l'\ L'nth ~~O! \
of the \\'Ill:.lm S:oan" Home. .1 Y\IC \ n'~'dt'lCC G'1
Th:.t:.-iom~l~ Stred bet\\lL'l. EI~ht;l _~ml :-"Hltl~ \'.c-
ll.ues Dn ~ Llnh..l~L:Ln.5 \ \\-....t ::'J(J.e \ (~(.- i.t',.I.){.~ lL~"'m
~ovJ'ed t!.-:~ Fre t') r;..:1!1 cC[1~lde~_lb~c hc...H.i.'" ..1\ ~Jt tt)-' :-: l'
fg~tc:s'r:-l\cc -\S;l result of thb nle tour ~.;{iC':l.. ."L'"
dIed, three of sm'1\:e lI"'11c.ll..lt:cr and GI/.C or ~rr.G~L l'~-
P..:l~itlon anc D";":1""--"5
Slo.lre HC:.l~E is ,1 U-~.c;-' s.rL--rc~'~t:' e bm:(:""': '.-::"'"'-
~:um:1O:::: 1 492 :OGm~ ThO' 2CO-!;'- E S-root rC:"1tcrcecl.
lC"'C: ete ~U1lcl;";_ co;'st":c-~C{; i ~ ~ 0 ~n b ; L-'C:~"l ~:L-;
\Vlt:-. t., 0 In:erl~r :l~~~ '~'" ejl~ t~..lt :.1: (' r)p(Hl .It th~ tnp
Each ~;)or IS served b\- fc'..:r m,l"Lu.l\' oper,ltec i).l~-
sen:;el e~evator~ 2.~d thlee e....c~a~cd ~t~Hr to\\ e:-s T~~c
The ~\.:thcr :5 ,-:tcie:;ted to ~';e \.~" 1 :>.:... elt..- ~'"e De;J 1-1:-
mert for nSsIstaroc:e dunn~ ~lS VISIt .0 the CLty to obtaIn IT1ror-
mat~cn far L~~s j)rtlc~e
33 Q;r> ST.:lE~'"
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,
,eNevv York Y}ylCA Fire
B~I L~CRE:\"CE D \\ unoes
Superusor, SFPA. F're Record DepmtmCIl!
ere'~ a~:]rs diSC~~L~;C to a c~:1t:-~l ccri;dor openIng to t"~\ Q
cor:1.dors :!~:"lt <-lre ~~t rl~ht ~ng~e:) to it (see the dla.;rum '!
~~-~ ccn~!':-11 c:Jr:1.~1crs It tl~r:1 r-....era to :l C"J~rl::!.C:: at e 1C~1.
~r"c.. of ~:~C oUl1d:n; TI1L::c ::::'O.irl~;J~S ~l:J..\e ?:o .:::J8~S :I~.
5U~~Z' l~1e the ?o(J?' :1:'e,,-~~ or ::) i~..1:t 5;:.::..::d 0: ~:c...:t ..'~:!
s~o-:..::c T}"e ::-ate:18r fir:~s~ In :r.ese C'or:-i\lo:'s consIsts
of ;:lln~e~ n..a~!s '>-led '2"e~hn;s -}~C C3r;:et O~ ine ilear
T:''2 10::':"'"'5 <He ~r~:'!"l;e~ oil e2.ch 5122 0~ the CQ~I:-
deIs, cxcert ~~ t!Je e!e'--,?!or ~orr:d0r "i'\here :.here ~re
r-~8"""'S C~ o~b- ace sIde -L-\-2C~SS to each rCG~ !os fnrOli:;h
J. sC~l2.-corc "\ ccd dO:::Jl'" h12~; In :J. YT"!etal fr~:.me _-\11 :~-:c
11..~~C:"8q~ s ~re constructed oi :rJe:ai s~sn In me:.11 fr:7rnes
.
Tl:e b1...'l:d~:l; IS e-:;....'~~;:ed. \V:l.:"'~ a :OC:3.L e\"~CU:1::C:i
alz:.-rm s.....~ste:n ~hat oper~:eS" fro~ :7:i~ri:Iai pull 5t::t:O!"S
loc3.ted m t..'1e co:::dors Each staIr tower contams a
sL'{-mc~ "\et stand;;ape '.,.It:., 2. gated 2:~-l~C~ outlet at
each Boor level One.and-a.-nalf-mch ~ose IS stored on
a r2.ck adi<,cent to the standpq:;es and connected th:eugn
a 2<2-by-n-mc~ reducer T~e st:mdprpes were supjJlred
from street mams and fro:n SIamese conneCTIons located
On both the ThIrty-fourth Street and Tht.-t'i-tlure Street
Sides or the butldm~
Se"era! \ ears ago the Y\1C\ ",:as opened to women
resIdents Smce t.~at ~Ime tbe ':J'Jlldmg slO\"1v chan;-::d
frO-:1 :1 lod;mg place for short-stay guests to a se:nl-
perP1anent resu:1ence for manv elderly people It IS ~,n
me'::pe!lsn.e place to sta", 'lnd shops nearby orrer reoe
and other :1ecesslhes
At the hme of the fire many or the rooms on the
seventh floor were bemg redecorated Pamters were
applvmg \vater-based pamt to the walls and ceilings
of each room To f:.1clhtate the \vork P1cst or the fUI'!'I-
ture from those rooms had ~een moved mto the C01TI-
dors. The wardrobe from each of the rooms was Ofle oi
the articles pbeed m the corr:do~s Of h~ht \VOOd-P,l'1el
constructIOn, the wardrobes measured rough!", sevcn
feet hIgl] <lnd three to four feet WIde .lr:d approxlmatc1v
18 mc:res deep
.
On the nH;ht of the fire. offiu,lls c~hmate, thClC '\ e"c
1.000 pcopic of ,lll ,lges 111 the bUIldIng - a con'lcicr.lhk
prO!JOrtlOll of them dderh re~ldents
T'le fire ,,\ ,l:' reportpd t'l tre FIn' Dep.lrtment .It <} '} ~
,1m ,dlC'l ~Ollwone pulled a ~trl't't nre alarm box '1\1('
rue Dep.lr~l1lLnt (l.lrm f..t'lltf..r dl:,p,t~elled three eJ1';lIh'
,
t" 0 ~J.el~)e: truc~s ,l re"C'l' .me .~ lutt, :''-;'1 ,--'",.f .\:-
rl~ P1~ ?rc Il~~...tc!r; tOl'~~~~ IlL 1\". ....nlc:...L ::"0["v~:: -~OP1
!"-:jC ...,::, [~)t~~ ~tOl\ at f-l'!e :~., \:..-.~ C"'") t:--i: T'-!" :'. -f(jr~ :~'.
S::l:"':C: '.~:'""!"L' .=:nd ~"'i.:'''\ :"'::3'~'\ :~.lP:":'P:; ~.1'J'-~ " !'(:O~' ~ 0r
the T~,~]t~ _-1-,;.:2 :)t1()~:
\. \~.(~'~. ...: "1
~... - 5
.....:..
i:n.;Pl~~tl,\ c:dle::.: fOl :0 ;"'!_'l1r~ll~r L-'. '.C'-:l::.~.;]:",,~~ ~::...~
cn~::les Dee ;~:2::lel I-tl1c\ ~lt\l""U".1 ~:.~ ~_ - ";PI~I . .. -~-
t~!F)n ChH?': to :he fl..(" ;;;(.--~-~ ~:.:t8rC :!'~::: '::lC ;"'i."LC1 .~cen
b::Jl';::: U:1CU c.CJ"'rol :')'" '~')"_ "C~CC :'l'C~ 2ar'~'.':1-
le~ u. el e ;'It'eded i:(11 ~C...:.IC.'.1 ~-~""ld "t'sc.....~
Fi::=:'-_:"ll~'. :~..; e~l~~nc CC"'Y':)::'~" ~ '.', .~t 1-:) t1,. ':"::I~~ ~'C'-
Ton t~:e ::l1e "ll~d .16\.:-:'nce::~ '="-':-lr.c1, ~'''';J''C ".':"~'''' =-~:J"-: l.-~IL'
5t:i~(~.:..~;.~;es In t~c ~ta'~ tO~o1 e.') ~,:) :::lh' ."1,.:- fcy)' ..L.-L -,," .'..-
cc~""~':."':n~L~ ;Jrc:'"Pp~~\ C'C)l1)lCC.:C(11~G~( ~:""(.:; I-G ~I,~. ~:~~ rc"("),
cornect:on~ oe both ~160~ of thc-'- 'Jt"l~(~q...; .111("- ;;:Fl"':'\i~cd
..lC(~:t~on..:l.'>J.:er"o ti"e ...tL::)C.:.~lpC':::'
\\'h:le some of the !ac.c.er truck co"paEIC's "\ere
rescU1n~ se\'E'r>th-floor OCC:lpJ.:'ts o\'er l.ldo.ers and stall
towers, others chect~ed 6e U!JpeI Roors far 9re and
S'11o\.e ('"'<tensIOn and \entlbted the smoj.e \{ore thaD
25 people hac to be rescued owr lz.dc~ers from the
seventh tloor_ ~s the fire h:cd cut off theu means of
e;=-e;::1) Locked coors nampc-rec. FIre- D::):)~lrtme]1t 5e.1rC~
~nd :e~cue OFe,ltwns Bl 'lC.~5 the dOQf~ to tht' roo",,'
t1] t:be doors to t~c seven:1.-:, r:Ci)l ~l Orr' the ....t~llr to\'( ell;)
n3.cl to ~e :orud open i::e 'l::PtC'rs tc;c: C' c:\(lre :0
~C.,\ e ~lw "1m;d'I1!:; Tho:,elhO\ e ,lDe! ")(':0'" tlw sC' ('l,th
Boor le:t bv me,l~':' of ~t,nr ~C\', er, .'r,(1 ,-'le\ ~tn: '> '. t1-e
ele\ atars '''ere usable bee,use. a~ '\ a:, n'}:cd c<l:-hcI
the\' were manually opcr:JtccT and thus the\' could be
t~ke'11~lst the file flom \\Ith 'lllll'D ,j ('.lP~el ~o the cc-
cup<lnts '!
The he Wa~ nnder cant'l)l ,hOl t'\ aIte r the FIre Dc-
partment :lTJ'\l'd, ,md :t \\,h dlc.',lrcci nut one hOl'[
.lItC! t1,l' "l,wn il,lcl hee" (p(e' eel It :ucl 'pI" lel "c:uh
t!1l Ol;~hout the ~cn'llth /1"0: Q"h tfll' un I HI 0; at the
c'ne! o~ tIle IJUlldm:; p,ll ,1]], l '0 T')Jrt' -timd Street re-
1'1.11lJld frc~ of fill' rl,l'n,l~e Tl.1l d'JOI:' to tl" . 00ms Iud
pll.~'<.'entl'd the fire from l'X~L Ill' mg II1to tl,t ~ OOllb
In'L~tl'~.ltlOll ll'\t'.dl'd tll<' i~l'- OI1:::)P"t, d ;') 1 \\omI
\I U(!lO:'{ -Ill the "it \ tip) I'J\,h\ Ill! tlw ~e'. nt:1 Hllill Lntl
t\llt I'~ l plnlo\t't 11.l(l i't' [l 'pp1...'ll':! tIHC:;II~I~ tl)t. -.., 111d-
10'H_' Ihlll~ ,I IlIltLh 1m l '1~11t '\ hIll :'[ H.UI'IIl'dl'
c.h(1I't'~.,: HIP 1l1lt-:"fl tnti} liue ot "'j.,( ...t P ~!"'lt.... It rll;
\](JU"'n ,)1 till' \\.lldl(J\" "'''111 t!',L:Il\ I'''::'''~' d .Lllll tb,'
lIP] i'l~I,\'\1 -'.()'I\I'.'.
.
.
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pnonbes - target haznrds, fat:dmes, employee COffi-
plamts, and all ot...~ers, m that order ~.fany large-loss-of-
:Ife mdustnal acc:dents CUring tl-:e last year have
Ill\;oj"ec fire or e'i:piOSlOn Smce accIdents mvolvmg
E::t.J.b~~C5 L're ~,;:' 0:):1 the l:st of aSH...-\. pr~o~'tles, ',ve
ml~~t e~pcct Inc:r2J.sed emp~;),s~s C:l tl-'ese ~nec.l..ll ,rc-
lebted problems
aSH -\.'s Future. . \10;1:; wIth J. ;-fO\\mg OSHA. expert:se
born ct e~pc!'":e~cc c!~~~:r6 Its :1rs-t ::e2.t. .'l;e C~!'I evpect
ciar:n; ~1:c second, e:lr ~o see :108.'1,'" emp:":J.51S on .1ehIe',-
In; the .ptel1t of C0P~ess to ~---.1\.e t:-e st::.~C's ~~~lj~e fu.:~
r:~pcn~':'lI t" for Ge\ cia;::::;.; ::.nd e:-:fJfc:r:; st~tc ~L~:"d
~...le::-' !",'i\ h~ ~e. t;1e e"'..:t;ec::ed ~eac::O:lS :i'"OiTI ~hc p:.:~:~(~
Hldust;~ . unlOi1S L~rd Cor::;....ess ::.:-e be::.r; ~::::-ef'..:F:~ ~:::..-
1\ zed OV t~e ;ldmln~S~i~t:.O:P.. On the one h2ncL ..1 R 11pn
~";,:;.del Tas~ Force Repor: ent:;.tled OCCLl.pfl"t'cn.al L;Jl-
d2Tr:I.C ~e\ erQ-h.- cr:~lC...ZCS the De?u;~e:lt cf ~J.bGr:n :~s
~c~:::In:stratlOn or OSHA .1:1(; gGe:: on to ,;,;gg,~st ~h;:t the
_-ict be s~re~gt!-'ened 0[' the other lEina, there were elt
l~st ca1.:~t. .:Jver t30 b~:~s ::1 CQ~gr2.ss :0 :-;.-ne~d !-he Occu-
;:~t~o-r~l S-'].f~t~l c.rd H e[1~t"!! .:--l:t of 19":"'0 The5:e r-1nge
frC'TI e'{emptl::g small busmesses to sepJ.rat:ng reqUire-
ments for heav\' constructwI' from h~~t constrUC:lOn
and to removmg OSHA's use of nat:cna1 consensus
standards under SectIon 6 (a) The appropnatlOns bIll
for the Department of Lacer contamed an e'{emptlOn
Four DlC m :\"cw York Y~IC.\ Fire i wrtH'"ecl fr~m ;'a:.:e 3]'.
er'1:-,:o'"ee ,1ttc!T'~~:ed '0 st,lmr the B~e 011t \Vhen he
;1cal d someone cor;nn:;, he bec:>me fn;htc!'cd J.nd
c:oscc the dom to the '.vatdrobe ane left He enterec
the St.111 to'vel. \\ an cd to the ~n~B"nent 2nd :..l1e'1 rc-
tUl ned to the ;O;);}\' ancl ......:llted Shm tl,. ;>ftcr he ar-
r:"ed :n ~~le Tobbv SO!1"'COne came In fro"'" the strce
scrc"mm~ tb.1t U'cre \\..,5 a Sre Someone the~ pul~ed
the :1C,11 :)v ,tIeet f; e .1Lu-;-n bo'. to srmmon '!-Je F'n:
De[.u t'"'1cnt
The Dre ,pIe.leI f:1.p16h' though ~hc \\ood wardlOh{'s
on the ~c\'enth floor, tJ,'l'PII'g: fcur vlctlm~ The t'vo
men who d:ed hom smoke mhal.ltLOn were found ;n
100'1', th,lt ,mcJ..c had IT.tcrCG 2rm:rd ~oo.,['-"t':":':
dOOl ~ TIlt' othcI t\\ f) Jlwn "ell' found m till lOt ,"(10:
rLIe q~h(('I' tountl 'C\ ere fire ,'nel ,>mll1..l' 0;1 thl
'l \ enth floor. but \ {I \ htt!e ,mo~c on the CI!!hth :'!O(j!
,1m! nom un the ,Ixth The qUILl.;: I l's[-oI' '>C ol tIlt' FLIl'
Dc p.u trnt 'It, the dF,:t tI\ ('Pl <', of the "('! tll,'[ c.!'t(.;[.,
.md tIll ,tlllc.tllUlwtl'gl.t\ or the bmkhlls l"(' {ll!,'d
38 . nm: JOl'H"\ \L - '\0\ r:\lB E,; .. '7-"
from aSH...... :nspect:cns for busll1c:,ses WIth 15 or fewer
eMployees (ThIS \....ouId ha'.e removed 42 mllllOn es-
taiJjJsnments and 15 mIJhon e'Tlplovees from Federal en-
forcement .) Ho\vever, President ~ non ....etoed tr-e bll~.
1n:,mh' In'c,lUse:t '\';]S ovcr :'13 jUd:,!t
The real quest:on ~Qr tr.c ~FP'~ I', ;'1)\\ 05H\ "';1
T..eet Its nre-re;;:tec: st:ll'c:.ldS-'l1.1 ~:I'::; res;Jonsl:l1HlCS
after .-\pr:i ~9j"3, under ::'CctlO:1 6 '. "J" of ~he .--let The
S(:'cre~,1rv or Lahor em [:Y'T! Ill'> ()\\ n commlt~cc, to
'\r'te stJ.nuords or he C:1:l ~un' to ~l)c '\FP \ 0r ot'cr
st.:~n2ilrds-:-n::d,..ln!; .;rOU~JS I--rl~ c :Io~le t~cl'(~!12s :~1;;:::el\
O~ t;--.ie ~:.~::,J... of ~::.e :"~rp_\ to TLt':"" ~hc ~elde;:; ;-f C'SIL\
The :\"FP \ Industnal FIre Pr'Jte~t:<Jn SectlO'1 I:, .:"e
::)70 r::n::\~-"a~~. SestscIlcr FI:t'~~C S..~~ccl:: .1..~\ ~n TcF.,--~ -:....~-..s
1: con:::eTlSUS IS de.ld I sa ,,' :\ 0 r I l1C!lC\ e Inc...:~t~..-.
unIons, CGnsume~ sand L"":e :?:2'de~,:-J CO\ C'Lr1er-~ 2:ln
-C~Q>re tb.-2:r (hEe~cr:c~s or c.es~:-:.::~ . c -.- els 8~ ':;:Lf~:' -L~J
or: ho\\ to 2.c~tt:,,'e ~hcse ;"''''cls -\:te~ a:l :he :\"FP.\ >,s
"Jeen a model o~ t..":lS process :;:)1 -6 ~-e-L'r~ Ou: ~ onn;
r2p~~~l~c. .o-\.rre:-...(::=':. ~~-:s bee~ ;1 ......oc';el :=:: ~i--l:::' ~:-0~ess fer
rH~,-l!"!Y 200 ye2.!"S '...\-~hlle It IS tru~ t~e Fel~erL~i GO\.f~17"
ment IS 'oecomm; :nOre ana. :no:e I-'ml',cu In f"c ;:~T ate
sec:or~ '\ye ~n that ?rlvute sector h2.\-e ~mp1e op~crtunlt\.
to T.anage our own dest:.nv You ha\e In ~he :--JFPA
lndustnal SectlOn an Ideal mechan:sm for thIs I hOLJe
\-ou 'Jse :t to the fullest L
:-he fhe- flem e".tt~n(~lnC to :':c L--'C>,.1:::'C"1t .:ao:~
~o ope :emcm':.J('!,<; 'dwthcr flC m.1Ill'd1 3:-e ,11.1['11
system was operated or not H.ld the budd~:Jg been
equIpped w1th an autOr18.tlC detectlon system. the oc-
cupan~s of the seventh floor 'vouU prolmhlv ha\-e been
a!e:ted In tJ:ne to 1'1a1.;:e thl'lf '\',lY ~h!ol'gh the eorndors
to t~e ~t,ur to\\'er~ In all ltkehl->om1. automat!c 'Imn- .r..
1..krs \\'ouIJ !-jave connl'ed the 'lIe to the clc\"~ltor IOI)hv
,ue.~ ,md \\'"ouid !1a\.c put It out beiOle Ull' dcveio!"Hnent
o~ h:t1l,rl ~rno1.:e COpc.htlOns
The Innlc.1l'l!:!; cont:lll1cd tr-c fi:e \l'f\ well, Touch 11l..c
,I f1JJn,l(c IJO"'L\'('~. tr,ndt IS ,llouitlnot l:e l''i:lw<.ted
tl) ~tO!' OVl'1 m~ht 1'1 1 furn.lee Pl'l1]( 1 l'lOt('ctlOn "hould
be Plu\I']cd f'lf .lll pL:lt'~ of )C:'H!t.,){'(' ('~p(,u.1ih \vh, f('
'Tl.!ll\' ['< "P'l' .'](' ]"Jll"( d ,LIlt!" h(H(' th('\ ln' 1mt lmIlllr
\\ l~h .~II[ I ..t .Irr lJI~C'''{''lh [":n' protl'ctlllfl III tll! form
ot 'lie-I' ""~l'!' U'll"ttlllt'(ll] 1, not llll!!ll,ttp fin pro-
tIt'.":! tOI d'l' 11\"~ r]t r](( IIp.l'ih L:..
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APPENDIX N
.
HIGH-RISE FIRE IN NEvV ORLF,~L\l\TS
L.-\CRC'\CE D W -\ TROCS, Sf?.;. Stat]
centra! c.omdor throug:. a Class B cloor -\.t each Hoar
level a storage WOrn opens to one of the stair to\\ ers
arc a rest mol':} o[)ens to t\"e o::zer
T,e '::JU11c::l~ W<lS not eaUl~neci \\ Ith autO'1l.tt:c SDrm.
l:le'" -r;ratcct:oT)-"' or.:1n ~ut~~~t'~ ~y~ ~T.,~ s' stn.~ ':~"Jerc>
.. ~ ................. ~~ "'-.. ~".. 1...1.... .. .....
i:fe :~~' 0 st-~n(~r-:.:)es one in C3.('~ s~z.:.~r ~::H er~ :':1d tl~elc
IS a ~:cse \0'" .lct: l~stnjleci at e:J.~h =-aor !(", ell!] t~e e~e'.a~
THE RA L"L T CE:\"TER. OPE:\"ED 11\ 1965 tor ~o'::J':J\'
It IS a 16-stcr}-\\ !th-penthOl.:se fire-resIs:l\e bUI1dlf'; T:-l€ co-ndor walls en t:-:e fiftee~::l1 foor were of ~-
CO:lstructed of remforced CO:lc:::ete The coors are of :'1:::h 3) psumooarc. on meta! stUGS ?lao::;stones ce'TIc:ltec
poured-m-place concrete slabs about four mc..lces thIck m ~bce co\.'eled the corneor foor The corrIGor had
The e"Ctenor v'alls are mostlv of ~'mc3 Plate dass a Gro,? Cel~l11g or leporteclv t'o:l.combust.ble tiles m
sep2.r2.~ed by concrete span2reis a::ld upq;ht~ Anp;ou- IT'etal cr..a;1~els Tf.e cornnor wa:ls :or the l"l1ost ;:art
mater: half the-':Jurlcmz ,:sused roroSces-anci ~a:f for- :~~I"e~C9\ ~!eQ ',n::',-JI__s.!oJh~ba_c~"eQ_\'l;1yl_ ~ate-Da~, _al-
apar~ents The f:.fteen~" noor CD:ltams seve:=-al rfleet:n<>' thou{, t',ere were some one-by-12-mch boarc.s su;~-
moms and a beauty salon L'1e sLxtee::lth noor \\,as oc~ ro;..;:tG.lr.g the er..trance to t~e S:-a. Chalet - a meeh:lg
cup1ed by a pnvate dub that operated a lu't:mol..ls :com
restaur&'"1t The penthouse was used as a healt..~ club The SiG Chaiet, where the fire started. was paneled
The buildmg measures 119 feet by 59 feet A central on three s:des With one-by-12.m::::h wood boards furred
comdor extends the length of t.~e bmldmg on each o~t approximately lO-mch from :f-inch gypsum board
floor Three passenger elevators are located near the Tne c.elhng was covered wl!:b the same boards The
center of the bmldmg and open mto a lobby that 1S fourth wall was made up of glass wmdows separated by
on one SIde of the central corodor At each floor the concrete upnghts The noor covenng was carpeb.ng
ele\'ator lobby opens mto the central comdor There WIth a rubber underlayer The two cecoratlve panel
are no doors separatIng t.~e eleva~cr lobbies frem the COOl"S m the wall between the Chalet and the central
central comdors There are t\vo elevators on one Side ,-orndor \\.ere about three feet 2.[):lrt
of the lobby and one elevator on the other Side Be-
hmd the elevator e:l.closure on each Side of the lobbv
there 1S a starr tower that IS accessible duectly from the
On Xovember 29, 1972. Sl~ people died whe'1 a ure
onJ;':!::J.ted III t~,e ffteenrn story' of the Hault Center m
:'\ew Orleans. LOUlSl.11l:l Th1s Ere and t."e fatal E.re '~e
ne....t d3.\' m .-\.tlanta, GeorgIa (see page 1-5. tlm Issue 1,
"TO :l....+~...,:lo.... .:;:.'lu'e.....,.....jQ. ..,.j: .....l-.~ C"p&>C]...~ 11~~ S.....;.GIf-l~ ,.....,..ob~Q~s
,;.l. '-: . '-o.~_ &..............: ,.... __ ......... ...~ ....-.... 0...- .,;1.. <1-"'-- - ,-~........ r--'" ..........
; '1 ]1' ~:1-f!5e CJuud::1gs
.
Unless otherWIse mdlcated, an the photos are by Dovt L
Sheets.
[ -...:. ....;'c -J" Lo1 ,- - ~ J
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Floor [11.n of 'J . fift, th Till
1 ,1C . <'cn ~torY IC co or 1m lL 1.tt'~ thc 1.TCl
,.1J1l.1L:1l1 by fire S - stair [O\\Lr, lIe - 11O'C c.li""d .\!li-
.nt.l hll~ ff'OrrL. L - It It...'- .tDr1 ~\ - \'.to ulLi(l'" r rOttl ,...Ilt~h' '....onll t1
J'ItHp~.t.1 [n - Ilh]'~'\ TUDnl
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THE FIRE APPARE:\"TL Y B CR~ED
for SO"Tle tut'e before It bmlt up su5Clent heat to break.
out t1-;e )~-mch plate-glass wmdows FtlshOver then
occurred, and the resultmg pressure of fire gases ap.
pm'ent1y blev,,' open the doors to the corndor, wh1C.h
lmmed.i"ltelv beeame untenable FIve women m a
beau~\' salon th.\t was on the opposIte Side of the COf-
l!dor and ab01!t 25 feet away he,lrd the fire, s;\'w smoJ..e,
and ran to a COr:1cr Window m the ~n!on Siller: the door
between the corndor and the entrance to the hc-aun'
salo1l \\',IS open, there was nothll1g to stop or slow the
spre.ld of the fire toward the women. "Vhen smok.e be-
g:m to surround them, they broJ...c out a \V1m]ow
The Fm.: D<,partmcnt rClclVed the fir<;t e,llI at 1.2:8
pm The dJ~p Itdlcr r<,ports that the :.\\ It( hhoanl
h;htu.1 up "11\,C .\ Cllll~tmas ttCl:' .\:. m.l1l\ lwoph'
l)ot1lul tI't fill' .\I1d .111 trl~ d to n pOtt It .tt llll' :.;unl'
tllm \IDle th,LII 100 l,I1i\ Wl're !t'Lu\l'll for thl\ !In.
lhlrln~ III I '\tlCl1lch ~hOlt pt rlod .\11 the l',lih { lmt'
!...eft Co:-::::,t'ons "'lor:'~ ai~e, 're -vl..6c\\ s 'c-oi..e -l'~ TI--s is \\ \1\ 5e ....anv I'eo~le c"Il'.:.i :i e ~1Te D(T^r--re'1t
=-oL
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-=- ~a--~'"
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-- -' '= ~ \.... ....
(.......-f~.- \~, \-., ,-",= .8~.~U'~~'....,-:---- U.dc
l'll~\' ~ n, r. (I. ~~. \ \. ,\.\::\:.1
~;;ilflle:'!rl ~ t_"~t'i,~~t\ ~"' y. \;~
1~'F' ~ ~ ....~~. ,.,. ~ ~!.~\_~\\~.v.. ~,... \~
,HI ii ~ ti,,"g,;, a ~ -a ~ 1l 'a\ ~~"i. ~ '\1 \l "ti. 'd ~1
"j _.. pI.,.)Ill .. -. -.. ~ ~\ . .. ~\ ~ - ..,. \j
t~; ~.j !t~'iI 'ti 'a'. .1\ ~ ~~1 ~~. u ~ ~ ~ ,
:t.. ! .. !I-\"'lW, ~.. .... .. ~~. ~\ ~ >a ~, ~' ..,.,.-
t41J ~ ! 1:':;' '11 ~ '!1 a! l ~\ i 1. 'a ~ 'e ~ \. u
,_ ~ ~ .. ,.' _ ICI . .. .. .. ~ ... ~I e." ~ - -. - D
t~ 'a ~~ ~',~ \i 6 ~ i -a'~ 'fi ~:. 'S, ~ 1 ~ "\ \. \'
i:...M...--- ~"-_ _ _ ~ .............l:l...g, !S.._- .
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-- -- ""---.~-- .--' . -. . \
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L;]wc:m '. .~ 't"::...4.~~~~ 5i1E~ r~'i9.~
.. ..__" ~&A ~~tl:aQ .........IlII.,;,::.l
D B E 8 n ~ j~" ,~r ~ U li n u '1 't\ \ \ \ ~
~~~S Ii!! !!!lll~~\ \~\
r [] E1:"i "r: n 0. n n tl n tl. ~ n 'il ~ '\. i:.
~.at:a~ ......... "'''''I.IIu. ..-='....- I&P"'"
gI]r:lC TTi!\. U-"'lf tlti......, un
IiIIII:J,g '""I:Y='\!';:] .....,""::;an g.-:1"'t1. ag.
!!!! ~g~~ ~~qi ~\l~~ ~~
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RI;::nt CrnL'tl:)'"1S of ~he '::l:,:'lci.,r!: SOO'1. a;~er t:-e ;:hoto at ~.. '...r,s t"~e'l :':otlce t'l?t ~;le \\1-::'0\\ en t1..e 51\tee'1th stcr.... nas Dee"
b:~J...en ot:.t. :ll~ov.. :iJ..~ the fire to e~te!
~..~ r ~. ~. _.~.;.. ~,Jfll
S--:-- :::;:~. ~-Y--",," ---y-- .. """-~~
r--~ · g~~:b~~i~
r- ~..... 1 v-""=- ~ .-".' ..<--- u'
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~ ~ J' ~....~.:..~ --_._.~~._.t'1\ ~~
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.ilA~!;h~~ ';~-.\:}~.~
_ ~._ ~""-:.__ "'- ....... a .. , ~7i;:.":!< ~""",Nr>~...,,
'. ~~~:~:~__.~.-;~~;:_-.~~~~1f~
_~~~--: -., __~J--" i.~ ~ - - _h~--"r~_ :_t"~~-..r_~~~;-:'
~~--:,::,__dJ -'J-v..... ~ _ ......;;...-~_ ~~~~~.;I2'---~
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~ ~ ~ ...-....;:1,. ~.-...- _.or...- -.. ~ -~-~
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: ~ fi'":";"""'.~~. - .,+ ~. ...c_~ ~-.-...~~..~ -~{;;...-"'"
-!'. ~-~;,~f#ll~?it!f~~:0
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Th's IS what tl~e Tooi below loo]..ed h]..e f-om the ",maow where
the wome"l lumped "TI:?.RY lH '\;'ES
Left ThIS photo shoW!. the last of the women who Jumped - and the extent of the fire on the fifteenth Poor Flames are IssUIng from
the \Vlndow adjacent to the one from w:u{.n t1-e women Jumped RIght CooGll1ons III the bUlldmg shortly ,liter the women had lumped.
The women at t'-te wmdow s:'lortly before they ~:.r:-:!ped
~~~~ii~
.... _1.-_~..."""Y"';Io""'_ -":._.....: r-h-..;I-...- ... ~~~ .........~~~
,~~~~~~;~:;-~~~"".... ~~~~~~::.
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_~~ ~.'" '- ,.."-=::tr .07~~' -. ,- _. """"'"--
l- - ~.Ml'( !~~~~~~~.. ::-Ki.;;';.r: . ^. ~
1l1l1\\t -=--:;:;;-;:<~r. ,~~.;- ~.:-__ . __-=- ~.-,;.- - l'iJ"
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. Jill ,i.. :. ~ . ..:~ 1:1. IQ, 'al "'....... ..
. ..M '~. ,;;-'~ ~- 'i1t 3~' IQ, ~\Y~'
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T3e cies,::uctton l' the res~at1:-ar~ ::;-n t~e S~\~~~,th 50e:-, clrec:""ly .abc--..re -::~e reoi' or ongT'
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Struch.:ral danage In the ceIlIng of the sixteenth stor.', 01reC>]-J
aDo\e the roo:n of oPgtn n;,.R~ :J.nES
.
from outSIde the Rault Center and all reDorted flames
. ~
on the upper noors of the bUlldmg
At 1 30, when the first fire fighters to arnve oeserved
the e.qent of the fire, they ca.lled for a :second alarm
At 1 32 there was a report of people t::-apped lrl the
bUildmg, and a thlrd alarm \\".lS Immeolatcir ca]k'd
\\'hen phone cails to the FIre DCIl,1rtment rC'portcc!
people at a fifteenth,storv ,\..mdow In the rear of the
bmldmg F:re Dl'partment personnel went to the roof
of :m adj.I(t>nt €!g:ht-<;torv buddmg at the re:tr of the
Rault Cen:er From there till'\' could Sl'(' tlw F\ e
\\ OlDen m the hC.lllt\. ~.llon .It a fifteePth-~tor'" \\ l'ldcl\\
A fourth alarm W.lS prompth- C,llll'd It was no\\ ollh
1 33 pm
In tile mc,mt'IT'l' othef fife fh.:::ht(',.~ kId tTlldc dl( I [
wa\' up '!Irol!~\l tht' bm!dmg to tbe fiftll"lth ,tOI \
8 '
r!P.E ]Ol'll"-\L-\I\\ :97J
-E~P\ ~~\ ES
--'
~ ':1
\-~"nere they \Vere USlr:g o:le-~d-aTIe-~aii-i:1C~.i. nand
Imes supplIed by the s<anGrJ1[-es In t::e staIr to'.vers
The fire fighters lUcllcated. t.1-:.ey were ha\.m~ ::rou"Dle
gettmg lUto the fifteenth Boor because or the heav"y
fire and smoke \Vlt..'1 the fire spreadmg rapldly toward
t...~e ."omen ill the beauty salon, rescue had to be at-
tempted from the outslde 'YmJe lIltenor attack con-
tInued. the men on the roof of t.'e adjacent e~ght-story
bUlldmg hauled up a 55-root ladder Howe\"er. when
the ladder .vas extended to\\ ad. ::he '\ omen, :t reached
only to L~e thIrteenth story Se"erai unsuccessful at-
tempts were made wlth a rope gun to s1100t a rope mto
the wlUciow where the women we:e neel dIed
\"rule these rescue attempts" ere gomg on the F:re
Depmtment rccelved repOr.S of people tr.1PPl'd m the
elevator 1U the fifteenth story and on the roOt ,-\. heii-,
copter was ofc>sed mto 'crVIce and It m:-:cl!" <;('vt'fal
. tnns to rescue tne e,ght lWO~)lC \\ ho h.\ct [wen forced
,to the root The tire fighters oper.l:mg on the rntCLntil
noor were able to maJ..c thClr wa) to the cIe\ .\tor lobhv
and r~scue three men - one of \\ hom had d[{'d of smoke.'
mhn1.lhon, The othl'r two WPH' tr.msportcd to the has.
Plt,ll. where onc: l.1ter dH'd
By 1 49 pm, after the hehLOprl'f crC'\\' h,ld <;\Iccess.
fully rc~( ued the el~ht 011 the roof the" \\ l're .hled If It
were pmsIblc to drop a 11l1c to the: \\ omen .It the wm-
do\\' on the Ilft('cnth nODr Till \ tflt d but \\ l'U' 1I0t .Lhle
to ~et the 1\, I1CClptl r clo~{' l rloll'..:h Ill'( lll<;, u! It-. ..m.1I1
~I/e .md the .llr Lllrn lIh .\foUlld ;h,. Illllhhl''': -\t 1 51
ClI.l'it ell.lnl pl'r..oll1\(,J I.ltil{l( d th,lt tIH'\ \\ l'n:- Ip-
pro.ldllClC; the .1[(',\ \\ rIll :t 1. I fC!:( ;Il hl o!ll( r 111(1 \\ flllld
1[\ It} j( ~llll lIlt' "<IJlH II \\It!; lillll dlllp lltl'
__ . e rrea:ltlme, the fire fig~ters 0:1 the Ere :Boor
,\ kmg r-rogress toward u,e women, but lt \\as
\ e ow At 1 52 pm, the nre nghters on the root be-
1.;::oT." the \Vorne!] reported ~hat the \VC;";lcn '\vere hangIng
G~t ~'~e ....\ lncio\.v .:lnd tpat ~hel c 1\ as no "~QY to reSC:1e
:hem from that "OSlt1O:1 _-\t 1 53 Q l:l.C:lO report :rom tr.e
reor of tbe e~ght-story b~l~dm; sad ~~:l.t :!.ll n\'e h:d
jumped to t.,1.,e :oaf, haqnci been forced out 8)' advanc-
1:1; nnMes Tbree or the \".ome~ dIed lTIstant~..,.~ ~~d one
of t~")e o~~r;:e~ t\\.~o d:ed about t\VO ''i-eeh.s later
_-\t 1 55 a fifth :lbrm brc'J;r.t adci:honaI manpo\\ er
7':e fl.l€; \...as Gccl.:r::2. t:~dc: ::ont~cl J.t 3 ~~ 3.T!Q all
(:Cr''11?3.r,lCS \\ e:e rc:u:-ned ~o ql:::l~~ers dt 9 :),3
-oo\ppro)"1l11ate]v ~1aif L'1e Eitee:1th EClOt l"!,."as 'bt.::-nec
G~t The 5:e S9Ye~C :rc~ the fiftee:ith to t~e Si"'i.'tee~:...".-.
coar by w;:;v or the \\ mdo'" 5, from V-f,.lcb. It spreac
,::hrou~h ~he s~\.tee!1th ~a0~ 271~ the!l to the ;e:lt~8".Js2
above Co:noustlbie lntenor nr.lsh in the sIxteenth-star'.-
restaurant aHJcd t})e spread.
There n-ere a~out 100 to 150 people In the restaur"nt
- on the 5l.xteentn ~:loGr w~en_ :c~ey. saw Ea!!'.es G'ci:~li"L_~_
s~.teentJ1-sto:-V \\ ~nciows T~ey usen t.h.e nea~e5~ st2.1"r
tower for thell" eXit One of ~'-J.e people n,m::'L.,g cown
the stairs neard what :re thou;~t \....-.15 a 1..."11oc:'C.~g sound
at the fifteenth story SUPPOSing someone 'vas m t..1-re
fire area and m'lIlg to reach the starr tower, he o;?er.ed
.- oor He reports that he saw a mass of fl2-ffieS and
e throughout that corndor area and that he
slammed the door shut_ The nOISe he had heard was ap-
parently the expandmg of the door m t.~e metal frame
A.fter he thought he had dosed t.Ire door he contmued
dO\,;.rnstalIs
Apparently he v...as u:luble to close fue door because
It had been warped bv the heat The door rernamed
part1ally open. allowmg heat and smoke mto ~~e staIr
tower EI~ht people \.....ere unable to make It do.,vTl these
st:nrs Se<:ause af the smoke and were forced to the
roor-the eIght people rescued bv the heucoPter
Some floors below the nre three men le-amed at lt
and took an elevator to helD YVben the e!evator
rcached the fifteenth Hoor the doors opened The men
were l...J1ocked to the F..oor bv the mrosh of het "'ases
Two of them, by lymg face 'down 1D the e!evato~ ern,
were able to surV1Ve until they were rescued One of
the t\\O cled several davs later. The thnd man, wno
lost consclOusncss when he was knocked to the floor,
was bee up Before he eouid be rescued he dIed of
smoke mh:tl.1hon
.
tr~
~i-
E.\RLIER 1:--: THE D.;:!.
about S 00 ~m, .1 fire of unkno\\ n cause h.\d Of' ;:;lnated
on the Opposite SIde of the .bulldmg on the snteentn
flOOl It if" oh C'G .1 sm311 stof;1ge ,lrea T,to' Fi:e Dep 1rt-
IT-l nt \\ J.S ~ucc('~~iul '--:' cQnpr'll1~ ti'e f,] e ~o '"1 snrtil IJ:-.rt
or ~he sl\.teenth Hoor The occurrence or th.-: selomi Sre
m t'~,e same bUlldmg, so dose to the ::rst. c::LUsed !"re
OffiCll....ls to consIder arson as a c~use T>e i~ct :!:D.t an
e::u-l:c:- 3re r,ad occllrled :n:J~ have led 5011"'e or ::-e cc-
C:Up,-.11::S to m:st~} e smo!...e odor fro"", the seco".d ;11 e
for ::-'~er~~~ smc~"e odor frO'll t~1e ~:-sL ~l~::::.e~""i\ GC~J.'\--
lP~ ci-sco1. e~: of :l"1e ~eco~~;j r: e 9co~crr2:.~~~-; ::~~e-:-~t:o""'s
~I..l'. ~lso h~'" e ~ashed tbe odor
.-\bcut 12 :0 p:n ~:"le Ei~ee:'tn Scar \' 25 tnorcu;nn
c!:ec\.::eci b~- se\'erai peo?!e laGJ.::~; ter 3.:,\' ;;-e d;::n-
age f:c~ the mor:'l~g f.re T,'\ev not:ceci rotn:ns o:.:t
of the o:c:n:lr\-p T~ere 1..S no ~rGl:~~~8n ~h:lt 2,.-.\ fire :::J.c.
e"\.te~ded to the celhng or t~c ~fteen~~t: c.8or
The structure \' ;thstood botl) :lres :2.u:\ "e:l There
r,\~~ ~o~e s?2.E.:~; or the COTlClcte cel~ln-;;5 ::: t!:e ::Jom
of on";l::'1 2.::.::( In- t..~e i--estau:-ant- c::=e:~h;--.i~G\ e~Ee:!t--
::-0::' t..~e Sre destro'.-ed one of t~e CO:1c:re~e Ci.:;;n;nts
separatmg \\1ndows m the rOOr:1 oE on;m The g:. pS'J:n-
board \\afu :n the room of Qn;m stoae. up weil It ....as
the hght:v.'elght doors to the corndor and the deiaved
d1scovelJ' that allowed the nre to do so muc~ Gamage
There was very httle to bum In the comdor T!1e
damage there and m the beauty salon appeared clue to
the bur.ung of fire gases from the room of o~gm, ill
addl;:lon to the ourmmz of the mtencr fimsh ill the
beau~v salon The \....md blo-..nf'& to\\<ara the ream of
on::~n apoarentlv created a Ill;n-oressure area on ("at
sld~ or the b~l:cimg that 3.lded" lD tae m~enar Sre
spread The "mo blo'....mg ?ast the COr.ler oE t..'r:.e 'DUlid-
mg where the \,'omen had broken out a \\:ndow ap-
neared to create a !ow-nressure area :n t~at area ThlS
io\v-pressure area seem~ to have puEeci the heat and
smOke to\vard the women ThiS phenomenon helps to
evplam the burn patte;-n wltllln the bUIldmg
There are nmv many people In the State of LoulSlana ~
pus:lmg "en' hard for la.......s that wouid :-equlre spnnkier
protectIOn m ,\11 hlgh-nse bUIldings Co::'piete acto.
:TI:lttc spn'1l.;.ler protectlOu In such a buJdmg lS a must
to control or stoP fires when t1'c: ,l,e stlil rdatI\ el)'
~mall It IS too ~l1ch to expect e\-en t.~e best or Ere
dcp,utmc:nts to deai \-nth such :fires so :rtr <lbove the
gro~d ~
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HIGH-RISE APi\RTYIE~T FIRE
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;.' ~ :; :&t ~ _ ~r:rr:r_:l~~-i;;?F~.~_i4~-~. ....]
r.. -; - ~_ ~g4: ~ - . - . ~ -=1
~~~r-~.' ~~ ~, ..-~J-:~-~~~~::~l~ J" t ~-J
i~!~X:':-':' -:J r,-.TJ- ~~' =:~::~~ 0;:5\\
~~~ .::.t: ~i c~ ~1~;-~@-:2::~ \\
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l' ~ _:~~'~~-~:....' _ ~~j . ----....:;;~:~~~_==_T~-~t L.. . - ~...:....'--:
r-;-: ......:-_--;r&-:"- --~--- ~ ~_-c-- _'--.....1'- :-~---=:=\ ~--..lIoo./:.--.. ""i"'-....-
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CHIC...\'GO
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DE~>\D
Grell \llD Bt='~ r
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l're Ln a "L'-Ll1~f..l"ltl....nnf'r J.11U.tlll.'lt
Ir~ tbl"- C:I.Lll~O 1), ..:h-(to.'l broke
tI1ron~.~h \\.I!I{~O''''''' LllH: '">>IHt. HI up tbt
ollhHlt of ~l'e bltl1d'fl!..!: t{J t"il (,I'.,d.t-
Cl L.tll llnl'- (Ill( \l n ["i.lH.......L
DALLAS FIRE
.
KILLS T\VO
FIRE FIGHTERS
FIre In a h];h-n~e apartment complex ll1 D,\j:~ Te,,"
np- D~Len1btr ='3 lS7). '-l,,"t'(.' l"'\.l) :'"'"e f'~:":et....
B.l,.!..~mt:,.d
The :ll.....U;-lO:.'5. 2.i-storl~ ;;:'iop,.l~ '-~~"'ent ~.r...:dJ..a'Jo:.:: e]e-::.~e:ll.--
lSeG ~'...'..c ~ nre<e';lst..l" e.. ..e~n~0i2~2-c'J ~:"-:cl~ =- Llll~e :)\b
2'-1-lilCl.; rcmrorced-concrp.p pan-]n;'tcc1 f!0C'I' ll1c:
i oct T~le n:tencl p.lr~lt~on~ \.\C' e cc..... s.a."l1c~ed of "~-1."'!(:1
;'- pSI'-nce.-:r:.! 0, cct:-J. sides -::0: ''12t;::.; stu2c:.mc; CJ'1-
cc.l1ec sp..1ces be!a~v the siispendec1 '5' pSlllnOO',;1~(:-"-Jn-
P1e(:l1.~t~ci cetlm-:;;:s '\ere fire~trp?eC: at ~he ~(111I1C',U\
walls of e3.ch J.part'nenr There '\ere el;ht apartments 0"
e\'er\-" noor e"\cept the twent"\:-firsr, I\here there '\-e~e
onlv four penthouse apartments Each .lpctrt'ne"lt had an
outsIde baleon\.'
.
The apartments ope:1ed on each noor to an mter:or-
corndor approxl1natelv 612 feet wIde and 113 feet long
There were enclosed stmrtowers at both ends 01 thiS
cor-ndor and ,1 b,mk of three ele\.ators m the ce'1~er of 'he
corndor -\ mmll'iai .1ffiount of com bushbie w.tenor fi_lr-
n;shmgs \\a~ usec; CombUShble fiber~Qdrd acomrtccli
tde \\-as glued to the underside of the sU5pendeci-
g\. psumbo.ud cellJrlg ~hroll~l1011t the ce[' t!"3.l cor~~dor 1<1
,tdd:tlOll. the \\,,1113 III the central cornelo'- were cO\erec:
With v1l1vl-cbd 'vall paper The stmrtowers, elevato!"s,
,llld trash chutes were e'l.closed WIth J. nopcombust:h1e
matenal h.wIng: a fire-reSIstance rat1l1g or two hours
The !JUlIG''1~ Iud J.utom.lt:c spnnkler protectIOn III the
ba~ell1ent onh. .Hld W.l~ not eqUIpped With an .ll,tOllldtIC
fire detectlO.l ~\. stem TJ'cre 'vas .1 st:ll\dplpe eqUipped
With ,1 1 ~-'2-ll1ch ho~e ~t,ltlon on e,llh floor
The Fu'e
.
.\1 '\Pprt)\II11.\teh- '3 15 ,11'1 .1 ten,lIlt tell plwlIul 'hI
FIre Dep.ut'nellt rqllJrtlll'~.l fin, Oil ~he lOll! tl'<'Il'h
floor Cnfortllll.lteh the ten.\llt !!;.\\ e .m 11Korrl U .ld-
clle~~, .1I1U the Fire Dep.lrtllH'lIt IIlltl tit. re'pontll'd tll .L
,It... hit) blolk~ ,I\\.l\." !rolll the 11'.11 tllwnt hllddlllt!; 1 hi,
I n'l .
rIHL- JOl B'-\L - n'l 't 1')--;-
~
caused ,lIl addltlon.ll th] ee-to-lnl'l-llllnt:~e deL\\ 1I1 the
arn\'.ll 01 the nr~t <'OllllMlI\ .\t ti'l' plOper !OCJtlOll
-\Ithull'2;'1 ,moke \\.I~ COlll!'::': '--om the ,lp.Lltme'lh ,ll-
n....ll1~ fire 6ghters ~.I\V no \.l~ihie ~1r;'1~ of B,lIne The\'
tled \I1to the SJ.lllle~e <'OtlnectlClI\ on the .Ip,lrtl'lult
stalldplpe .l"ld '\ent to the th~rt~C:ith ';oo~ to b<::'2:'1I tht I'
.'ttllh. ill' "he Il~e th.lt \' l~ -J,I< F",;~ ,]-"',.. 1"', :..,
n~h~el""~ ~-\e l~}:'~ !,e!t-corn iP~i. (I hll'LL.~--"I~-I:':: H)P~~. ttii')
bec:,m to e\ aCl!.lte re~lc.:e.lt '> ;, Dill the ;" e [:"or The\
"..ere SE...'rc. ~""l]j~ ~{)r other n:.:....H:e.l~"J '.\ h~'1 t~'l ~lre H~ldH_(;
down the llS-toot.low.!; Ie';".,' unr;(~T :' L' [huwfcd
th..Lt tht'\ :Jec\lne dl',(J'lt'''ted L..1i ,"cv"':hui to 'lIl'Ji--,
inhLlLlt!O" (;rrer ~het"" lS--P1~!'P~~' ~I'" q'~J~)I~ 'L~n l~ttt
-r~~t. l q=v-' OJ! ti~e Src (Old(: 'i"~ ~~l de. at' "11"~r; ht L :. ....:.
!)~ tlle t" ~e~"'~"..('- (L.~lr"'.l-:'::;t'" ~n ~ilt.: ::) I.I.--l.~tlt t.'~ [-~~ 'H I...:, ,
T;~e nl1~ ner c~~ ~h'') LLpLll tl~'L~1t "-\ -l~ L:\\ .l.....l "t"':_' 1)\ .1 ~... ~~ l..-
}1111 l1iJl.....e _lJ- .--ppln\.l'n~l-J-(:'I\ 3 (J(J ".l'~1 r'ne...t~C:~~"'l.l~ "iH...
'cpnd ;1<:' ')]-.-e'H"U \,lIl1lkt' ,t -;'e celli"';: It', d -Ji [1'_
b'\. iPC:; ~O()P" -PJJ .l 'i!ln\\. ht. ~'LH~ ell to ill=' ~~H~ renect:on or
the ~""'e I-Ie: q....net:1 l~t'~\ r~I~L1rned to t~~ be(~~ T)O!l1 to
..l\'~tl~e". '..")., ':e. ~l...~:'" \~ent ~~; 1 ....lCUI).':.i '")(.:(:,,;)o'n In thL
LlpL":'~'-lep:: t..-: '\\ll~e ~1'\ ;'_:t~~... -\f~,,--"" dr~ .'t.- Llr-~:::..rc~~t!\
:.tJ.e'""1pte-:::: ~f) ~1tt=1ck. the ~:-c '\1l-~1 ~he l:i-".u..h hU";,L :.:-()n~
the corne'}r Since he W,\~ T,b"\l!J,\l \\ I';' the hu'c \t.l-
tl')ll. he " as I'ot ,IDle to L!~e I. e;-fec~'\.'t'\ He tt'en tele-
pl'o'led the Fire Depart'nen~ HIS 11lIt"',11 ,lctWl1S, .11.
thou~h well 'ntended, may hJ.\'e resulted 111 .l pO~~lble
13-"1Il1ute dela," 111 reportll1'; the ;:;re
The tenants m the apartI'1e"\t at ~he opP<1S1te end of
tbe corr:dor from the ap.lrtme'1t of or-~1l1 app,\rently
\\'e~t out on thelr bdlcorn for ~re~i< ..11'" They \"~e:"e
e\-"aCluted hI fife 1.!!hter~ \le,ln"~ self-C'Jl'c,llned bl e.lth-
:n'2: aop,l'\ltus ';'t t~l~ tune tfle door "-rOI'l cllelr ,IP Il t-
'nent to the corndor wa~ ;1~J.(h ertdn~h leU ope'l Thl~
supphec! fresh alr from the b.llcoll\ to the fire \1\ the
co~ndor -\ shoft h'ne !-lte~ ~he fire fh,'I<:,d elml1l 'lle
cor:"Hlll:" and mto thl\ ,1p.U "nent
Investlgat:ng authontles .lttn1mte the r,lplcl spre,ldof
fbme do\\n the corndor to the c0111bll~t:h]e .1COU~tJ<..tl
ttle ,md \.lI1vl wailp.lper T1,(' rl'lll.nnll1~ q'l. .1[).1I t1l1t'nb
on the fire floor receIved mmor ,ll\Oh.e (Ll1ll.t~I', hel.llI~c
their d()or~ to the <.orndor~ \I erl' do,ed
The !!;lIe~ts 1'1 tIle lJMrt'lll'nt oi fi](.' Or:t!;lll rCIlMIIII'd III
their hedroom Thc-\- \"cpt the hollow-colt \\tmd dll\lr to
tlll'lI room closed ,llId ,tu!l..d '\l't doth, 1 H III I: h It rlll'\
ll~ed ,I tr,hhh,"h.et to thlO\\ \\,It..r Oil thl hllholllll \\.dl
.llld llutll _ll,d oht,lllltd he,ll ,lit 1]1 Opt tllll~ ,L b(tbolllll
1\ll\dm\ If,,, ~\Ll' 1\( Ii Lill, rill II Ltlll'll: 1"\ 1.1\(III'.!; tll
,.fl'l.h
1'11l~H rt\ d~~IP l'.!.. tlJ ~11l'" 'S ~o 'lIdllnn ;J1I,~d~ll~ \\.P\ l....-
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CO! Ie lJ~: _~'HOI"l.~ l..~'-L r'r;--er c.:7ry1"~ ~'!1~..... O~U. Ci L'.e aut"HtT"?ent l:(]rtu.na[C;~/. tr-q I::-g "ler..er
entered tfl.8 CC1ncar Deca.use tt:e door to the a~aTtment re"tl'd!.!ned closed l,l-J;en t1'e
lLoman returned to he"" apartment after "'10tltIJrr': the netz.l-tbor about th~ fire. her door
automatlcc]iy closer!~ tIlanh) to a self-.cloS1n; d;!....zcr "t"T/;1dd the tt.omc.~ hc!..e closed
the door ;lerself~ 1Ve ti..dl ne:..er hno1l ThlS- much is certmn The seii-clQ}1n~ de!..'c:.;
on the deor to the 100m or :::n;'f1 1 er1u~ed the TlSh. from that tire to ctll ei te;ants on
the floor TTle fi.!! OCCHn cd on F iJDrua> 1] 13. 197-5
THE Bl.. ILDI:\ G
TIle Esr;Ja'1ade _......par:~.e'lt Bmldm<; :>t 900 "orth
L...r D S~1"~~ Dr"-e -~s ~~, f t t" . ,-- c. . h
...h.~ --:..1.:: ... \1,. q, _O..L ee 2.11 ~nc 0 I lee: ~1'lce o..Jy
21~ :cet io'1; The 2~J-..")tc-r\ CU-;. \:~~n2 h,;.:..d :~\'. 0 sub2~ors.
with autoMobile parkmg below' g~ade. ~mi was con-
structed m 19-56 The bUlldmg fr:1mmg consIsted of
poured r~lI~forced.c::mcrete columns 26 ~nc!3es sqt:.:tre
Floors \\cre rem forced conCrete and eac~ II'dnl.Qual
Soor \\ a~ of u:1Iforr'1 th;ckness. the noor th;(J,.ness \-ar-
led with t11C llel;~t of We b1.lllchng tr.e thud throu:::h
Plnth Hoors \Vere lOl~ u1c::.es th-:.ck, the tef'~h t!'r0u~h
sp.:tc enth floors were g;~ ;:,ches t !-" ct... the Sc\ cn~Cl.nt:1
throu:o;h twcnt';-scco'ld Roars we:-e 5''; IPCilCS ~lllC:'::,
and so on to the twent' '-nmth floor
~1e dl~t:1'1C(, !-]ctwccn the cenkr lt1H:~ cf t1'e flncr
,1 ,11\ wa~ 5 feet 10 mchcs. ,me! the d'~\lT'U' h.:t\, (en
-rhn.. ~n \\. h 'H\-f ql~'1tvl ~~-v tht' L'lt~~~).... \...]'-(1 ~rltr~il"h -~L-
kno\...iLli~,_", tht~ l"....l'\t I[}U oi the.. C~.I't. l~O ~""ln. J)'l'lr.I'H~""''' l~'I'.'
!-'H.. Pr't\-"!-'itHi'i Hllft l1L
d,:(' floor and ::edrng DP '--he serT c....tet:r:::l Boer I' <15 S fee.:
E ""Jehe,
The :1~.U ~T!ent 'hUlldm1 ",:15 .ot 3:,r:n~.....lerec ,'!Cd dId ~
P(1t ~lLl\ e ~P'" 1.11r;:1 S\"stcm T}--erE' \-.. ...1$ a. s~J.ndplJ;e hose
s\'~tem 'vlth t'vo hose sta~' OTIS e(:'..l!?Cled \\1th :-5 feet of
l";-lI1ch ]mer hose and 2'o-m~h^ ho~e outlets on each
floor supplwd by a 7.S:0-;pm electriC co oster pump The
s\ stem also h,1cl :.1 F:!"c Depar:me:'t cannec':wn and
','all hnlrilnt
The E~p1.lH[!(;t' I3Ulldm~ 15 one or rnar:v "111 ghss"
:lp:lrtment bmjdmgs 11) C~lca;o, \qth the Guts,de wail
con~l~ttng of floor-to-cd:ng l:-:'1c!l. plate gl:,~s m 2-
cl't t-S-meil-by-S-fcet-3-u'ch 1OS" mglT1g '.'. mdo\\ S below
S3cl't-'3-mch-h\ -S:-fect-J'~-"T1C''.., sol~d ;l~,s p,l""el~
The hll']C1ll'L; 'va~ l(l'l'~T( ,I .\:t11 two 'I:t('~wr ~t:1'r-
\\ ,tv~ "lid tInct> .1utom,lt;{.. <, !'-'''Ln Ill' p,l~~l''1'';('r ('1e_
\~\tor"" : SlC F--'~ure 1 .i
I (lltHllun.d "L Jh::i"-iL- if'll)'-
; lnL JOl'H'-.-\L - ..,~. : ~ 'q>rH 1~73
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High-Rise -\partment Fire in Chicago (ccnt'nued from page 39)
The corridor \valis were plaster-coated four-mch eludmg occupants on the noor of t..~e
block with fl two-hour ~re reslstflnce ratmg Tne m- thelr apartments
telwr ,lpart;ncnt part:hons \\.ere of two-mch-t..~acK dou-
~"):c ;": rr.::!'[nbo~' c: T~'e p..lrtltlons bet\vee:l ar1:i"~en~
1I:-.1~' '\ e' c ',-1l1ch rlJ.s:ernoard op. bot~ s:ces or
lllet:ll ~tu(~c:'n'! T:--e bat;.room walls \\.ere pb.5ter-on-
,ne~.:!i Ll~h Tl'e neer Gr ~he h'-z:>g rcom of';'~:J1rt:-'"'e~:
17{}2 .' t~E- ..lp2rtment or pre orlg:.n ':. '!\ as cQ'\erec -"';v'1t'-1
'.' ood ?J:quer
TIle .1p.ut7'ent doOTs ',';ere seIf-(~os~:ig 1::';-,i.ch so~1d
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TIlE fIRr:
T:--"e :6"'e :Jccun.ed 1:1 J. co""nel r-p:':-~::'-e:ct t::.~t :e;cr:-
0::> ':C:-t:~lnc::: J.:: :,,:,:--us"'::J.ll:.. L::.l.;;e ;:;':i:"":::.:!:.t of fu:-~:~:.:.r2
TI:e H CTh.1TI r)ccup.::-.:-t :l:=-..d -no\'ed fr:~HP J. l~r;er :.~~~ eE-
llr; and ~.'r ~s ~~GllTI_~ fu:nlture In ~:e~ J.?=lrt......-le~t h~ l::~
lCC~ T~"'.e C8.:..ise Cof t:::e :ire :5 t.:n\:~!J~~ ~ The '.'1: c~~n,
'\]-:0 '\":'5 hqr~ .1.:or:e lTI the 'lp"rt~en: '.o;.-e-'1t across t~e
COll:cor to Inio~m a :"ie:gnbor about ~l:e :are Then. :G:
s;;rre un'....no.,\TI reason. she \vent back :r.stde l:er 3.part-
me~t, ".:here sr.e died, 3.pparentl\" overcome bv s:noke
1 ne fire bro!.;.e through the wmdo\\s and SFeaG up
t~e outsIde of the bUl:dmg to the elg:'lteentn floor
The Clucago Flre Department received 2. telep!:one
.,!arm :1t 1 IS pm ":~lch 'vas foHowed by 't box alarm
rl:-e fi~htels lCs~oLC:lng to the alar:n asked :8: extra
h(';p -\'1 um:sli,11 :eature or the fire-Fght:n; opera~;G;:s
'\ as t'1L' f,let that th~ Fire De?ar.:ment "'as aOle to CI-
red ,\-"t~r If'to the se\ enteenth- ar.d el~~te~.,t~-e.cor
1F.'lttrt'l1t~ flOm 61C:":I~d le"el t-Sl:1g" an ,,:-tlC:.Jb.~ed
t\?e of r~lc\'atm.~ ?:"tfOl m with hlSh c~paclt... mO:"ltor
nozzle and ,m aerIal pIpe. they 'vere able to d:rec: the
heavy stJ carPs to .1 helght of appro\"lmatcJy 155 t:) 160
feet Se\'enty-nve S: e fighters usmg three en~~"es ar:d
thl ee tllJd..s worl..cd to cxt'ngmsh the Sre The'.' l'sed
l'o-'nch and :2'o-I'1C~ Dose h'les mSlde the bu,ldmg
F'I c fic;hters \\ cre fcrced to e~"n" !lOse up f~ e st:l.1!~,
'1"(C the '\':-ttCI '1p~T 'cd fro'TI the outslcic had cx..:seu a
shOlt C'ICUlt 111 tbc de"atOl';
Some OCC'lp.lIlts of the hUllcl'n~ .\,:-tll..cd elm\ n t~e
S".'ll<; to l'\',\U\.ltc tbe bu,\T:ng. hut most of thefT', m-
: "I, .
nil!: JOL-F'\ \L - S[PTI:\lo[1' l~r,j
f'
nre,
sta\ed ~n
I:.\]CnIES -\ '\D BULDI'\G D \ \1 \C[
A.Slce f~o:-'1 t~e f::-...tab:'I,: ]T) t:.,c "'oom or or:;~l[l O~~t? :::-e
fl;~ter surte:-ec. frQ;7"~ S:":1ch.c In~..l:1:~a;" ;1.....C. ~;"'G~:...CT :-c..
celYE-d :-t oae'.:: :;1iur" m :J fa:'
The ccn::e!'ts cf t!, c ~e'.ent':?e'1.6-:1oa:- .lr,-'rt~'(''1:
::re crl;.~ ~~e~:: C~IT11~]c:~I~. clc~:ro~. I~C Ti.,C' C"'2:'~:~::=-~:"-
:l~cr .::;:~:t:llent :=b:)~ (' :t 00;, <15 nc: c:).n~~!c:2!~ -"......_JL..-~
out. St::t '\~..s ~:e..-..\Il~. d~~~11:J.;~d Stluct~rL~ 8:rm..::.: ::::
the bU!.r::lr-; ~'I.-:1S m:....~:nL-=-~ ~ ~\\. ___:!l ~c~e 5:).' PIn; c-~ "-~-::'
c;::ll1r g "d ole eo!\.:m:1 :'1 t:lelp ,rt--:e-rt cf 0-::;' - r.. e
-Fre \"-;),5 cc-r;f:-...ed t8 r-~c tn. 0 ..!..~}.::-:~~--'t't-'I:s m~.:-~ ~~-;:C
T~;e ~nterl0r pZi.rti~J.O:-:;S ot _-\:J~1 t----:?TIt 1-:-0: .r ,_....:
bucl..led ~ut ~:::! no: f:.ll ::-o,--::p1ete:'
O~he:- J.p2.1-::nerts C~ :he S~\ e~:ee:r..:~ :..::c -::~s:~- te~"" :.--
iIC-OlS 'vele d;:;''"Y"!~;~:i b: s~o~~e 2ri q :T~e:. ;:.~:G. ~!...= c-:::::--
r:CDr on ~he s2\--'enteen:h EOGY '.Yz-s b!~c~eneci ~~ tb.::o
smoke and lntc:rlSe h.e~t
A:'\ AL YSIS
It IS unknown whether the door to Room 1702 \\ :)\.:;d
have been closed If there had been no self-closmg c:e-
Vice on tl>e door The occupant was most hkeI... 'n ,:''; ~o
secure scme-h1rl~ of v<,lue '::oerore ce:'l!1g the he Be-
cause the door to he: apLlrtme:1t \\ as closed t"re lr:~::-~se
fire did not en~er the corr:c.or
Conszcen:.; t~at t:)(, fre .1tt,,[}- :ro'1l the o'J"-,'c~e
'\'ould hT\;!:' drnen smoke .l.pd ~1C'1t th!'oug1<'out the <"."'.-
enteenth floor If the apartment of on.~m door had been
1eft open, the presence of a door elosc-r on the aIJ:1~t-
mc-nt door was probablv a maJOr factor In pre\'entm~
untcrhlble conditIOns throughout th It noO!
AIthoug~ the sclf-clo<;:ng door che( l.;cd f:rc sprC':1d "'1
the ~e\'(mtL'~ntI1 EoO!. t:'\tl'r:or "pIP,HI to tIll' .lpar~n'( "t
,tbove on t'lC L'lghteenth Hom \\ ,1:' ,1. pi ohilln I l2.(1
the nil' been 10l"ltcd ,\bovL' the re,lch of F:re Ot r.1ft-
ment P1a~tcr ,t1l'.lm:.. the fire (ould h,lW' "pre 'u '- '\-
tellullv to ,l<ldltl'JlI,d !loors be\'(md tlw l',t!;iltctnt, '-
:.
APPENDIX P
~.
Ii
I
Fire at
Dale~s
Penthouse
Restaurant
ER:\EST E
]CILLERA T.
J[anager,
FlTC Record Departrr..ent, SFP~';',
and ROBERT E
GAUDET.
Fire Im:esttgator, NFPA
.
D"'RI~G the late evenmg of February 7, 1967. fire
swept throu;h Dale's Penthouse Hestaurar::t atop the
'\Valter :s~;:; Smith Apartrr.ent BUl1clm; 10 ~rontsom-
er;', AJ.:.~~.ma, l111mg 25 persons It ":as the lar';'2st less-
of-life restau:rrnt fire III :he Cmted States s.nce the
Cocoanut GrG'. e fire. whlch l:tlled 492 perso-:::s III Bos-
ton, ~lassachusctts. on 1\ ovem~er 2'3, 1942 The D.\O
fires had three factors in common m::Ldeqt.:ate eXIts,
combustible mtenor fimsh, and lack of a spnnJ..Jer
svstem
<
THE W \LTER BR~GG SMITH BUILDI:\'G
~iE 'Valter Bragg SmIth Apart;'1ent I3Ultdmg- \Va,
completed m 1951 and III later years the penthouse
\va~ extensl\'el\' remodeled tWIce, ~t whIch tImes the
penthouse restaurant \Va, enlarged to almost c.ouble Its
orr;mal SIZC ~rercantlk, occupied the first story, 122
apartmC'pts, the second to tenth stones The .lpartments
:.
,
w
~
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f
i ')( U~f()nn1tL['I~ ;or it"&I") rcp(1Tt 'II. 1.'1 (l~~tL't""ed ~'-V .. t... C IP{lLt
""0 . >':1, d :hL "cenL of tlH~ fire I !,~ \ lOP \ ;.:r 11 c-f..l h. 1<.-
-i ~~l{"'\ If T:~l" t~H.. COOpl r 'tHJ[l ('f C!:.('f \\ T \1..11f\TV \Ioni:c..)tn'~rv
~ il!'"f J)( l' Lrtpl... 'It !!HI \' Ll} H"'''' I })lpU."" ~r lP-e r-1-e \1 \:"''"l.;' Il B{J\.
~: . L [l'or'ld
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~ii~5i{~j~;J~;';~;~~ 'i:t~,~l:~~~,~-~~:~i~:;~',;,::~
be COri.e "0 rCSC'I(? t:~e :'.. ~ct........s j!'1s-lic
~'~::E ''''OR~ FH070
were occupIed bv approxima.tely 200 persons The
ten-s tOf\'- W1 th- pen thol!se bas ement - '1 nd-sub- b~semen t
bUl!dln~ \'\ as of n:-e-reslstl\"'e const!"~ct]0n of pro~ec';'ec
steel !!";"TIe \\ l~h ~rlcl.:: ~:1d eLl'\. t:le r~lPel ~'1. a::s ani. .l
concrete roof The penthome ""<,s c~mstnlctccl or a IT"'--
ture of tI!e, ~bss. and msuL.tcd <'}and surLced '-' It!l
ccme:lt asbe~tos boad The oTI,;:~a~ sect"on of the
penthouse had an er;ht-mc~l-thtc'~ re:nfOlceu-coTJcrctc
roof supported by Fotected steel column~ The a2ch-
tlOns ]'ad a roof of :1oncombustJble roof pbn!..mg on
unprotected steeL
The dilling-room lounge and bar co\creu al'out 2,')00
square feet of the approxlmJ.teiv 4,7CO-~qu.lrc-foot
penthouse The pJ.rt:t:on ,cp.na:I"g the botr amI 1oun;e
from the c!m1l1~ roar" (see the 2:__t~r.''ll, "cxt p Ige )
W2, pI c'int,h'd riy" ('at! 0[' \\ ooel ~tl:(i~ Ot!'cr p:'rtl-
tlOns were g"p~umho2rcl on \'.ood \tucl or ma~onr.'
The celhlg m the pcnt110use \\"IS of corn hll~tlhlc tiher-
bO.lfd tIle, \lo-t of the fUml\]lln~~ ,1ml decor,lt:on,
"\ere m.H!c of comhu~tlhlc matcl~,1h The ele\'ator rna-
ehmcn: home ,Int! t\\O 3.CnO-g.111on \' ,;tl'f tan!.., 'W'fC
]rH"ltl',I.tlJOvt' tl11' DC ntbO'I~('
T\yo ~elf-~l'r'. K; p,l~'cnt.!:('r pl,,\ 1tnr~ r In from thc
h.l\e'TIL'nt to thl' 1'(''1t'101I<,e The .,l'lfh W('f(' cQ1l1prcd
\\ [tit COl'n ntHJ:l,d <" il-c.lo"IIl'! m.' II (Iilllr<, (rot fin'-
im!: !()~H"\L-':\) 1'1',7 . ')
FIRE JOURXAL - MAY 1967
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The Penthouse Restat,rant The dotted /:,..e or, +he offer: at the 'Lest sIde of the bu'ld'''r; 'tla/cates t;e stmru.c'J that
tfr"-n-z.~nated at the fo~r belo~c.; }.lcst of t!1e b~di~S 1te~e fOlli1d '1 or .near a-.c ~ff~1e ~and the tu.-o 5t~r{'tr;e "~onls at, the
southnest CGr"er of tJ'te ;:J€pthol1se ~ cte ~}-.~"!, ~!Hle +.le Sf!1p'1la:1 enTr!!"'ce benrru! t'1e ele~{1t(Jr C....C!O'lliri! a id !let J~at.2
a daor7 {nere u..as c: doo-p at ecch end of tI-.,z ~hort cOi;-.do-'" TIle deor to tIle east !Las vlocted partiaU'l ODen b!} so~e"
tluT'lg t]"ct feIl to the fio:JT after the fre had s.tarted The SUTl-rt.C"'S -a.(.o u..ert out the dJil't'J;..rQD'7l urndo:J...S CTt2rL1ed
arou"1d to the feT"ced-~n pt1t-to App!':Z'fently a fgu... S!itt.-1LOtS esc[:';)ed to the patlO throu'ih the door from the bar a-rtd
lounge
.
rated) An enclosed stair-vay behmd the eleva:ors led
from the basement to the penthouse T!1.ere \yas no Goor
at the st:"ur'>vav on t.~e penthouse level. bu~ the short
corndor mto whlCh ::he stalI'\Vay opened ',\ as enc!ased
on each end by a IT'etal door equipped \Ylth a closer
(see the dIagram above and the left-s12e p::ota on
page 8) A second stamvav led from the basement to
the tenth story (t.l-te dotted lme m the dc.a~ram mdI-
cates where the entrance to thIS stalIway '."ouId have
been had the st~,:"" a' extended to tl:e :?(,:Jthouse ';
St2- ndpipe ci.lblnets~ each contaIn:-=;.; J. Z:~-lnc~ :::~e
de?J.rtment connectIon :-t~cl :J. 1~~-1!1C~1 connectlO:l \\'1tn
100 feet of Ime:1 hose a:ld str<ll:;i-;t streJ.m nozz~e, \\. e:e
located :"ear ~re st,'lT'-\ a\.-~ m C,lC~ star' l"1:e 1-:laser.1e!lt
and su ~ ~)a~eme~t \\"ere sprlr k~eretJ. ~..rjd ~he \\"~~er
tan:';s above the oenthouse were connected to t..~e
stand-,:)!pe :md sp;'nkler systems A nre c.epartment
connectlOn \\as pro\JdL'd at street le\-eJ
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TJ-:1s 1'1 1z0u." t~e fCttaurant .and rOt' nee
l-~o;"ed ~nfc"(! tbc nre The O:lC'l. ~'ClttO
U.,OS Q'Jt\f(fe tJ,c ll.J1~d()IL~ to ,hr rl"",i1t
or the 1}(lr and ;'1'HZ~{" The u.ood-!){,ncl
f1(rrt.t'r;"t .,.cpa..('-folrl!! d,(' 'our,(!C' f...-om
tile d~'Hl]!': room ran bl! -iCi?n a. th.e
V'1Ck!.:.TOfHlCl or r},c prrtqTC of the' '-[[11-
"J~ nl{JPl j ,!./ (!r{i'rat:.",", ')CiC(71 {,t lil(t
t,... p:.:ia rll the hc{ h;"JO'J1i.tl CI.ih n!f
(r'lL l.'(.IL ~'f the {Jl l .1".lr !iOOf!J Il JULI.
DJJ{'n 1I1l0 ,,;./ t1I'1U'I~ I' ."11 rIll I r u'-
:'H.~.. IIi n If r'lr},/I'i\['/Jh fil}, r,'lflt/rd
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FIRE AT DALE'S PENTHOUSE REST.1URA:VT
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Center [.cc;.."T'l;':;: ~est frQr~ "'1J;:Hd tf'C CC:'L~Lr 9f +::e (:':"1 ,.,~ i''';~~ T;:c c:=.~tJ.:~('oi?1 "'50f j)co:::ra Gre SI:'O~~ .., t}~f.? f.--;rc~;-C"t{i r:'2 -':OOTl':'~I'
.::nc s:'~c!.dt-;:,;,t ~~:;er !ef: .ere ~~~e "'"C",)",:'::'" ~s c~ -;'c ;""a.....:'J~i C..~:::IC'S,r1;; ..~..e c."'EC'J~ J~ :'L!~~ch r'rl".,......:,' :Jr f,l C ...:~-I- .......; ~c-i-.::"""'::::: -:- 'c"c :",c"c
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TI-IE QCC\:P-\0;T$ \~;D THE FIPLE
S HO!'T:-Y before 10 00 pm 2.oout 50 C:lsto::ne!"s we!"e
m the d10mg room and loun;e. SI'{ em?lo'.-ees ".ere
III l:.;e ::"'It~hen. a:1d one of the co-owners. a hostess,
and a few other employees ,vere ~n varlOUS parts af
the pen~house restaurant, when fire of undetermmed
cause star~ed In the unattended coat room The ac-
counts gIven bv t.;e surVlvors vaned. and It was 1m.
possIb:e to tra~e the exact seq1.1e:lce of actlo~ in ~he
:::-estaur~nL ho'\veve:~ a ct!.s~omer G:scoverec. the fire
\\b!e It was shll small and re?c:-:ed It to t~e :nana;er.
w~o wert to tr.e coat room \Vhen he :sot t::ere, the
ehef t>2.d alread,' attempted to use a port::ble e'{tm-
bPlsher. '" Itnot:t success Smcke bc~an to drlf: ::lto f""'e
dmm; room and several of ~he custo:Y:.ers dec~c.cd to
~eave by ,va\' of the elevators The chef rode down
\Vlth one group and returned III an elevator Mean-
willIe, the mai1.1ger notIced that the ilOstess ''/",5 usmg
the telephone to call the FTC department anc. th3.t
someone else \\'as usmg the house telepnone He
pushed the elevator buttor>, b:.:t wne:l i1 car dld :1ot
arr:'.e \\~thm a fc\" seconds he started do'.":: ~;e ~t~!r-
way, reportedh to ten the bU11dI:1~ opcr;.>.tcr In the Frst
story to warn the occupants of t1-:e apartme:l~s Be-
fore t~c IT':mager reached the first story, the c~ef had
returned to the penthouse 10 an elc\"ator and ~lacl
started 00\\ n \nth a second .smup of alarmed res-
tauran~ customers .-\pparerltlv no one '.\ arred c::stom-
ers or asked the""! to lea'.'c
At 3.bout tht time. the fre had reacl->ed the com-
lmstthlc ('e:l.ng; aT"Jd h.ld \t:lrtcd to sweep mto the c!m-
lIlg TOpm. c::tt.l'~ off .1CCC~\ from t:1.e co.lt-room \,(IC
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T~e ~..~~t~ss atte::--......ted to ~e:J.d :~ gtlJUp of customers
thro......;:: the k~tchen to tr.e st8.ir'~'a\. 'bt:.t lau:1d tl:e
st2_::-"'l 2..) COrtlCOr also Imp~SS2.~re She ~nd her group
of gu.ests retreated to the west end of tr:e l.:(c~ep.
".-here they penshed As smo<.::e, heat. and Barnes COiled
out of L.",e comdor LI~.tO the dlD:~; :oom. otter persons
retreated to the southwest car::er of the kitchen and
to the office area, \\-here thev '\ ere ~rapped and kIlled
Otr..ers broke wmcO\vs and e!IIrJced out to the ledge
LDO! '11(: ~est fro,..... ...r,e bar and 1'::::"r;..::;;- Qre~ T'!~e d"'l~k
coo:c. P'l tile cerater iore~1'0~lr.d ~G<:' t;.cncl;",jl TiLe b~r T;~t!
rC~[;:lns of tllC u...ooa St1H1'rl~TE: t..... ~he 1~ccr-r_p!1Tlc{ed 7-1c-rt~-
t~on t~.at seuarated ~}~e ;c~ln;e f....c;rn +I~e dlrJ1n.:: -rGom CQ'1
be .:icel'1 st-U "tar'(;'"":~ T!~e ~cd:::':J of fl';? el::::.ht-!.'c'~-th:c:'"
roor 'I-db sT1afLs t~~e '1."'rt:; of the on.::r~'(j' r~en:,.jlo'l~e 1 ?'c
e-<;:;Jc3~d--)teel Tocr" rr-embers tilU C:1"C "~-le !.;."'''d.~.ou
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FIRE JOURNAL - MA)" lfJ67
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Tll~ i'f1oto ~J...,:jS .,J""J~C'"1 h:;m the d.........!! -t"cc~ i'SG"P ....re c~"rer or
tf,e (Jlela~Qr C....c.r:;S!lre -'co:"':"'::: d:;~:...n. il~e cc"'-:"~i~r f-i~c.t led .,.,') ~j'i?
LO'.lt "PO(}"~'. ::'''.:":. !it.::. r_c.t/~ c.~-d rest "OO;l'j'i' {~te ~.r~~ n.:::": ..;,TrOlL.
!.. :..t .,.~~C ~"''''.c''!"c::~'~n 2f !o-j,~ c:;"', !J-:::"'s ;'~:Ji""-:S "c':~:!-.i tJ1~ C~r"It
ioom. ~ ~-Oi.t.i1rd t:l(! dcoru,ar, !c~~~l"r:~ "tc, tIle ~t~l-U,G.~I CQii,do"
\ (;: 3 45" thc ~.7n~{'~l~, i1r'T....i::;. door r; ~be :-::~1 ~-'s. r_~;-n, ~-o ..;
....iie ~"""'i't of !-;~c C~.eLC.,..jr c....C!c",'p.e [!'e c;et.::t::;r (}C:,}...~ i.(..c"'e ~'J
~~~:t;!-,i~-~";l~:;f~~of~~~~~;{:; L~~: l~i:~~i~'::~~;~:~F~
had held the cc.....-.cp:..s:.bz.e ce.i.Y1t; t l::.s Hi. p;o.::;;::
Ter "\V-,\.RE
on the north wall of the dmmg rcom \Vhen L~e wm-
dO',..:s were broken. a hg!1t wrr:d bloWlll~ through the
wmdo\v openmgs mtensmed the :6re Those who es-
caped throu:;h t.~e \\JnC.O\VS cra...vled to the east end
of the penthouse and cl.:mbed over the fence to L~e
pabo. from whIch they were later rescu.ed
FIRE~IE'\; -\;'<.D THE FIDE
DIE fire department recel..ed the first eall at 1 03
pm The nrst-m aSslst:mt c1uet arnved WIth the appa-
ratus from 1us statIOn a l',.:f :mle "wav, went to the
tenth stor'. b\ ~lc'. r'.tcr ~1nd Lcpolt~d smoke there h'~
means of hIS portable :-J.d:o .:It 10 06 e....3.ctlv three
mInutes afte:- aL.lfTTI l:C3.cq:.J.rte~s hil.G recen, ed t-!"'Ie
first te't:~)hcne c:J.ll Tl'e f:-e dep:l::rne!:t's ~rst-ahr.1
::-e5~0:1Se .:-on~...sted or f:Ju: e~~~Iles, ~'l 0 J.er:a~ :~clc!ers.
and t\'.J aSSIstant ch:ds TLu t\ -'111''= men :-e~p":JIlded
to L'1e erst abIT'1 - .1 ::o~" -e'rr)n~[' for ;1:: ~,Lr:n 1:-1
th2.t ?G~le
As ~~'O
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In~. hIS 2'lf \'.2.5 SilOn,. e:-ed. "-.1 ::.th bro~en ~lass from the
peI't~(".l:se '\1~d~'.\'s He:. '.':5 J.1Ge :,r:c1 t'\ 0 CJ.r :'1en
~- e.....t~ 1 3re~11e:l ,\Y:10 c..c.:.~ ..~-t I.:~ ~he a:SSist~:."1t C~'ll(,:<;) C-=-1-
tereci ~~e e~e~ l.tor ::'Lr'':: ";\ c-"'-:: to the tent11 sto~. ~-\.fter
tr.e asslst1n:: c!11er h.::.ci r::;:orted ~'le sIT'o1..e cor:dltrO:1S
i.ll the :cr~lj s~cr\" he :2":: 11~s ~n.cn 0.? the $~l.u~lTa~r ::::>
t:H. pe.....f-o~.;se b!it t1:e. =Ol:=--~2. the door oet\.veen tl:e
5ta~:-\, ~...\ corr:dor and f:e cOlrl~Dr ~Q f~Je CC2.t room
.,..-L- ":'_ 'hl ,",-',,0.. 1 ....... T"! ~__(l .:::~ ~"""'":f J.l..":"", ,(""''In ~l..c
:;la--_J.," ~"o,_""o::(, o!-,e.' <'.u_ ..,.mes CVu..::, u..OU,y "'~
doon\a' Thev retreated to tbe tentb stor.., whe~e the\'
stru:1~ OJt ~:-te stand;a-;:e hose and pullec. It up to the
;;enthouse '\Yll1le t.~ey were 1-:nockmg dO\v"TI the fire In
the staIrway corndor. the aSSIstant chler raclOed for
21~-mc~ ~ose and breathl..ng apparatus He also ordered
a pum?:ng engme to connect to L~e standpIpe system
and boost the pressure
Mean..... hrIe, the chef. who was st.LlI m the elevator,
LeT-!: TJT~'8 d.ao~ led from the "J...l~chcn to -f~.e cor,.~~';ar at :-,~e tC;J ;:;f tre tt'nru..{!1j TIle OpCnlri.; at th~ Ix;:tt~rr'l of the door "'(:ltl}~cd the
effects of the door t!S a cu.toff fer the sta.rru..Q'j
Certer Th~ photo H..as t!1;"'cn from t71e corr~r!or l'" frDnt of tIle ~oat rOOrrl IO:J"J...'r;: darL"t the cor..tc/or .fo the clo~ed ~'+c;en door The
st(!z-'-~l1r..J ~ at left~ vettLecTl t!~e Jutr}-re"'1 claor and t,~IC sren dO:Jr 'n the ce'1~cr ior!?:;"-oul'd TI'e fPtc"secf":"!"I!! corridor fO the d....utl!; rODPl-,
to the nJ:l~t ot tlu,! G!](Jn dooT. carnC'r rJC'see.,..
R.;:ht TFe tu.o clet..a"or doors arfl snou..n PI file i:-"p~rottnd end ~jll? tJ"rec d(lOTJ +0 -Il,c ~,tci}en 'n :i'e bc'GJ..:::,rounil Ti'e cGrlnter-hel~h!
e"closIt7e ta t1le T';ht bacJ..frO~(Ttd H..QS the gnll ;. see f-J~e dtC;Ta~, paae 6) ~-\lt"'OIH!h tbe eler....ators epened ~'110 the dJnJng room, -an
ornam.ntal screen comtTllc!ed seocral feet 'II fro...,! of them cut 'nem out of ueu. of 'he restaurant patrons R E GAUDET. ~Fp.~
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FIRE AT DALE'S PE), THO USE RESL\L'IL-L\lT
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C€"i-r:er j].r:;: bcc~ u.i1i; I r.:O.Jtj~J Sid2: Gl' ~hi! r;~~T1;r~Cuj"e at t}-e ~i-;:;;-C' ~"~CG Y;.e'::i ..T t ::-. u~ ~;IC ..:c,;~ ':'~-.J t'.;; L~CLL.~"'!:'::-~-"1 ...~,:..rL'-:;.-.,. ..: '_.
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lPi;;~ u...~ndutQ ~n tl1e ""~on. i;'Ot.L.~ p-~1rLe[iicte!'J ~o tJ'ie r'f:\r:;f t"iC ';:"I.::'~ tL-li-!~ IT"'~,::,:C~;::~ -
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t;'c ter~th [,"fC;,'J ~.as T1lSt fe,- :\e :r:;f~ oj t}~e ~~il;;:;~e _Qrj" oi ~~L~dJ~;".:: C"1 :;,~ _~~~I~ Gf d~~ t;... ld-n;
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havmg come up wIth the aSsistant ehtef to ~e tent~
story, pushed the down button. but, because t..~e ele-
vator button had prevIously been pushed at the pent-
hOllse level, the car went up Four firemen and t'.'.o
o6cers ',"ho had entered the ot..1:er elev<';.tor wlth t~eIr
equq:nent also \Vent to t.1e penthouse le\"el Bot,.~ ele-
vators stalled t..'1ere. they could ::ot ';)e men'ed and tl:el:"
doors \you!d not open The firemen pned t~e door of
theu car open shghth and \Vere :net WIt.~ heat ana
na:";les They Immedlatelv stuffed ;r.elI coats and sal-
vage covers mto the opemng to keep out the fire They
then opened the escape hatch at the top of L~e elevator
car :md cllll1bed out Y"nen t:J-.ey heard the chef :n the
other car, they opened the ::atch of that car and puj~ed
Ium Ollt. The only way to escape vms to SIde dov.:n
the eounterwelght cables from the llenL!;.ouse lc\el ~o
the bsement, 'vhlch they did
F~remen had to C'~rry hose up ten flIci!1ts of staIrS :':'u
use the staIrways to evacuate the occupants of apart-
!pents As the firemen wlth the st;lndnme hose reached
tr..e c1mmg room, a fireman \nth a fr~sh-alr mask tr.cd
to crawl past the SIde of the eievator cpclosurc to get t
look at the dmmg-room area The heat was so mterse
th..t hIs ears \"ere burr.ed, .md the other me'1 c:r,~g:;('d
him back by hiS coat FIremen contmued to use .:,c
standpIpe hose and the fire dep,~rtme~t hose. wi, 'c',
bv t]lcn had been connected to the standpipe .I~ the
Le-ft--qde {ird center p;'crcS" R E C \.t.uE7. .....F~\.
R~gl~:-i1de phc~$- ..... CE H UP-LD
tenth story. to knock do'.','n the fire m the east end of
the restaur2.r.t \Ynen they had L\.e Ere knoc1.ea dO".TI
10 the Sar and lounge area. they heard the sur l"Ors
on the patlO The firemen fanned a c..l:Jarn of the tem-
fled S'..lr. I, 0,5 and led the!11 frclT' ~he ~atlO to t~e 5tJ.::'--
won' under ('O',-er of a fog S::'-C;l'"":1 Ah::oug-h nene of :!-:e
sur..:n. :Jrs '\ as llllured serlous:y, se. 'er~! of them sll~ered
cu~s, bruises. and shock
By t> at tJ.:'1e. ap. aenal Id::lcr :sun h"ld 8Ce::1 P051-
, - h .
t~oned G.~Q \~" \,~s pour~~g n~at[:;r :n~{) t...e pcnt..:ouse
throug:n the 'oro1.:en wmdO\'5 Csmg the t\\O hand ilnes
and t~e aenal gun, the firemen brou:;..,t the fire unc.er
contrDl 1:1 a short hme They 5u5pected t....Iat se\ er~l
persons had bee:1 trapped :n the fire. but the\' 11~d no
ide::!. of the ;r:m dIsLovery trey wcre soon to mJ1.e
At 1.0 5S pm they found the first body near the cen-
tcr or the ::,tchen A ~e~ond bod'! wa~ pmncd hcne"lt!1
the co:hpsed sted roof be;:J.I'1~ m the dl:l.m~ roOM
There \'. ere eight bodies z-,uddlcd In the bever.lgc stor-
age reap"! 1:l{'nmd the aiBce, four LD the ~m:lil storage
room In ~he l:ltchcn ~ec.t;on, .md the rcm.urUl'~ ele\ en
",c3~~e-rcci -iTound 1[1 the '1tl;nC t;encrLzl LlrC.l - P(1 If dH.."
~pot "';'Lrc. the ~eu)llll ~tJ.'n\,lv tLrrmllltcd I~ the ~t'"n'
J",lm, T:-iL L "{,H.t lOLltH'P' of tll(' hodlL'~ \\("e not re-
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LIVrXG 'VITI! FIRE STASDARDS :.iAKE IT POSSIBLE
pleased to reCCl\ e a letter reeently from one at our
members who was rctmag from hlS !\FPA Committee
sen'lce The letter read. ill part
It's ft"l:lV as ~ou leak bac:' over a llfet<me of work to see
thJ.t trc -'~"11 L'P'ls"o?") i::~ . CUT e,,=~sterce e~~ be iou-r-d t..'"l a v.'eek
or ~..o (j; ~l-..c ft11ti:"C ;--e-~8c. T!.e t'1~~].0rt of m" L l-ee- C;!Me
\v!lI~n I 3er\-eci on :':.e co-o-cr 5 l:liq';lest pJ~V on the Clllc::lgo
school ~re o~ :J.;cenc~r lS.sS T:le p":~t~ 'V:lS 16 to :! a;;:!.~nst
p~--=.t~~-:; ~ "'ccoL""'1('""\e'1d::ltlC"1 :0'" a.c.tcmattc sp~nl...le~s 1[1 tte::-
'eIC'C~. ~rd I :)::!.U!ecl ~'eI'1 ,n P1:mv a scS5,O"l lOG.1V ~OO 000
~ .,1<:; 'TO "f'\ ::....J,-..r--ol un"'-'::::'- S...........~I,~~,.. ."rote.....'OFJ. T.'1....t ere .....0 r-:1~c.~
It ~J ~~~~:l ~:~~;' ~_ J~__.. pi ~~ I; -.. ...~ ~. ~ ~
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Til":_l~ .... au :see. c're I~no'..\.lcd:;~~1:.1e ~8.~ \' ho hr..d 2.:1.
eo;, [5::.:.1"'; S~;:'1.('~l,--: >~~ T~:S ~:~lr:':J .';, IS ...~b!c co ~ersL!Lcie 2.~
f)~~(~t:''1t:: -..l.::::.:::::-.:,....l.~-:,ltc<.1 :Ul'.. :0 E~~loH"- J. course
cf ::C~IOr: ::::::: "T_'!. :;!=_~tl' _-:::..: 1:1 ;-~e"L e!:t;~; ,-I n:~et.i.~~o:1
or ~:,;::t :" pe d tr,;~;::.- 'n Cnca;o
..., ::::c:s<:: -\R:. .. 5T \. 'X'D -\RDS.Sr:LLI),G TOB
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B1'"_""7 ~ au ar::".. I 'Il :n:s .luci~(~nce ye:tll\ Goa't DeeC:
~e:-"-"~'"1:1crs ,Jr br.e:l"rJg c;:-~ t::e ,aIue or stand~:rds :\e:.-
~hc~ '..OL: [lor I '_1 ~L~d "~e ~~8:e ::.i \-.-.-e. ,\\-r=~e :r..C'~ alre:ldy
ca:r ~:'ts! \~ \J.t :l~ ~:1 l~ 1Yl'" pU~;D;;:e :~ d.eta:i:;~; t.~lS
pOU1~ \\ .~h ... au:: T}-:~r::' ~5 one Llre..l ~~ ,\\4hlC!1 '1\. e !la" e :::.1}
fa:leci Ct', en::l::t:s::;~m for our s;:bject '\Ye have railed
to commumcate Our enthusiasm to the pubhe, the peo-
ple who need to ~now. to the leg!slators. \vho need to
be educated. to cle tnaI la\v\ers. \vho need to be gl';cn
a tme set of values \Ve have not sold our message or
Our product' \fy pieJ. !S to let the 'vorId know that the
t:mted States has as great a body of saretv standards
as e'i:lsts an,;<,'-here \Ye must become standards sales-
Fire at Dale's Penthouse Restaurant (contmued~
~ nPIC~L TR\CEDY
...
.A.. FCIl).!ER O\\T.er 01: the ::-estaUf2.nt \\ as q uoteci as
5a\'~r.g that t.~e bmldll1g "vas understood to be fire-
proof, and th<1t the only t.hmg: be could see that cOllld
have ~umed was the roof covenng, which was bmlt
up .\ statemc~t of thlS bnd, whIch usually follo\vs a
tra;;lc fir,:, Illustratf's the fact that most people mcor-
rectI" C' alliat~ t;le Sr~ safety of a bUlldr~!~ bv Its out,
"vard appe,lrance, the>, orten do not t:ndcTstand what
bmlc1mg; featt:res actua!l,. dcterrnme \Vhet~cr a bUlld-
109 15 fire-safe Or not They f~ul to look wlthm at eXit
de~lgn, mtcI:or fimsh. fire protechon, and t~c other
lrT'fort,nt fact')r~ L~at ;'1H:'c'lcC He safety
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> Smcl" tIll' [Jen"'wu)c 'ud '10 '!Jrmi-k'l ~~ ,tern '0 con-
tTol the f1re on:::e It ,t,~rtcd m tl1'> CQ,lt room. !la'TIcs.
0'1 rPH:.1)],l<; t\1t. COJJ'bll.,"blL (ellm~ tllL'.,' \\",111 P,HJ-
ei'[]~. ud (It C~)r,lt"l'" ,~)n' ld C,lpld1,. throu'O;'lOut ~he
n,.,l'l1rll.t ~\It"[':.:; "It lr{'C\\ to the fink ,tLlf" IV
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men - and abandon Our an cf techmcal ~ophlst~c.ltlOn
m the process. u we aTe to seE our procit:ct \Ve must
maugurate a public relatiOns pro;ram ~llmed at those
who ale not famlhar With our work m the US.--\. Stand-
ards Inst:tute .lnd Its member bOttles \1,'e hJ."e J. stan
to tel; Zind '!~~-/e Gust :el! i.f
To tn to pr~c~-ce ',\h.~t I ~"c.:"c:-:. I "r;l 1:1 tl~e :1l:~~i
of pre.[-::o.nn; a folGer 0:1 t:',.' :\rP,\', ')aid', ,::mci.:.rGs ~
E:1cn a: 'Jur pn'.'ate sta'1d:.iC:S-:n,lr..'n'; or: Irl:,at:a~'~
sl~ould d:J tr.e same. rt'1c1 ::.,,1...;:: 1..'5.\ S-:J.n'.22.:-~:s l::s,.t,~~~
shol.1lc: estahlIsh :1 sales C8.r~r;;~.~~~ ~s SOQ'1 J..S it CJIl
In 0:::-- ~)a~t~~ :0 tc] Cl-: c;~C:-'.. ~h2-1 =- . S ..t.? CD:1St::l:lt
Dee:! ~') 0'3 l:T.} ;:r::!:i' e. .0 C8:r.::-';o;:e \\ ,: 1 oLler ""'Q(~c:":l
tc.::11n:8~'~~ of ~:Jmxu:1,:,c~:~'Jns fa :~. to 0". ;.~rc::}""::e ar
n:eet C~ cor::;:lC~ ~!"ot=~~ t~le s~-:<ls c:: ).llG..'-"(,:1 ..-\'l: en1J.e
To d::te, ~., e In t:IC st;J.:1C::U"GS f:cld ~;:'..'" e :1Gt ~ce~ ::t81e
to s,'!!l GUr st2:ic...lrC:s ?:ogr~:-1 eJ.:c~~'\.c:' _ to c:~n\-"l:lCe
~l:c PU":;L2 t~;lt 0:'::: e~:)r:: do :--.~O\ ~~e _;.:~,.l:.:-l~~J-:s !0~
cGnc.~1.;.ct ~!1 the fi:-..est tr8.dl:::.on or -<'\~"'e:-lCJ."'" self-rch-
<;.1DCc-
~'Sa:,:-t~~ - CL"Jn It Be S:.T':C::"'~8.:=.::do:." ~:'l. ..he S~1:2t
~:it~!":'1~ sense. ~~:e (ln~"..-(;~ tCi the ~:::::. -::-tlcr ~8.V ~()t 0C
de::~ltl~ e. but trJI'.T~ Ip l~g to~a\- ...\-l~h ~hc emosures
... , ~ "-" ~ ro ,...-
we h~\ e from tne 6reat at =:c IS ~GS~l:J!e only be-
cause 've have eXlstmg fire safety standards that are as
good as any 1:1 the world L
"T1C folcer L,vmt 'uth F1T!~ ~'as dlst:"outed w.tl1 'l>e }..1ay
1967 :.<;;sue o{ Fire ;.Ve-u.s Co,;,'es of the f(11d~r 2.!'"::! ilv.!llable free
of cl,'1";e
~YPA:\o 101. the Ltfe Safety Code, reqmres two
e'Cits !'emote f: c>m eac~l ot.."1er l~ :.uch .m 8cc~"r;Janc:
l.:nder the Code, elevators are not considered a mean:,
of eXIt, and the fact that both elevators jammed at tbe
penthouse levei cleariy demonstrates one of tb.e re:lsons
for til's
From t!1(' gene:a! locatlOr:s of the bodies, lt was ob-
V1rJu~ th"t t1-ere nrobablv would llave been httle or no
!O.,~ at He had the seco"ld st,'!rwa\" been extt'nc!c:d t'J
tre pent~'ome '1nd cle<lrly IT'arkcd At the time the
bmkhn<T was erected t!'c nePtrrouse dId not extend
0\-('[ th~ area of t~c second starrwav, and when the
pent~OlI'e \'..-as cnb;-::;cd t!IC ~t-llI\\ ay wa.> not extended
to that In. c1 t:..
1" '-'nc C'" "'1' torr'j~'lp.tlcl~ Cf"II"l~ t'ke; rl1'''''' u.....eu ~n.:...ur.,cd,
co It ~\ ~ not pO'":t...~bic '0 P=Jt 1]0 1- t;;;'"lTl'-p1t. "lo11d civ Lk "~l~ tL1t.~ .lc'r
tbeH JJ In~p-~f'n ~d <.-b.r'1ct r'~tJC,,) l~ \V 15 (Iont. '['"'''' "i:i~L II Lrtford
] ""Pit l '~re I 'cl Cr-'ll~t C Jll,j~Lr Lt 'Tlll II,rlf,,-c1 lIo,p'l II
1'1"e '\1 P \ (I'Jartl '''rr \",il 5=) 'I) ; I! I'Ll' Ll,\ ~qh,:,l ;'[1 .2'r>-
3nJ, _.~~(J n'll~ l:'~t. l\ r, prlul" ():55--f.l 2=; It "It, ~'l r LnpV-r
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P"-iU ")(J ,-llL~... 11'" (:._~l' , d'....L Pllrlh Inr ql' lnl'P ordt.~'"
q, ~"'1I1t... I.t ,I il"-. lrtK~t. Lp
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C(CllrJ.n~ ;n m~)ther roOIT' thOll\!H t;e ;l<::"lr rletee tor ,1iJ.r''1 W.I~
.1 fire dr.!;, .lrd ,w\Ld m .helr lOOn U'lni ~1lI(J1..e L"ltell~J 'he
(Qum 011e of t\'ese o<,cUiJ,lIl1.s kIt .Jle bllllJlll~ ,md tbe ,;tber
\\',1' rL~cued III the ihlil",l\' in fire rc:hter, Barh oecuinnh
\Vere tre l.teo ~t .1 iocl.lj ~10~plt.j] tor smOk.e :nhJL.lt~on
Fire officl.lls saId that the I1re ber:an m .l foam couch ,\,;th a
vlnd cO\enpg that wa~ tOM 1'1 ,e\e"ai p!J.ces Th.! fire ~preJ.d
to the '\all em e-m~s .ll1d then CUiC:";'- il.l,bul O\'er m t,e cuo\.:-
un.: Joup~e <..()n...t~rnll]::: the e'~tue CGrlte~lt~
[Ill ]0'.... ., 1'1 t~~I.!.~l[eJ: ;+ ~J2 :":("11)
C{)n~I:TonY
S['"!,,1..!'l:,: \L,ter, 11- 10.:1"'" Cl.Uf
nT~t" r).- .~ f
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A. ~~!-\ L \r-,.iJ 'l'\(lje c:nllei!e q'I(~e.H ti'!"_l' -.\ hi..'1 l.c Ie:' .rrnn J.
'~'~LN.h!'\. ~L"~l~:... -HI~\I~":"'~ l'j" ::o~ Pl(1P. "'''TP \\nJ",:: .O-l~ 'I~~ L., ...:;_
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Ot) ~~~c ~:-\-;l.:..f".:.l.......-:'":-:t :~-..."'--'" .~"H~:_""L"'~.d'-J'.T'l"-"l-r ~ It:Ct'....t..
'-y.... ~!.le f.t:" " ~S l c~[(le~::.:--.. (-.I~~...~.'''-e-~-.'~ t..=~~e..l-r:.. .....~ C ~~:~ t\ '-[
::\n'.':cr: :-t--.e -:;"'lIr t.-) ~""(\I,.(:C'r 1:11::" ':'-t: ~r I! e~ed '~i)l~ ~J~..... ':"':"1'"
~" ~11 :'"""'~'C'I ("~''''e:: '..\be~e 1~ . -=nl"-C'c~ C~,)\:".~;~,~ ~~~Iq ~:l~r,,; ::i:~-e 'Ld
.1lun:.: ::~-:..: ':~L I-~'jil'; 01' ~rt' '.\L.I~J
'-li'~ '. :::.~- l~ .\ -.'5 .~"\~; )'elld.,
l~"''--'l'; I: on -:'P1 \\ he'! "H: j\\ 'l~(;'
"'Je~!J .~t !-1'.o2' ....j ~'-.- .~J. !'"" H: jj. e
I~P 'I nul tl'e ell''-'' t;} .\ :0 --}iY~1
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i-rDJ~~ ~h.::: \....:1:..:::-- :-ic' t: leu ~c :::~t I-I,t ~:~2'1-1:]J"'" -h.;? GCCl'p LT-~ ..-:.
:}e ':::O~..- ;e" /"' la5 ~")' L..1(". 1": 8'1 rile U j'ldG\'1 Gt ~l-..-l~ ~ .:"'-:T~1, ~__ ~
~l'cct..f..:'::.L_..,j )'''1 '1; ';::1:02'-":"; tl'::: ~cc ':~ '1 t'= -~t ...~.~ :)(\1''-1 ,~~..
r1~oP~1"t d':..t 3011eone- '\..b tr- IIl2: ta b-e.l.... ]-i\u :-~)t.~ 1r;.')~n H'5
~cre,lF1S C>: .1\'.J.1..e!1 ;U'ot:'er st;de'lL :;L1t belon~ 'h.,t ,ti-oerl
COLlid ~1el~) ~~:'-"l but...,]"); dr'1~er.es 2rofpt:d O~ ~re '..lC~~ -p ~
hanGS He losi b:s 2;np 0"1 t!-ie led!,;e :>rd !e11 S''- star'es to h'~
de.lth -\utop''- ~eports II'thcated 'bar ~le ;lad a h;gi-t alood-
.:llcohol le- e:
SO'TIeo"e lr t1'e dQrr-ll'o~, 'Jul!ed the locd !1re a!arrp ~nd
notIfied the "-e depart"l""'e'lt Stuce'lrs e\-acuated ~he do~rll-
ton. ;:Ind "-re 'l!:;hers ext:nf:~l'sheG the 'ire Tile fire, co.dilled
to tae roo'1' o;;ng'u, caus~d 825,000 damage
S70fCS -\~ D OfFICE pr,OPEHT~
RET-\IL STORE
::\Lr)P-S':.:r> T.-::l...."t-'lli"""t..r Q. e....~)e.!..~
I;'l'~es 1['51,11('0'1
-\lH":P~.L 1 qi)!)
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-\ l,lbnc srore sluIered .1 545,000 loss due to .l fire Ib,lt was
..l!'f" ITCPtl'l st:t.....ed b\. i1 neOl1-Sl!!~ tr~'n5tl)r!"f1e"" fl'ut 01,. erhe 1ted
The 7.0():)-'fl,.lare.foot ,tore~ wtrh cancrete-;":oek waj;~ \~~S
plrt of 1 S~O':1~)Pl~ pl..1Z~l T1'.e ~tore h-<.ld ~l d--::JDPeu Cel~l"l~ of
'Jlj~;:~.d, L.\ -II' 'c.ull'he.'] t.je 0'1 "wt1J j-.'mm'.! ~"wai~\\"a\ WIth
.1 d'{)~ped c:?j'r:,: ot steel on ~teellrame ,IT'd 'me ',")t n' Fre-
-e 1rr'.mt t~e.'red celll1l(l~'C 'l'~lli It'WI .Iho'. e tl'lt Cel'I'I!C; C("l-
nu:.+:..-u dl t-flc "-t('rl~ III the Pl..lZl E'\.tt"'!1t ~or ']1i-'(\r r-1C r-")ftl-
~I')ll~ tbL "'1~ lee ,1'')\ e tbe ~.~ 1L~-"1 H \\.1:]" II.Ht~\ ld~{i .
The \'..llbL\\ \\,1~ protected lJ\" "pnnL.'er~ l)LJle lth '1,<.' u.,I-
'n~. ,l'ld h,)tl' tile w.,I1..,\ \\ cwd ,tore lP\(>'\I;(1 were protLc.ted
l)\ t.l~ltr-,:l" I.,I'rLr\l"\cd !lL It {lLt( (~'O'l ...v...tt m....
TI'L "en!] 'I!!n '"l~ hllt<.J .11'0'" tbe \\,111..." 1\ TIlL! U)-"l!t
'D'I,'ur'lll' "of tILL 'lL:ll '\.1' p:.'u'd 'll .",. "J\tl1.LtH'll lil'''l' the
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\j'ol[t lC'l.{) :}'n flU thl~ ,1\1\ hlfpfl !'-J1r-. flq ([Ilt'ilJ\ll'" Lt
.1Ill~thl r ...hl'" III 'I'l pLv L 'Iot:{ l (t 'lolP(~l..f:.. I ht I)"'" lh..."'- pi th Lt
..,tl)ft .,1~l't IJlj t\ll. ...ton ... Ll' !....lln~iLt,()IH.. r \HH.1nI"'t nt {ll~(Iol"" LillI
t;'-It LC.t'(J11 "-l.l' PI' d ttl l J'I'PII Lit t~1' ....IJlljki lj.~ 1j\\-lIll l~l~lllot
"'l1 ..,IThl'....1 P1 L'l\ pi :1,.;; It~: Llt I't ...i:Ull" \\I-HII'\I,,,,
On the d,;,' of the ~:e thl ,1''''''-':1t ;lllll Ill,lIll\!t r dh~m-
creel "inn~e ... t1en he ~)ren(.d t~le pLU..l \\ lik....l 1\ (iUOf~ l:"')lIt
9 OO.llll He notIced the he 1\ le,>~ ,Ke~lil',oJ 1[1On III ~:nn;'..... "n the
iJ.hnc ,tore_and telephoned t!l.lt ~t(}[.., 1,11'11L?;er " ho '\"
SIC:" He ",I.'> 1 e'erreo. to J.11otlH:'r 'lb, ;L-,.qre t'lrplll' eeo "h'J
went to I)'e pJ.lZ.l wIth.! '.:e\' .Jo,Jut 10::;0 I'll .lnd opened the
doors to the f.lor'c store Thl' e'lln:O\ee I~mllled tbJ.t the fire
dep.\rtmenl j,.lci been 'lot'hed ~)l>t lH) C ,:1 ;. .Id h.. en muGe.1t th It
'[[ne:
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Ih e e'(t'l':!l',...her~ :"l"d ;,e\er..1: i' H~... .,1 '.' I-t r ~lt.~ liiincht ."'\th")_
:;'..:llhecl 'he file
T~'e lct~n~.! r:-'.1r",::u!cr .....~ thL" ~J.hr'c ":01 ~ :', '~..I.!(.i lHl tJ,(' ..,LL .H~ l-
ID -l~ ::r- 'lH1. .:::-,'-~e~~ t~-It.. :'"llt' dl:~ :rt''''er-t \\ hH_~1 L')Jn'-"'-~:~ d
(. '\t n~u':'lo~'1l1e"l!""" '\.~r~l ! !Vle-I~'-:"'~'I - i 'J~tL~'1 .It.
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n""'C5-1Ze Cl"!'" ..l:~'~~~lt ! ;JO -:~li. t":"Y>oe:".I'.:: u: 1 ~'.:':::l LLHt:' 1\0 ...~,l-~..d ~'('
bec;luse 0" ~L,e ,"jet:'ci "'e--e U'l-l:\:e '!-o 'l~ 1.....t' _~ k)t.. tl' ') l..t t~lL
:r..t-e-r~ec::'on '-'I ~~"'e t.r'~ ~e"'\ Ice ,....:i].'c.. \1 ~'o I'll.. ;,~ed T'.LL >.--'0'-
struc~ tv 0 gJ.~chpe Irl.!rr=ps done c...l"n{;'d tilerl \\ ,th It jn[o the
,er' 'ce ~JY, "\'e~e tr.e C.'f tre" stlllC:" three p.!f,,!'d C.lfS
ShUt tl' .:.~.fter the 'r'l~:.lC~, .~p eXG~os~~)n '~cC'P"""ed :.. l!l"tPV! e...r~E'r1_
Sl\-(, pre damJ.!!e to'cre "er'cle~ d"ci bp,'dlr~ \ pd,~e~b, 1'0-
~1fled t,e ~re de~artT'1ent by 'l'"ele..-,por:.e
The t:'ree ..,n~ cled "'ere ~"n~eJ be' on::.! rec.OS:Plt:on T,e
two ot'1er passer ;e-s e~eaped 1:l' ~YeJ.:""r~ out t~e L\Ci-. wl~JO'\
01' the ca"
F:]:;:, O"TIC1:tb ~~!J tt-.-Llt tIle ~~:-; 0:,,11:'" ,...j ;Y-"t> ,"")r thl .-tL"l:eo:.:
n..u~ed on t!1e '::::l~J.c..e'" <:~~ .':oe'"':~---'tt.(~ ,'" t\e "'e~l]""~ .~]":(: _Ip.., lee:
tl'enl to tbe c...:;cl'l~IO'" t:nt :he '",,1.. r'li"lTCd UI' lilip 'e~ ','U,-
II'\! ~\'e explOSIOn Bee 11'\e the ~-lS "t,"lon \\.I~ c1o'l(1 lor t!je
l1l(..:}t -:here \'l'.l:).!'"o!;:' 11f) ,)tber :;t"")~~-j-e L,,:t the 1.,1te LIH.l '10 OtilL!I"
de-'l~~''''' 0- h\l:""'e~)
R!:.T'\.IL -STORE
CU:tlllC .'neI \\ e:c.:I'H( Oper'tIDn
He'llh III Fu e. 3"52."5 (jI)O LJ"
-\pnl 19S0
Ore!!rm
Sn.llks trnl'1 .1 CllCltIl" ',,.e1' IJel",. ",u: on tIle ~ec()l1d Hoor of
tl;h 7'3-n'.lf-old rel.lll '!'>re tlMt '~eu.lilzed 'n lll!htm!:( fixtures
!t 11 to t'l(' 'l1LL7J.Il'I1<.. L ,.,,1 ,1'1([ '~n'tL'(: c'nliJo.lld :)0"'" The
I e:::'l'lt \\. 1... ..1 F n: tl-qt f.. llL"Ied 1 =S=J':::S r;qo ~o......
TJa. 'DUT-,t'),> 1 flO-i"ot-~" -I /J(I_I"u" "uI>d-1LH11e md inK1..
!m'\([lI'!.( 'UtI L :JI'llt-llt) t Ir f"I't 1 'lL h l~l'mellt oi tll~ buLiduH(
\\. 1'. rll ott.<.tt d ~'.... ~\~LtOtn \tol ...p....... 'lh.:l r'\ i~~,t 1.~IL"'re \\ ,'''' no he It or
~rllo~c d( tLC....rJtl [1' dL~ h((d(:nl~
l\l ~1'( iJlL1'1I (: to.. lho,:. tl}I....(. .J11"I'[t 01., hl iL,n It \\ \\ (h...-
ll)\lrld h, ~ll ~J(("p Ltlf id til, hl:l~dlll~ ..hcnlh ll"l r 1 tlO 111'1
[t., '~L''1','"t ~ .",d nil 'Ill .;. p "'1'111" ()Lt'llJ 1I1t\ h..td 11"t'
11 Iud (\.tlll,q'I...lit r... ~n PI) 1\ U! ~ i~ 1: I'll dc..p lIt.Pt llt It.....pnlhl.
\\ L' l..... l 1\~lnt.... hiLl :{~t r "'f"L!.. "t Lud 1':'2 fu { fH:'~l~l r~ It tuoh.
!:Il I,~L'( '.., 2':.. :1').11......11 f '\(L"I~,p...il 01.. ;~'l Hilt P ~IH I'fO<..l.........
tl'I"
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&i~t{4iri?(:;lli.t: rtJJ..~te;~{l pat}7Jlqtt f3uil~ing
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. -- .-- - - Ha~-itti9i:rf~'House, Chicago
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LAl..7RENCE D. \VATROlJS. Techmca[ Edztor
NFP.4. F're Record Departi'le".t
Ax ,,"PARr::-lE).! HoeSE FIHE TfL'-T KILLED FOeR PEOPLE
on Cllcago's "Gold Coast"' demonstrates some of t!1e
?roblerr:.s ~:1'. oh.ed In h1gh-nse apartme:-lt bu:lc.n~.;s
Tne Fire Depar.:ment recel'.:ed the alarm at 1 27 am
0:1 January 2-1. 19-69 .A..lthaugh the mawr bedy of fire
was connned to the apartment of or!gm, spread of heat
and smoke posed many dlfficultles
.
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H.m. thome House. com!"Jieted 111 1967 1S ~\ plcal In
desH;!1 cf 'lun\" of ~ed.1\ \ h, ;~1'llse ,1p \rt~C''1t'' Tj'e
bu.l~dln~ ~s firc-res:s~:\ e :Jeln~ cc-'!l.str:1cted r--f :'e~"1:c""ced
concrete and protected steei It l~ ,1beut 2CO :eet lon;
and about 60 feet ';v!de and ha.s 39 ,tones a~c1 a 1:la.se-
me!1t (since no Roar \\ as gl\:ea tbe number 13 the ~op
level of Hawthorne House IS c,uled the fortIeth stor! )
The basement contams the natural gas-OIl-flred steam-
heatmg bOller, the nre ?umps. dnd some other bUlldmg
facilItIes The first storv of the bmldmg conSISts mostly
of office and lobbv space The second story contams a
locker roo'11 for employees, a laundry room for resldents,
and machmery for the corridor alr cond\honmg system
Frem the th:rd storY ~1-.rough the thIr(y-nmth stor\" there
are apartments The fortieth star:;. contams a meet:'1g
room, the sWlmmmg pooL and the machmen- for the
kItchen and bathroom ,11r e"h.1u,t s\ <tern,;
Three automahc p1ssenger develtor> located at about
the center of the hUlld:'1g:, oper,\te hem t:le lohln- to the
fortieth ~tory .-\. sohd-c.ore ,vood door from the lorndor
gIve> access to the t,vo automatic serv'lce elevators lo-
cated OppOSIte the pa>seng:er cle,'ators and ,It nght
angles to them
Behmd the service deve1tor> is ,In cnc1mcd central
~ta\r tower, whICh >ene> ('eKh Hoor thrnu;h .m c.>rKlo>ed
vc~t1bll]e AdJelcent to ~hc Vl ~tlbule<;. runmn~ from the
ground floor through the rooL IS e1 J.lJV-ll-foot "mo],.,e
...luft Heat-actuated e1Utome\tIC-Op('nmg \1 Ired g!..t,,<;
\Vmdo\\'<; erre located ([l tll(' \\ ,11' hl'twu'l1 the Vl"...tJbu[e\
.md the <,mo],.,e ...haft ,\t (',1<. h floor The >('cond l'wJo\l'd
>t,ur to\\ c!. loc1ted .\t the \H,,,t l .,d of t!w Inllldl1l~ \VItI.
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Illlt ([) In I,,,. tilt. Cli'l (L.~_O "''110[--1 i"j~", \:1 L1111l1., "L 1.\ 'III
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6 .
FIRE JOURNAL - ~\IAY 1969
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CORRI'JOR
+ 8RIC:tl OF "1"1~
doors that open r.1;rectly off the end or the comdor. has
no means of ventmg smoke All t.~e doers to t~e staIr-
ways and from the corrIdor to the vestibules 10 the
central staIr tower are fire doors for Class :s openm!;S
The extenor 'I.valls of the remforced concrete bUlldmg:
are mamlv of g1a~s The wmdQ\T"s are separated non-
zontally bv preCclst concrete panels, vertlc::lily bv 18-
mch-hIgh cement-blo('k ',valls bmlt on the slX-mch pre-
cast concrete floors The dl~t3nce from the top of the
wmcow of one story to the bottoIT' of t!->e '1.\ ImlC\v of the
star'\.' above IS about two feet
Tl1e mtelOr "'I. ails \vlthm each .1p31 t'TIent :1fC m.lcle up
of thee thlc!-.r'e~~e~ of )~-mch gl'P~um wallbo.nd l.lIHl-
n.lted together. a IJf-meh air sp.lce .md a )~-mch s1ll1~le
tlyer of ~g\ psum wallboard tllat forms the other ~~r-
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II./l or .':iC -:"':~l..;rtn;"::~lfs DR - ....'al~r.:.: iO;J.....1. J)_1. - dUi"i.,.J ar~:l
LR - '1t.1n;:: TJ"IC'm~ K - ~:tc..hc'1, 3 - b!..:tl~ ER -IJcdrcO""Jl 5_-1.-
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1"':1 5itc;fr~ SSG - smoJ...e s:l';;.ft OP;;'llU ;
Lei' FlOOT plan B, a~Tnl1gernent of .4;-'!!ttment 3612 A - l-."cllen
exiuwst d'~ct, B - bathToom erhal'st duct. C - electTlc ciaset
P}.~t~ 1 Trh2 u.,.-est u...rndo,t: of _4r:r;,rtrr:rt .361'2 "it.'l-J.C'1 1'1"5 ;::rc-
ture It.OS t{'k~n .'J~l'!..-{ll:e lu;,d beLn s::~-!cd ViJ~C ihc r toble ;J~Jed
C!~a'rLSt the bloc!... ~l..ail berore the lLIt"tdofL
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FIRE IN A HIGH-RISE .4P.4RT.\JENT BUILDING
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TOil Photo 2 -\ door from tlw floor (I!J,RC the firr fOllr
..../HJlf..UU... ti'e 1111\'tri)n ..,j tlrt.... .rj~ht IJl:')ffl(. :ht' c!cHJr iIIH! chi
cl!.Jor fuul t", (Jf}l tllnl! 1,,- ;ur~ ,rir tp..n~(J"l
Pl:uto.J Pan( lilt l'urtu if J)(Iilrci ~.dl"t (r1t 10 dDor ,... IntTllrc!
. rJ'Linlon ,",}f /Iin'!' jh~ ;'\I"/{, f1r/)u. :~:!h'!}tl(drJtlti door
rl UJrlf'.'
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face of the wall A smgle laver of :z-mch gypsum wall-
board IS supported on furnng stnps nailed to the In-
tenor surface of the outside bUlldmg wall to form a
finished surface
The dears from the bedrooms and bath ..lre of B-mch
hoHow-core ,\ cod
The \vmdo\\ s COnsist of ~hree or four 46'1i1C~l-\\ Idc
h~~ll3 e'\tendm; down from the cel1m); Below those
l:;r>rs are an equal number of !;gll's, ::dso 46 In~hes '."lce
'.vhose center l:;ht can be opened for fresh air ,\11 t!1e
\\wdows ha\'e metal frames ,lnci are fitted wlth tnple.
strength ;;l?ss {see Photo I!
The cer'ln; fin'5~ I:! t'hc 2.~~'~.~eTlt Ur'ltS IS p,zl1nt
.1';)phed ci:rcc~T, to ~!>e u'lders1de c: tj'e concrete B.oor
slab
:\lost of ~he ".11Js ~nc1 21; t}:e CEI;l=1;S 1:1 t::e apart-
me:1ts l.re pa:'-'-ed \-.: Ith .~\ ...lter-~)...:.sC' :::..~Flt
The floors 'n e-L"( ~1 dpJ.r:"-:-r'CPt '"-~re :n21\ ~2u::ti\. cO""ered
Tne :1\ mg roorP-dmmg racm com'}'''.lt;on tre ro\er.
[>"'d the bedroop' ,':-e c,'r~'!.:'ted TIe ~-~chen '~la5 ,,<;phalt
h]e~ the b.arh~ ce-;:<m'c t:je T~1e p?-c under
... ar:e~ fro~ a?(~rtmert to apc.lrt:rent
There ~s 2.P e~-'J.ust ';en:: :L1 ~he kltcher' L!~d 1:-'.. :~e
bath Sep,:rate' erLl(;al due's serve :0r ~Itcr:en ,entll<l-
tlOn and l)ath:-oom '\.enttlatlOn The machmery and
connec~mg ductwork for the ex:,,?ust system are located
m the space abO\ e the ceIling of the thuty-mnth stan'
The doors to the corndor dre l',;-mch sohd-core wood
doors WIth a 15-mc-~-hlgh Immovable transom above tpe
door The door and the transom are rabbeted to fit to-
gether. but there 1S a space between the door and the
tr2nsom because of a g2sket on the daor (see Photo .2 ~
E'\cept for a lO-I,'cll space beside the doors to the
apartrPents. tre " alls of the cOUldor are made or I-mcl1
g'.p<;um ,', allboard 'a""nmated to 'f-mch gypsum wa11.
board Bern een ~}--e cor:'ldor wall and the mtenor wall of
the
c.upet
the d.p,"lr~n"'.en~s ~he!'e 15 an a.~I space The lO-lnch-\, Ide
spaces at one stGe of each apartment are cO\ered bv .l
panel of I-mch particleboard, to whIch the corndor
hght ad)<1cent to the door IS attached (see Phatcs 2. amI
3) The S\\';tCI> c0ndUlt, and electrIcal hoxeo; are located
between thclt panel .md a slmlbr panel on the .lpart-
ment ~Ide The ~~ psum wallboard \\alh .md the con-
crete ceIlm~<; (undersIde of the RoOT !.l.lh) .lre paInted
wlth the same '\ .1ter-base pamt used m the .l[lclrtrncnts
The corrIdor floor has .1 !.hort-nap \\ 001 rug
CondltlOn<'c1 ~l!r 1<; supplied to t~e eorndor through
duct!. from the n1.llhl11c room locIted Oil the M'lond
Hoor ~r.ll,e-Ilp.m lomL'~ 'll.Ulll\ from ollt<;H]e. .llthol'~;1
Iht'",. l~ ~CIlll' reurclILt:o[\ of .lIr f:-om the ~l'lond-floor
Ltlrndor
r It h \t llr t"\,,, r h 1\ a ~t.mdpli)l' With .1 2.'~-LIlLh [ue
(I< i' Irtmlnt (()'lIlel tllln .!Tll! " l';-!1lLh ttlllll' cOOl! \\ l:h
!t'he lttdl h" 1 t, l...h I!oor Tl'l' \t.lI1dl'l\'l W\tL'1l1 J\
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. 8 "
FIRE JOURS_4.L - JIAY 1969
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Left Pi~oto 4 The i;lcu,torcJ,. ej;zct .);lC~L-11. i"1 a p"ct4}re takc"l tcs';. tt.:: ~cst ~-.:~ ~'le c-d Dr '!'~e clcL:Z"":Jf ccrr""l;;-
R1fi,f Pl'a-:o 5 T:te effects of ;:eat on +;"!~ st!!zr ~Ot~C'." side of the F.re cIao" ad'n~C~i~ '0 tJ.c lilt c~t.(-"d '!p'u'~mcp:-
zoned mto VYO sec~:ons. ene sect:on sen;rr:.3 t!:le ~ower
half or the bmldmg and the ot.J"er sectIon servmg the
~ upper half
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matic spnf'l.::ler system. or detectlon system
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0" }.\.);C-Ui,Y 2-f, 1969. a fire occurred In the ,h:rtV-Sl':th
story It lS belle'. ed to 11uve cn;mated JT1 the h\'I!'g room
of Apartment 3612 ;'see Fleer Pb'1 B) ConcltlCns ,lfter
t.l-]e fire mdic?;.ted th,lt "t burned for some tune 1:leEo-e
d~scc\ er:--~
The occupant of Ap,lr~en! 3615 not:ced not:1:ng
unusual....hen she returned to her apartment after seem6
some bends off at the elevator at about mlG.mg:ht .\."
she was plCl.::ng up dishes after her comp,my ~pe
smeHed smoke and \vent to the kitchen to check She
fornd notnlng m the kitchen but could see srrokc 1:1 the
fover TIle ~mo"e 'VJ~ entenng the <'Durtmcnt under and
over her door Locl::mg thrcu;h the -;;eephe1e "he could
see a conSiderable amount of ~moke In the corndor At
the same t1me she heard the m,tle occup,mt of l\pMt-
ment 3612 faintly calIlng for ht lp '.',",hen she \vent to t!le
phoI'c to call the Fm:: Denart:nent the Oner.ltor tolrll1l'r
th.,t t]'e fire h:-lC been re;ort('c! :\t that ;101llt ~hl' 1-...','1'1
t;lc door to .\p.1Tt'11cnt ~6l2 open, a io~ld ro lr, t1Wl1 .1
thud ,\gam~t ~he corrIdor wal! Agam lookIPc; thrnuQh
the !-Jell', .'>he "aw th It the lull \\"a\ full of fl un('\
Her deer \\ <1~ becolTl'l'g ver\' hot, .'>0 ,1](' '\ {nt lilt"
her bedroom. c10sed the door, and pushed a rug agamst
the crack at tl'e bottom to stop the smoke trom entenng
She beat on the wall to the nex:t J.partment WIth J. pIece
she had tom off the bureau and heard the occupants can
that the FIre De?artme'lt '\,,'<5 comu'~ Then she opened
the wmdO\v and let out a sheet, Just as polrce cars ar-
fl\ cd .It ~he bUild!!":;
T~le police lJY1mecI"tdv tea\: an e'e\',ttor to tbe [ire
Ham. ~o 'Tleet a wa]] or Iw,lt and ~TOl..l' T;le\' w,magec!
to e"c,lpe do\\ n the ce'l~ra] 'itaIr to'\ ('r to the f1eor be-
10"'," where th,,' ale!"ted the {lccupa'lt~
The i'...o g!rIs \\}lO OU:.l'pH.d A,p,lrtlTle:lt 'lblG fir\t
bec.,lme J.w,ue of the fire when the',- heard ,1 mufflcd
roar One of them upened the door to the corndor and
\(l",V the m,m hort Apartment 3612 m the hall. eVIdently
In p,l1n. ~c.re,lmmg th,lt he had to re~cue p'~ Wife She
trled to get hl!1l te enter l1cr ap.lrtment, hut he would
not.\t tl13t pomt the h.111 \\;<1S full of smo\;:e The two
oc.cup-mt'i of .\rdrtme'1t 3610 co\-Cred the:r hc.lC1s \Vlth
wet to.\.(.J., cmd started tar the e1C\,ltor R,'C,1U~C the
e!c\'ator doO! cIO-C(I .1\ tlwy rC.lLhed It the\' went to the
~['ntr,II \t.1Il tower \.L('{ll JIll~ ~o their repmt It \va" hot
,md h,nd to I)]cathe ':I the c.orndor .'t :Iut tun(. hut tilt'
'>t,lll" \\"l'r(' u)(]! ,me! uJIlt.unt d no ,rnokc
:r~rp r;~.:')]~('r\ lon1tl "'l'C '1rt. hh)\\ -nt! 01 it the north
\\"IIHk\\., of\p.lrtrm lIt }(Jl2 cl\ th,,\ I, It tIll' ~t It'llll, ,1Ild
th('\ 11l111wrfo llvi\ elil, d lell .1\\l"t,IIII I' TI..,\ \\ efe ,k-
11\, ri III rt' 1{lil[]~ rhL' flrl ;;I)<,r h, Llll't' of !l]( 'l,'l\\ ,'c.
'lll<.d ')Jl tll' ,.IL\.Lt"I\ f1\ ,\.I('ILtI]I~ ltlllllh \\ [1,,-
FIRE 1;'/ .4. [IlGll.RISE APARTJl EST Bl"ILDIXG
l
! vators hec.>me o.lvaltlh!(" the men rode to \vlthm a few
,.stones of the fire Heor and walked to the floor helo""
I here they connected their hoses
I Thev were un.lble to m.lke ,1n\' progress mto the fire
Roar fro'n the centr,li ~talrW,lV ncc.1t1\e en~ry tIme the\'
OpeJ~L~1 tl:l' 200r tc cr-tc- tl-'c :)rCIo.;;;urc of thr '.. ]n(1 ~1t tIle
\\cst (['.d of the DlP1(~:~,~ tor-::ed heLtt .'nd sn~ok~ pJ.\t
tl'CITI ("'(Ie Photos -1 ;i.nd 5~: Thet"~ \T~-a:; :18 ..\~2.\ far t~1e
prGtl~tC~5 af COr:-:.bu5t!Cn to \ ent t!jcmscI\~s e\C{?Dt
tluou;n t~.lt JGDr t:1rou~h :re ch~\ aWr L:oor'i. or lrto
tl"c Jp.llt~:Jcnts
\ttL~ c.:h ~roln
~he \', cst st~ l:-V..t'-
~)re\ ed
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::-t..:cceS"'~~i
O"C( ~he .:.:Of\...~' (.~' ~rC..l j1.1~ l)et.~Il (0n~f'd dc)\\-_,il~ fi ~~..
'l1Lh !l~H? c.c~.I~ll~e -le\ <-,nceJ ~G ~1te (~'-.~r of t'le ::,uf:--:n';
~L111rt;n~~'1:: De{.;)~t~ Io-!-.~> H .:-.-:1 b~c.'U..ln; ::' ~hrGlj;~ t~e
l)roLLH 1'- ~nclol\ ~ ....J c..:-c.,t-\? 1 blO\l ~or(.h t;~rL~C! ,--It tl""iC
cTGcr'l:~;.."l; "0 ~he -"''1-~rtnlert Pl1::T\ e-'l~ en~u..-.ll,- ".1';; m,;.Gt'
.E1d t'-ie ;-e ;'l th~ .1k' ~t"me'lt \\.b ~.,.t.:-';l'~'ih('d -\ l-~-
lrc:~ h.- ~ ~-\ ..'~ .JJ, l1"'~C.~U. LtO'\"=1 t~t' COt' l'-~-Jr 10-0 CGDI ~h2
n .:lIb -lllct ~"'l ~ .--".t 1 c~1ect::: of :.:'~e other ,1p-Lrt!Il:.:;',.t'5 It
n lo.) "'C~ 'l:-::~l tl:I..-" ::PI.:-'- h(."lc1 bee:" :ttl'..~Ple(~ dc'l: n ~!-le c.c!"-
"'~2Gr ~:-:.. : t~ ;:> P"'c ~L-'.:hte!s III ~!1e cen~t r;.~ s~~~~r-T a\ c'Juld
e~ter ~~ic C(P r :t..1C'"
E\ IDE.....CE OBT \e;r;n -'>.T -:;:~E SC"E):E led so":\(o' n:-e off.(uls
to feel tij;1t a cigarette bid been left In a couch or chat:
II' the 11-, mg room of .-\partment .3612 The fire prob"bly
. smoldered for ~ome tnne before breakmg out after t1:e
. occupants :,010 gene to bed, burnmg unnoticed but
butIdin; up a considerable amount of heat The heat Dn
. 9
thc mSlde surface of t!'e gi.l'iS "'\.'lndow\ 1:1 tile 1:\1n:;
roo'n .mcl the cold .ur on the out\l(l~ sur;,lce of t1Je wm-
dows caused them to breJ.k and fail out .-I..., ~he gb~~ feI;
out, :.umcI(;'nt fre~h .lIr entered the ~oom to C.1me a Q,lSll
0\ cr H~'iultm;:n,l mufFed rOJ.r OffiCl:J!S theOfll.C tt..lt
,t \\ .-..l..... "'l~e '1(j~;;.e of the r..1 'lh 0\ er tl....~t ~!.,.~ 1 ~ \..."1.' ci t~"::..: P1~ln
rn\p..lr~me[~t 3612 ,\ Cjcn lw ol~e~eJ ::l~ I;...dli!l;,'l J;::'JI
he ;Jro:Jtlhlv \\~al\ ;;;e\ ere: 'r~ burned. lIe [~len r~ cCC'f:c'cd tG
the c2acr to ti~e corr:car. o~c!1ed It lb,d ~tt'Tb!.; c! ~CT8'j~
the 11L111 to Ll~l '~-~lr~~t tbc oppos.tc \\ l:~ \"l~ .th t~l~ Hq~_
CGU-S Qut n~)d rhe Gct)r opeP1 i"\c It ..Hid ~ :i"o1".<: "pre..ld
r:'lDldb. d-'l\\ i.1 the carr,dor T!-:c r.'.."t~ ;"'OM _\~.lrp"~L l'....t
361.2 "{:r-(\~l((~ (lGPl.r ~!"2 ~11~ c...l~'n:! ~o:- h!... H ltc ["'"':1;
5~~teT~ 11 te.r fotlnG :rn1 de_old HI. ~~"'-p'. -11l~~J: :G07 T' ~.
f0U~d the l~o{~~~ or :~!2J "-\ ]::,:> .::q the ~~er~""'DOJn cf \r~':] i--JJh'>_..:
36::::
T>e bOG. or ~hp .1'..~""'0 ~rc:;1 -\p-ir~n--:""-::1~ ~ecs~,~ ~lG c11~'d
of ~~i~)!""'C Inh<-~I...~tIC., \1 ...'"l fD~lnd :~l ~I- ::: o~a;r:::.:c: _:t ...1...
cle"r .1t'o.:r 1 T:~~ :":l':~> '. 'C:: ....~, ~n: .1 :-e3~C.~"'t ~: ~h..:
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floo: .:lIeu :~1 t1,c 5r::-~~:Ja:- ]o~-,b\- ("1S 1 :-esillt or ..1 h..:-l:-::
.l:~..:.~l !.~e1:e-. ec. "-.!:c~~;ht 'JIl ~::~ ~:J-:.. e.rc..I-~rn~......t o;,)f ~!1: 5.:-.::
e\.aClJ;~~~:';!1
Exce~~~
!:1'e
fore
t::-~:-~~ l;,.PO pe::'s~1!:,d. no o:>er ;JCC:':-
.Jour '~\-ere In)'Jrcd TilCP l~l e::ner
p1l1ts of the
T\e~e '\.\o"ere jg~h~ec. e'qt 5!gns abo...e tte doors to t~~e ~talr
tc'.\"/'"S a'l:l hgHed .Lrro','~ pOlr'~I"1g toward ~he staIr tm'ers l:l
~he elt~\ o'or lc~b'.' Th""e 5;:;'15 rl'UV not h,n e bee'! vIs,bie to
>l-te P1", from ApartmeI't '3608 The cccupa'lts cf Apartm~nt
35!O. .."ho e~~:lpec. b I ~he ceTJtral st~H!' towe=-. :::i?ld t'le eXJt Slg-rlS
'Nere Just 0 glow as t:-ev passed tre:n
Left Photo f] 1F<re1 ;;'''s~ <uT'do'{. to ~"10~e shaft Tl'e !:lass tWS bro/xe'l U ('-d umt,latwn
R....:itt Phcto '1 T~le solid-core -a..(Iod a:;Qr to the (l~Ja'"!mert OV~-9s::f.? tl'e 'nt.O:Led apar:rnent T;le ~a:ch 1L-ilS b"VJ...€'r). out
tLi;~r fire fg)'fcls {(..ere rc)C'u'n; the GCC~~;){~rLt
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1
FIRE IN A HIGH-RISE AP/l.RT\IE:\lT BUILDING
escaped by the central stair tower or staved In their
apartments untIl the nre had been put out EvacllatlCn
from floors below the nre floor posed little problem,
most people, alerted by the PalKe Dej:urtment, w:l:ted
for elevators -:'f.mv of those below the fire .llso v"ent
do\\ n ~~1e ::,t..llr tc\\'er l~)c of Lhe e!e.~ Lltors by oc::..upan~~
of Eeor::. beneJ.th the fire lu:'dered eJel,,3.tor eVrLCu.lt1C::i
or t.he Boors .100ve Some of the people leavmg upper
:loors by the \i- est sta.nV;l\.' ~e~crted ~eJ.t as tr..e\' pa~sed
the door ~o the 3.e Boor :\0 one mentlGned that :here
lud lceen anvsmo<e dllflni; ~he early ~t.lges of the !ire
\\~~e~ ~:e Egh~er~ l.l!r~\ eel ..It the tll1rtv-sl'\tr- :loor DV t:1C
-!.L~~t ~: :':~\"Ln' the'~. b,-~u. ':'0 open ;:~e Gear :0 ';"l'n ~lCCC:):)
.:0 rnL '::'e :'lGer The oFen COOl .2Pc-ned ~~~olc to ~-~~\c]
'.l;J :-}le ~t.llr~ arId Cd1;~e c~SCGnf8r~ I-a -;:80p 'e t~~rLU"'S: ~o
u:')e ~.he::1 Des;nte d ~::Tl1~..lr probl~m P'" t~e central .':=~8.1r-
\':'\ ro he:!t \\ clS noted 1jD~:1 the G.:)or :1:1d iJe~:1 or-ene.~
The SrtlOhe s~aft lL1 the ce~tra.l s~alnva~. appeared ~D
}lJve ' ented cor..slder~ble s:nol<e ar.d heat .-\ i3.re ilg::.ter
oroh2 au: t~e n!l:-ed ;!8.SS \\."l!1dlJ~\\ S In the ~O\Ver on the
3re :::;or (see Photo t) '.' to I::lc:e3se ~he open ;.rea It IS
::ot ~no\:a. n "~vhether t:i:?..t '\-':;'i:do.q,~ !-tac. !lreV10us~V o~ened
~ !;to:!"!.2trc.:dl.
All t!ee combustlbles In the hvmg rcom-dmmg ,'~e:l
and the kitchen of .\part:rent 3612 were cDr:lplete!v
mcmerated (as can be seen from P!1Gto 1) As a result
of dee mte~se heat and 1ugh Wind, there was verI htt:e
rubble left "when the FIre Department completed ex-
tmgmshment
The apartments whose occupants had left the doors
to the corndor closed receIved only rumor damage
YVhe:I the dears to apartments were left open ~here 'vas
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heJ.vy <.l.J.nuge, hcc.llI~e the ~trcn!.!: \\ md torced he.1t mto
the apartrrent~
He.lt frem the fire blowmg Ot:~ the ncr~j1 \\"IPJO\\ 'i
crn~eci 'llO~t of the hg:1.t\ In t1le \\ muo" or the .1part-
lTIcnt .'ho\c Ap..rtil1l>l't 361.2 .ll'd hrn~(' out one b;ht
-\lt~".O,:~11 thLlt ~~!1~lrtr"l(-"'..,t lPlen cd ",,-l]Tll "'~~~o'....(" ::.llIn~)r;e-
no fre e';t('r~d thrGlI:';:' dll hokul '\ '1,,_1"]'\
The l}]o,\torc~l eitcc~ 1n I-hc' <..OtL"'t1(jt'" C' '11 .~l' "ll'n friJ""'7~
Pharo"; T!le:'c \\ ~"'e ~~o t.u"r ;)'L:...tl~}k_~ !n ~;~e ((1"r";"~Q:-
ot'"'er ~lun the :lp.1rt-re'1t UCGI' :;;e :)_lr~l'-. \,")0 IrG ~-,"r-
e1s ..lIld the c.arper \hout 10 flLt c-f LL1"':'e: \1 L-~ (~e-
~t:-8'l eel b\-' tht. Ere J1C reril~l~Lji~l~ c. lrrc.or- 'ILL(1!~c..1. -J"~>~
(,~e....r""'; Tl.....~ ...or:lJc:;-'~ ~~I,,> ~-.. ::.: c ,L: ..,:1 ..~l: .,:c1,_d
,.- . ..
~r ~o-......-c ,"'r.,:_ 1~ !)t'.: ru :Jrc 'l\ ~... ::-!"...":....'~It-,:::. ...-..~,"i::.:., - "'{.-.
C~:.lC.i.....S The p..~rt:c!~~~1i.lra :(11.'~lnt ~., ":~l ::.. "~"lr~ ~.~ll~ "'L~'
~~)Ol":;ll '1" "'OlT':': :)~ :(~') ..1~~8\~ l'~I":..: L~~L to '-- q~cr ,., :'.- \~
,19,' r::--'en"s
Si"ro~e tra'l e!e.~ ~.:) ......:J~cr ~:""".d 18\1 er ~co--;: ~j'- 211~:::-:-:"';
the electr:cai '..:t:~~~: Sl1;:-;,~t r.:cJ.r --\.r~::':-~-"::::c :6~2 ~br~":;~:
lei.}.'. er5 :n :he doors t:J I~~ s~.:l=~ C~> -1 :;-~l:"'-Jr .1mc:.~....~
0: S2Tc~e ~z.ssed tj~IC'~';!.} the :1]; ':0!1c:t'or1T":; s-r-5tE::1 i:J
~he =-J01S abo....e
T::e rcs:tp -c ~i-2'~S:1:-e !:' ~be c0:-!"~dQr from t~e 11r
ccndl:"!.onlflg system d:d not J.:~o'l_" ~lu(h s.....'Q~'\.e ~:J e:1::C~
the s'-s~em The "lesJ:~l\Te pre~~urc In ~!-,e ~-'~.1~~1 ..'.nd
h:che:- exhaust s\'srems drew orr ~cme ot t~e ~:-;".Ohe
from the J.partment~ not In\-oh ed In FTe. but the ,~part-
me-nt above the :nvoh:ed ap2rtment rece~\ ed r-11TIOr
sf'1oke damJ.ge fro:n tpe exhaust s\"stem
There was no strt:dur21 dZ'"TI1;e to t.l-,e bw!c.:r.;
lntenor partIt:ons \\!!l h~ve to be repbced. along WIth
m',,:,c~ of ~ht' e!ectr:c.d Wlrlr-g ;"
~~~~~~'~{1l1~fl~~!~lti:-l~~1iifl1il~i:.;
-:f.....=~E~TA:(;#FEA1\;IMA:BLE ~-LI n DID !iliIRE ~?IN 5.A~_',1;~~~
- -~-.~ -::f:g ,~~-- - . -----, ,---A<.-.~~...;ix.-.1o--"""".~-"""-"_ - --~- ~. - -_- '__ ~
- . .........~~~~""c"-ot.~ .-~,..--:ri:"=- _-..r~;'-"~~~~ ... ..or
- < .- ~",,""l'l'-=-..-;,1l;""'--"""~-ET-O..E' T-A'TOR-=SHAFT~'''''''~~~''''''~ - . ~
,- -......-------.-:t. -.... -~- . -.- ~ ~>---l- ~ __-<-'I- - -L V ft "Y-",,:;, "'" ~ --'!.,."'.:.--+---.. ~- .~ ~ - ~...-
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------.....-.---- --.-.---....... -- --...- ~ - - ~
~~-~ ~~~- ~J~;.chicago, _ I~linois
--'--~ - -
-- ----
--=-:.~~ - =-=--==:..~-=.:. - :.-:.:.. - -::-:.:- -
-~ ~ -..... -.... -- - -:..- - .... -... -- ..
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---- -. -- -- - --- -
-\ EL 'YOOD WILLEY, "SF? -; F"c Hew"; D'-part"'cm
0:\ -\PRE..:: IT:.
.
fJ1:r ::T'1~~~;:r ees ot a ~UbCClr:.t:-:':ctor \\ere k.:.:lec ''1 ~ _-1_
:n em de' ,'tor S~.lft I:' 'he :-I;:C-~lse Se'1!'s To\\er "h1[2
b unGer ;::O:1~,r.lC~lOn 'n C'1'c,'ga T::e four \' c~-"le'1 ;:;c
:~e su:.;ccntractar _:" \\"'eS:A"l:1g~cuse E!ec~~1c C:::-::C::"L
t::J'1: '\ e~e USln; a Ra"'-lma~le s:o~"..en~ to cle~n _~ )
\\ :1e:' :pe soh-ent ';fll~ed The exO'et c::-eumst:.nce5 c:::~-
cern:V'~ the "g;n:tlon 8I (he solyent ~re l1r:de,:e--l're::..
per~~=-:; c:JP"'plet:on af ~oc.? 1 and F ede!"~ ~ In.... eS..i;"::-
~:~r""!s The ol;e::c'es In\. estl;3.~~ng the IPc:c.ent 2:e -::e
ChiC<,.g8 Fire Dep:li-::-nent. tr,e ChICago B;;:l::i:'1g Je-
par~;:re:'t. t..~e IllinoIs Labor De?art'11ent, and ,;:i-,e CS
Labor Departme:1t's Occ:.:patlOnal Safet~ and Hea]~h
-\dmmlstratlOn (OSHA) The fallawmg report co:'-
tams mror:natlOn avaIlable from the ChIcago FIre De-
partment and detaIls gathered on sIte by the :\F?.....
(.
The a~515~a'1Ce re'1c.iered bv tre ChlC:H!O F're De:Jart-en' T,
makng ~h's report possible 'S gre~th' app.ec'ated T'e ce-
operat'on ~f \Veshnl!l,ouse ElectriC CorporatlOn. Scl>l.~e' Er-
'::L"'-'eepr:: C')..-r-'Jr \t~D'1 l'1d Sears, Roebuc, and COTiJ~""'~ 15
..1::,('; .t~....~:H,,=led;;['d
ITI
..~" "OM n'l IJ
SHA;--:- :::;':;':.-.I--"-I::'S
t'"~-;JCRS .o::.;_:,"'P
4 3 ~o "LOOP.
WOOD PL......~;.f,
DEC.'"
PLAT;"'-:JR.t1
A 2 "'0 :'"LOOR
T~
34 ~LCCR
ilnn
Ei...E'j [LEV ELEV
3.3 RO:::-L:JOR 28 )--:' 36
..
E~EvATLON
rl .:- ".',\-'-cns 36-36
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The 110 ,tor, Se~rs Ton er IS lInd~r comtr:..:etro:1
T[-~~.):::;"'" Bouie' =lrd (~:lC ":J. -l(~C"" :Jr: e !1 C~ltC :';"J \.~
the ~-!e of ~'."e Ere steel\\ 0...'.... \~ci ~)een :.~rec:e(: ~p ~.J
the O:1e h:.:nd~ed :-:nd Cl~hLh-~tor\ Ie, e] ,md -Q': c-
t:-e nGars be' S\' had ~)cer. en:::"~('d T:;e :;re-rc ~iS:I\ e ~.
~lI:]dm; ".'.~ !Je full:. To~ected 1), ,en ,l":.ltom.1c'( '7':1-
1..... ~er S\- s-::-e""'"'1.. '.\ hic::' at preSE'I1t ~s he~::1s IDst...: ::12::': tIle
S\ "te~ ~\.: s n~~-:- 111 5E'i':. ~ce J.t the ~lIre 0: the :-!"'( P.:::::--
tIC!-:') of (....e 5t~ ~2~~;:e 5; stem f--::-e In se-'..lce 3::J~ !.~ -e
0epZ-r~'7leH use ~khau;~ :nst.::llZl' .on of f:~e p"m;:s
.lnG ~a:-k5 has ~C~ '..:et ':Jee:c. cO'""D?~e~ed Tele~:"'c;)e a;-,~
:nter:;am ~.. stems are mstJ.lIed fOl nor:-"1cll (,.om-nL:i"'-::>-
tlOns J.f'd e'i:er~enc" Llse
The subco":1tra.ctor IS ~nsta]1mg ele' atar s}ste~s
t~rm.,gpaut tre ~Ulldmg Tempararv e1e'..ator cars ha' e
been constructed for matena]s-handhng and emplm ee
<wd emergeI'C" use m some elevator shafts The he
mc:oent mvo]' ed a common shaft contammg Ele"ators
36_ 37, ,md .3-3 (see Figure 1 '! The base of ~he sh~,rt
;~ ]outec ZIt ~he ~hut, -t~i1rd :'":oor, and ~he f~st OrC'1-
l'lgS "re loc,ltca .It tre th'rty-four"!-J floor. 12 Feet .1bO\ e
T~,!C sr-"ft :~ l1hnd \Vlthout Ope"'lT'gs from the t'-l:rt:,-
5.fth floor t1-:!.rough the fort" -e1g~th aaor Ol'cm:1~s 2re
]1J(.ltcd fr'Jm the fort\--nmth floor thrall!;~ th' ::h-
\l".cnth floor whie h I~ ne.H tl](: top of the Sh,lft
\\"dl the exception of ~ome com.rete-b]ock walls, t~e
endaslln> of 'he l']evator Sh,lft m whIch the Pre 0(,-
(. urrecl l~ comtructcd of gypsum wallboard and care-
hoard p~rtltLOns III met.d rllnncr~ The (:nc.:osure h.l~
,1 two-hour fire re~l\t,mLe r,ltmg Expo~cd stm(~ur3.1
\kl'l I~ [lrGtE'cted With '>pr.l\ ed-on ,l\bl'~tos fIler -\t
the tlml' at the fire elevator door~ .mtl fr.lmc~ Iud not
hi l'n Imtalll'd In (']L vator open'n~~, although bar~!-
(. lllt '> \\ ('re pro\'lded for ,afet... re.l\OJl\ Tlll'> \it 1ft \' .1\
!lot 'n ,>cr\ ICt' for tr,ln"pOl tlll~ m.lten.ll" or \' orJ...lTl(''1
1-1'1 '\ nrl.,'ll( II In'H' 11\1lll!: ,( tl'lT'[10r,1r.' (Il'v,ltnr In th
,.....1 ( \\ "'11.. .'L.11111 r .....( 1I.., ];"\1 E I Jjl ~ li, t\. ,",i J .~
i'I(I~C I (hI', ,",-, q~ I'i' I WI I {I\ U,.....Al \ (Il ()h ,u ...) "1 pi. 111:11 r
!li:"1. I; I) 11,'''' ~nl( tt. h\ \h- ....{ ~lInLH T 1'\ di...u .\, 111,~ ~, II~
'\. I r \ '"\... .....:'11 I 'i Ilz~jJ-HI\( HttJicl'nl!, I -rr '\ f{Tlfi I "'f ....~.'I. Ir;
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....... ..... '--.. v -.) -......... - ...... I L\e -re en '\~ ::-r::t;L (-;:: ~';......r~
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.. l~ ... H ........-p ....e-::. ec... 0" t -.e ten-:;c:I......r p'J:!;)"'CP '"1 :'he r.Olst'....;}V J:c!'" E]::::' J.t;:- 36 .....FP \.
~Q:5:\'r/;:lt. !or E1eva:or 36 to r~llse 2~d !o~.\.er t;.e~ :15
tt-e'..: c!e-lncd ral!S T~e e~e\':).'.:c.'" COr..s~st;2d Cf ... ..-"'o""t~t-....:
i~kt=or'11 ,1p:prCX:m.1~t+ 5e' e:1 b\ e,~'-.t fe~t'- .'~d'~~
sm,,-~~~er pl:1(torrn of ~...-.: coG. 'PLL:-,kl~~ J.':};rc\.~m.:.te~.~ 5.T...,~
:..., -. V [. - I [ , -;. - - . . ~
"J ::- ;,ee.. 0[1 ~ met.2. .Lr'"=me L10':--".[ +~,;;J~ -:'l:nn1"e -!-;,~ :nnt"'l
.....,,~.......... ~J.~ r T ... "-..~... :........... .............. ......."-... '- ..;..
~.J.t,~nn :, ,:;e :'"'et:l: ;?:a~tc~~ \,,11 ~ater scpport tI:.c
f/-o- ~- >[.." ~ t I ...1
.,u , V. _ J_ pC'rmai:.e~ e e' J.tor . '-:.evatOL" cont:-cls
... e:-c ;::~::;'.[dcd 1::St ~b:J' e the ",acG ;::attofm ~o~~v-
....Ios .n.,.....OJC 1.".1.... >~ t . I"
.!..J ..........!.-. - L j.J':'JL~ L.i. a \\ ere ;'l:"='PP leG :)V te~:J8i;lr~-
'.\.ir]'1~ ~., ere mo\..:nteci O:l the Dll~r.....,..~" u~,t- t~~ e'..::;....-"..;...........
....... . ,. _ ....._....... ...L..J .. '" ...__...- >.1o.......J.
On ~::e d;.l;. 0: ~he Ere th:-ee e!2"t.. ltOf cO:--s::-~:=-:,lcc:~
cre'\'~ 0r four 'l1e~ each WE're workmg m t~e s;- '1:ts
clcamns-. e:e...~tor :-ads Fe:.::- me'1 "..'ere clea:1m~ t~e
~arn ra:.s and counterwel;l-:t ratls m the ho:st.....av for
E!evator -36, usmg the platform descnbed above
Dunng ele'..-ator constructIOn operatIOns. employees of
_thIs subcontr2ctor use a mmeral Splr:t~ty?e solvent anc
- gs to re:nove a rust-preventJye coahng from the
<HIs In t::l:s case they 'vere USlf!g an open 21~-gal1on
metal bucket contam;ng the SOlvent ~onnallv the men
worked sImult~neousl'l from the metal p!at!orm apd
the wood pbt:orm above to re:'ch the ralls
The EL:-e occurreci :n the hOlstwa\" for Elevator 36
Just be~ore 11 am on Apnl 11 \Vorkrnen heard
scr;ams CO~I:1:; f:~m the elev2.tor shaEt. and t~ose 'vPo
rusr..ed to t.'1e shatt opemngs at the ,Iurtv-fourth HGor
saw three "lctIms at ,he bot~om 0: the sh;ft w1th thelr
clotbng III flames One of the three had been seen
falhng; from above. hiS body v"as later found slum-oed
over a cross beam near the P.oGr of the shaft At first -L~e
two otner vlctlms 3.t t.\-j,e ~ottom of the shaft '.vere seen
stIll mO\'lng: around The:r bodle~ were later found
on the shdt !leor :-text to a 'vall m the Elevator 38 'lOl~t-
\vay 2 Other" od,men used a small hose Ime from a
domestic source, plav:ng water from an open hutt
throug!1 the thll"tv:fourth-floor openmgs 'Vater-!) ~e ex-
tmgulshers were a'so used SOl1'e worhrnen at the tlllr~';-
third Boor bc~an brc:lchmg concrete-hloc!.,; .....alls ill Zlt-
tempts to fe,lch the men .o\lthou~h thcre were vertical
J It I!:J. nut '. "lU\vn .f tbe-se !-H 0 ~"'lL -I \\.~Lrc '1t tha:... Ii l'te I~f ~he
,h.th hefo.c t[-e tnL'c.e~t C!c.\.ltor Lo.'~trHi..tl<m work.Lr~ li t\e
hUrn 1-..r.0\'..11 to ...ll(le t].C' L1ev Lt'jr r ul..... II\.~ r Llt in l~. 1. YT1ll1l1
.1'-lf prl::aLIH..C __it d,t.' L(,tto'n of thl: ,,1. lit. It.t 1'1 l......IPn{li ~J.l\.
ere 'Un th~ p\ \t~ ur'u 110 ~;\e- t"n1L (1:: t\~L lnlldl nt
~etJ.l !J.dde:s ~n~~.Jlled .;1 t~e shaf: ~ct-\'r een th~ th~~~ -
;~-"':r~i- ~.~::;T i.lrd ~hc .~..,1~~~:t 9..J~r ~c~~ ~ ~:'-2':::: ~n,'"" -;.: "n:l.
'o\~-e :-;Ji i.~!:::I,::ll'. used t:J ~e 1:...... [;it ' lCtlj....l~ l;~: 'O":.:-:L' !j~
L]...e f~es bur.....::-.:; be:':)". \[c::-.:w '~:~e_ C1the: '\ a,~:~en
bl 22.C~led _~\. psu~ '.1~ ZtlP)cL"I~d p~ rtl~:~:)'r~s ;:: ' .:....IQ~S !e\ els
. r~u- -'I t'"., .0-' ~~ ' 1I - . 1 1 1
,"-.1 U 1....: '.il.::;.. .L[~--:JL-conQ dear:H oreer::::o 10C.l~e ~Jle ?'1.~..
torl" The top ar tl"'e ? ~..t~58:--'1 ,~. ~~ s f:;L:-'C :t t;- 2' :-::-~\-
t:-'r~-=oo:- ~e-...eL ',\-1::-: ~I~-= ~Gd- of rhe :G~~~~ \:::~.L--:1 'In
t~ ~ -~ :::od~plzn { CCCh
L:le C~:~2.'~J Fl~e Del?;1~:t~er:.t :e~el\ ed -2.~ ~;. ."':lPl ~\
~ele?:"cne 2.t 10 35 a~1 The tot:lll eSJJ~se 2cns:st.:ad :~:
fi1~ e =-:l~:!1e comp.o"'!:-:es. t::.ree lJ.dcie~r .:G~::.::n_2S -:)=,e
~l-. :::J.L-a' 1-"""' c .. d - .
~ C' ._cc P .,.,0IT1 _q:.:J.Cl. an or;e manpo', er SquJc.:
F're f;hters 5msned th.e 10i:l of bre:lChmg ~;-'e \, all~, re-
rr:o\"ed the bodIes of the men at t.l-:1e iocilnons noted
abo'. e. .md extmgUlshed spot fires \Vlth oortable water-
tV,?e extmgmshers The fire damage to the stn..:cture and
to e:ev<ltor equmment \\'as hmIted to mmor scorchm'T
- ~
arc clscolora.tlOTI or the shaft walls of Ele....ator 36 and
the top surface of the wood-pLmk platform
\ledIcal exam mer', reports on the " :~t.:ms '\ ere not
:-e !e2.5ed to mdlcate ~he ('"{act cause c: de,~LI-:1 T\e' IC-
tl'-'-'S vere fauna ','nth much of th'lr cloth!:-~ Surneu.
,md tl:e bodIes burned or charred to v~n :n:; c.;~re('s
A::. open metal bucket. presumec to ha..e cecn used
b tf:e ',vork"llcn. was found m the SfW.ft A 55-'12.1Ion
drum contammg sohent t.1ut was located on t~e fortv-
m:->tn floor had been used as a workmg sU!.Jpk for the
c!e.mmg operatlOn This con tamer and other suppl:es of
the sohent were ordered removed from the ou,ldm'" b\'
the F:rc Department The cont.actor hJ.s suspeo""'ded
rdit-cleap:rg operatIOns pendmg: mvestlg:1t'on findmgs
P,el''"I1tnLuy te',t results confirill that the soh ent Jr).-
\'0J.. cd \\"lS th,lt normall'.' llsed by the ~ul::contractor to
clear: elevator r,uls \hner:11 s[Jlnt-tvpe SOhC;lU ha,e
been mcu for ).t',m. hv thiS p<lrtJcul-lr Frrn, ,,!!hou~!1 the
s[1ecdi.c '\l,1tcn,tt purchasf'(l '..-as changed In 1 g72 to
'TIed ,Hr polllltlOn rcgubtlOns The mllleral sp:r:t-t\ rc
\ohent 'll U't. ,\.jll<.\1 met the emISSion "Lll'd,'rd<; of !...O,>
\j~t 1e\ COl:nt\ \lr P,)lllltlon Ik'e:\o 66. 1:1d ~~<.: fol.
in\\ tn'~ t1\ e !l,lLlrL1 propcrt1e<; tbS;l ?Olnt. lO-;-~F 1(. lo'iccl
llll' L'ItOI C:'llt'on tC''lpef1ture. .515 ~ f' .. :tpor t~c>n'lt\
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APPENDIX S
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~~~~;1'__-1'~-=-';=-W i-~" ~-=-=-""=~
High- Rise
Building
Fire
Sao Paulo? BrazIl
A. ELWOOD WILLEY, NFPA Ftr~ Record Departmmt
On February 24, 19i2, a fire In the 31-story A.ndraus
Bu:ldmg 10 Sao Paulo, BrazIl, killed 16 people and
injured over 3i5 ot.~ers The nre. wlllc.~ o:::curred In
a remforced-concrete department store and office
bUIldmg, o!fers an unusual example of extenor fire
spread m a hIgh-me bUlldmg Tne fire developed on
four floors of the dcp.lrtment store and then splead
e~tcrnnlly up the Side of the bUlld:ng. lllvolvmg; an-
other 24 floors. \Vmd velOCIty and comcustlblC mtenor
fim:.h were factors contnbutmg to the fire spread A
heliport provIded ref'Jge for 300 persons Two hun-
dred others were trapped 10 a st:l1rsay dunng the
1.: ~
,~
.
he:ght of the fire Fire fighters rescued 100 pcr~ons
from the stalnvay at the fifteenth story over I.Hlders
from an ad]aeent bUlldmg (see top photo, page 7)
DUT'f1g :l four-hour operntwD hC'bcoptc:s rescued 350
~ersom frO'TI the r-e];?ort (see page 7) Others .......ere
led to sa.fety ciO\"'l1 the st,urs after the fire had bCLl1
contro~Ied
Sio P:.ulo 15 a modc:n c:ty loca.ted 200 mIles south
of "8.'0 ce Jane:ro and 33 mIles mland The present
po;n:JJ.tlOa of the metropo!:tan area ]s el;nt ;'1::lIon_
"ne. t~'I1S gro\vmg C]tv, the ~ar;est In Brazll. IS the com-
:y.c:;-ce and trade ceD~cr for ~he -;.atlon H:i.;1-:-rise office
;)nd ,"pa~me~t OUi:C:.LI;S or rel=--Jor:ed-ccncrete con-
sr:LUct~0n are comwon :in 55-a Pat..lo Tbe taHest bUliC:::1g
IS 41 5tGrleS~ hlgn-r:se struc~ures a\'e:-ase 30 stor~es .>\
50-s~Gry steel-fr:>.x.e buJdmg IS r:;lanne::i
The 31-~tory Anur.lus BllIldll1g. LQrnpicted in 1961,
\\ ,l!> of mn.cd o<.c.up.m<. \' The Plra;" Dl.'p.utment Store
Oc.cupH:"d the basement and seven stones above grade
(s('(' FlgUT{' 2 L Offi,-l's ror :1 number of busmr.ss firms
\\ ere 10<' ,ted from the 1:11,;1,th to ~he ~\\ ('TIt; -Se'. <.nth
Hour The top four foors ~he b CJl~\ -el;l~tn to the
t!ll: t; -nfst. were nnt!>hed far oF.ices, but they \\ ere
'I. ;1<' r' nt at the tIme -\ ~chport was located on the
roo. - the !1r5t rehport 10 sao P .1ulO - but :he f::<.:l1t\
h.ld been c;o~cd to tl :,-5~ bv ;0' er:1rnent offiCials f~r
fallure to comply "lth safe tv regl~~c t:ions,. Inc.lucLng
fa~lu:-e to :psta!i la!'"JdL1; h:;h~s -\., ,:oP? r:me~~t ac::. up'ed
b\ a :.'t':~or ,md ;"5 f'--l':\ \\;1S :oc.:c.d 0:> ~'1e ('l1T-
tl!~th Saor The ele\ ater :rl;?C""':1.1e:\ rooms ....'-ere ]o(.:l:ea
~n the b~se~e:1: J.na en the th~rtlet~ E.~or
The 333.foot-hlE;h buJld1r-g \\ as rectangular meas-
unn; 73 b'l.- 153 feet. \\ ttn a 9 3QO-squa~e-foot ~oor
The Andraus BUIldmg was located on the bus\.' .,h enue plan above the thlrd flco:- (see Flg1.:re 3'. The DW:C-
Sao Joao Three apartnen: '::::u:ld:ngs We~e locatec 93 mg constructIOn \vas remforced concrete throughout.
feet nor__~ of the ...;'nd::-2.us BUlld?ng ?crOSS ...-\ \'e'1ce Silo Including columns, cea:':1s, and ~o~r slabs T~e e"{-
J 02.0 (seeIIgure)! Tnere we:-e a :our-stc:-y mercan- tenor load-beJ.flD.g '\ aIls \\ ere elgn.t-mc~ r!:!~forcec! _
:lle bwld~ng onGe \Vest slde;-an elgiit:.story-hotei t~concrere. WIth concrete ;Jl2.-st~r-ori bct:-r SIdes and 3/lS-=--
6e eas~, and a 14-story office bu:idmg ad~acent to the mch ceram:c tIle on the exterlOr :-:'1e panel '.\ aU sec-
Ancraus Bmidmg to the south hons were constructed of e!ght-mcn bnck, \Vlth l;f-
.
F'gure 1
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II ~"OR'Y I;';:]
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F'!;wre 2 ElevatIon s]lOlLmfr- open -Stal~S C%~ md,cates f.re
spread
"
FACADE.
31~
30
29
28
27
26
25
24
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20
19
18
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__~______________ _~~ ____~ ~_ __~_ _ _~ __ ___~___"!...::I-f. --:;...11-" ".!. !II [_:lI-J.'::'" :1..2.... _"_L~ "'--:::...-_ ________
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lOch concrete plaster on both sIdes and cerarru.c hIe
on the exterIor The buIldmg fa<;:ade had e"tenSI'.ie
.oor-to-eelbng glass areas or :..I-men plate glass set 10
eel frames. In every other s€ctwn the w':mdows were
open able
The pan-t}'Pe floor slabs were poured In place, WIth
a mlTIlmum thIckness of 1 57 Inches and a total depth
of nme !nenes, mcbdmg JOlsts and be2.!I1 dlmenslOns
The '\"ood form material used 10 constructwn had
been left In place above the cel!l!1gs, contr:.butmg to
the fire load The slab-to-siab heIght was 10 feet 9
mches, and on most office noors the floDr~to-ceIlm~
heIght was approxlmateiy 10 feet A 14-mch-til!!h rem-
forced-cone,rete spandrel proJectmg 12 ll"'ches f;om the
bUilding '\.....IS located at each fioor slab (see FIgure 4)
The cvlmdncal c.olumns supportmg the floor slah~,
which vaned horn 20 to 40 mches 10 diameter. were
f,leed \\ Ith eement plaster up to IJf lIlches thIck
The roof deck c.onmted of hIe on msulatlOn sup-
ported by a remforccd-c.oncretc slab A 22-mc.h-hlg~
p,lrapd prolel..tlng 59 mc.hes from the bUlldmg w,llh
surrounded the nehport on three SIdes The parapet
W,IS flush \\ Itn thc south load-he,mng ('"tenor w,lll
The mternal 5'z.mch non-Ioad-be:mng walls were
c.omtructed of four-mch brick WIth c.oncrete plaster
on hath slde~ \\'ood \.lI1dWlCh p.lnd partitIOn.. SCp.l-
r.ltt.d (t'rt.ulI dt'p.lrtmCnt stort' ofFc.c .md ~toragc .\f!..,IS
Th<.- Offi!..l' floor'i Wl..n' n:tell'iIVeh' suhdlvlded \\ lth
.,'ood p,uwl .Wl! g;1.l\S pMtlttOlI'i Tht,\c f!oor-to-c.etllllg
}.lrtlliull\ \\ ['fl' lll'l-lll(h llOllo\\ -(.orl' \\ ood p.lIll h ~l f
F%f!tlre 3
m alumml:rn frames The upper portlOns of some pan-
els were glass On the department store and orece
floors the cedmgs were ~::-mch com bustlble .fiber tile on
wood strappmg nailed to the floor slab The strappmg
conslsted of ~-by-l)f-mch stripS m two layers at ng..~t
angles to each other The four vac.ant ornee floors had
noncombustIble gypsum tIle c.elhngs to a T-bar WIre
suspens:on system On these floors the celhn~s were
dropped below ,uT.c.ondltJomng ducts In most area.s
the floors were wood parquet The floonng consIsted
of one-mch-thILk blocks set m a masot'ry floor fimsh
Carpetmg of unknown mater:al \."a~ IPst,llled DveI t:1e
wood Roor:ng m the \'o1C,mt offitl' ,lre,l~
The dep,utment store was served by four open strurs
and two elevators A centrally located masonry stair-
way 51 mc.hes \VIde r,m from the b,l~emcnt to the
seventh floor The other open 'it,urs \\cre wood on ~teel
supports One ran hctween tIlt' ha\ctnl'llt and the Frst
floor, one between the fir'it and tIll' ~econd floor. and
the third oet...\ cell the fifth and the ~e\'ellth flocr T!-:le
t\... 0 dt'\',ltOn. r,m l}l t\wcn tIlt' ,>tn-d Hoor and the fifth
floor At the ~tTect Roar thcre were IhTel? eXits, e,Kh 138
mc.hc<; WIele, t\\ 0 on the north slue and one on the east
('nd of the hUllchng
1111' OIIIU' !loo~ were ~('r.'t'd hr ont' cnc.lo'ic..d
111.l~OlJrV ~t.UI \\ .1\' ,llll1 [i,,- l'k,ator~ The ofnc.e \t:ur-
"'.1\' r,l;1 [rom the h.l\l mInt to the !J(.'!tpfJrt .\Ild dh-
(h,lr~t d to the ~tn.t t through ,III elt \ .'tor lobi}}' TIll'
lobi" \\'.1\ C.llt oJf hum tbe.' (It P,Lltllll:lt stOrt 11\' ,l n-
Illforu<!-tPTltllh \\.dl ,llId tIll ('It \\,1'''''' Hldl("
r IIIl ]I' l I: '- \ [ - J l :, 1</;'2 . "
.
.
.
Above- Lookzng u.est on Avenue SaD Jolio Thousands
drawn to the holocaust choked busy streets, Impedmg
the macement of emergency vehtcles
Tu,n Ilptlrlmcnt l>rrlldlfl~s (lcrUSS AI-Crill!! Suo Jutiu "111'''''1<'
tl./? ...."cfrOtls BUlldm/! n'ccll-cc{ heaL'} daJII",ue. ,\ II..nl
Clllar/men! b"ddrn~ ILas dtJllICI;':ccf em the tlLdfth iluci /1",-
tecrlth ,Wrres.
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wide The 39-mr.h-\\ I(~e ~pJ:.11 ~t,llr\ a v \\ as enr.lo~ed
by 3Ji-mch walb of four-mch bncl.:, ',\ Ith (.Qncrcte r!.\:)-
ter on both sides On all levels WlnCO\\ s opened to the
ex tenor from the stall way The door C'onstru<. tlOn In
th! offic.e ~t.llrW,'\ was :""']\c2 - :",]10\\ -c.ore \\ oDd
~oild-c.ore \\ ood. and mct,d Tl'c (:cor t!1,chileS\CS \\ L re
rcspectl\'e!V, B,; Inches, IJf I""cnes, and l'~ mches Only
a few doors h.le.! closers -\Itr-ot:;h on four levels t ~ere
were doors from dc?:u tmC'1t store areas to tI>e ar.J.cC'
stalrwav, those doors were ;"'ep~ ]o<.'...ed and 'vcre not
:'cC'C'sslble to departr"cnt stOle C'7l?'O\ ees or patror's
1\\0 0: t!~c 5\'e oE::e-[1;;or e1e\':>~C'rs :-~,n :~Ci' t1-,e
street Eoor Jnd se'\l,J ti-e c'S;htb ::oor t'-~Ol!;il the
fiiteentr: The other ~!:rec ell" o=ors \\ ere eyriess :rom
the street noor to 'he 5I"\t~er':r aI':=:' ser" ed the SI'\-
tee:1th Boor throu;, the t\" ent\-e:;htb CrH.:sed open-
mgs to the oF.ice ele' ator sha:~ en tl-- e dep;utr.<e:1t store
levels were closed o~ WIth wooe ?~rtl~lC'1S Tr.e ele-
vator c....ll ~uttons were electror~c \lt~ou;h there were
no emergency controls pro'deed rcr Ere fs;hters, an
attendant could recail 2.!1V car-to-the street Eoor frC'TI -~
a r:1aster panel III the loob\" The contrels were pro-
;ramed for self-sernc:e operiltlOn
The four vacant office floors were also served by
t\\!O open stairways. one between the hventy-elghth
and the thirty-first floor, the other - an open spual
st<urway - between the twent:-elghth and the twenty-
nmth floor An elevator ran beh".een the hventy-elghth
and t..l,e thirtieth floor ThIS elevator '.\'as separate
from the elevator lobby on the twenty-eIghth Hoor
Each floor of the vacant office area was served by
a separate alr-condlhomng system, and the ducts did
not pIerce the floor slabs Umt aU" conditIOners were
mstalled III wmdows of most office floors Ap?arently
these aIr conditioners cooled certam offices Ve:1t11atlOn
W:lS pronded other spaces b:- operw.blc wmdows In a
hght and ventilation well and m the (''{tenor wails
There were no heatmg systems mstalled In the bUlld-
mg X umC'rous n ve- to 13-kllogram (11- to 28 7- pound)
LP-Gas c\ lmders were located on vanouS floors for
(..mtl'en ,1Ild cookmg; purposes
There was u light and ventllatlOn wen located on
tIll' l>outh l>lde of thl' bUlltlll1~ {'('l' Flgun.' '3), open to
t]ll' ('"tenor on OIl(' ~Idc ,md encimed on three SIde'>
Il} lllllldmg w.lih tOntall1111g \ l'ntll,ltlon "\ melow, The
buttom uf the well was on the fourth floor, ,mu It '<.\".1'
woft d over hy the snth-fluor :.1,lb (St'C FI!.;url 2) The
,]"th .md ..t'v('nth \tone.. pro)l't ted mto tIll' hght-\\'('l1
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~-- ~ - r;J-~j~_ :_ .__~~ 1- ~! _" ~3 ~ /2"1 genev 11;u"1ma710TJ and no a'dnt:,ll ;-.~,lr'l1 or ;>t:~omat;c
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~?~"_ ~ ;~~~~~~-j__:-:::;;:"! ~~ ~I< tern conslstmg of a 2;.f-mch rIser WIth 2l.-1D<:.h hose con-
:.:~:-v.;2:.'!:z:.J ~;:.,-:;?;p,~.f~l:. -' I1c(t;ons wa~ lOC,lted 111 the oiRce sturw,1V Hme cabl-
- "'-,3 I I nets wIth IJl-mcn hose and s:ralght.strenffi nozzles were
i:~: ~ :;V/ _ ,1~~k;~ 10. ~~i'_ ~ located m the staIr-va\' from the sIxth to the tlllrtll;,th
;~~ ~.-~ ~,-7~ '-_l:S_:o'.t! 8i.~-.:~~ _ ~~:~ ~~ed:~~e~,~u~~~~~~:;:.l~~~~~~~d ;~o~~, t~'I~~-~~S~
. - H _-,,-~ t.:: floor An electnc-dnve pump loc,lted m the basement
~ . ~ ~-- ~ ~~
-~ . / ! , . -.~ "1 \\ <lS mec to supply the t.l:11.". The S\ stem c.lId not h,lve a
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UllY 7 hI'.. rJitoto u..,u\ rrJl..l..u fa iun lJlu(.. Illl..ul 0/ r{ 1'L Ur' frrlt./1 "
7/11. \lrll.d,JJI'(' iUJ\t. {uu,,, jltrH~IU~ 1"HIJ ~L.utdnus H" r.( Ihl II IJJ
i \{orr ,~~ttJl~"t,
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1 11i!- jOt 1\'\ -\[ - J\ l' 1')72
Ll~t\l 1-~1c \\ t:; ~:-"'l'n (()Il~ .n:'ll c.l
e~~htl'l-ilouI ~Ll~) Tii'4t :J'J '''cn
t\\eell tl~e fO~.Plh a~,d tl~c ::a~'f1
to ~h?
fY"O~J1
thc
roor
0: :~1e j~.;;t-.~ \llP
f..;}or \\:1' u'c. d :n
be-
t11C
Thursday, Fcbru,ny 2.1. '\ .l' .l l10rnuI \\ ori-. day for
5;10 Paulo -ll'd +h.1t .1!+CllWOll tIlL rt' n-ert' ,m t'\tlm.ltL d
1 r)(lO <WI\Ol1~ III t1w 1 Jlul,ilTl:-: - ~hupp,'r~ ~tor(' em-
ploycl.:'~, ,md offic.c. \\OlJ...ll~ It \\,l~ late ~lIInmtr 111
Bl.vl!. tunper.lttlr('~ Iud rt'.lcht'd '/30 F ,mc.l ~onH'
\\ ll1c!O\\ ~ \\ l're Opt n E,[ch .1It,'rnonn .[ '1I1111wrly bn't /e.'
ll\l" On fo'L'bm.ln 2-! t1w \\ me.! \ e!out\" 11.1(1 1llC. n'.l\ed
to i7 mph be. h\ l',1l 2 I}() .'1le! -l no pm
\hout --l 00 pm ,[ ti, p.l1tl1ll'llt ,ton' l'lllploH" 011 the
flith nOlll ',l\\ fil, lIl\oj\ Ill;!: C'ombu,tlhll' .,tor l!.!(' III
tilt' \\( 1I \\ ht n III .LIllI other ulIplo\t t' OlWlll c.l "Ill-
11"\\,, 10 ll!lt'r.ltt' l "{tl11~llhhl r" till' fill' l.lIlll mtll Illl
h'llltl1n!.! ,llIe! 'PIC ,ld .[(Tel" l"ll!l1hll"lIhlt' (( lllll~ tll,'
through tht' flfth.Hoor t H dlt dt'p.lrtllll"llt Thl' l'llIplm-
,',,, 11'11 !II. LI, [ .Lllll Illlllt d ,!tol'!ll'." \\ illl \\ert n.. Ill!.';.
tI.. l"llhltll!..:; Llll,ld pi tl" 1 qmll\ 'pI< ,dill!..:; h.. _ \\ It-
II.",., 1'.1,1",1..., IIPIII ;j" ,,,11. ",1\\ pI "jll. PlIlllll1!.';.
[,\ "1111 tl" II . '"rI"IJ~ "1I f'r, 1111""\ "" 1IlIIII U'"
I'II"'UU"" hJ11l It.." d (\.111"':;111...111.1-" trPIU :111 11 IHlddlt.~
hi ]1' Ip :L~ '1111' I" . \1111 'IP"~".I 1111 II ~'I.III'il I 10111l"
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EZtCiP.Sl' F're Sj~-ccr Lcf'! F::4 - fJo~.s ~f tl,c dC:"1a!""!nlCr'l rlCre (1hor...c t:,e P~I.a>ll s:r::"pr are Tur... :nLah_e-d C."-;Ci! floors ahol.c ere er..
posed U'! Q r:Gr-C~':"- ';:cmc- ;"'Gtil- C.... ute.... T;~e :'......,..."e f~.D~;,: l~ 'i'.;: ~'S (."'d J~;O~"C.~5CS ~.~] tliC .::::.~.c- (;1' ~ 'P1_J ~ T~ c P....He f....c-: c:::~':i..ds. ':;J'):::t.-c
the "~ci ~o':...)~ i. ~;.;. ?~O ;:"\~E~ C........E...l.s..-r...('H~~lC....5
F:~e rror:l t:--e .......eil entered a c1adlln~ cepal t''"1e::t on
tpe ;our:':'l Scar From the fourth and 2fth floors ~he
E~e sp:-ei:.d u? the ape"p staIrs to In''i."ol\"e tr--e s~~t~ r:1d
sever::h noo:-s _-\.s heat broke \\"lrcow glass, Hames
boded ot:~ or +e ""o:-~n s;cie :: far;ade} on all four noors.
:o:-P.1::1g a front and e-":j?OSl" ~ three to four Pooors
~ b o_Y.e-th.e_depar}:D) en L~c]e:. --.t '-LeJ:.I~-'!"~I)_:: __h~e 4..~~f:o~
expcs~n~ :fia~es 19n1tecl combustIble celhng tlle and
wood partltlO:1S on each r..oor As r:1o:e noors became
lnvohec., the flar:1e fro:1t mc:-eased m helgnt \Y'nen
fire fi:shters arnved at 4 26 pm flaMes had engulfed
the fa<rade and were e"(tendmg above the roof The
.mass of fire was 130 feet \vlde and over 330 feet hlgh
and ?ro)ected at least 50 feet mto the street FIre aiso
spread externally through wmdows on the west end of
the bmldmg
Office workers beeame aware of the fire as smoke
and Sames curled up ~he front of the bUlld:ng It
was reported (but not connnned) that seme people
used elevators to reach the street Hoar Others went to
the smgle enclosed stalrway to escape the Hames. and
appar-ently some of them react-ed the street floor Dur-
mg :!1e eady stages or the fire however, a door to the
sUllr\\'ay at the fifth-floor level began to leak heat and
smoke \Vhen that door faIled completely the stamvay
became untcnab1e at the lower levels People tht.:n
made their way from the vanous fleors to the roof-
the ani\ orher W;:IV of escape. After approxlm~tely 300
people had reached the hcllport. the stan-......av door
IC';ldm; ~o the helIport was elm,cd Apparently some-
one 011 thc hchport fean:d that they" ould run out of
spat.e .1S the 9,500-square-foot arca of refuge bct.ame
more lro\\ lIed. \Vlth both downward and upward
mo\ el11t",t hlod.cd, ZOO persons found th('m~dv('"
tr,lrplll III tIll' ~t,lITW.\Y TheIr live,>, and thmt' of the
plopk 011 llll' hlllport. no\\' dl'lWI1lItd on ih( \\1l1d
\ l'hl{ Ih ,we! dIn (nOIl. .I~ \\"1 II .l~ on hlllidl!l~ Lomtr lIe-
tlOn fe tttltl~
.
The S:lll P olldo Corpo de Bllll1belrll~ n't C'l\ III t Iph-
p]'one a:aIT'1 at its cC--:'~un:C:'~.O:1S ceeter a: 4 20 ~m
_\?~ar.ltus .l~ ~he dosest statlOn. .-:prro'\.lmatelv one
mIle hoT. tne scene. '-, as chspa~ched, out t:::1$.;;; Ccn-
d!t::.ors ?re\ en:ed t:'1e Srs~ t::.:l~ts :rom arr::.\ ~n~ untIl
4 ~6 Faced \\ lth a hOlocaust. ~re F.g~ters urwechateiv
called for adda'opal hE':~) People \\ere ~:-apt:ed In tbe
?ym:::g \nd~<1us Be!' iUI:'g zmd 1:1 three ::--.\ ol'ved ~par~-
IT.el1t bUlicimgS::1~5--:--\..en,;eS;;o Joao to~tr:enor-tn-
\Vlthm a srlOr.. hrre 23 pumpe-s, numerous tank
h ucks. four 125.foot aeEai ladders, and rescue vehIcles
were on t.'-1e scene T~e comrnand~nt of the Corps de
Bombelros ,vas In cba:ge of t..;e forces Dunng the
mltlal fire-fightmg, whIch '.vas aimed at controlhng t..he
nres lTI the three exposed apartment omldmgs, master
streams from aenals were used. The water supply for
the 750-gpm pumpers \\ as obtamed from two hydrants
and from tank trucks Rescue teams brought occupants
of the apartment bUlldmgs '::0 sarety
Rescue operat~ons :or ~hose trapped m the stap-way
of the Andraus BUlldmg were also begun Ladders
were placed from the roof of an adjacent bmldmg.
bnugmg the gap between the two bUlldmgs A 24-root
ladcier spannmg a 23,[oot bap reached fifteenth-Boor
stalrwav \\ mdows A 35-foot iadder \\ as placed to
reach sIxteenth-floor stairway .......mdows. FIre fighters
went o"er the ladders and began to help people across
In three hours appro"(lmately 100 persons were re-
moved m thls manner. Onf:' man surrercd a fatal heart
attack \\ lull' on ,1 ladder At one pomt a metal lad-
der became dangC'rousl~ bo'-\ ed
For a tIme tbe ~ltuat!On seemed hopelc,>s for those
tr.IPped on the nehport )'1a'1\ dId not c-qJect to be
n:,>"ueu and \\'!."ra on the \ erge of pamc. One man
lumped to hiS death from the roof (see the photo,
p.lgl' 10) .\notber atte'llptLd to ~hde uown the <;outh
\\ ,lll on .\ ll~htlllnc; c.-,hlc The cJ.blc ended ~omc dl~-
(,lIll1 don n. Ill' fLlI to hJ~ dCdth
\ (hll'1 ft ~(ue of[l<.U k arnl'd that t\'- 0 ht hC'optt'I'.
\\ ['Il" .n .!llllilc for "1'(\ 1((" I Ie md .1l1Otht r fire n~ht('r
C ("~mJltll.t" fill ,_rL'. IlIli ~
I III r ((H n" \: - J L 1.) ''1- 2 . \ 1
that the IIlJl.Jred \\ould be l..'v.lt.u.lted first, dd.n mg
theIr rescue, and some presented ,>cli-mnl<.ted mlunes,
hopmg to be among the Erst. :\ l'\ erthcl{'ss the firc
fighters \\ ere ,lole to "1ll'lt.lln conti 01 ,\ljd or~ lnlZe
e\,ac.uarwn The .unbui.ltorv "c.re ~lOupl'd mto ODC
;1rCa for removal by the br~L'r l..;e1lwpters, and the
injured Were loaded mto s"Tl.\i\er hellcopte"s (a mue:'1
slo\\,er operatIOn) Ths basIc '1'ef'lOd permItted more
peo?;e to be aIrl,fted m a SI\,CI1 ,lme Tlw first ;roup
'vas a,rllfted at aPl)rOAI"1:ttc'.....5 ::0
T:--e ~eil:::ai1ter operanon ".'.5 r:ot p-c;}bnned Pre-
':ac:s planmng ~,'d Dee"} COllG ;Jctcd :0 ~lse Rrazli,.''1
~-\:r Force he~~C'8p~e:-~ for e:T'c:-;enc...es, ~U~ none n as
a..r,:[a:::ie it' the a.rea the day or the qre One ;lehcopter
was from t~e state gC)\ errll-:1e:1t. t" 0 \\ ere from t!-le
c~t}- go,>ernl"'1ent. and the elg~t ot~e:s \\ ere from
vanous bus'ness 8.rms Three [Hiers s,n\' t~1e fire from
the 2.II. nnodler heard a news broadcast at home, t..'e
rest we:-e notified by ....~nous mC.'rs Hac.lo CO'1tact was
mam::urled be~\"een the F;re De,Jar.;-crIt cormrum-
- --~-catmns center anc.-tse-a~rporCtoconfrcT file opera~lOn
..1.1I Force oEicers aSSIsted aIr tra5c ccr.tr;]l fro:n t~e
al:?ort control tower The FIre Department selected
t...>:::ee landmg sltes, a nearby plaza and two soccer
:Idds, one IJf miles away and the other 2~~ miles away,
'-\ here medIcal personnel estabhshed first-aId stations
Ambulances transported the inJured to area hospItals
Of the 11 helIcopters mvolved, only elgbt were ac-
tuaily engaged In rescue at anyone hme. The largest
hehcopter earned eIght passengers, three helIcopters,
five, t,'-"o he!lcopters, four. four hehcopters, t...;.ree, and
one helicopter earned two passengers
Irl all, 350 persons were rescued 10 the four-hour
operatIOn At dusk people stlil on the helIport held
flashlights to gUlde the he~lcopters to the darkened
landmg SIte As previOusly noted, the helIport was
not equipped wlth !andmg li!;hts, pO\\ er had been cut
over an area of several blocks Some hme after S 00
pm ,\11 the office workers In the stalI'\\',lY had been
either removed over ladders or taken to the roof On
the upper Boors the fire had bunll'd out and on the
lower floors fire fighters had controlled the fire Ap-
pro":Jm~tcly 50 persons were k'Cl down the stau"\vay
to the strC'('t !loor The mJured and those who refused
to go down the ~t,urs were rcmo\.l'd In till.' l.ontmumg
hchcopter opcr,lhon
FIre lighten. worked throughout the l11ght in final
c\tmgUl~hml'nt ,mu n\'t'rh,1lI1 oper,ltlOn~. l1:.mg strcams
from l.\ddt'r pLpt ~ ,llld h,lIltl-hdll 2'1-1I11h hose hnes
A 2':-llldl ho..e ILlll' \\'.IS ~trdc.l1t'd 0\ l'r .m ,ll'n.ll to the
..l "tlt-lIunr hO"l' (01\11('( hon to .,upph the ..t.LlldpIPl' :.v:.-
!em Spot fire:. on upper Hoor., \\ l'n' t''-tlll~lll.,lll'd ,\ lth
1 'i-u'l h ho,l' from "t.l1ldpl!H' L~)lllIL'l tltnl~
+$
~
..=:.
r
:;;::..
~
I ~~
1 T Hirrh.Rlse BUlldmCT Fue (con::nucd from page 13)
I.~ "d d ,:> 1 1.. ' , h'
j oar e one, IOcateu :It a JJCiJport on a n~~:DY 19))-
J ~ IS,e b~u,drng Three other ,;::; fig~ters ~oarded the
I - otner n~l~copter and procced~a to tne Anuraus BUlld-
1 :n~ Bv :~:-.~ t!;,~ (appro"{.m~te!y 3 13 pm) :he Sres on
- vanous .:toors ~8.d cOrIsu'1":(d :nUl.~ of tne <1'.:lllable ;uel
and t.~e massive Sar:1e front had sUDSICed. The heh-
. '; t 't' b' , , ~h
;t. co:[:,ers were a:l.e 0 [lp:;?roac:: ne u.::c:n; anc. '" e
h rescue oS.cer at~e'Tlpted to land However. the peop~e
i ~ on the hel~:Jcrt '\~e:re so c.es~erate to be rescued t~t:v
j ~ su:-;ed tow>:l.rd t:.e mrcraft and attempted to pull :t
1:. co...... n, ar>2, fcar:T"'}g "r: ac.cdc.Dt th~ J?l~c~. fie'v?ff Th~
1 .:. se"'or.r1 h",I'~oDter 'vI'"n '''e .~~e<> --e :1---e"s -0' "~~,,
J - ............ ... .......... .... ........ ....... '\.....1.. .... ...... . ~_....... ... ......................
,.. Just abo', e t....e c:-awc. ana' the :::-e :::g::ters dropped
~... to t;.~e roor ..~ lanclng SIte \Vas cleared and the reSCl;e
officer ianc.eci
. -
,
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j
23- 6 I'
I
f "tEL'PORT
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3:LS
1
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:JE~'" ;7 Ir<lSU........,O"l
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go ---=-:tEfNC"'CRC5:D
CQNC'<~TL
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l
59 J
HELIPOR7
PA~AP~T
D==TAt~
F,gure 5
.
\
The pnmary task for the rescue officer was to gam
central of the crowd and prevent pamc ThIS was ac-
compli;hed 'nth the aId of volunteers from the crowd
A tele\lSlOn antenna was dIsmantled for use as a land-
mg SIte barncade, Reassurance of rescue and the
leadershIp of fire fighters establIshed order and pre-
vented further casualtIes.
The scene \Vas to change agam when 5.re fighters
dIscovered the closed door to the st31nvny \"Vnen It
was opened they found a mass of people below
crushed up agamst the hOflzontal shdmg door, many
of them scnously inJured by those pushmg from be-
low FIfe fighters then brought another 100 persons to
the roof Some Were uncomclOUS from smoke IDh,ll.l-
tlUll, others h.ld suffered broken bones and l.lccrat'om
Tht: most scr'ous cases were I,ud out on the roof reatl)'
for l'....,lcuatlOn.
TIll' roof uowd beg~n to dcs?a'r ag.11n when they
saw the ITIlun:d brought to the helIport They thOl'ght
Il
I Ill)' Jill 1(' \l - 11. I \ 1'I7~
. 1 (I ';
The [iltahttcs from thIs G.re were rc:narJ....\biy lo\\' tJOn of ,0]11(' tIle ,1[1(1 ',\ 000 "'1.\(L 11.d~ In L leL .1tor lob-
Tne nnai count \\.15 lG deac! Fm~ fignters and pohc.e In- 111l'1> on \. ,1\lOU~ Bool" On ,Lil f1oor~ thL" \\ omi P.u'(iuet
vestlgatOls searc.hmg the fourteenth floor found seVen floorIng \\'.b De.1\:lly c.h,lrJ eel
bodles 111 a group :1.t the west ('pd - apparently thc<;c On mo,t floor, the (om hll"~lb[l' tont{"nts ,\ ere tom-
b.:smcl:s 5.rm e'":1[1'oyees rad bee:" trapped a,...d c.ould pl~ tL 1\ comurtln] - \\ rJO(~ ,\ \~<; C h:1.':" stoc.l. -well..' C"l
not reach the st:, 'n\ a}' wilen ilar.->es ad \-'anced to thC1T p.1jJCtS ':1 md.' l UL L;" ~ .lllc.l C..l!J::-U t<; .some 'ilen:.huHllsc
!loor from fJ.qade ,..mdows There were two other '"JOG- ,md th,urcd ,emams of dl~pj.\y c.ounters "ere found
les on the twe:-:tleth :!.ocr Two men JU:TI?ed or fell on the :1rst ~~nec roor,> of ~hc Jl ~111 t:Ylent store up-
from the heliport A gIrl \\'ro tnea to jump f:-om the l11t'(l1.1tC'ly hdow the ;::CF't of OrIgIn
staIr'''' av to t!--e roo= of an adjacer-t bm!dm; I:>(':ore The i:~e d u.....;' ~c II ~s !c.'~ Ll'\ ere on the four \'.lcant
bddcrs were placed fen to ~er death Anotner '-101m. f100TS. apP.lTC'1tly heuuse or ,i-jc ~mpe'1C:{'d noncom-
~r2pped on a lo\\cr :loor ~y L~d\a;)c'~; RaLr'cs. ~uTj~)ed hus~:1)le g' PSUP1 !'".~l -:,i 1~1T1; ~nd lL';;~ Sre ID1{1~ns f~aY)1
;:0tT' a \\:r'cow, :t:~ c:othmg ablaze O:1e '11an fell \\ hf?!l <:.or:tents SOlT'e \\ G~d )",-: t.O', ,cc::on::., \1 cod ;.:(:s:...s,
at~er:1?t:ns to sO GOWn a sta:1c;;;pe l:ose han:~r:1; !rC'"'1 ana. ca,:)e~l;-g rC7a:-.ed ':1 ,:'-c ~o'J~!1e.ast co-ners cf ~:'e
a staIrway \\ mdow, ~mother .: ztS wa.s !'oted above', suf- t\. e':tv-eq;;"'t~ ~nd t~[' t\\ em\ -mnth noor (tne ~us-
fer-ed a f:>.tal j-,eart attack on the rescue bdders. and ?!:':1ced cc,l,l'';s \' ere ::: :)l.1cc In those areas) In ot.....er
"lnot~er- dlee l,lte: of :-espIratorv corrp!!c,' t:cns ,1re:'s of the vac:rnt :tco!'s :I"re suspended (.e:::'1:;s, COTn-
Three nunc!.red and seventv-5se others ,... ere treated busnble wood :or--. :-1aterla.~s abo'-e the c.e:jmb~' and
at hospItals and clmIcs ~cr sr:lO~'~e lr.halat'on. lace:a- II ood partttJons were d(,5~rC\ cd T:-e Hawes from these
tlCr.S, and :J!'oJ..en '::Jones ~1ar;y others were tre2tea at :lOOls a;:>pea:ea less mtc!"'se ~:-un ho'Yl Roars below
---~--a.~statlOn_estabh5hed ::l ~':::r,n~ one block-=ro::J._ _J..hc.._p['rfor.anc.e__~Q; _~be_.oSce. ~stalr_Wa.r_~\'?S__ ,;gr.~:_~
the scene ficant to t~e life s~fet\' a: ~rose tr'tpped \\ lthm dUring
The .fire loss estImates bv msurance authontles m- the helgl-jt of tne fre Of ~he 29 (nonlabe:ed) doers
dlcate a bUildmg loss of over 82 mll1:on Insta.lled In the stmn\ a:, elfht were metal and 21 were
''''cod Of the wood doors, ten \\'ere hollow-core and
three were solid-core The type of constructIon of t!1e
eIght other \'.:ood doors :s up known, by reason of the
ntent of destn::ctlOn Ten wood doors f<uled c.om-
pleteiy (on the timd floor. the fifth through the elev-
enth floor, and the twenty-5.fth and twenty-sIxth floors)
and three others \"ere heanl" d.lmaged from TIre ex-
posure FIve of tr-e cloors that ~,uled or received he.lvv
damage \Vere hollo" -c.ore F're damage wlthm the
stam.v.1Y was eVIdent between the ilfth and tenth Roars
Heavy smole statn \\ as notf.:u between the tenth ,lOd
fourteenth floors Abo\ e tl-Je fourteenth Boor the ~t,llr-
\"av was unc<ll"'''d~{'d -\.t tt-e fifth-floor le\ d (one Aoor
above the pOInt of orIg-n) the door .1Pp.lrcntly f.ulcJ
dUrlPg: Inltl.ll fire oeveiopment \Vhen th,lt f;ulun." <. ut
off l'SCapl' to thc "treet, offill' cmplovcl's sought rdugt,
In the ~t.llr'...ay or On the ~e hport The l>t.lIrw,\y was
ten.lblc 011 the Roors a ho\'e tl)C thirteenth. and, :U. was
dl<;c.w,'>l.'d earher, ladder n?~c lIe<; were londucted on
tht, fiftcl'nth- and ~lXtl'enth-floor levels People survIVed
In tbe :-.t.llrW.lY for .llrnmt four hours untl1 either re.
moved over 1.ldclers or kd to the heliport. \Vmdows
l!l the "I,l1rwa.y \\er<: l'ltner opened or broken by oc.
tllp.mtl> to oht:un frel>h ,ur Sume ,\mounts of !.moke
\I'l'!1l'd from dnor\ or dnltl d IlIto lh~. "t.lIrw.lY At the
lop of tIlt' "t.lIrw.l). III 10\\ t!i,. llowd III hport .It"te!.S
door fr,\lltlL l ro\\ dll1~ IlH\ plL~IlIlH.!; hy plllplt' ,Illl mpt-
lilt!; tll n .Ilh 1111' 111 !Iport l lU"l d 111,111\ IIIJtlTll" 11u.'
\tr.Lt,fll.ltIOlI lIr he I" .It Iud ~111{)l..l' d.LI1l \t:;l' III the
't.1l1 \\ ,1\ l C"'I~ llh d \\ '111 II" II< l~j,t 01 tIll Ld] Il \ lLl 14-
.
.
The fire gutted most areas of the building, utterly con-
summg combustible contents and constructiOn mate-
nals (see the bottom photo. page 7), It {hd not damage
the street-floor office-elevator lobby and the five eleva-
tors (tJ.e doors to the elevator shaft were exposed by
fire on the levels above the street :Soor) The Jamtor's
quarters and the e~evator machme room on the thU-::I-
eth floor, the office staID-Vay above the mnth Hoar, and
the heliport aiso re"Tlamed hee of fire damage
The damage to load-beanng members was most
severe on the twenty-fifth floor One slab sectIOn on the
floor above was deflected and an adjacent beam ap-
peared to be crac~ed Other slab sections were weak-
ened and WIll have to be replaced Concrete JOists m
vanous areas were severely spalled, as were columns
throughout the bmlumg. exposmg remrorcmg steel
The extenor load-bearmg south walls received less
damage Sao Paulo Tecnmcal PolIce englllccrs who
survered the bu'ldmg dedared it structur.l!1y ~arc \vlth
the exceptiOn of weakened slab secnons
The wood mtenor partlt:ons were entucly comumcd,
WIth the exceptiOn of office partItions In thl' <;outh-
east corner of the twentv-elghth and the twenty-nmth
floor Intenor c.oncrete 1'l<1stc'. finishes of m.l"OJ1TV \\'.IJI\
were sp.llh."d The bIlck-and-concrete ..t:l1r [Ill lOLlIn'
walls rem.uned mtact, With some sp,\l!lll!.!; nf c.OI1c.rl'tl'
p1.1"kr fimshes on the l''Cpmed ~ldes Comllll\tlhh u d-
109 tde, \...ood ~tr.lpplllg. ,mu floor \l.lh \\'ood flllm
m,lt('rl,l]S were tom[lll'tcly lonslImed "111: tlu l X[ I'p-
.
1 0 [j .
rlHL jOL'H'\ \L - Jl;L\ 1971
lowed to eXIst The result can be a 1'1.']or tire tM he-
yond fire contI 01 capabllltlC's and a :hrcat to Dundl ccis
of people As has been described In thiS r('pOl t. the
mltt.11 nre ~pre.1ci '\'as as ml!::~t h'wl' ')('en CXi'"c::.:t{'c! :;J
the dep.lrtme'lt stayc. .f 0'1(' t;\.e.. 'nto C.O"\Klt: H:O'1 ~~1(
c.o;n~ustlble lo"cl';-g. c.am:lU\t'~)le 'll~, ;'or f1:11\h, .mcl
vertical ope~I""gs The Sltuat;on ..:)o..:e the scvc;Jth ~oor
changed as a Ha"'1e ;ront for-ned on :he extenor a;'lcl
ITIlt:al1y exposed ceu: office :::oors ,now' the der-:1.rtmert
stare That fLl~e front at "rst \\ 2 S n:~row. 1;t:'f\laps 60
feet \vlde As :~e mtensllV of the :ire ':KfC2sec <lrd
ac.2:t~onal noors becqrne 1['\"01\ ed ~hc :1;-me fL"opt 1.\ 18...
story office DUlldmg to the south The floors above the
aenth-stor/ level were tenable, as noted above, m-
ng that more 'Ient1latlOn was n.fforded above the
roof of the ad1acent bUlldmg, wlllcn biocked the wmd
Afte: ~he fire all five effice ele'>ators ..vere rour:d
urc:l::1:lged at the street-Hear lobbv The eteh,tors
were not prog:amed to return to the loboy upder
er'er;e!'cv corc:tJons Posslblv a fe'"" cc:::u:nr.ts used
tlle elevators dunng the early stages of ~~e are An
elevator lobby at<;erdant could also ~a"e ree:llled tr-e
c:::.rs frem a waster control Dane! A~thoul:::n DO\ver to
tbe bur:c~:1~ \vas not cut of ~:1t~I ~ 50 ~m~ :t ~s count-
-., I '-" h -
-::t:.l t.::.at e evato~s C:JU~..... .....ave ope:-ated an-\-1" len~th of
tlme~ bec3..:.lse of the E.:-e ex:::osure conG~:~cns on tl-le
de~art:-ent store Hoors DU:~r1g the ~<FPA. mvesm:a-
.. b.' , .,.. .......
L!On t:llG:ng management ....as not avauaole to venty
operat:::!; conclt:ons
T~e two department store eleva.t~rs 'vere nea v~;v
damaged, as \'-'ere all the Dortwns of t:'1e sharl enclosed ened to approx,'Iatei\' 1:30 fee~, tr.e fac;'ade \.'vldt~ On
by masomv walls a..'1d met'al doors One or the eievato:s each :loor comQustl'::l;e \\ail ,'nd cel:;ng matenals were
,>vas founa on the street ficor wlta the doors colla0sed exposed. :gn::ec:. ther:. c:"}ntr' b;.J~ed :0 the Barre 'rant
uand the-carst:ill:turally ci;maged- Tr~~ - o-t.~e;- ele~ator- -asB.ames passe-c ~hi"ou~h- wmclo;':;;-C)p-enmgs to tne-ex- --- ---
was round at ~he fifth-aoor ievel (the top or the shaft) tenor Flames exre"deci ~he entlre heIght of tne Dmld-
m L'1e same condmon (actvatlOn of an electrOniC call mg (over 330 feet) and .....ell above the hehport The
button may have broug.l,t It to the top or the shaft). estlmated tl::1e for rull mvolvement or the fa~ade after
At the tune of thIS wntmg local police lUvestlgators flames had emerged from the department store floors
I" not :Ietermmed the fire cause. As was prevIously was 15 mmutes Flames al;o spread eX,temallv through
llSSec., the pomt of ongIn was located In a hght and WIndows on the west ene The fac;:aCie and the ,vest
~ tlla'aon well at the four-..h-floor level The fire wall were downWInd
spread mto the bUlldmg on the fourth and fifth Hoors BntISh and Canad1an fire tests1 ~ have ldentlned
through wmdows m the shaft Draft condltlOns (caused certam factors that contnnute to flame emISSlon from
bv the wmd velOCIty and dU'ect~on) and combustlble wmciow opem:1gs Flfme emlss:on from wmdows 15
cellmg hIe were factors ill the mltlal smead The fire mcreased slgmficantly "oy mcreased ventilatIOn through
then spread to the slxth and seventh :B.~ors of the de- the mvolved bUlldmg compartment and by the c.ontn-
pfutli'lent store over the open starrs As has been de- butlOll to the fuel 10,ld presented by combustIble m-
scnbed, the fire spread above ~he seventh Hoar ,v8.S tenor fimsh \"lthm the compartment Both factors wcre
external 1':'1e wood-frame partlhons over unused o:>en- s16mncant to the extenor flame spre,ld m thiS firc The
mgs to the office elevator shaft on the depa~ent ventllatlOn effect produced by the 17 -mph wmd pmhed
store levels were consumed :\t!etal doors on other levels much of the fire mtenslty m the fonn of flames out
were warned, however, there was no fre soread mto of the bUlldmg Flames eaSIly reac.hed half the dlstanc.('
the office~elevator shaft The floor slabs on- t.~e office ,lcrms the street m front As"" mdow<; on the wmdward
levels were plerced by h-vo elght.by-nme-mch holes and lecward sldes of thc bmldmg were brokcn bv
for telephone cable The PVC-covered cable entered radw.nt heat. the draft a<.ross floor ~pac.cs IIlcrcased
alummum cabmets on each floor The holes were not Thc ('xposure and the Ign'tlOn of wall and cCl1mg
firestopped, but there was no slgmficant vertlcal fire matcnals were dcscnbcd above The hummg: of thosc
spread at those opemngs Posslbiv the fire spread mtcnor fimshes gave rse to much hlghcr levdlo of radl-
through Hoar slabs over the cable at a few locatlOns, atlOll on the ('xtenor by mcreased H.lmc emISSIon.
but only after the IT'ore rapld extenor fire spread The exposure seventy from a burnmg bmldmg IS a
The high.rIse Andraus Budding firc nrovldes a snee-
tacul.lr case hl~tory of mtr.lbUlldmg :1~d mterbUlldmg
fire spread It IS an excellent example or what lan
.pen If fe.Hures of deSIgn undc,>lT.lb!e from a hfe
ctv and property c.om{'rvatlOll lot.mdpomt are al-
yl..... 7 r ..c T 1 .,-., 1
ms J1re exempui!es )L 1 e veyana contrm U'.J tne
1 ('?" t' , -, 1" .,
manua~ e[JOlts Or any 0; tile lal Jest or most aC1-
t:.anced fire depar tments
, <'l"C C \\" ~horlll ,"1 <If, The 51 L lllrl nlt. n"n.. :-.. J"PA
(J''''Ttul'1. \'oJ 53, '\0 4 (Alml UJ(lU), I'll 3[J0-3lG (,II...,
,'~ "I ,hi.. ,\ R('prt'1t ()51-17)
. \1 L.IW llurlUJI,on from r"cs III a \rm'lmrtru, ul, 1~lr(' 1\0-
\l'lnh T~~hlll( d P"lpLr '\0 20 {[ 011<11111 \1 "'"t...... IIf T, L h-
Iwlll:.!" HId FIre- Oiil(<'r~ C<1l1Ul1l(1t" JIIIIII I HI" lIt 't H~h Or-
J!~\lIl'ltlul1.lh.r '1 Li'...t\.... '-.[..ltIlHIIr\. ()nHt ]qCI....)
f ,HE ]OL'II\ \1 - Jl'\) l'j:-~
. lO:-
.
combm"tlOn of hent radl:tt:on through \\ mdow open-
mgs and from flames proJectmg outsIde wmoo\\' open-
mgs 1 Tnese t\\ 0 sources of ralhat'on contnbuted to
sc'>cre e,posure to bUlldmgs opposIte the Andrau<;
:Sull~"~Jg {see tbe bottonl photo} pr.1f;e 111 T\\o ap:;rt.
r.1ent b:,.I11dmgs 93 ~eet away dIrectly across the stleet
were IP\ olved when the FIre De?art'TIent arrIved and
they ;""ecel" ed heavy cama~e, mc1:..:cimg burr'o...:t or
aparC'TIents fncl!' g -\ \ e!lue S;'<O J oao ~,;"ld heavy Spl]!'r:g
or c:mcrete pl,lster on the extenor of masonry 'valls A
t1urd :~-storv ::J.partment bu:~d~;1g ;lCrcss the s~;eet '..1 ;:'...$
:":50 ::lz:~::;cd b\ '::::-e G:l ~re tu ~r~~~ ~nd ~~:.."te~nth
s.or:es If one caJc'.11ates the separa710n dIstance rram
T~,bje 2020 of ~F?_-\ ~o 50..1,..' gl\e~ the e'{posu:-e
CO:Idl~l:ms r.oted :n thIS C2.se PlstOrv, 6e recom;nended
dlstar-ce IS 610 feet ThIS dIstance .S obtnl:led bv uSP'g
a hel;:l~/\\ ldth :,cctor of 330/l30. a "se\'('re" e...pos~re
classIF::::'~lGP because or t!1e mter'or ?msh, ar:.d 100 per
cent wmdow op':''l:ngs m the e"pDSmg wan (The e~t:re
cUllchng: \\ as co..s,ci.ered one fire area ) The 610-fcot
separation dlstance ~s not- practlc.a~~e-l:l ~odern-c~t~es.~_
<,nd. It gn'es '!.I' l!ldlcatwn tnat oUllclmg deSIgn features
contrIbutIng ~o such an e'{posmg fre must be con.
trolled
The use of areas of refuge by 500 people trapped
on upper floors IS relevant to the current hlgh-nse
bm!d:ng fire problem The prmclpal factors responsIble
for the surVIval of people m the Andraus Buddmg
were the locatlon of the office stanwav relatIve to the
wm.d C1!rectlOn and the ventilatIOn afforded to both the
stalrwav ,md the helIport bv the wmd veloCIty The
fresh aIr supply to the stalI'\ av through e"{tenor Win-
dows \\ as suffiCIent to mamtam tenable cona,tlOns
above the t~lr~eenth floor - thiS 111 sp,te of door fail-
ures on lower levels and on the twentv-fifth and
twent" -sl"\th noors The wITId veloc,tv also malOtamed
adequate aIr supply to the hehport ThePTIal columns
from the flame front tended to move av'ay from the
hehport People got far enough away from the flame
front to l'scnpe the effects of the r"CI,mt heat
EfficlC'nt rcscue opC'ratwns by fire figbter; on the
heliport and at the fifteenth floor lcvel aiso served to
mInimIZe casu,lbes Th"lr efforts prevented further
pamc ]umpmg or ese,lre attemp~s, and the removal
of peopJc. from the top of the st,urs to the hdlport re-
lIe\'ed a "ery se'nous condItIon at that pOint The
closure of the heliport door by unknown per~ons eon-
tnblJtl'd to lOjllrlL'S to t]lO~e he low If ,ll1 500 peop],.
had gOlle to the hehport, It "\o\lld have proVIded .1
.
.
'~l'e \'I-PA,. \'0 .'lOA Protcctlon frum f,ltlOlrr,C I"" (Illl"-
ton '\ FP -\. Wi () \
. [f"d
Ill.', .
1 11\1 jOl II' \1 - Jl'L\ 1'),2
piJ.cC' of lelatl\'e safety throughout the fire
The fuel load 011 the vacant ncor~ dlrec.tl)- he:ow the
heliport was reduced by use of noncombustIble cell;ng
tile ~nd absence of combustlble contents On those
f:::;;)', the f1re Frogrc ~~c [1 !c~~ rar'd!\ ;han 0" rO'JfS
belo\\' F!J.me l'mlS~IOn ,1lso ,lppe:lrl'd ~o 'De 10\\ cr T1ie
reduced fire e"{pasure to the st~ln\ a\' ,mu the.. i'cltport
mav hnve CO'1tnbuted to tf:le sarc~\' of people a: hot;
loc3.t:ons Fbmes rose \'crtlc:"!.llv a:)C\e the :-;2-apet,
but once ,lbove that jJOll1t tiley cur;cd 0\('1 t:1C: tap and
moved to\'."ard t1,::! heliport Inc.e~ sed fhme ef"ISSIO'1
;;:~cro"'t. tl"'e~e nool""s coultj "11;."1 \ C ~"'V)re 5e\ erel\, cvr-C~t C. .~e
,ll ea or reru;e on d'e t.>,lSt. '\ L st, 31'J sour;) \;,il S
TIllS 5re exe'11pl' qes Fn: be'. one cont:-cl b... the
ma'1",jal CEOI ts of 3.TIV of tbc la -.;:cst Gr mo",t ac. \ ;:a need
file depar.ments It ag'lm emphaSizes the :iced to de-
Slsn budd:v::;s so t....;lt fres \\ III be ',e?t S:-'1J:~ ',\ Itnout
threat to bUlldlng occ:':;J~nts TI....e tlre \\.as dISCOof,.'ered
before It entered t:-le bmldlng. :it J.?proxl:T'ateh -4 Q{)
?ffi Ten mmutes bter .t k.d sprc:ld thrQ';..:g~ two
Roors-of the departrne:1t sto:-e and \''':1S-:n\'ohr.::~ t.,';o_
adciltlOnal floors as names spread o';er the open sta:rs
At 4 26 the fire had spread e'{ternaIIy to 1Ovo;\'e 24
floors abo'.'e the deparrment store Given the fuel load
prOVIded by the combustIble contents and the mtenor
nn!sh. the ventIlatIOn COnC.ltlOnS. and t...e lack of a fixed
extmgmshmg system, one can understand why t..;e fire
10 the department store was beyond control wltnm the
first mmutes In thIS fire prompt alarm to the FIre De-
partment would have made httle difference m control-
lmg the external spread However, the operatlOTI of an ~
automatIc extmgmshmg system could ha'.-e cum.
gmshed the fire or held It m check Reducmg the fuel
contnbuted bv combustIble cellmgs and wall parh-
tIons could have slowed fire spread, provldmg IT'ore
tIme for ('vacuatlOn to a safe Mea or for fire e>:tmgmsh-
llK'nt Fuel control, compartmcntat'on, and pro\ ISlon of
,wtOl11,ltlC detectIon or extmgwshmg systems are lm-
port,mt conSIderatIons m a systems approach to fire
<;afety d(,~lgn Llfe snfety fc.',ltures must he mc.orporated
Into dl'<;ign, to msure survlvnl hy hlllldmg occupants L
The author acknowledgCl> LOllrlL..les eXlenc.lec.l hv Brazlhan
.ulthont,e, dun'!;.': 11I~ VI~lt to 'ido P^lllo ~tr \\'l!!e\ P;lrtl-
up lied In the llwc~l1p:'1tton hy ~t"tc poJ.<-c .....,glr-eers He
gn Ith lppreLJ,ltL' the cooret.Ll"," of tbe li S C"mlli General,
!>.lll r.luio, Sccrcl'1n.l de Seql1'1r:mc;a Pnhhc'1, ~l'1le of S'io
P 11Iio InslLtl1to de Pohcl:l. TeLn,ca, S t llc of <;;"io P'11llo, and
Corpo de BomlJclrm, 5t Ite of <;':;0 P,mlo lLrn.IOUo .-\ZC\ edo.
<.,iPE I! l\>e mll<-h ;I~mI111ce on Joea] alf.l1ts. It.lymonu \\ foll:;Jnd,
., I-PC "llI1TlIll r LUl:;mccrmp: Curpor"llon, wllnc~,cu thco lire
,,11.1 ptll\ "J. d "Id,tlllll I] 1lI10nTI.llmn
['["'Ill lndlt.. l'II!L G, Alml l'n..... ["p. P'I!" i 1ll\lIlOncl
\\ , It: ""I l<.ll\l'r t1!.:hl. p lI~e 7 ....hnl I'rl"'~, h..lI,,'" n~hl pice
-; 'I I' \
APPENDIX T
.OFFICE BfJ.ILDIJVG FIRE
919 ThIrd .A.venue
Ne\v Yark City
.
\V ROBERT PO\VERS
Supamlended
.\ (Ii } cd, Bom d of Ftre Cnderrn zfer<
'"'
ry
.;.. PI: FI:'E on F:d.:l'.' December 4. lQ70. :It 919 T;'~:d
\. \ C'1ue \\;:s not an 'LI:1St,-l~t :-ep12r..-~) ot the f.:e ,It One
:-~r- -'~ 'Yor~ PL::::::..[ .1 fe\\ :n-Jrths eil~~:2r, J.S so~e a~lcle.:;
~:..-'.:. e .~~d' ~~':.teJ :r~~..:t.. t3iS f~T\ u.."h!cb. occar;cd on ~he
.
~ftb BOGr '.'\ l.S f0U-;!~: f:8~ ;:round !e'-el Of e'.en Ira:!?
Impor~C'~1C~ l~ ~he fac~ :}~l.t :..~e T:~!rc. _\\e""lt~e ~)~,:lcl.."1~
u, ~':j (.(_::i,-:T'"trr::tL,c1 ,-lCC0r~:]I>"1{~ :3 t:~e nc-"':.\. Eu!L_ht"~ Coclt' 0:
:--"-c\\r \Tor"..: Ci~\, ..l.d')[".t-2d :I' 186)
The :CUllJm;; ,-:.t 91q Th:d. A..\ enuc lS c;' subbr,se-
mcnt~b~~.senlcnt-~7 -story P~c-res::.~tlve s~\.Tscraper CCC'l-
p:ed pT'f1CJpalk for ch<;pi:lv mom:; "nd offices b; C:lrr:et
m,:.TIu!:!cturers a:1d cJ.rpet \<,;noiesalers It was strJ.C-
turaIIv completcd last SprIng. but nmsh'ng; \', ark was
stIll m pro;ccss on vJ.nous floors for tenants ,,,no \\cre
}mt mo\ 11'; m The bJ.sements and urst Sl'{ noors \Vere
of .-m lr:-c~'.11.1r shape th.'.t can best be hkcncd to a dIs-
torted T T'e -:n;:[Xlffium clmc!"!Slons of the first sn: floors
\VCfC? 233 feet bv lC.":) ft'ct The to" e~ sectIon ,-lbo,\Te t~e
sl'{th 9')w was 225 feet bv 115 feet The bu;lG.:~g; ::OTI-
sl~~cd o~ .1 rc!nforced conCrete c']re cont8.1nl~1s sta:r:s.
c!n aton. ut!l:t:(<; a.nd .'.Jr 0:lp..dltlOTIlng equ.:pi'lC'1t The
~tcell~2:.~1THj and coh_!m~~ \\-cre -protected \\ Ith Srr~\ ed
,1~bc~to~ Th, floors \\cre of 4)';-l11ch h~ht'w';ht co!"!-
crete on :::orrug;ltccl steel form umts. whIch wcre not
reqUIred to have - apd chd not have - fircprooflng on
the undersIde A hung ccIlmg of Class A acoustIcal
bo.u-d \"-;;'5 provided throughcut the tenant arc a The
c'(tenor \\ all., \\'C'PJ of panel constnlctlOn WIth :1':.cd
WJllc\)\\ <; TheIe '\ crc no m.'.<onry barners at the outcr
wail... to precnt \'cltlta} fire spread. hilt tiK ;<lurm.-a;m
~bn 'vas t!!!;llt a~::tmst the edge of the concrete Roor
FOll-bad.cd gb%-fibcr msuIat:on 'vas attaclwu to the
.1lulT'lllUm skin T11C mtenor fimsh of extenor walls W:lS
gvp\llmbo,nd on \t(>d ...tmb
Thr'TC \\ cre h\ () <( nar:ltc C''''c ]o<;cd ,UUT\\:n <; ,l:-
r lI1l.!;l'd 111 \Cl\.,or., Ll..,lnnn III the tower Sl'lt'on lOd _l
"ll1.lI,llL' t\urd c'lc1o'>cd ~L1I1W.l\' ,It thl [',,\t l'nd lor thl
.
L \\-r p,n1lllt l)(l\"'~ r.., '\l \\~ \ork ();IILL HUI\tl"IIl':: i 'n, 1111\
'(Illl..... \l \ pl ('J '\'\.1 l {llIHl.l[V llJ71 '. p L~
I ("L p~- -'11 un tiLl., P 'i':L ..... f..... r -'lItl ~I [I,t....... h.tl III It';".. Ii
r i
,...~-...tOr\ ,)ect.or: - Pror~.'r cioor~ ~Dd enc}asures v. ere
l-"~O' . dc~~ :01 ;."t.or:.... ~~~tr ltt~ ~ C'J~<" ..~n2 ~i1~;fts Thrc~ .::le_
~ ~t:.J: b~"l !1~..s ::,el' cd i:cQrs .2 t:):S :.';:0 33, and 3 ~ :0
-!"7' ::-p.5:~eLt~" C~l. In <-~cCh~}ori t\\Q ~C'r\lCe c1C'\J.tor:::
se:'"',c<.~ 4c~Jl ~}-'l" fGo~s
T~~c' ~;U~~L~1~'; h'1d t" f) 1ntl~ ~}ende~t ..~1~ L01)dltlnljon-::
'J\ ')~cr~::,,~ o~..,c '--i.ij})11 ~i1:; ~+e- sC'c::::-.-"12 ~hrou=~- th(lo t',{ e"'1t- ..
f:r~1: ;:GO~ ~~~:=-i t~lC other t::c t\\ (rt\.-~ecor d thrGu~h tl-,c
fOl t: -,,('\ (~~ith E":J'~r :-1:c rZ;.il r:.)o-rn'::l '\\ ere loc:ltcd 0-" t::c
t\\-C']f~~ f'!~cl ~hc :1~j,::, t~~ -Rft!1 ::.OO! ...-1.1r to perImeter ;ooms
\~ as S10',' n thro'11h "er::~~:ll d:.:cts msb!lcd .:'t the allt-
sHie '\ aEs At e;[;h story branch ducts e-.;:tended lJter-
J.Lh- frC71 the ..-ertlcal ducts to a'r-h:mdlmg umts located
beneath tht' t\\ 0 wmclows to the nt;!1t and the t'\ 0 to
the left Or the vertIC? 1 duct_ Gypsumboard-on-steel-stud
partmons enclosed the vertIcal and branch ducts on
eac~ fhor Except for the vertlcal ducts there was no
IJenetr.-.t:o" of t~e floor constructwn A.ir to the mtenoT
SCCtlOl'S of t':te 'om:(h;1;: ,\ as supphE'd from t.. 0 ::eptr,-:'l
.mppl' Sh,I!tS Il1 the core }y, way of ducts to \'"lr:ot'S
r")~cmnC!;s In the hun~ c.c!Jm?; Return 3Ir passed mto tl..,e
'1icn,'!T'~ cetw, ~'1 th~ hm''1- eellln'! .-.nd toe floor con-
~truct'ol1 ,1,;[1. th'llCC to \ C'rtlol ;f.'t~'rn ..ur ~h..1its Ail
opcmngs 111 thl' Sh,1tts ''.'ere protected by dampers held
open bv f1'5.blp hnl.::s Smcc the ne'v BlIlldmg Code re-
qUIres a fire SCc1.11 atlOn bet\' ecn tenants of at lcast one-
1101Jr r,ltmg.. the :1ILnum ""<'s subdIVIded hv a contmua-
tlon of the tL'I1.1'1t wall or partItion through the con-
cc"led sp,'ce Ge'1cran".. scpar:ltc ducts r:ln from the
pk n' 'n 1.),0\ I' (',lth te!',mt to the rctnm :lIT ~l1.1H Smce
corn(lo'" H ,d~~ 011 the penplj('[\ l)f the carc arc n'f{Ulrl'd
to h..l\l' "one-hour r,'.tlllZ. .-.,r to the corndor<: was sup-
pjwd [rUIn tht, mtL'f10r .1lr ~qrph' chllt'>, LorndoT ..UT w.t,>
.. ented throll~h t1w w.1\hroorn~ All rdum .IIT f.m<; ,\erl
(qlll"p< d" Itl, thcrrn,d l'll lil!l dOl'> ,HId .111 \lll1p1\. :1.lr
Ll:t'-l \\ Ith ......111l'lll tit. t. Ltn'....
~'I., )lp'I',1"1I'4 lll~fl 'Ll 11'(" ~"'\.t(lrL (lJr}~ ( dh.d to" Ol't~ [1' du
i~llli"i'; l'll.... Ld lilt ' ....;:;:IIl~lr'T"I.( fLJ\\lr tljr Pt...."{ (~~'df d(ll'\
',' i. ,-" '"II j:"", 1'11'111., Il'"i
i tilL JULlt'\. \.L - \1 .\!',Cll 1071
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r"UJ '.il~ ',/ !:"~'q ,('(' L~'l "'::S( ,rrcc,"S
CC'1-1'cr Ce'1.?"'~l ~'e'___ cf "?43 -D:r~;l ..L':"~~ or :i'e ;;.~ \~;1= \1 ~:~e c.i.-:.."-"l '~L"~ilr'cd :l~.' -\:c'---', C....r:-.::-~ i; ~ "'[,l~f--:;
sr(lbs "1i"..(;S' c:re'::.d~1 i'1 "j]!c.ce Ti~e "Ciotect on of c.... cc.,.,d~~1r-n-r:; -3~;1-i--b tlfJr, !u;cn ;'"c~o!.-::'{~
-ct rj'
RI~;,t "';.-;Ci.-i. of C("~il;--'& sl'01-L-~": .-:cic;r........~;f ["J,rof ,;,~-,,'r'~ :;~~ i'!,~(r fl~e ....,cc...; ~or "e-_,!T"li..,"'-crroe-n~
).
T::e 1)J.sc;mcn:1rrd ~:.:~baserr.eYlt ::'.:eJ.s \' ere I=ntcded
'nth au;:o:nat;:c spEn1..:ers T::ere v,ere tv'o s~ar.dplres
\Vlt:r ::onrre~t~C:1S r..t ::,l~ Eoor :evels The sta;jQ:;i:;;es ,~~ e!"e
suppbed bv three tanks each ha....-mg 3,500 gJ.llons re-
served for standp~pe use In addluon. there \Vere two
loO-gpm fire pumps and fire de?artment pumper con-
nect~ons
TEE AJdon Cclrpet CO'11p2,nv sho'_vroom, \vhere the Ere
star~ed, v.. as an <-1re:L 0: ~Dout 7,500 squrtre feet on t~c
.-.orth 5~ce of :~le ffth Boor TherG were se\-eral em' icte
on.:::es m V3.no:.lS sect:o:"s cont~l.Imng the usuai arree
furnIture The floor '.vas covered WIth a wool ruo" \".th
thm foam rubber CUShlOn underneath The rug: w~re
dlspla\ ed prmepaliv on waterfalls3 located thr;ugZ-lOut
the are:"!, e"(cept :or a fe'" rugs on smg!e racKs 1~ the
northeast comer The rugs on dlSpbv were of wool.
m Ion poh ester. and vIscose rnle Some had latex glue
or foa~ ru1;)~er bacl::I:i1fT
:J
T~e fire ~t.lrted 'n a. small office at the south ;>cr-
Imcter of the .-\.ldon space that was bewer used t'cm-
p~nTJ1\ for ~ton~c of paper supphes. carp~t ~\vatce,c~,
ft' t paddm~ :md SCf'IJ from the office 1'I~t"l!l.1t:on
BIJth ~ht. rl'por.:~ of \\ It:1e!..~es ;:tnd off.cwl m\ t'~tlU: ltl()n~
mdJ(,.ltt' t~1.1t the fIre ~t ,rt.~(1 11Jout 9 =:0 1m ; 1
_ --J p. '- L I .....,.. __TOtn ";J.lrr..\
twm I tuttmg torc''1 tll:lt \\ IS hCl'1G; u'cc! to rt;l!ou
. -\ ,,--:~......[ l~l '~ 1"1 'ne'l'lee ~"'l.1.tiarn1 cort:'ljl'lg lO t'-j i":
~ 1m~if..~~ eJLh 1.1'ol:t four fC:2't b... SI't fu_t
')tce 1 a.r ;~[ I.. ZLt ~hC' ce~ >..~; t It '_T.."8-S 2~::;CG\ ered . ,"r-'l '" -"0"1
,J..ftcr :gnltlofl i.lnd tile Flre Dep..lrtn1e~t 1.'1. .15 (...1112S It
once It 's re:'ortt d th:lt -,\.hen the ~rc wa!.. frst not:c.cc1
It '\ a.s ;:L re:at:\ elv small bbze pear the floor. but 'J\ t!~c
time an emplo~ee ran to hIS office to call the F~rc De-
partment and ~hen returned to the fire area. It 'vas Im-
pOSSIble to approach the office The fire spread f:-cm
that office to the rugs on diSplay, which burned reachk
because of the combustIble backmg and plle BUIldmg
('1111,10\ ees aflc1 COI'5tructlOn workers became ;:L\\ .'re of
the fire .:L~ 1t c.e\ cl.')p~~c L~nd ~~-'."C' r,()tlg~8.::crn 1~\. '''''c..lr~
of telep~lone ,~pd '\ al:"Ie.t;> !k;es. ~o the bm'c::12 ('per,'-
tors. constmct:t1;) men. .md c!e\"ator st~tt('rs ''1.ttCT' the
FIre De:KLrtment ;..,~c.i. ~JCcn c:ll1cd .lTI ,lttC:Y)~)t '\ ,1' T,de
:') E~ht ~hc ~rL' H ::!-l"'-:-Lll'(:.~rr'lC ho.....(, }H,t .. ~~I')~l ~~H~(.\.\
drm-c the mC:1 frum the fire .lIt'l \k.lll\\ hdc ,1 ')lllld-
mg engmeer ]c.uned of the fire over hIS walbe-tail::lL'
He Im~ed',ltcl:: ~11U~ down "ll the fans sen!TI; the
lower p,ut or the hU1]c.lm~ but shortl} aftcrw.lrtl on 1II-
~truct~cn, rcs~artcd the return aIr fam :md ,lrr~ngcd
t\w tbmpel ~ to dump .111 the rcturn ,llr to the oUb'dc
The FllC DL'p:lrtmr 'It lc<,ponckel prnmpt]:, ,mel rc~-
(.lH_d people tr.lpPt c1. 111 eh::\'ator~ ,It tilL' fore flo'lr ClOm
the oublelC. t'.\ () lll',l\ \ .c.\\hhcr lint''> trom belch r tmcb
, 1 ,btor, '\ot, ] IlL DLCC'111JL'r G. 1')70 L"LIL of ".(' '\. w
i <lri... T,''1C~ H ~"'r" tI tl, Lt Ch'ef flrl. \llr~J. 11 \'ltlLUlt \1 C Lllt\
,..1)[1 rl' It r'c'ti~l r ~hl ..hl' t un t.Jl .,..-orl.[ r \\ :10 illr~ n II 11th 1111-
!'..Ia.r tr~tll)[l'l.: for ~L''''' tL 1(lp Ilpr lU"i ~H Ipt r ( ltT:t.d ;l . (.(rhGl .f-(
1)1 I.I.n..... tJ1t ('PH\ .J'l ~I[ {i[ l hll JL...{ l...",u({i 1.\' I!"l llll 1)1;. j' Ir~-
1l11lil ~l> u I",L........ -II' -'.rn.... 'rtdt... ,\-110 '1"'( pot~ .It' 111\ .1 -II'.!.I 11111'"
l IjlLII1Il11 nt I jn 1 Lft:. \llr...h 11 .... ud d, It IlI'l ....tl:.: Itl~n '1IllIl Ll: d
tllltl~j\ \"\J>[....lrll..~ II~II; i~,...~tlJp Illll....t Ip\~lttrl.(..\11...I"."'...
lll{i tlut Ilhl .."l.e ...{:.." 'Ill{'" uUHllti !LJ.. ,\._.:. l1i-~ tl L-: "1,1 ...11
IIIPH d ~-h :11 ~I'. r ~t Il,t 111LII r 'id~ uf 11'L P Llt.lulI,
.
OFFICE BUILDING FIRE, SEW YORK CITY
\'.;ere dm~cted from wmdo\Vs to knock down the fire.
ed three mSlae lInes trom the standplpes were used
r Hnal extmgmshment and c1e:mup The fire was COD-
trolled m about 35 mmutes
.\ r ......:IOy...-TI t1-.,n "r .,......... L90 t 1 ~.
..~....._~ \".'-u ~n... ..l..e p..........h.~ f1 conHned he S;e ".:..r~c~y
to the "rea occupIed bv .\.ldon C.lrl,)d Company, t~,e
c~t!:e car'tents or that sp..lce \\rere des~o'.-ed if :let
cOT1"';,:!ecel'; COf'sumed. !:Jv n.li'.2s The ne:.lt c:.'..used t1H.'
..lh:1n:i:~~;..:m :':J.nel \V~.'dIs to e.... ::;-::l!ld lnd p~II aHl~'1~~ rrGID
t:1C Eaor :,l~~~j) thereb..... :1~lou ~r'g 1~e~t to :pass to t~e s:i"~r...
flcQr O~:\ -l sm1.il sectIon or ~l;e ~U~ on th:.t .JOO:L ~.~:; 5
bUI:-'cd Sp~,.l\ cd 2.s1....c~tGS f..~~:L).d to plot~ct sc...er_":l
1--( ~.~...:: 0:0 ~h."';.t ~~'2:C \' lots C:l~tJrt~on i."!.~d :!:e C:}~'-'1r('ctln~.!
.
~':GI;::5 L:.t tbl gIlder ";'- ~i"e ~i:2::Lre;i :JL~ _-\ ::8~slier..-' D:e
par~::):'~ cr tl"e 'i~~t~-'l:Gr~ 20er SL.1C ',,'. 2.S c.J.m~;.-;ed :t~l2.
reqn:rcc re~l ~c!?m!?:r t \\ 'ndc)\'- s '\+ere b:o'\\.TI Ol~t b~
t~\C ~:-e 01 .~rOkC~ b\- the Flre De~.1r:~ent The Sn1G\.e
th:!!:: ,,~;:-e(.1d (ijrcugho'i.1t ~he buIldIng caused cia~..:~8 to
, ...:~lOu5. 'i:eTI2pts Smo~e entercci c:eC::lC:::lt eq~~!?:r;'jert
l coms on the 9re HOOI bec~...~:=e ~o:ldult o?en:r-;s ~:: t~1e
\\ :;-dIs h :Cl. not been f;~ e5to~I~ec Tne tot1l ;-r:J:;:.e:t'P d::~-
r.1g~ to the bvdchn; a!"c tt::e cO'Jtcnts 15 €s~;:rnai:ed at
)25 :'"'llhon
The :\C'\" Yor'..;: Flre Patrd Cla. a sureb Job protec':.-
m~ the G'SlJby roams !lnder tbe fire .:Jrea \V11ue Ere:;:!cn
were p:Jttms out thE' E!"e on the f,fth floor. the Pa::::-ol
was \\"or1.:mg on the Boors unc.erneath. b1ackmg door-
\\a\'s and ofFce entmnces \vlth rolled tarpauims -to pre-
..-ent '..-ate: fro'Tl running In Over leG 12-foot-by-:'..3-
foot c:J';ers were neatlv spread over the carpet dlSpbys
O~ tl"'e ;D~~r~!l Hot): Ot~e1' ('o\'e~$ H~erc psed ~o forT.
C'>tc;1 ~}:lSlnS, so that the ',",lter could be ;Jum,;:;ecl. to
c.lr.l'n ou~!cts De~plte the fact th.lt L5CO ;?;. c{ '\':'..ter
\\',1" poured m:o the fire area, the .1chvlhes of the P<ltrol
m ,-de :t po~s:ble for tSe chspla... areas or the fourt~
floor ana the floors bebw to open for DUSl'ness ~he fol-
lowmg ),fondav mommg
.
O:--cr; ""GAIX '.vc CO~;F:',ONT THE PP.OBLE~1 OF LIP!:
S"FETY m Ing:n-me lJUlldl11 gs D('sp!te the ur;lr'g of the'
:'\C'\\- Yor!... Board of F!rc Cndenvnters to retam the re-
qUirements faT smokeprcof stair tov;:ers In the new
2ul!umg Coee. th~ lrnicortant safeguard 'va,> drorpcd
Emplo\.L'c~ on upper Roars became P:1nJc-st::cken '''-11(''1
sn)oke 5cepeulnto theIr offices. and they were unable to
open wmdo\\'.'> for fre.'>h ,llT The 5mokcproof st:Uf to\\ ('r
would iu\-e proVIded them access to fresh au" and
~,lfltv
The l'\.pl'flencc o~ tlw ten,ll1t<. III thl~ l)ulhHng ~ho\\'
come ot the prohll m:> m c\. .lcu,ltmg .t h';I-r-r'~(, ,tnll-
tun' \\ hen l'mpjl}\'('('~ left the Sfth Hoor bv \V,l}' of the
(llltr.,l 't.lIr\\"tn. ,\bunt ten 1l111lt1tl5 .lfter the :1Te
,t,u tlC! ,10 lHT(plf)\ t'(' who ~toprl'd .1t the fourth Hoor
( 1
to '\,,1111 tenants there found that there \V,\~ alrc.ldv con-
~lder:.'..'olc ~mo~c and th:-!.t the o('(.up.mts 'n'H' 1(,:l\1l1~
bv <he staIrs Emplovees on the eleventh floor nottced
smoke commg fmm the wali ilnd ccdmg ~'.1r conditlO;J-
lP~ m:tlets and ImmedIate1\. tea'.;. ,'n dt'\ator The e!c-
, ~tor "to!":1ed .It t"i:l ")(1-' cnth E.Gi")T" ~p(l !-l-:ae fifth ~ !:T"c .
floor l:t~j~jl~~h t-i~L~ Ul~Up .l~)!-~ r::~: ljO~ F~;~]~ tJ1P bur-='~."-"
fo~ tho~c Boor5 Fort:.:t':1tch-. :~rl'ml n "uel J'!~t .ll r: \ ('~:
at the 5:~h floor ~nc.i thE:\:" es(:~)r~~d :he ?..i.sse['~e!'"s
t:1:iOtr;r. the ')r~=-"l~e~:::: tl~e ~~l.l:S O~L"P H,t') at t:'l' ~Cu =--...!
19 fic:{)r~ \1: C'r('- ....U1Y;lctC'd ~o :;e\e~c ~ .....c~c cor\.ht:C'-n~
!--ho~.;. ,,1, 0 p~cd :~:t Ct ~"tr ~~j .... t 1:r ~~)\t"t!"" L01~P:ci t~)l'" ....nlO ~",p
~n~bl' p ~~-"~L' ~lt 'l~o:Jt thr CI::~..,tl~ j:"JI}r \ :;;r.:~~~!) :l_l(~ :.)
....l t!l[n l~i: tilt :.~ 11]";;: ..~~ the F:T....rti.. ~ ntl~ i;C'-"i ~'. .ll)re ~ "i..'
f~,;t -....l:-..~;:;C!".:::~ ~~-o: \',,_''i fc.und ::...c ~:'-...( ~: f~f...'L -:lC~-'L:"
;:;T"'~O\.L :J:: :1~C ~~'Llrt('~lntl.--i ~C81 u ll-"l(:,"",=H ~ \!, ere 'J::-o1..Cll
'.\ 1t:l :=.~... ""']f:: tD ;c:: rr~>:,p L1'1 Srno':.;c T,\ ,.1.) ~)ro~.)..lbJ' C;::T'C(~
~: :o~~~hou: :hc i()~' (f h -.If 0: the "')FI~C::!~~ t~1rGU~n
, , '
')L......:...~ L -~... ....tor ~'":....-=;~s. ..':-"G :'1J.l)~~L' .."!.ir -:"IU:::':~
\:'~-G~ c- ~he- :u. .=-~!"'~1 -'::('~r)l1rj rt(:.--r c:JP::.:~t~O~1" 'l.-':~ ere rn~( [1
'.":e::~c' '0ec..1P'){:' or ::1"C' ,-eI)i.-~"!"---~-"'" 1..:r (Q-:citlonl:'; ::.\ :::':l!l"-'
I"1 ;e::e!"2.l tj)0'C ::::l;E~~-..\ ',\. ~- i L' ~r~:.e or ':;:~('-.....~l ~;Jt :11C' C8~-
:~:::.J~... :rcLlr:cl t~~e~(~rcrc.crt' nr( C' C~--';J:-g::d !,~ L:~J sn""o!...c
HL1)lCh ~""l :)b:lh:\" had ~cen C..l:-rle~ Hj} l1\ stacl.: act'~:)
t!1w'.ISh ~he ,t;'.lro; ~':1c.! ser'..ICC e!t:\';>tor 'ih,'i'ts E'Tlplov-
ees wno ttlec1 :0 use ~he stmrs to Gescencl found them
'.'ntenaSle at abo>.,t the t}nn::. -thud Eoor and :urr:ed
[(~ol'::d rod ,vent up to the rooi Other emplm'ees \\ no
tool; C"!e\ators to the first floor encountered no dl:fiiCU~t\..
;JCC,lU;e t!1.ere 'va,> :'0 !OS5 or IJO\ver and the ele\."tors
had no opemngs to th~ fire Soor and \\--ere essenhalh-
'ITIo1,'e-hec
F:Il'IrrC~l fOli;!-;::} t}]C 1J-')chc5 ()r trrec lopst: l..!ct'OB "~""'r1.::..
t'l S OIl t~w !ltth aoar The vlC.t:m~ ;1,>2. l)c~n In ,U1 dc' a-
tor t:l,lt c:OPFc:J or '.' :'oS stofF(,d on tl' e fif:~l noor shorth
aft(~ tl~l' TIlep"H:n r(:"~cued the trapped ~raup t~'..lt bl.H.l
_ITr: \ L c1 --It ~~"L\ ~.:t;l ~li)ot b" L~':~ 'i.at9~ TJ OP~ t~l.e (" !L~'~ enth
HoO! T'e three men mlt ,\ hLlst of i1l',t ;">nd S:TIo\:c
when the doo:" opened One VlctJm wa~ found m thc
elcv,ltor, the other t\"O were m the ccrmlor. \', nl'rf' the\'
had ~een OVt'~c0me\t 1e<1~t 20 other per~0r.5 \\ ere 11'-
lUll [i or O\'CTJ::.omc ])'- ~mok('
~iIS Pi'S r1emon~tntcd tl'c ",~1uc l)f m'1.ll"" of ::he fL.l-
tun ~ of tJw I1l W 3UlhJm~ Coello The" l,d')'11 of P' 0\ Hl-
mg fire ~{:J,lu;:;o'n '\'a~ c\ :denccd by the abscl'cc of
lt~",.lgt' 1)': ill :~t ,md R.unt'~ In the tenant ,lre.1S .ldlom-
HI\!; tl'~l' \\ c',t l I'd of the' . \(~~on C.nplt ,lrl.l T!ll' floor,
h.ll; no dLL~I:l.ll or lommUI1I(.'tl'lll\ \\ Inl1',! :''1\'Ill<''::
t)'Wlltdl ~1)1 'n ~f) Trc.d ~\,t' fire [nchhllrl' l'ld fill'-
'tn[ln"ll~ (l~ (1)( 'crtll.d llr lor.,lltlolllnc: (1(,(", PH-
-i Ct-nlHJ1hlt I~JJ ,,'JJI.,C l,) I
....t 'I'" '~: /1('.,,,'-lo -i. ti e r;,i'-l~(Jor k'Ll i. Hi ~;) L.c ,-,.. II 'U ,llll
III' ;\_1 r,"~ iJ'=lIl.-; Il"'l ...t l'UlPllll 1 It'\.....
ON THE FIRE FRONTIER
~pOnSJbIhty here But lIldu,>trv too should bear a sub-
w:ntm1 part of the cost. partIally oec.:luse of Jts moral
. esponslbdlty but maml". because of Its financIal stake
in the fru:ts of the research Cooperatp.,e mdustn-gm'-
e!"n;--"(11~ re'ic,:11ch p]a~Y1m~ are jot \vlthol.~t precedent
'1nu ;o\,crnmcn: Hl\-oJ\.c:ncnt ~lJpp:~es COIH?Sl\-eiCSs ~~~
5:n~]Cness of purpose th.lt mIght be dIfficult to m:m:ti'm
In tne no:::,.,:lv COlTI?etIt:"e mclllStn31 envlronme-nt
. 13
So ~herc l~ the 'rndil portIOn of the pre ?rDblem t!1,lt I
chose to present to you And It tumea out, after .:<ii, to
be nat so per\' small The cnalleno-e It presents ',s <Treat
- .:J ~ '
but i)crhaps not too great [or a nat:on H..e OU;-S, watch
seefTI,p;h' C'1'l '1.:)\(' almost am tnm; It ;-edly w:mts
\\:" J CHPI;:,rl \ '\. C O'lf);iltll''; I:.n:':'irl[>[']
[-r:!leltL.-}ltel~~ LC!Jorc:t!Jl'[]), 111C
Office BuIlding FIre, 919 "Durd _-lvenue, :>{ew York C:tv 'C'Jr<t n,lCd <':Jr"' ,-"'::::e-'
..,-e'1ted anv \'erheJ.l heat t;-anSffiISSlOn Brar.c:. cucts
(rem the '.'ertled oucts ~erved onlv one E.oor. there8v
. ehmmLltmg a h.:;.zard ~hClt -,,'ould ha\e bee;:l Fesent ;f
the flc\:llJle ~onnectors had j?:erccd the floor;3 The non-
comhmt'l)~c msubt:o'1 an the outer wall dId not spre8.d
tc:c fire T\c Frc detectIon system ~pd automatIC can-
troL for the 11r-J1 ;:Jd!l:-g system 'Crere ""ot cn~!c:d en to
oper.\tc. "JeC.-'l','>L' or the prompt .:.lIscovcn: of the =1 e ;:1"'2
t~'.:.c ~.:l~U-11 O;)LJ ~ltlon of ~~c .::l1r cono.:.t1:JD1;)...... '" ste"--"l
^ ;:"J -
The iG~:r)\"I'1g- suggest:oTJs Lue m.Jde fer Irnprov('m~nt
of ~rc c:~.,fct'- 1~ ~hl" t'\?e aT ~u:ddln;
1 T~'c ~C("r_l'refT1Ct1t fo! s~al...eproof sti:11r ta'\ ers
~~ould 0C rep~~tlted :n the ~e\v' Yiork Clt'.. Belld:n3
Code For 0\ cr 50 ';ears such tmvers have provIded
safe egrc's ,,., :\CW Yor1.:. Cltv skyscr:L[Jc:s. the need for
them IS C\ t:l ~le.ltcr now. bccausc of lack of operab1 e
\"l~dow~ ."!'ld tl'c pre~e'l<.e of ,ur con<.htlO'l'Tlg: S\ ~te!Y'~
2 Ver,:'c"i 'CpaI:Lt:Or1 I)f '.\'l'ldO\,"s bv nre-rcslstl\"C
crm~truct'on sllOuld ~)e provlClcd to pre\'cnt tr:LmIT'I'i-
):on of fire bl t"Ten t1'l 'llltcr ~l..1T1 .md ~hc L'd~c of the
floor ~tlb I~ th~ Fi;-c 1),10 <)CLllITCtl on one of thc Ui1per
Roor~, ,"v1wrl' It could not h,\vc been attachcd 1)'( ho~e
~tream\ tluou!:;11 ,,"md()\\.~, hc'-.. of vertlc:Li protectIOn
IT'1~l-tt Jun' -:.rll'tn1mted to I1n' 'pre.16 to floOt, ,lImn'
1 \lltom :tlC ~pnp;der pn'tl <.t'on ,hOldd he l,ro-
:.
I
I
j
;
. \t l )IlL \.< W \ 0' i- Pl.'7.!, .\,i,,.,<. \ fire O<'LII'" d \,,:.:,.,t J,
J nil] I ...<..(! 1~r'(I(rrll'( l ,.h(Jv..... PT:':C "5) 1[r ~n1Trlv ('r Hi( 'I dU('I-...
"'1 r\l,i h...n dn~IJ'" ()rll I'. t:,i lilt 1;'-... ilf' t rtLl .1 ~=I "-Ill" Irl Pl tl",.f
fin '\ '" ['l'IL;i~l...toprH.i ")n1 PHl:.!:.... IftHII1l1 tl,c ,11l{ '.... \\~.IC...., ti"LV
pH '(. d ~~II '-Ililr
.,
vIced IP ~Qn" c.lls::ble OCCU?:lr:.c:es It:s -:.n~c:es:~ng to
'1ote :!1:<t J. lr,rge se;me:rt of the carpet maustrv mo\ed
from a r.;-e-r-es:sG' e sprmklered bUIldmg to thIS nc'v
u:1spn:!J..'ered JUlldlO1g
-1 ConSlcentlO:1 should be gIven III the deSIgn of a
nre-resIstne bUlld:!'? to the cegree of &~l.mage horn a
s'hall 5:re :\:1 Z\ssemblv or method of constmctwn
shouI::! ,....ot 0:11., r:-e1. ent tr:lTIs:mSSIon of ~re and st:c-
ces5f~J1.~ st:p~~rt ::-.e GESl~ ~o2d ror Its rtitcc hm~ ~~t
f,]SO rcs~s: ;:! s...,..,,111 Srp or a TIre of short dllratlO;l Without
su~t~ 1~1~; (1-1illi.1 gc requ~rmg replaceMent or floor con-
:;t:-uc~:G~ Or c~~lC::~'L.ll 4~mbe:s
.s ~lc<m~ ,,}'cl'lld ;}l:' pl:J'nded fa;- 't:':,tm~ ~ fire 3.cor
to pre'- ent ~1"0.ld of ~moJ...e throu;hout the bUIld:n-;
TIm '-entmo::: ,hodd prcfemblv be directly to the out-
SIde or throu;~' sCp,1.r.lte sn,1rts not used by pcrsonne!
Such '- c "tm; ,j;ollld bl:' In ,lccora.ll"CC 'v,~h the capabrh-
tiCS .mcl dl'\"::'l of t:'c ,1If C.O'lUItlOmng ,\'stCP1 With
'),("If'er c"T1tro';'i VrDv:dcd :Qr use under fire conditions
L 6- 1'r.:::'r2 p:a;s shcu:d be prcp1red :or all hl;llcl:lgS
m (fJnj~'nltlon \\'lth the Flte Dq1<1l-t:ncnt, to assure .\
ll~ahTe ""eans of egrcss for occupants of B:onrs :Lbove
e],,- !If(' ~,I( In' ~hol'!d \)L' pr8\,1(.!cJ to notIfy .llllmp:m-
( l ~ 1)f ,'\1 I 1l1l "~('rK\' ."lci ot thl' ac.tlon to be t.lJ...cn by
t~'L'T\ \t lj III r:" ld \, en':. C""P;ll\ L'e~ on Uppl t fi()ot~
~('~~lpr lQl'_'[;, ~d" (;'.. (,i !-L:..~{)f [1()t]fllltllPl of the ~~r(t
- r-:, ,,,,t,,. , .:' l,,,(tLlll'- "~'(l111d not he r< \(l(J[I\I\ L' to
hi l~t "..n"lr)k.: or iI''lll ....
...... ()r-r 'i'~._:> fl~"r.(J i)'P'- I., ((1r;l(lil'~'" -( t( tJH(HI:.~:lJ fi1(-
L'I..... or..' ;' d [,...-,(., "">:Jnlll ~-.,-~ pfOCN zit rH~ '\bq~I}' ,i ~
,"
.AJ>PENDIX U
.
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fl".r~:= -' :..~~_ --- ..,.;)t ~ '; -~-_-I "': -, --" --_-::.J
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,- 6~ _~ -- .... _ ___ .(
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1f' U.1 o' a ...; ~. -11 t- '<i' ___. ._ .~ _~. -~_ ___ .._,-1
l =--~-..~ .A'-..,s--=--.:....;--=.~~r .. - ' - .. - -
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h ~-~ ~ ~-:;:;1-;- ~-=... - -- ~-=-iri. i":;"_ +- . -- ....~--~ 1
~ ijJ U lJ :3:- ~ 1 :.+ ~ ~<..~ ~... _-: ~ ~ --- 1
ft5t ~..i.[ ~ I [i:; ~ft . --J ,. j . "'~~-.7 I~:->!l
~a'!.,,--'---r--''''~ -~~-~.....~.-....~ ~,..,;r<!;i1
~1i;~" ~m'i~~---G~' .,
~ IC~~. ~!Lc.:s ~~~_~; .." - " i...;~~..:;.~::..;,,/k
,. f1i'-.-......a'~. >\..~. ~ . T .-.,...:;....,~~,'rJ",-
t ~ ""'. ........ ...~- <,J "'-=". .~,,~..?~-.....' -~ ...-
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! ~.. " ~ 1 ' ." , ~"'::;J '( ,
',' ,-1.l :'~ ,\:,' , ,_a~;;",_~ , cf [1O
, i ~~ ~~ 1 . , . - I ~- ~~"'l'~'l... ,...,
il~ ~~ \ k-l r? ._~
Ii "7, . - rlF' ~::";: - mmy ]971
;J
I
1
,
A fil e of //l(/In! pI 0 pOI twn s took tu...O III C~
and deMroyed t1l..0 RoO/s of a nearly com-
pleted office blUldlll;!,
J'iezu :Y~ 01 'It
Office Blll:l(lz~ng' Fire
\Y ROB[RT PO\\ CRS
Supr'~'n;';n(":. "t
\-'ru..~ YG..l~ Beald:;!" F';-=-- l r:[lCI..:...-~,.('r'l
"'~:-'J ';S P"""'1 0" '\\"cc.nesdJ.' .-\U;'bt 5 ':"9';'0 tl'e ::"~'5"-
in~ ~G~..'\.. '~lCS \vere belT:; :a..lde on +h-:: "-'1E"\\ q l~.1r~~~"" .)~
O~;:~~-r'j :jc:nler & Co~~)af1'. ~oc..lte(~ C'-'1 f'";(l thlrt'\ -=::-.;;;t
th"t:~ -sf'(ond c~cl t1~-:"'~"'-~i:~=-~l ::JQr~ ot o....c ),e\' 'Y'v k
FL-. L~ T:"'(' 1 !~:;s ~(;.2 been Llid ~~.: :::r:-:.:tur2 l"l~~ ...ll,~c:
'"he :):c:'~'rc" hU:1~ all \T ~~ re?.d\p for ~l-':e :-:m1"s ~ 0\ e f 1e
i:oIlO\\ ::1; \Ior,d<,\ Three OI tj'e frrn 5 e,ecl'tiIC se:::rC'-
Llrles \\ ere on the tln:~~ -t:'j;t-"d f!OOl .7C!"'--'l:"'n; t1-.e' ~C\\ ::If
:'\e\I' York Harbor <,pel the hnuD; and ;Je.1:.:tl of th:'!r
own offices_ .'\.t the "~mc monl!..:'1t J. fire \\ ,15 star~m'; tInt
would leave :herr be~urlhlj o=nces .1 n1.1~S of charred
nnreeo;mz,lble rums The gIrls dId rE'~ hze J.S the\ \\ ent
throu;h.. the officE's on the thlrtv.-l'(.Qnd noor thr,t ,1
stran'.:!c bltmg odor I\'as dc\ elapID'.:!. but It ". as not
strong enou;~ to pre' ent the'll from c.on:-mum~ thc~r
~Olir of ~he thlrt"r~-first f.oar
Shortb. alter the"\- h-ld 1eft t~c t1j:rt\ -th:rd fGcr '1
gu,lrd bC'c,'me ,HI-are of the TIre on t11.'t :loor 1\ hen be
.;;a\\ I..nlC1kC ...iho\"e tllc (o~11n~ ~hrr:u~b ..In open'l1': '1\ here
the (~"l:T,: t,'o L1d l1<':'.'1 Y["'01l'~1 II" ,tTT:Ldl'
pul!ed the fire> a1arn ho"\. on 1H' floor ,1'1(1 the '1 too:'" 'he
ele\'ator to the fint floor to notify the Inll1dll1g gu,lrd:. of
the nre \Yhethcr the FlfL Department \\ ,l~ Il()t'~ed hI
hI:' npCl,ltl11!"!; the ,llarm IS unccrt,lIll It IS knO\\ 11 that
two IHlll(Lng: gl',lrd~ ,md .1 tel('phonl' 'n,t dler ~llp('r';:~or
tock tl1C c:ev.1tor to go to the tinrt; -l1ll1th floor to notlh
ernplol pc, tl'ere of the fire ,h the (1e\'.ltor [O,e ]t
,topp{'d ,It the th;rtl"-tlurc.1 Hl)Or, ,to(l '!TIoi-,{' ,llld H un('~
lll~hed Ill, forun!.': t!ll' tIll Cl' m~n to the floor \ \"llL'ther
bccan\(' of I)loe k.H~(' or \\,lrplT11.!; 01 thl' do()r~ or f.lllull'
\(l,otl (i 1)'\. ['I r1.H........'(ln tr'~"1 \lr pin\( r... n purt {Jru \~ 1(.
Ij'l~ P/fi::rJ l,'n lj1d,]a...litd 11\ t',t '\..'\. ','Ii... Hl1ud of ion
lr'I:~,r\\]ihl'" lllf -;,olllpi11- ,,!,(",' \\.I,I'l'1 lOl;i1uli' l 1.,1 ,\t
lil(L,oJ"I'EII\I-tlulI' u.d ':IIII~tll IL\lllIh I'r '1'1 Ihlr~\-thlll: -."-,'
Llj~I{\-1'Jli"lil q,"I)'''' ., 1\ IIi ,:.1. 'r\ II Li.t \. \ III r BI"" III I_I I "I
I'll \( Idll'll LlI.j IJIII,ill Ill: '...'1..... ....~ II.I~'I ""rl' t \"..., "\""....
'... ". 'fllk :iIO~"'" hll --;' l 111.....
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of the controls the elev,ltor would net move from ~he
t~arty-thl;d :;oar The :\Vo .;uards penshed The t~le-
phone fo:eman was barely r1h\ e when firemen rescued
hIm about two hours later
Ct~er wcr'.;:e:~ m ~,nother ele\.~tor were more fortu-
I1,.l:e '.\ ~el) .Lhe~r e~e\ :Lt,--r S~'J~)"p::'G __""!.L: tlle Bre floor ..\l..
thoP~h smc:'e J.nd !1e",lt :,usheci .1n tlle CCGrs ~:-,~Ilv
dosed ,11(1 the elev'1to'!"" C '1 r~ed ~:kDl to ~,liety
Other ~n~.ei'- ~sors. dl~p ~.r... :ill~ ~he s:tmc c?-re ;ca ~hc
!""'12:l i.......d21 ::[.~~r c1-~ar;e1 n'ere ~.J.-p S ~1-- "'c/tJsh ~e-(tlC"'.i"S :)~
.d-~2 b:..::':::r; tD :~~Le sure .:h ~-~ ~c G'1C" >oc:s ,,-r.::p1:"t:::~ One
at t~~c forc'-'''en C::t0~CG -1-'t~C'" "'C~~-:-:il'I"1-:-C:.YT~ ......-e"1 Q~ t~1~
r:"'lr~.-<~1""2 :::::'0- hut 'I.T :.... UI~2.~I~~ t) ~E:;' ....~~Q -~,~ ::'QI'""~':~)r
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\t.2" :"p~ ~"!~:e C''-'''':J..CP ees ,IH; ~'\C'C~.}tl\~S st!11:~.--: G-\ O.~
--;, ,lr:r.-!5 E;JGrs G: t~c :"'l ::d~n:: ~:ci hecc~e ~~,r. l-lrE' Ct
:ire -\n (~CC.l1tl\ co on ~he :c:-~~, -t~!re. :.11l..:1n;: \\'1::: a ":0-
..~ cr ::...c-l 'ctJC~:...~ ~~J~-i.rt~~; ~:I:': ~C -1 L:::L,:, If' ;1:5 e-' 2~ t-:- ~--d
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, .
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['.')n:;,~ li:rlt S..,.....8.~.;? ~~::..S a:::;o ~ 15...".-.,~-2 ~')l...t~:cic :;...::- "..2::-
(tU\' s 011 ~~,~ ~,-lst SIde- Got the 1)~~lldl~"':~ ;11 ~he :.? ":1 .]:"!.....11":!
OCClJp-;lnts '~r", ere ni)1l5eci ~r:d .e~ (lcu.J.ted~ el~ht"r b~.. cle' a.-
~ors or do.~\ n ~!~e staa-s bec~us~ 0f the 1~e3.\ y ~~oh.e CQYl-
C:t:ODS tl,~t c.e.-eleped en maD' floors
'VhIe evac:'atlOn '\'2S t2km-; p!<>ce stT'o1..;e \' a'i 1:Jerpg
dra'nl mto the aIr condlhomng s"steTP About,) 50 t~e
smoke detectiOn eqUIpment at the f.ms shut don 11 the
supp:..- fans ~nd sounded ap alarm 1"'1 the engl::e room
ar:d on the Clnse \fanhattan control board One or the
1)lDldln6 e~;:~eeYs re!Jort~cI~. :e!eQnoped the F~:e De-
p~n :ment .-llthc-u~~ rccc:ds ~~~lC:i.te ~1-:at ~he 3.:st a~~~
\"- ..l~ c:J.l1cd :n S" a SUlc1rd In :"l~ ..ldl01nlns bu:~dl""'i~ Sl~ce
the bl11ldmg fi~e J.13.m boxes ::-::e not conI'ed-=d to a
CC"ltr~] ~tatIon or to ~he Fire Depar~ment~ It L~7Jpe...1r~
tl"at ~})e rn,ul11..11 fire ,:tJi1:-:1 ;ro"n ;.l--;.e thi~::\- -th~n:.~ SO:ll
pruGPc.ed r:O results
Although the FIre Department responded '\ lthl;l
three mmdes 1:Jv th.1t t~TPe tj,e +}>lrt-,..-tn:rd 2nd <hlrty-
foUl th Roors '\ e:-e rr1gmg :n:err.os, \vlth 'i0 ffim,h S""'"101;:C
,we ]'Cflt tklt the nrcl""'cn co!.!ld operate 0'1 tno'iC Boors
oni.. for r1 shart time It '''as fh e haurs before ~he fire
''.".'~ bro"gh: under ccmtrf)l Dunn~ ,poSe fl.., e hou~s two
..
7/1n riTe r h nf J,[.{lt caH ;1(' \{'(1-n .....n ,lrt d'~ inJ tl. ci In /(111 \ P'.; d.al
tJjf J-"u!terrl .ilap;.:(' of fJIr' 1J1 (F:~ I~ nc~ {lH Lrvl It Ii, .....c-:r, I....L-e
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tf@- ~-:~-I ~;'- ~~..~~ :j ~~~l ;?/.:r:::"? ,;j....~:.: :_"L..... .\r::i.~~~~~;""~~~
~- ..:-~ -..I! .~~ft-~~~....:~~~.:i~"'" ~""P';i ~~~~~~~
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~~t~1i. .i--:...l;:;.......~ ~-. :'I~~iJ~"""..&..t..:"ft.-t~~""" . "t...A4-....-~~~ 4' -~~~
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[-s..1.,(f! ' (~I "If:' . '.: .........i.>'-:...,.'.:.p. ~ ' .=.0' -l~>t ~J!i;.'i~!l'
1~'J' ~!.. -. .tJ~1 !/~ 'l"'-:~"rC-;:r: 1~ ~..., .. ~_: :~.. ~~t.-~
l- . 1....t. J'. .J t J ,..-, ~;o ~ I" .t a:.. ~ ~ -... . -~~ .b.-'"
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~ '~'''''''11.:J_Ii.~;~r0:- ..L....'A.:::~~';~~- ~;$:r -~~&:l~~"'!..y~
~-t,. - .:'\ -1:-'~'-diJ,(,; t~'"";~~' '; ~--;: ~.~ ~:A.''!f~....~Q?:.ii ~
"::.::t. ~ ~'.\"'" -,.....~ Wf'.. ~,,""J J -:. ~ ' ~'...~."'~ 'VO!r..... "~. ~"ff
,~~ .- ;~~~';H~ -~ ~ .....~~~ "~~~~~ ..~ ~~
<t.j:lc l' S'\,*~;o::-;~.;~-~k ~""':..':';.:.:'.~'5i...l': ~...~t:~-4::: .;l::i;;
'.__:P-~~~. ~ioi.~~~!"~~_... ::r ~:_....~~.::..~.._:~~~ 4 "''''-:'''":i~~:~;ilI...I.,J>~
~, ~"'"":::T '.;J....::"'\~ ~ -L.:,-!"~iI'---'~L-........lII~..... r1ll-l" .E"'" ~... - ~+ -\.r-""~
_ ~L.J ..,.;t.':s.. ... Y"_-Ao._~J....:3"" .~..;~ '~~'L "!J...... ~ ....~ ~-.~
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i.. ~L~?wr~-~~;Il~......... - -~ - ~-+."'i
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20 .
FIRE JOCRS.-"l.L - ]A;:"; UA.RY 1971
F."""", .P't"ACr,r;.
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S!....?tu\ cf outer t!...a?[ ~rrC'rl~CF"cpt sllc[~~n~ ....::-:'::c~ PHer;, :""'l'trntrUlm -;1asl~~t);;.. and fccrncd v~"st~c in,Pl!!J~j(1)
men dwd, 30 men were :nJured_ ;md ,1lmcs~ ten mI11;::m
dolbrs' dama;e was done
To CO~lf'mTlrXD THI: l'ROCi1ESS 'I.;'-.D RE \50X3 for ~:'1C.~1
destructW:1, it IS necess.1rV to examwe the structure 2.r:d
oCC:J~,,~cv of the bUIldmg In det:l.ll As m3.,' be "-cen
f: C~...-,. L~:.e :~~"'oto en t~e Gven1ng: 9a;~ O~e :\c1.\. 'Y c....\:
FJ.17.1. c8rT'~)lcted C'l.:!} m 1970. lS a t\ prcl mcdem ':';:' -
~('j,'p('r T~"e lnu'dmg consIsts or .50 ~tor;es .1~)O\'e ;;r'lc1c
.111Ct thee stone~ below gr.lde Tbe Rr~t 20 stone' J.re
.J~)pro\]m.)tci.\! ~~~ 5eet 1)";.- :'56 feet. ~")t1d t~le ~e\t 30
,to' 'cs i t~...e ~o'.\'e, "cct~on ': ,lIC ,lpprOX~rn:"lte1\ I-D feet
lw 2S6 feet A. re'nforccd concrete center c.ore ccntam~
tbc elevatcr ~haft~. st~rr towers. rest room~ utlhttes, ~nd
,1lr conclitlOnmg supplv and return aIr shafts Steel ;Td.
t..'rs COn'1ect the core to co!umm at the Ol.t~Ide '\'::(!1 of
the l)U]'dl'l:;. so tr,.lt the floor~ .lIe column-free c'"~~pt
.,t the e.lst .md wc~t scct,cn~ Be.lm,; ';tlpport the 2'"-
,r:c:1-tl'ICk eOl'crete floor an !luted near fann un:~~ :md
Me lomed to the conclctc floors 1w ~tcc~ ~tud~. ~o f-.at
thc concrete .1Ct~ a~ an c'\:tCn.'>lOn of the top c!lc>rcl of tilC'
1'('a1"'1 T:1L? column,>, g!>'den. and b~;>m~ l,'d tl1(' llm1t'r-
~lclc of the f'oor~ He protC'ded With ~pr.t':ec~ l~hc<to~
filler to I'ro\ !dC .1 fonr-hour fire rC'I~t.111((' r'lr the' lol-
'Ilnn~ .1'1cl .\ threc-hour r ltlll<':: for the lJ]!, r 1W,1l1l, ,"~leI
tIn' HI'nr"
The \\ ;\\1, ,'rc P1.1clc lip of ,lll1ltlll1l1111 P,llH 1 wl',(IO\\
,edl'lll' \\ 1'1([1 .ll,o l"K l't' thl IlUhHh lolLl'llll' \ "\.
111<.. illUllC ~(tto-hloc..:" c'lrt nn ,,\.111 2<; Illl]ll, ]'l'.!lt ]'II':t "1]
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t'le outer edge of the Eoor shb IS located 1TI lme wIth tl'c
Center of tpc wall columns. so that the outer skm IS 16
Inches out from thIs wall ThIs separatlOn crC3.tes vertl-
e~l 9.ues tpe belght of the base or tower sectlOl1 tbat are
mterrupted at e.tell .!loor le\ el hv an .dUm1'1Um metai
fl,'shm~ de~lgned to coJ1ect c.ond!:'m,1tlOn ,md c.lrr'l It
'hrou;h "eep boles to the ol:t~;cle TIle In'iUe ttce of
the cm [;t;n ...,,11 and the ~p,lle' bet',\ ec '1 ,'nc "bovc +.c
"nm!!)\\ ~ "r<.' 'mul,ltcd ',\ lth onC-'!1c.h Dc)j' on iR 100
V'1h ~t\'re-'e Ecam llo:>rcl Till~ lIl"ll.1tlOn I~ co\'ered on
the ,Joqde \"It); .;':psu;rba<>r(l on].: where It ''> "'l'llb!e It
11,15110 c')\('!"m:; J.hoY(~ the ht'l1t::; u.tlm8; .'\\.1 -(',tilt till'
poh \t, rcne fO,lm board IS clrectly cxpo~cd lil the con-
cc.'led cellmg ~paces
Tlw htln~ cc'lImg'i m the bUlldin~ arc of Johm-
). Lm\ 111e CL1~\ 25 .1C0I1\tH.,\1 tll~. The c.oncc,\kd ,p,ICe
bd'\ l'( 11 th' hung cl':lmg .1nu the floor .lbml' c.ont.un..
,"r "'l'l']' dne t~. hg11tlll;; F....t1He~. power hn{'~ III con-
dUIt. tl Iq,llOne l..lbll'~. ,11ld c.ornmllllll.ltlOl1 c,lhk\_ The
Ollt{'j UI\ erln\!:, on m.my of th{'~(' ,lIe of po h.. my I c.hlo-
] [(Ie or dlll'r \\. nthc..tlc rp.lten.d, 1 here .In" 110 firc,..top\
to ,!.hdn Ide thl'!>c J.lrgc c.omc,slcd "p 1(('\
T!]( .ur lO'l(lLtIOnLn~ ~\ 'kill" h'jHl II of ,\ ,tern,> l;p-
1Il~ 'll,t dkd "J modern Illll\jll'~' .\11 lbl 'lippl" LI"'>
,If( lrK Lt' d 011 IiI< rune t( ('Ilth floor ,wd dl tilt return
1111' ,11(' lOl.II(.d Oil tilt. t\\entll tll floor H( turn ur (olll!!
1" dlll1li'l (1 t'J tIll (Whlll, 1)\' thl' <ll','r,lll()11 "I ]nLI\{ I' \
pi llpOI t I' HI' d llllollnt or In ,h .111 l 1Il hi .ll!d, d 1 H IOf(
SEW YORK OFFlCr m."lLDISC F1RE
~.
the return aIr passes through the medium-efficlCncy fil.
ters on the nmcteenth noor There I~ a common plenum
at the nmeteenth floor for all the 31r condltlOmng bns
Fans 1 and 5 supply rnr to the penpheral ,ur condltlon-
wg w,tems for half ~h{' lJUdclrc- from the fourt~ to the
fi.fherh '~oor Trm :llr 1 \ dn J(::('G ;;-:'0 \' Ill< ,11r ,:no coki
.ur 5np;:Jiles, wn:c:1 pass ~h:-ou~h sh<lfts loc.ltcd <It tbe
rou:- extenor lo--ners of the bu:L:h:l~ Air comes ou~ or
the s:'af:: at eJ.cn Eoor 1e\el tl'rough cltc~br duc~s .l'1G
feec.::. et~~er \\"~lr~ cr cold aIr ~o ~11e '\. HH:!O\V (~~ Cft~,,(::.rc; on
t~-1e ::raoT ot eXit c;\nd the fleor a,ave The tonnect:'c:J"l
~mm d'e maw duct to the dj;tu~er _"uts are ~1-:rou~;' q x-
~f\ CI'- ~u1cl el-;l~~-j"lC~l-dI.:nletc~ ReXirlle dpc:s nll~c:e cr
~L1~5-f ~~~r clc~~ 0::1 =1 ~tce] ..1. lie 'pl~.:d \ \T~)cr[.~ t~')~:l~(-'
Ge\li)~e ducts pJl~') ~hrou~~~ t~r.P ~lcor there .S Ll f10nSlf-
~tc.Pl--=ed cle.1T:1l1ce ~~~ound the uuct"1 of t'~ to 11~ P"'CI'lCS
F.~ps :2 3 and -l :e~cl the lntcrlcr ::.~r cf1rcl:ho~;1~11; ~'. ~-
tem~ c;lIoTJgh ducts thelt !"~,s to the ,<lr:OL''- ~');)r~
tl1:-op ;1' ~h:ott<, 1'1 ~be centc: co-(' Hot dI'U. cold. ,'ill .lIe
b fent:eci ~n fill '\e~ U~its !OC'2;.,:ea ~n :~je CGn~(".decI Lr:::~. :~lJr:;
sp..ce ~l;,d t:1e telTI?Crec. -l1r ~hen ?lsses throe;}'! ,l.~lC
:1e~ .J)--o9 Gl:cts to one 5~de f)f ~he :1~lorCSCellt ~lg~:t q\:t~::-cs
for c:~trIbU;1Cn :nto t!~e \\ or!,,-:r.:g are2~ Rer:.Jl ~ <-~~r
pa~ses througi, ~n oremn~ on the other SIde of the ~IS;1ts
. 21
IntO the plenum. ,vnlch 1S the entIre (oncea1cu ,",P"lC("
het\\ Len the hpn6 cQlhng "':.pd tl~e :1cor ..1 t.o\ e .Ind then
to one of n\ e return shaft opemn:ss on e<1CI1 neor le,-eI
All the oppmng-s mto the ,hrlfts. ,d~ethe- io:- ~:'~p h; 0"
return 'If. ,l;-C rrntc(tec In fire J.::n,cr ,-';ut:cr'>
(fi"'~~r!(l 1.\lf-. f~""'lh~t ::P~'l Tl..cY"C'~... I ~("-"'I"'~~. l'~"P~)-
ph L'" 'ar tiiC ],.ltLh") on :l,C tl'll (~ ilc;~ "0- tilL
(f)D1rqter roorn~ on the te~"lth .lnd 2ie\ er:-I"1 t::J""....s -\'} "'~e
...i~~11)!\ ~allS ...:.re plotCtt2d 1)\ ...In -\CiC :=- -C -\':l~
\[cd.e: 170 1)-\ Smo~0 D~te(t()r 't...."!.(~:? 1-,' Z'" "":j':'r-ctor
C----"n1~-."ln\.
TI t~ f !:n ~'FC- - ~ c-:-ro..... J-(}... :::'1...1 hUl~\.1 ~!.:.
1...1....
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~pch \t~Ui[~~)l!:~~ ....l~e:' li e I':> r,f :]~e
"'-:.IL;~'" ;;;~~.~_
i)hec~ b 13 'y;n-;Jlon ~,"n',~
....~:>r' ~':..l fcr :::.t ~'ldp'l1c p~c: .-"':p
i.l-.Il(~- i;,~()~ I... 1..,"':::1 '11' th(~ In;'"'~
seen
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nun-'J.; -;-50-::~m1 n;-e pU''"~''5
t...'~e ....tiC-t'OP troin Cl~\.- m"'h:JS
111 ~!~2 er-::'--"- -f"!Offl t~~t
r::.rc ce? Ir----;-.....- --t ::.':-rIll?C'"
t.:]!...:., t~~ ~hc ..~ l...(1~l)e ::;:., ::.:::C......., ...-r2 'oc..lte.:. t z::n ~ ,,-.des 0:'
l--he i"\~'l;-:': ~; -\l-=-~~GP-;li rt I~ _~c: :-2::.iU!1"~j -:.1::' 3l"'~~"
,-....~: Cl"[~";.. t:1(~~ III J.. "'T'..1n:.:..~15:e ~.~..-ori ~~ ::[t"'Y. c:::::,r~~..:~tln:!
or 0:'-0 Dli~~ 1)0.... .1D e.:(~l ::.]llr th:..t S~Ji.l"--::"'5 ~"":-. .-::.::r-'-"-'l 0:;
e\ er' ~en+h :loar Ii) th.;:- seT'- ::e ele" at(J'" lc}'l-..T-.~ ..It the
South sectIon of d1e tlllrfJ-#lurr:.! floor, Cc-.'lpJefc "':cstT"lCi-tVrl of furp'!Llre pa:utiGnS~ C'1([ acou;:.ucal c("(ln::.
L-"""'" ] 7~' r" -:.. '~~ !- - ~-">.. ~ ~\ ~~~~::"-"'!?~..,,..,...~..;:- - - ---._'~~ ... -- --. ----
:~~iJ~~~~~"~-:-J~-"-~"t 1~"{~S\~::~ r}'\ ',', ,-;~~-;~~; f,t~f _;i=~;~~~.....~r-.
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FIR.e JOCR:-..<'tL - ]:\:\'U:\RY 1']71
nl ,t-fIoor ]oh~)" c.o'ltroll.omok and .It v.u lOllS 'llacr.mc
wom, tlJrcuS;::Gut tl:e buddm;.: Opcr;ltlOfi of the m,ll.lI.tl
fire alarm~. s;nohe dct:?CtOT<i, or >rnnh!er <;ystcm ~uto-
m,ltIC3.ih' <;imb 0:1 the ,unpiy LLlI' tOI ~h(' ,HI conthilon-
'n:; ,\ ,tc'Yj
.-'\r ,.." 11- ~r,''r
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Gl TI)I- ! Inr- the
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'~U' i{nn~
'\'a, 011h- p:ll-
'-~;.[~J.~ OCC"tr~'l;:..d 1)~ ~rnL~r't;) T.~e ....ll~,i...l...e'l1rpt ~ln' 1~ ~-,....c
iJl..( d f01 H't0 r:r\:p:.::: l')Ll )nLl[II~~~l~ }Ilo~n'"t Tlll'- 1'~~'.,!..-
~cpt cQn~....'~c(~ .:. :).ln~]~"'-; 0;:::::-(. -:.J"lnp'" ."l.nd..1. ll....l- \~.~
:;:--""'1t TIle rl~.~ :"Iral cor"l)~,->d 0J1t.teh. cf enL~ l~~("
'-.,..... (~:... T'~i.~ C' 1:"(, \, f l'i:'h..."~~.J' ry~"_'''~~r ;)(2 ~~-'~l'" ~'-.f
...~c ~Il(~ to t~~; '-"f..:~t('eI1-o-11 .~ .-..J ~I1~~ :" ~:.rtt'. -;:r....:-- ':'r, th:~
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;'.\ ep+. -....~\.tf"; ....L (--ee1.. :)~::{1 '..\ "':-0(,\. '~'F)kprL'.:e fIlll'" T~.e
t~l crt~ -~ .:;:-..~:, ~.~~ cnl' -n:"1;'~i ,-11~.::1 th~ I--e:~' .lrc- OCCUrI2:-:
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~J:...,........c. ~- l '-'.l"'l'lj:~:--:J" ~~-'2 ;ol~o' :--'; "\ I-:- "'~_"'!.'1 T~".~ ~:-n:~. -
:-C'llt!l nc-ct \1 --.'" occ.l_'~""I':..:d 1-..1 ~t1' "rOl~,,- '._~'-_~'~1L-1(~S
De\l:ers' \S::'CC;;;.lt:iOn llncl To,,1_ :-'~"'-"(! -(----;1 ee~~?,-ln C~"":"'-
f..ll1'1 The- ;~1P-r'. -~;:-h to the ~>~~:--; -~'nt~-.: f!onr" r\,e"'-e h-:...-
In~ :i}rep;l~e6 for OCCUp,11JC\. ~v Intc~13tlO~..11 :\'("~'21
Ccmp.lTI\ The fcrt\ -fir<;t to tl'c fort:, -bUlth ,lre QCC.'-
~]l\t! b\ Sc~~ornat' BrQt~1elS
The thlr:',-thlrd flr;or con~almng the execuh'e office"
of Opp"d::c-Hrer &: Comp[,:t\' ha.d 1~een d(~l::'1('d ,os a
sho"'p~,,(e ,1nd \\::1.S aehl" ;i.nd t.1stefull" fmndled a:J.d
.j'::::c..o:,lted ~h~r.ll~h')nt \!Ol.,! '1f ~~lC clc~1.::c; '1. er9 ""oC'0d
p'os" ot ~hc Ch,'llS 11:-'.d ~'},m'eti rLl'~'l r:! "I~"'le~ C'.I,h.::m>
,'Ile; l)ac 1.:s Sof '5 :n \ ~n:ot'> o;Uce" \' ere ,t,lffcc1 ", ;t],
~Ct"~hc!'"s. 0 :c '>C-'1cc1 PQ~\Lt~rct11[rne _\Tl t:be }:l~ltl're n~"
::..0\ crcd '.~ 1~1'\ cle~'" ~?t"\....t~c ~~1e-:.:-t~'g: Tl"'e ru-:.:s .,"\.C'rc of
"()'l~ ~\ t;.h '~~er ~...:<-...(-:c: Th:..- .~tn -"'2:::- '::'!:..::.<; n, ere .)F lnctL~ \n
esse11~lallhlr~ :J~ ')tDcl,;::~li~~l'lk" 0i.~cr~:tIO~~]C; u"hlbutlor-!
of ,tnc" -n u J';d elat" th: ou',d' the vpnOlI') llfF.cc~ T1-.('
, nfor:-n.'tll") 1<; !:!:,:~he-ed ,md c'1lla.tcd m ('omrutCl''i In
, ,111011, p,lt t, ...,r ~lv:~ con1try :md fcel to control "rat, on
(',llh 'loor fl 'Jm '-, '''0211 pO'"ih ,t 1<; a\'~111;,h]e at '"l('\\':'1~
I'....lt' ;'111."1\ i(ll'~lr r.;i1(.c~ Ten l..."tr,)Plc Con~101 Ctll~~ 'n
Ikom 31') ,CW' c(i .,l,.)"t ~O dl'~ 'l'"'lt~ on tl'C' tl'll t' -t11.rc1
~"OI Flf'". -t'\O umc111ctnr c<lHe~ row tn c:-tel) <1< \).. unIt
1-..{,....J(..11. ') ,1 (()Ll\~~)1 l::1!~~(' 'ShC1C' t'~('r(' ~.';:1\ lll....o ~l T\.
'-"l'\t'r T~\(> T\" '.Ie\' ('l~ rcu,\('(1 thl'lr PO\\'l'l <11[:p1o."
frn'1' .....t .:li!.Ll' (i ou"'.-..t':., nc u "be U''''L~''I There q ~l'-' .1 "'[[111-
]"r Hr.ln~Lr.'lT1r H, ~!~e Te,n n...p:llLf':[('C'-.,....p.:1} r(llll1'\llTI\
1]) IL't "(r ~L "'P( ~qr' o~ t1,.... !)o{'ir
()'l ~hl' t~\!, r~ ~1(llllth il'lilJ till "'(' '\ ,'" 1 !( lc.l'''lll1\(' (OU-
t...,)l ti.'d>ll crl'l~ 11IP'l~ loch !lhn':l l,,~ 'tr"'11 (r~'-n~l"II( .~t lrcl
-,., I 1 [ , ,
,'J~ <,I'f'll.1 I. tn~ IL111t\;, '\' 11 ;, <lll1hnl,pl1" Ill! ,tp(l.
f~ < l r~..\ f 'f(llrh~, Il~ ...\ r' I d 11 ~I l'IIOlll..... :/.] 1J1I'!i;~llLt :"1
:.L-~l)l "'-II I I~il'" l~I'~ . J.. I .)j....". II. !:~)II.... I.).; '1,-)1 i', rJJJ
tr.le!ln:!. 100m ,md adlacent office,: C.lb!e<; Ian het\"cc'1
thc\c ~\\ () 10C,H"l0:15 Z.1 the t.onL~3.!eJ. ced!n~ \V'3ce on f-}1C
tlmtv-tbrd floor Tl'c re:n;1:~dcr of the thlrtv-fourth
q('(J! \\',1<; .. tvplcal \\,{'il-haTl.~hfd oft:l(' o;:cup~nc\', WIth
'\('ad dl.'<;b ane. fO,l1ncd '~:<l'tiC '!ltl 't'l't.ll ci1~lr\
~iS j'POCI\LSS O!-- ~HE:. r'i\:" l~_l~ b(~n ~l.~c~d 1)\ C\'LU"'11 J~l~
t'!Jll or .1Il'l'-.. ~'ld p~fOtr~ltJr;~~ frnr"l \\L('""I(S....C'.... Th,,:,'
nfl' ..\ ,-1'1 9, o;;t d~\~LJ.:tcd ~n ~hc c,":'p(.e ,'cd ([",I.L;]~ ....~... lCe
Ilf'-'t t1'l '\G~i..'.ll'.l...t CCDlc.... nf t11C-o [hI. ~\ -tllll d .1(~or ;'\ th:..
'- !(.rtt\ c>;t '-J1 ~~P( ct1,\ t';.ll(li..' ~l..~ t(ll.~n:~n]~i...) L{Il" ~"'n~cr-'"
!""~1"" G 1 t'..o'"}. ::1 I} t1 _;r~,.....~h 1;"l.1..,:-~1...:, ~h(~ :-::""2 r;-1~'.~....Ltl ~~
....., -i1.'~ Ci') 'lP O' '!' :Jl1l (If ;--:1C 1--'7:1r_(:., .u .1'0 l:l LI :::l ....[lii
i~~ P'l~ TJ'l'. e...~l.;,' ..C'~~
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:C':-~L:"'''''''.___2 _DC"'i' -11l.::, ',l:~:~' ~ :r("_"'Cl~ ~"'O\t""l.~'-: '~) ~~
C..l':,~~-~I' C"l Jlf1]t;--e-h' ih:c:'~~c~ "r~' SH' ~U}l::..-l)h 'il~~c:d
lor_ :1-..[" c-...-;-::-,o:.:c-d '-'--:i~....t,,""'E:~'P i0LP"Y'P::"~ ell..... .,CJlIt:l ....1"\(1 '...lst
- .
".._""I~}') ;;.......c:. =-~--.,,-::.~=.._:::: [1'-"J1 ~j"\~ ::on~;.....~lc(~ ,)~)LH..~ ~)\ ~"""'-:... ;r-:
,--..:;. -1:l:'lng clr:(:~:e~'i or f~_lrr:t!l:; ~'15ec: .A.s rhe n;-e In~ oh'cd
-l; ;""":-ct:...~~e(: :U!....":1_-U:. 'ts ?::-.:J;~C::'::; L,c~!...\jer~:"~G. :-::[)c0.:":'ie 0:
-~:e ;;U1)G::n~ of C'om~}~5:~'S'Ies ~-~p(1 d"f R~"\:~"."'1~'b~e .;3S
';~'.en f)tt ~y :he foamed pOl:'<-Ulethaui:' Te~ts :11"oe '1~te~
~:--e fire s~Cl'\'ed t;..at ~he po~:t:rethane fo.,m gZlse off
=a""'m2.::'{, g-"'cs ~t 212" F The fh~ \\'1S c1r~'\n toward
tl"\e center core by the :.11r condltlOn]n~ ~\ s~em. and the
5:[' camper on the lOut;' u.::Ill of the core operated
Hov.e' er ~he fire d<,rnper on (foe \\(>st \' all TI':lY not
1'.1' c. closec1 ~lree,t " ,lS found part',lll\' open ,lf~cr the
f'!2 TI, ~ l:1~en'lt' r: ~l-..c fll c ,-lbCJut ')() ~1l1t'1l~es :l~~er d~s...
co...cr~ '\...ll.. ~u(h ~l-"dt L<' corr~)u<;tl\lc~ ';1 ~!1C' .:Jo~l~h scc-
i-~a~ ot t!1c t~l~~:"1.-t~lrd floor "=veY"e ,n\ 01... ec Qnu -~le 8rc
\\ -1" l..l't [' \(hlJ3 ~o ~~e \1.'est SCC:I0:t of the htuldlflg Bc-
,:'lOT1\C r~f ..l-~!... :11: 2.GV. :'0.,\ o.p"d :1..(' cc~'tl'r (01 e the FIe d'r..~
t".ot ~C_l(~J '-\0 In;:' ,In Inte"1<ilt'. at fbe "e~t ~\\ Ll]j Ho\'"
e\ er, the rmh of :lame toward the '\ est ~ur ~il,lft created
,~ !.-.'0t 5pot C:hree'~... 1lt thIS enrrupce to the \!uft and ul.
tlon,ltc1~ c.U1'ed a calbp~e of tht. thrcc-mch .':>:YfJ~lll1'-
h;o,J,. \\ an at t!liS pou't T~le wppi" ,lIr faD<; we'rc shut
c111\\ n ( ,I: l\ 1Il the :11 c, l,ut the reh'm mr fan<; cO:1tmuea
to r'l'Il qllt~l tl~-'Ot1t 7 ~<l pl'1
Thl' rJl{~ "p1 eaci to the thn:\ -frlurt~1 1100:'" th:,[\u~~h
OJ)I"'111~' to <- kctr'c,d .-,nll td( phme (lmet, in'l11 the <-on-
u>,llnl \p.l( C'. .11 o.md the RCXI1;JC 11r c.on(htHlnH1~ ducts
\\ 11('fl' th(.\ l''1<;'>cd th~l)lJd' the floor. t;\rml~h the m.';]
t llHk th~ol:::h 0Ip(~"c"] cr:nl1l'dIOn, 111 ilw floo'" ,wd
1"(1)' lhh 1)\. ~hl' Glhk, tJWrl\[ ;"l" The npc'l'rH!<;
11'>"1'(1 the ,111 tn,,(11~!'tltll~ due', c.rl-1'< (1 I 11 LI ".,101"
;,.lll'lrIOn T'iH' bt ~I~ lIid f!' l1lll p.:....q.l~ t1)rn\1,~i\ tlu ","''1
Il!l( '"n':''' nll ~tl d '11(1 :~llltp{l tlu' L'Ioi, ,~\ n ht. 111....111,11-(~'1
III t~11 'HI'e 1 "\', 1"1.:.';-( II"" ....tfll ~ \~1. ~!I~ 'JHl IP....n.lt/ni'
;\ ,... "'J: "q ~1l1 PI d,J'l ""'1IF11-1 f nfJ I] t))(~ \\{.....t ",(ll~II""IP" {li
:\'I:1.V YORK OFfICr. BC'lLDISC FIRE.
I'.
LI
L
the thlrtv-tourth Boor, but the burnout was less com-
plete th.1n on the tlmty-tlurd floor because of Rre-fgnt-
mg actIOn. The fire spread to the thlrtv-nft..1,. Boor at the
\vest end of the bUlldm~ through spaces arou:1a the a:..
cond:twmn~ ducts and the fO:1m lrsllbtlOD. :n the outer
\\ ,';:' \\a5 set .,fire and spIe~d tl::c 3~c 'nta t:.e cancc:l1cd
cellmg ~p.:cc Since [he return .111' bns \\'cre not shut
do\\-n. smoJ..e \V;:;'5 clr~m,n mto ~e retUI:1 .ur sh::-fts
th:OU;11 t::e openlTI3S c-n t1""e th:rty-thl~ d floor and
t'i'rou.:;h :Jr'=i-2;J.led openings :nto t!'e c:nr:.it TI'ls s~oke,
c:l!":'led hv POS!tl'\ e p:-essure ~i'r!]u;h t1~e 'iUp~J!:' duc~s
..lnu :0 SC7'e ("...~tent t~~rou~h ~1:e ~etuI~) L;.!r 5h..1.1ts to t1,c
\~:r:ous E:Jc.:.....~ ~.\-,::s:;r ~l1E2'~'1t Intep~~~\ or ~~o~t :!cor...
~o ~e"'luae~" i.'C~I.-..t:an
The F!.:-e Depal~.::n:.: re-s?8rded pre::-!"?:~.. :-:.nd -..___.vC\.
ele. ..~ tc:s to 1 eLlc:~ the To. iCl~)::\- ;r;r t}~e ~re i~COl F-"'zlure Dr
tl"f": c1(\ .:ltar ~::p:}ed the f:-~t ~!O:.~1 of 3:"(' ::;b.:crs :V"\ tre
clc~. ~tor s:~ -,~t It ~~c f::~..r~~] ~Ol}i. :'1('~. h....d t~ eh;.:) ~hel~
" ,1" out of the' S:iJ.ft to esc::qx' tl:c he,l\ \ ~rnoke O~her
U~-"lt~ "ere (~-cl~r.ccl. b', l1--;':::'l:1~~::)j or t1-c elc' ltors :..~n::i.1
d""lcr~ rl'~cd ~~-: 1JL~:--~ tll,-:~ teok t-'ie~ to the tlllr~~~t:l i::Jor
.
I--i')'=e hrLS ';"!: C'~e ..lttacnCQ ~o :l-:e s~a-"-'dp~~:;es 1:1 the ~:~llr
tc'.'l el~ to 3;ht ~hc ;:rc~ ~ut t:-:e s;--oo~e v.. ::.5 so c1c:-.se
t:~,-l t ~nL\5ks '-"\ ere requlred ,;::.nd the heat '\\ a~ so sre~~\: t~-t:it
tbe "TIen coul~ st::t\' on the floor for onl\ ,1 ~l1')rt t!:"e
The Bremen bad dlEicub' m \entl:Jg tne fire ~ecJ.t:se of
thelI reluctance to !:Jre8.k '\ mdo\vs out for fear or cas-
ua1t:es on the ground and because the \\ 1::1(I.O''-'S, \\hzle
or the tl1t hope, were held closed bv n\ e :atches :nat
rcquned .1 specIal wrench for operatIOn Trey fin,ll1y
stopped the Fre at the north~\-est and sou6u.est cor-
ners of the t:1~rt\--t1urd :loor ~rd "t t!le :'orth seetlOn of
thp \\ e~t end anel the eJ.st ~ectlOn of t~e south side on
the thll 7v-:ourth Roor
.
Ll!::: outer s.....n of tpe lJU~ldm':!," and t!'e J.kmmu""'1 !::,sh-
tn;s '.\ ere -'nelted ,-~ho\'e ~:'e H.lndo\ys In the souJ-p '-'\-aU
or the thlr:v-th!rd fleor and the south and 'vest '\'alls of
the thIrty-fourth fleor TherE: was complete destructIon
of furmbrc and eqUIpment on the tl1!rh-tlurd Roor
fra'TI the sou the l~t corner to t!->e north\,- est caner A
temperatprc of J.bout 1.500" F w[>s reac~led - ewrt ~he
hl\CS of t\'Dl~t ch.l1l ~ mcited Stcel lJ('an1s 1'1 tl'c ~opth-
ccntcl ,u,d \\ ('~t-c.C'ntel scctF"m~ of ~l,c tl':r.' -tI1H{1 ;loar
Were t\\ l\tl,d Of detlcctc,j \e\'eral mche~ and t11C COP-
neLtm~ bolt~ sr-c.lred off or f.ulcd, ,11!0~\ mg: the bC1m,>
1:1 \omc ~cctlOm to rcst on the iLmge of t1j(' ;'nkr Tele-
rhone .md cTcctrllal erJlll!",mcnt lTl <.10'<' ts \\;>s com-
pktllv clc,tlO\ lcl l,,, melt:;]g ['~ 1,I,lstIC r.lr's hllIT'll'~ l't
'n'IlJ.L'lan .md ,hOTtI'1~
The (1,1I1l,l~e tlJ r''1nlt';re on the ~Tllrt\ -fflLLrrll fit)t'l (,'\:.-
tlm1cd frnmlboLlt the ccntl r of ~h[' ~ollth \('C'1lJ11 to thl
Lf( . lu,t \', t'\t or '1,< u"lte! l on' Be 111" '\{'1 t' " ' l r L I"
{lr Iil~('pd 1l1l1 ~h...tn'~l,tl T'r,t, l'10...t ...( \P"'C ...t)ll( fllll~
l { ,"1' 'P- Ii j-:"_ ...-;
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J - C -- -:.-:; ~.-= --4
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;
LETTERS TO THE ASSOCIATIOX
You mill} be ~~Jle'esl(.d Jf} 'hIS sJdellght, t.:.h~ch I dtHt out
some !Jears a;:;:o COncern'n!: -he hIstory of sod'urn bicarbonate as
{J jire-extln&tu-sr1ni! ager'f ~ the -rnatcr:.al tLClS presented at a seM-
mar conducted by .\toblL C.l Company m 1564',
TTlere had helm a senes of e::ploswns of ea,;)on d;o;::,de
sheils iru:JpufGcfu..,.-ed ;)'1 Krapp :n Germany 111 the lssrys A.t
that !irtlC .filell 1Lcr-e not Q~L.-t'Trc 0; the dal1~c'" :::;" oLe";:F '1:: ~1:1r1
ci.d, iiGt tE..it.C e.dc(ric.tc scfc~~1 r!L L'C.:?S One :J; :=lC;j en!..... ]ICC~S
sJlrmJsed Ihat If It '5 cc.rbon .J'<Jx.de l-:lat (JlIts G~lt ifle ;=.,.~ :1~d ~t
sodlurn b'ca~hO~late. !.!..h.c;~ ;l'S u..lfe used for leaLcru,!: r)"!"ead.,
;c't.c a"!J ccr[;ot] d.~ztd(! -:1J1C.... ~ t.:.as f~r.?a~cd, tiiercfcrc '=;CL~~IJT'1
b'ccrbora~c snould c!.so be c!)'e !O ;Jt;t Glit '::'rcs ~~d '=..ol,ld ---lpiS
f}z.m'uat~e :hc_ ~"ee4 For oj :l'!:!~-~"!r('.n:;':;l .....c:~seZ '&~'S t';:':;;:3 : ,..---t.::d
thet :)QGi.i-t.iin '::;j:[,.~fbDr.ate ~ ."~cea. iI ;oca. i:"tt~n..:.'us;~.n~ !!.::c'--::
yr-.e a~CrL;: ~"C.J it...-:;t :Ja.c1..a;.ea '11 the forM vf ;'1 :;';'{1"..C" ~'"tri:"-
6'U5~~CJn S;~rz:"CiS 'Lcre i'"'~Tl~';'ac+~~j"cd "n :i.....ii C::::i.'ii:.l.T'j -~-:. ~;-.c
lSS=) 3 Tr~ 1nH~or"!cnt r(lr"t ~hc~/ ~):;~:c.-[ .:~ I:~ 51 .-.~.....,:~ tL C:;-'-
~~~.,' ~;~:/~:;,-'~L;"J.,J\:;t~ :-~:!~r~'~~~~~~ ~-.~,.;c::: :';c ~ ~~
sta-~i..-.d :rJ a 'ia.st.ei.~r:J ....e: ~'eG."" d~-!1'Pe~:l 7;'3 t'icc;t.:: r o!.~;- .-nCI'- IL
;uui ;)cen cr;encd 0;-' DCi".'::~?"Jbe" ~--1 ~4.n :.:.ftcrr~-:;~l ::;C-'!"::;!:--....H 'Ct
lLa:) bvr..;; '::'L-cn h~: El{~;!e F('~,JJ S" :0 G'l Gi.'[iie"'~e of ~/~~'O
~!Cr~,.r~..~.~re~TJ..,(~.~~~,r,:,c5;e':._;~:'.~~~f_>'_~~'~l:~~1":?1.:TlIr~aij'J sect ~,.;C:C ~T ."ell ~fiL;:
_ .... .J _ '-'_ _ ~,..- ~ _ :=terr~t{'d"o ':":':"~--;: "o:il .~
:\ev,' Yorl.. Office Bllllclm'2; F:re .. cc~"';"lrd i'']~' "~<;c .::::>
damage ~cc!.'r~ec l~ t1:e ~"\-e5~ 5:::ct~On or thIS fioc:'
There \\':.15 e2l.:re:;'e~~/ ~:;ht T~vuter da;;Ja2:: on :;JY~ er
floors bec,mse the ::\e\'; York FIre Patrol funneled ";a~ec
cOl"t'n the 5t~lr tov. ers 1nd e!e'v"ator shafts therea\.~ p!"'e-
veOltmg the water from fu:1r.mg ':hrough open,ngs m the
Hoars and celTmgs
Tim se.....ere fire In a fh-e-reslstl\'e Dmldmg on ~e un-
derstood If one re:l.~~zes ,:hat ~he bmldmg classlfc<,tlCln :s
'l rmsncmer BUl~C:"gs of ths type erected In thIS Pb"tlC
.:-\ge should mOre cOTrec~ly be caned "semlcom'l::ustlble H
Except for the concrete ana metal. almost 8'"e:'. t!:nn;
'll tr-e bUlldL....; I'; cClT'busable to some de<;::ee - f08.'l
pbstlC wan msub:1C:1 e!ectncal c,lb~es. cedm; tI ~es"
parhtlOI's. ,me lPSl.::<>.t!cn 0:1 ;ur-}.'1!ld~mg '-'nits b some
cases the de~ree or com!:J..'stlDlhtv IS smalL be,: 3.dc:ed
to the se\ ere fire ~~72rd c~u~ed bv foa~ec: ~~\""stlC. fl1r-
m:me, the-e IS the rE'~:r'e for cOnfla~r2.I:Or'
The degree of d<lmd.~e to the steel Imme !s the result
of se'"eral factors I: IS reported that thIS steel crne :rom
En;Lmd ~md tcc:lme severely ondlzeJ In tr,lI~-"lt A.s::t
resu;t. t!1e spr<l) ed ~!."::estos fiber dlc :1ot aC~1ere \\ e:1 ~'1
manv places ;>.rd fe;7 off along \"lth the scale s:'ort \-
after apphcat:on ....s ,I ~econc ~actor, thIS Irsu;a~iGn Wf'S
removed ,r. man\ '~c.;;:iGnS \\ here pa;-~:tlClT'S r:';: to che
undCcs,de of be 1m". \\ here a'r ducts run unGer ;1ea.......s
where Cbml)S al e .1ttaej'ed. \\.here \\ Ires scrape It T:le
Sltu,lt!On m ,1 ]al)8nt')p' 'vhe: thIS maternll' tested !s
not the same <!ttl.lt'rm 'n the field
O~J('mlle:\ m t'Je !llyn \ ,lrcu"d ,ur card: twnm:; cL'c~<;.
ekct:ll.d F\tllr('" lTI(i ~;jl' c-lh\:s thc'Y'..e\ es 's" (lJ 15
tbe \ II tll 11 ,ll.lit.. I,' t!.p ')11ft r \\ all L u~ Olr r:,i'. ')\ .1
..hed or ,11\'lIl1'IlUl1 ,ll~'m ed !i.~ e ..pread bd\\ eefl i:"OI"
TI\e 1 tr'!!" Ur:.') pt 1-"!;1~ ce,L,,,t.!: ph ~lPl1 ~>c B~.\.Lh'(:a
c..lh1c\ In the ~111~nll~ tPd t~ll' L'!.~ ~e '.OlLLTT1P i)t li~ \-I.P-
1
0-
. .)
ll-,:h a dry chemIcal shaJ..er Im't yr,."! ch<!1)':Ld liouId /lot U;')le
orl! of the conta~ller B!J the tllne he i'ad reac~cd, the fri- had 1";-
ntted the ed/acent draper!J - and utL!>!J It 'L-ellt SIX hmG: "eel
and t!lg~t, peopie pensl1ed :n, the c?nria~rat >on. about 6~O, oe-
cause Of -tne enSfUIl.I1; /'lUtzC 1:J..:t li~Jl~S. ti1.~lc It..ultlLS_ cr"I~1i: oars
on doors e::tt dcors ojJenl'1~ uuttLG.rd. (;.nd nre-res.str'ni 5t,-TCC
C~:rtc.;:l"""S :.:..crc- SC"l'C !Jf the ~.f:! s:;.ic'"'J fcr.~lrre! r(.sul.~HI':': rr,r,_p tip,
l~S;O'1
4.nod~er resl,lt ~"as that sod['na !;'~~i"';;ci'a!i..- :)U:.c..:iHC &Tl ...x-
tiC'f"1C1'1 1''1jJo;;~,jar f.re-e"::tu'~ll2S~"'1':: .::2::CIlt I'" '/[IS CG~IIjt'.." j-.-,r
the "":~t 30 'j:.!ars It ~Las not '1;~t,1 ~h~ t'arl:, T;i.irt t-t '/1,;( ~!IC "J.:!1L
;'..:rble"Pl cf t:o'cC"t!r1':'; iodu~Jn ;;-~C::;.;bcii(.~e tc tccp :t i...-r-n C...:....;1~
~('i' :lolLed bf} D." Ji~ci... al" ..Jl;: L ~iTC"'(" t'} .;f C,','rr_-c i-"Te ;L..C,'
J)C'~'"1 "!:''''c~f1ed ;J~I I...QC.~(iS Di.,-C:1s to de......eiop .; "'rCa'r'~ l'tiC"'jn'i'
r:ps "!loGS d~e ~ey i;~fCl"lt thet An.si.~~ CC"'i.'~~C:"~ n. l:J.j'j '~:l<?n 'i
;)"~'J::;.t ..!'-c D'~G.....::: ..cT'.t"~!'e""'n':': C0r:~'lr-''''('1l
T!.c ser; """1- l.;"C~r;'Qrl~tc ~'!..-c'~ ~i.)'c .., "'~iC .)ilj1.[. ..-, r~'-. T ) .,~..
~'!"cc.!:::d ":) !..~c .(.c..(.;"_J"':;'.....C'l!.:nf "/"-7 ~r(~-1"'~'::: ........t:tc... ~,\ .,.,to ~ .-
nvie. Tre .':c"'r:"}'ji c~j:';;c" ,~ ;t51,....~ SC(._~.~~ ;'I!..:lI,L:..,o;:...Jc ....:. . i,.-
s,::-':;(~d ;;~ ....Olir cd'i-::;r..d ~}~c /{t'se -::D;O-.~f:L. ""ce ,l,:::::~",'c ' ~i~..
:",;(.c :', iJ Sl-at..cr "'~'t '..-:..-'t:l ol'l'f;C!.,:'CG:. .::Jlcn';c~~ 'l")"l, J1Cfitl..l.... ..j,t.'
;1ii>rYt.d ....; ::-......:::CC(~': 7'(; !Icr Ct:Tt Tor --;r'lrt ~;..II-.:.::-t:l ot ... j'"u,-
",...t~(.C.c..[ sed'i."j} ~)'u.....~)or..cte 'I.. ;:i .start 1-:) cc.J...c a"ci
ii~clc~s
~ i. , .-
:;.: C~..~[
(lIed contr:~-ll~C'd to t':---lS l~Ss ~lS ,,--,,_--," t~1e dl:n:''':l:'1' or
\.en:l~; ~:e ~rC2-!c.~5 of ccn1bustlon and. espe(:J.-~ .j\- ~}::=
L~(" of p!J.nnu";s :or d~lS con~lr;~rcl.~
r-r"
hus FIFE .\.LSO DE~ro"STR""TED the effect of a r:re an
re'Y'ote areas or t~c bUlldm; Pec!->aps of gre8.test :::.
terest IS the bera"wr of com-puter eqmpment On ot~er
E.oor~ Clase ~fanhattan Conpanv has 21 computers on
the eleYen'h Eoor and Salomon Brothers has three com-
puters on the fortv-thrrd Eoof Those areas are well
gturded bv theli 0',\-'11 gu:uci forces and at Cl)use DV
Fvr,.i,IITIl SIT'Ohe Detectors ~.I'C c:lrbon dlO'(:Ge ~ooc.:n,;
anc at 5",]0,-.on B:-o:hers OV 1::dc:e F T lca Smo'.;:e De-
'ec~ors Became d dlScult\- '.nth a refrIgeratIon corr:-
pressor ~l the base'"'1e:,t. the computers \\ ere runmr>; 0,
:-ecll1cecl load ~rcr'1 .5 30 to 6 30 :?L1 i-~e G:lV of :-~"'e 3re
\\ he:' t~e alr condl'lOmng; s\'stem carped smol..e Irto
the compute:- ::-00'"'15 the smoke detectlJrs operated Su'ce
the Clase offic:al \:new of the fire In the hUIldmg: \\ hen
thIS occurred, he aborted the carbon dlO'Gdc s\ stem ~o
that It ',\ ould rot Bead the room. and all umt~ \\ erc shut
do" n The cers,tv of :11c smoke forced .111 emI110\ ees tt"J
evacua~e all the floors but as soon as pmslblc they re-2turned d:lC co'.-ered an tl'e :-r.achme~ WItt> \\",lte' prcofed
tarpaulms hept m the computer roam for ]mt ~uch .1.11
ef'1er~enc\' After tpe file the tape~ that \\ ere on the
;;),lchwes \\ ere c1p:>necl. the ComIJlltcrs tl1c'mseh p~
needed no cleZlmn:;
S,dorrroIl B[r;tljnrs was lc-"s ;0"t,'n,lte Smole and mot
l\.!10~lh \\ ell' ., e~' lway\ 011 ~hl" Hoor, and (Tl 'PLtL
\C"p~lra"'C' ,..If c.OlH.::'tl(}nll~g -'lr!~ t~llt "!"ct.r(n:,.l(c'" !HllJd'p~
.ur t"( m.ldnI1l'\ knl to lJe \ ,lUlll1l1-t!e.llll"d lNl ,l II'"
'- XPiJ;"L-t1 tLlt1e~ ~~:\e ....nme ~rolll'lc T~Lpl'~" lth 1 prlltlC'"
LL\ e b ~]H~ \" L l 'jot lirl~{ t.~(l ....
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B~INI0NTHL Y
APPENDIX V
FIRE
RECORD
Tnese are a selected group of tvplcallmportant fires reported to the :\'FPA. In some Instances the accounts are
based on prehmmary reports, whIch are subject to venficatlOn Please send any addltlOnalmfoITn:J.t:on to the :\FPA.
Fire Record Department
Repr.nts cf the B,mof'thlv Fire ReC'Jd can rye obt:llned for 50 cents for smgle copIes or 'j ,5 CO pe: ~CO CD::re<;
Orders should be fEed m advance to assure deuvery
/
rrCSIDC"\ -:'I-\L
/
V
'[LLT-::PL;::--r-\":::::r..,y C\.::L:'~ :::;
r"l ~:~ '- r:re":'~-~':~l I '":~~~:~.l~ :J'"
c~~ ~~ :::3g. \1 "r'....i) C\ I)
..\ fi-r:2'~"1 ~ to" :;-,;t~r~ u cc::;-:'-~--re [-I~l'~e c-~5'e::l I-:-e de:1~': -.....; :-Ol'T
(.h~!~~re"'l '1!1d 0"'le ~c.u1t Tl-e pause "~'?-S :J..~::!.-;.jlv ~ 0~e-;--;--r'~",
<:n'Lt-I-e T\e ;J '~~~ ~1"1~ ~~-dcG 'il ch~:os;ci e\.:er or st.:'I-.Vcl\-
:lcJ=1ce.....t ~o l~'S ~r:;,:~--1~or 1""'-~...C..~:::"1 l-'C. :-,z..d ft:--"s~ed ~~,~ ~-e.:-o'1ci
st:::rv rc!' re......~:-'\l -:-!'.~ :::;:....~: ep-d;::sc....e ~~."':ci t~vo C.~OOTS a~ CfCU;-U
]c~'!2'L oTle ':c ~"'e Cl-=-~s'.~e ~rd ore ~-~ ~-~-~ -1ecc....2 S"'O"\.\ "n~ :l
., l'"ulo\-v frc.....~ ~\e fr5:::-~c:):- ' -~: !-.eT}
'0 ;:~e/~~. 2~~~'t':~~~;;~, ~ ~3 ;1~~t-r:c~;:~~d~:~121~5 f~~~-~~;
1 , tc}.. eTI ~1-:-~u=l- 0-1'-_0 -~. ::O\V r-to ~;-:: crclos:ed :;t~ _T"-..~~~r tc- ~~-:;o
seCO'1d st:::p..- F1r:me'"J ~rc. 5~c:"e ~::::-:J s~re:ld ~o t~e se::::on6 stGfV
anc !ne attIc nrDuru ~i)e vert ;Jlpe :0'" the ~~:_nrD:]'Jg sv~ten'J
F~i'e OffiCli.l1s beLc e ~1--Je ;;;-e C"'l~!~-~lted. ~n an e~e~~:-lc.li ~v~~;l
outlet that 'vas raste'led d,rectly to th t;'m waU paI'eil--; WIth-
out use or at' electrIcal ~O"< (e"l(~m'n,?tlcn cf t~e re--nalPS ~~~l-
c~ted t~at ncn'1letalL: shept/'ed caDle, Tvpe '\i\f, 'vas InstalIed
do'vn t~e bac~ slce of the paneh'"lg t:l'ro:.:gn a hOle l~ :~e p:"1""1el
to a plastic wail Olll!et Slmiiar to those :cund on e'(te'l'lOn certh ~
Occupants In the ~~st story dIscovered t~e !ire and were "ole
.0 escape Just ~s tre fi"e broke t!-e btonen wmdow :>na spre;ld
to the second story, out lIVe occupants or tre secol"'tl stor... clec
of sTl"'oke ''1\alatton before Rre Schers could rescue tre.-., Tl'.e
door ,t the >op of ::...e stag's 2ppe;T5 te '13,e been clmecl. ^S t1'e
fire dam;1ge on the seco'lO ster\" was net ;rC:lt
con.....uTORY
i\o LI;hru"lg ProteLtlC'1
AU{l: 3, 19S9, Par")'a. 0'1'0
About 1 30 am, durmg a storm. the two-story dormtor; for
ch'ldren was struc<.; 0)' h;H"lm~ Shortly after the strd..e, the
reSidents smelled smol.::e ~nd called the Fire Derartment T'c
roof. the att,c :100". a'1d tpe contents of t,",e att.c We"e sevep)v
dama~ecl, ann tr.e rom below receIved canmlerpole water d,lI"l-
.j"n~e
TJ,e roof w:>s c'lmtrtlctea of :'oards On )OlstS WIth 1 tIle Cf'H'"-
lng T\e t10r"eT "T'ldo...~-s v. ere sreJ.~l,ed \.Vlt~ C(!:,~er Tl"erc
were no lJ'lunes, ~l't the ]o~:. )5 otIl'J<ueri at $40,GDO
AP AUT'.[E"T
l;;;:'")),~~.~~,., ..~ Y'J-_
o;<.{'t 6. 1969. Phl/1tk1r1"1. 1'1
\n o<-ulpmt of .:l l:)-,to.y 'plftn'<nt 1""]('11';':: reoorlttl ... ';rt:' 'n
the ~e\ entL~Tlth "~n~1 to .~~~ r''-L Dl D L~tment flaa f'~b"( r-... tr..
r'\.ld t.) hl'l:l tht., hre i..''-JT~rlll(,': to \ h~.irPfLf"l F)Ti.. cjf}v -.J, i}t~ll \(
th It the 'Oll~14 WlIlll '0 wllLl OlLlL:'I<'; thL ap~rtrn!'nt f,lI h1'lll
\....1J11t .:)Ul'JJ..1'H: III ht ~1 r-d!J' tt lu.... t.l~~rltte 19P1t(.)(1 ~]>( 1)1 i"J.-I1f~!:
I h~ \\.'OI1l1n llu_,J ,l'" ,} fl'1lilt t'l tILL fin~
\.p-\.l\.y..\lr::.....T
TIe:"'lPtP~
]U."lL 2~_ :')C~_ ~L-,: ~:'::'l '~.,r C '~'f
~~~~~~~~~-~~2-~~_- - ~~.-.---...3-~
~~...._:::.-__ _ -<- -_ _----..r ~
f~~~1~~~2~~~~~
~ :-' -~;,,~!:::~~lt;.J~=~~~--:-~.'_: - -~-~3.g;-~~
-~, ....___,,- ...........2:.....~~;-c.._-...~,-..- ~"1"-~- ~~L_~~~
:;..;5t.:.~~~2.~~~~:~j~~~~~~
"f"'--:E:-~-~--~ ..r,_I___:E-......__~-....-~ ~_::."i-.,______ =~~
~~~~~~:0~~~:~~
'~,::o":-~...~"" ~ I c.~' : .1.. _ .' ~..,.:::. -_-:---
~--..~ 'lo....-::: _..:..~~~~--:"~-..........----df~-~~~~ :zw
I.,~.'=~~.".~';;.-s:~*:,~~~
~~~C?-~_~~~~~~~~~_-~i:A?~~ ...;;:_-;.~~-
i,"_ '- ~.. -::::-..c -- ~ .~--=- - ' - -
~tl::"' -_~- -.' _'!':'i"~~ ~~ ~
re\~~-~7'. - - ti"~ .. .~~
~~:!. J' ay:;--::- ~a
HOUF"lfOm View Ce-:{f. fire Dept
The OCC'lD<lnt of a second-~torv !l~art:Tent ;!rrn eJ ~oT"le ;I'lJ
loo-:':: a tra."nqulhzer ~nd d paln-l'lh~~ P' ~l He ~:-t"., Stit clo~\'n i.n
~'1 upholstered c~nalr to \li."ate]1 tele\ l:-don .1nrl i.."11cL..e ~ c.~~re~~e
T'"1e next tP~J:::!: 'je rtmernDer~ '5 1-.,.:.. 'J~ T' "1~t'....-o:::s. r--:;\ ~eo~i~ f"04
~~~ aCJ.1Ce::.lt LlpLlrt~ent 1,vho \."..ere prlil:.1~ SPiO;"[r';': CIJSnlo'I'"J" ~.~on
ltnder Iu'll Tl'e cI.:sluons 'vere placen outs'ce :\I:;;1ll"'st tl'c "'Iii
on t~"'le ...ecaflu-"to......... b(licopv of d-.e h..'o-I.,tc-,.-.~~ tt.ccJ-frJ.T1le Inn[d.
]11~ ~nd {lol'sed '\.'lth \.v;:oter '\Vren t1--.e c:.:s'~ G~S haC. ....t:;ppeJ.
'J:r-)Okl~i! f~e ~l('~r.:hbor~ lef+- LP-~d ,:,e o(.::..t'~'1r-t "1 ~T': ~fJ '::ied ~e'-
Lf'll ]~o;rs i l.te!'". al.:Jout 3 00 :1m, re '\."-l~ ~an a....ef't:(.~ S" ~o-nLr.ne
Sl~ot~tln~ '-Fue ~ \\'hen the oc..cup,tnt ~ot -::;ut of bed the fire.
'vhch i';J;d not been e'(tmg:Ulshed 10 the C'ISfIlO'lS, had brol..en out
,'([;Ill' ,-d was ~pre'dlT'g up tl'e m:'~'<.'e w,lll .ll'tl ''''0 tI,e sp.lC:,e,
be~ween 'he DverJ..N'gmg r;Jfte,s lifter " f'ort~hle tire e~t'n-
;.(u.,:'<-r had hten tned to no \\ 'II, tbe F're D<>r lrtment "'\,\,
C Illed
-\\ the fire apparatn<; left the ,t,t'on ~he :T'<.n <.oule! see the
dow of the fire In tin, ~I..y \laster -tr<-,U"lS ""ue ..ct up to ,(e']}
the L,~re~ci. (>f tl"'<.. R"'e '1(."0';;-, tl-.e '...oo(i-...hu' ..:~e "'()f"'f~ ~p"cl ;:ud \\ as
~umTJ1o..ed from 'iurrOUnt~lnU: commpp.tle~ to 1'="'I'\t ~'1 extlP~p(l'lh..
10(.( spot 'ire, The 10", I' e~tllllltLtl .It S17'5 fiOO The rhoto
,how, rart of the damaL:e
I)\H[ LJ"
C,,.: I" he, 'I'Ll -\1..,,111'1
';<!pt ]3, j<ib') <., III 'wtOlllO T<~
.\ IlL III Illd '\ Ife "ho '1'1' IrI-nth hId L'ln ,IT'~L1'~ WHt fOllll(1
..II It; "ilH 11 :.IL' (I'..:;ht< r.... ltrnt d I( dKtr 'It'[""'I. '- t~ lIi~ l'l't I' lIut(-
t.[u d (}~ hrL b\ l L'ohLt... <.. lr I !tL) {--re- \" .~ -...t:- Jt;. .] to III 'Iphui-
I 'Ji' lOt i\"\ \1 - J \'L \]\. "1-"
I';"
or the fire FIre depdrtlflt'llt rnve~t'g,lt"rs speu.:bted tn,lt tht
'wIse of ~l;e ,ur (,()llJI~1011er md~ l'.H e :"ee~ p"..,.h respon"b 1l
ror"l1e ace. :lpants f,l:lure to ll<:ar the Jc':U,wr s JlJIT'l 1'1 'I'ne
7~1e c.:etedor m the parents bed;oom '~.I~ operatm; wilen fire
.~;;hters arrn.ec.i
:\FP.\ 74, Standard F"" Household Ftre Wa"7urg Eqwp-
mer!, ~am's out trlt most fhes 1lI GwelJmgs OCcur ;:It 1"' ';:;ht
".he'1 e\e"'lone is lsl:",p 1Pe pnnClp.u [nre?t to,pel"~IlS lJl
S;CC'p,.l~ ~te is C(nl'e., I.ro1n F res !n the "'~"'T'oi'.T"c.:.er 01 ~he l'Olht"
tJ"'l t"( "OJ t :)a':'j( ~llJO~e t~i.. tu:' r;"J....;s ~..e 1..t....( :: i....l:-,tJ..: '.'eh' t'1 ~~ t~"l
be2rot}~"j: L"L: e ~~ ~rd tJ'e . t'...t of t~e :"OC':;'C
-\P UlT\IE', T CO"IPL!::-';:
S=ll'.'''c- Deti...-~to-'- FL1,h '"[1 ~.\ ll~ ()CL'_:0L~'~-- Oc~ ~3 ICJ....._~
Oi :..- I -i ... -. v-~ ::l~-~TJO:~)'l~I"': \ ~l
~..~1 ::..,. ~\ l~'J'-rir'-:' --r~ 1"1 t'YJ ~'r::y"-"r....::,.-";t 1r:_-U-e........." ....:.-~~1 t~~l
u ~~~~ } c'.;-ret~-t' l;......t~:G L' \. 1.''':::'-~()~Y11 U.)!l("'} 1;""le !._R.CPC' i.'-Lt 'i'.j
tl..t.. '~..''''-'-'E'r...t t')!d l"1...CS""l':-'-CI"S f-~.....t ;~e ~-.;d e'"1:-e-r~.Jr'~d . '...-
'......ro:: .i,t:'....., ............'P(l' ""'-'or ~O ..,~..... i:re n"''''' .~...,.:"e ~J.",; -;;:Je-"':l ~('>T I"' 'It
c"~: o-i:.e '1.;2~.~- on ~,~ r..(n,:~I~ ~ ~e .; l."~t::~J.t :~~ ~l~;d ~-:~;.... ~:-rc-'l...':~ ~
5l'.=)1 t\ -ute"':5 GO ':V-l .:.J"le :'::'-:" '_'~~JTi.~ .~f 2.P ~--'?=1rtrh~~l';: -'1-.~l\. e
~he '?~r..t"'''ept or 5re 'Y':i-l ."as ~',.. L;.....:...ec ~", := :-::.e ~ete-,--... '"
SOl""-~1.1'2. .-1 :-)-=e .J:!.lI ~c 1~ :J:- ~""'::"1 He 'le:'""eci 1'"i"1ther ~:....(~l--.
;~IT"t ('.! ~~e Lo"':"'p~e'\. v ~~ ~1c-::'~\ered s~':]~-e ':JJM'112 ~-'Ul"'l tJ.t..
den'" o~ ~lle --:p...~rt:r"~..,t 0:/ ,.:r",:.~' ~.l~ereci d-e ;:p;:r""'-'ept -~r('
~~8.:"1".1::i I:"S ::;CCI~':-- ~r!"' L"I~'e~~ .'1' .... ~ec.:.::'v):--J'" .He "-, c~e ...1;:"' -"""!,_ 'L-
CUpLl"-"lt l"ld t~~e too' "J --:-"e-'"1 2S'::~F~d '..T. ~~cd T1-.e c.<::,~......:;:.;tr'::~ :-!...i
ap..li":rrC'!l- ot :S.re uqg-n -.\-2:5 t~e,.l'::ed ~-:Jr s.ne:l...e '~,i-.1iJt'cn
T"e fre did not spreJ.d 8e'.G"d -!'i:' .'pa-~:ne1.t afar'g!'l L"s~
\\ as estl:;r,lted ~lt 5,.:;.oa0
'.
,>J'.s.RT\[E,T B\;ILDl),G
lncendlan: Fm>,
Three Dead
-\ug 15, 1979
Wlchlta. Kans
Tn,s thrEe-sto~y ap:1..rlnel't 'JUII cn,:: of O:C.I"l:!!"\' tOT'str'Jt c<:m
CD""1S1stec of:4 fu:-;,:sh<=d. J.p~r+-rel'ts- Ope'l stum,ells f-Q, ~h"
first ~o ~be thIrd 9.oor "'ere loca~ed at opposite ends of 'he
b'~l:~lIl~ :.'\0 fir; protectl,o~ "US p,ro.v,ded, +
Tne ""1:e was OISC0\"ereo .lDDut :0 jl am D\- the o"ner s '., lie
\\ hlle Cll'"TlOll'g 'he south stJ.lrW.lV. sre looi-..ed do'" n t!1e
secona-t:oor haH'va, and ~.J.'\- a Sre bumwg:n ~'umlt:lre sto-ed
1'1 the nallwav She nnmed:ate!v :an down-the 5:al]"'.\a\, out uf
the DUlldlllg, and to a nearbv :ire statIon to report the 'ire
The f1:e extended un the Doen stalrwav to the tl:urd floor.
"\ here It burned through COlT' b;;sab'e fiberboarci 'nstailed o,er
t~e ong:-!ai lat~-a['d-plas'er cellmg, and Involved the baFwav
ard cod..:oft
Tl-tree occupants were se"ousl'" m:ured when they j"ffi?eci
[-:-om a ~~lrd-fioar "'lrdow pno: to t,e arr;"al of fire Fr.;,...r'
T,ree \1chMS '\-ere foupci "in a "hii""ci-~~cor apa:t~en~ '.\ ~ere
thev e\'lcenll\-" !-tad D<;;e'"l <rapped lw tr-e rapldlv spre,lci."1c, fit..
C.~use of the fire was c!etermmeJ '0 be tDcerd:ansm
1
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H1GH-P ':'1: 'p...anH:..... T Bt ILDI'G FOR -rHE l:;LDEI1L \
Del 1\ eel -\ l.W'1.
5175.uGO Lm~
A('~ -;- l'F'J
C'l..d(.~t(Pl \\ \.,
E \L~l Llp \rtlnt.nt 1n t~u~ 13-,"1)",,\ hUl~dt'rH! co-rt:llned ()11~ lP"ILl,l-
tiun ::,njv~~ dtt-lLtl)r .lrH.! ..Jtht"..r dLtLi..tf}:-~ \"-ere jOt Lted L'L h il'l-
,...
\1 l\' The LiLti.. ttl011 '" ..,t{ In H J) jnOrHt(lr'L{~ Pl l fi.l..t..~nfl""nitl(e
.11HJ \I" Pt ...:~....o UHIrl:t.Lltd to the z;.~e d< piiTrllt"'q(
\t <IpproXlll' 1["':' -! 00 pm ,( /lll/th.,]"", -(.t1dlil n 'd ,I ~r,.b<:
fJ,[ '[1 ,. .,]../,Il t nil thle ).lttht'1 1..1I1L?;<.' '" ""Ill \")[~er "no
\\Il,~ed 1Il tb,~ bl'l,d"lt:" hd[xd ii, r ;)111 ()1I~ th, 'J'" Th"n tht
~l)L:..ll \\-orkt.r repolt.eo the H](.~.:j~ nt iH tl+:<-pholJe to tllc... frc.nt
de-).. .Illd ~<mj the\ hld Gpt,HJed tl"'(. ,lp.Irt'''H'l't ~ doors CO velltl.
l,lte the ,mol,.t Cnllter'1u! 'I:: It the cH),U ~I'l"'llt ~ ~m();"e dL ttt-
tor ,i1d lWt o['t' lIe tilt "011' III "II ,jut, It t~e ir,,;]{ dl'i.
phnpe(1 ~}~,f n'1"':'1J't' n p.lt.t. ~t l;! \pn~i.\'l'~ }:t..I... ~hrt t to_ fi'l1r
j;)'il:..1tL.. .ltLr 'nl b,'nr.dl-",\ 'fti ',,,,., ! -,;.''-;'1\.... lltf-llJ.jT. -,,,.,
-\....,il~~,'.i~!..: th..n ...~,~., \\!.>..1 ~l i):\\ -j";. ,It .lL .uJ 'It'1p .h_l" ;\' ....~ri\...l
""t"'n~ \,e JltL~ iT').~J tj)t.. LID lr".n~.t "1"" "~;.t.. ~V\'r~ll1 ;);l d~'~ '~I'rlt-lr:
"he f,ri: (~{ p'<.p""TPlnt ~o ;l~..,n-'~lni r!'L ;..:r 1"; \hl)l't 'h'"3 "l~Pt
J-h.: t1]Ptb-il[i~,r +t .'..l")t \\h.-j ~, :ij J.'J. hLr l~) ut;'l~... ,'t L~.' -j~ tL....
).1~~O.'\t (.l.t"lf,d ....tt,JrlH(1 t.,fl'l(I."hl.l';.'J\. J~I\I1:\E"{j IP .l~~ ::-'.ilt
rlo'IJl'; 'L,n !;:'-;': ~~-'f.... .J.~Jr~!~'-c~'. (l.'llf :lC!:::") ~~H.~.\ t'"!jt .J....- ~~h
l:::"llt'~lr rp..Jjt.r"~~}"
T''''e ,...~ ,~t.~"\.~~"ln~.'!" -{tt;: n l.1
~ . r r J
,+ ~ ., 4
., -.t _~ .::-p
Fl"
f~L,...~ r3 Ib:;')~ t"~1 ". ~')~~l!' !1\il ~;' '.t.... ~ '\"j.'~' "'JPt:'"ti :hr.. ~'''''t'" Hi -=5
-r'.'i't~~
~:.t' ~-t"~' ~~s c....()I.~,..;,..~i ~~, d-:"_ '~J'.~' -.'t"p. 0 K: Llet....c:;:" "'1.::'~~ .,
~;l-'"'~....r:;- l:Kl .. .1tc~ .~.~i"'.Jl::~ "' .... ...P;"~~'i'-I:::.,l 1.1\ .L)l"':"l't:"r r~ ....-.......
"t"_')" t;-Je 'l.~T.r r-.J(""- -......~, '1"'1-.-=....... .... "-':...' :::-:)I,r
t; rC':f-Iq,.E:.. \F -\~i' ~V=-~... ~
:"'-'~l' 'I.I,,-~, ':" ,"cO'] D"t ...; ';;",p 't,_
-:-]'le, Cc "'I
lJ.::. t .: i ' :..~ - -J
L;j::. \i~-;:a.~'5 '_ '''1
Rt'!::'cen'LS "~ "-1',:, ~:)-"':Ol"'"'\ ;:~")l':""'-1t"P1
1)111~~;1'1.~ ....t'"lL ,,~. .;-;Ll..Z...I:-....-2
'DC lJ"lnd ':'IT-;;~~e ~et>r'~p~
..., 1."
b\ -::.....c... S':J';.1r>~ o~ ""Ire --'':)l''\......-=I:.'... ~'rer.~
mto trlL;"r ;tpart'1""'eJ'ts
T~e '1'e ce9M-::n'e"1t le<::eL",~d \ C-t!] c't 303 ,]IT: re;,ortlr-.; d
l]re ')'1 +e eie' ("o"h Boor On .Irt!\ ,'; >h"" IOllod the ele. ;ltars
'lloperatl"e Fl'-e -1;Hers enc:Jl'ntt"leo hrdl<:,r c!,drcuh",~
., '<8' Anc.-aws
~~ftZi~~i~;:j~~ji?~~!~ffi~
i'~I!~i?;-~~ii?f;'j ~=.:--?;:..; ~.;.::-~-_._~::-~;~.':-~ 1
~!","i"~!7 =~ r:;~ L..o:;;....... ----~<'~- r -C"lIIItl'"-e:.-:.rP'....... :~.,I-",!
' -~9 ~ ~.~ --:-:'-:~-~~-. .,L~~y~~~-..:l ~;:t~::' ~
rrr-17~y 5- .r Y ..----.- - - -~l --i '------:"
U :.r~~f " !J.- ~ ,c;-- -: - --- ~ -.--=' -: f - 0=1-1
r~'Ii.!1~j ~~'1 iiij ri ~~~--;~JQ -~ wi
~-~-d:; t-"-l :: ----~~ =~::~2-=~:.";:-:7~~~~'
!d.'~ F F~ If r r~-"'""'--~--o~-.--.~~";'- 1.
rrril'~> g;d r~ ' S~;~~~~~~ii<.::f"'~. "- ,
~ ?"":: i'"'1!J ',7"1 Jl--; I :::.....--::::-t:.:{'" -"C_ ;' -'~ ~ ;- ,!:' :
~ ~9 ~~...J. LJ L~"~:t'"-~~..--: 1"-:-'-- k_
____ ~ ~ ~ l::%-J L.~..::,~~,,". ~-==-~~- ...... ~.:i-l.-l ;tj_
;~I~P. _ ~ -..J'''-~""I__ -,._ _~r _ -:.-
~ :-' ~:Ti ~-3~1 f~ fl'- - ~~ ~~. ~ I,
. ~ ~llJ:f ~l..i": ~ F ,_;..... ~
r:-"l' r. r::.1 /il'''~ -' ~~~. " - " ~.y..
9?ji i3i,' fjj till ~'f'~; ID11 S~ ~
~.-J1~ ;~ F~ ~:;ij. ,~';23 ~,F ~
~-~ r ,i" < tfi f :'['lITJ'I~ !J~ :T:i r:;~
~ b ff5 ~ F~,J ~ ~:c~] !~ ~ ~\;. ~-
~;;tkj ~ --- tti ~ G ~ ~ t~l ~~ ~
I Il\l lOll\" \1 - \\ \[,lll l'hO
. ~ .:1
.
when thev Iret J'envv ~"l1oh' a'1d he.!t on the stauwell ..t tIle
nfth-noo. level Some tire riirhters llao 10 rerum to lower 1DUl'
to rcplemsn theIr ~ur suppiv -\1 apprmlmately 331 am. t'.' 0
7",ople \',,'ere ~potted crouched on a lecige outside -he
ereventi.-f!.oo~ \~'ndow~ F!.lInes 'arced t~em to leap to d'C1T
deaths The fire was exlmgu;s~ed m Just over an hour
The Fre of'gmated in an eleventh-Eloor apartMent The oc-
cupa-ll 01 the aparl'Tlent app.1re"tlv .1\\.oke and "!ed the a?l'l'
"lent lea'. 1m.!; the C'lOT o;-en He ''>':'5 'o""d dead m the outs'de
b~~~'~\il\.' 111e hC.lt hro:"'e Ll l\'''ro:.:o\\o :q ~he l!~..u1r"lcrr UH.~ ;
blo\\'torch enect \\-"as ere ltec. J\'I~H1~ :::1C do~r ~~ ",e J-f' 'I [-
-nent ,C~055 t~e h..l:wa\" off Its h'1~e~ T~ls J.pJ.rt::ne'1: ",1,
occ~;J'ed 0" t~; two ;Je~ple ,who \,ere ;~'c,eC: o;:~o t~e 'ee,::e
pl'"lor to t~1e ,re, [he ~Jre Ger~itt!'"V}ent 11.3.0 ~l'..e"". :l~~"a\. 1L to
dl.,c.onr-ect the e\.iistj,r~ ~'1cal o.lJ.' "l1.'lVs'""eM \,--hlte ~ TOle sc:~~.-..~-
t'cat~ci ~\st~n ..,as,bem; <,st:':I'e:1 The .:r:::.ro,-al was :::~~~::.d
or -:"'1e C0PGltlon tJJ.t '1 rO\'I'1: ~,l. .....It::::-.~ ::e .........:l:.~t::!.....e~ _-:
l'Ol.:rs a 6\
C.1.l;Se of ~!-e ~"'e ~\:::5 '1ot ie~.o-ted Pr.....rer-v lo~s .." I~ e~ t1..
r13.ted it S3SQ.000
B\.SIC I:-.DCSTR'r. :. TIL~TY. DE~E)'SE
-::-E,-~?}-IO....E E'{CH \).GE
Telep~oI"e I:qu:prent De~t.:O\eG.
0;:: 21 :9-:-9.
\larsnne:d, ~1.w~
.
The fi-e occur-ed 1.1 a !Jase",e'l:-leve1 cable \'auit 'n the to\\"11 ~
telepho'1.e e'\cnange DUlldlDg: The smgle-storv bUlld:n:; COJl-
talped t..~e telephone e'\cnange equ:pr1e:lt :or all of ~L:!.rSh;;eiJ,
a cornmumt\" of 25.000 peopie, and frmge areas of surroundl'lg:
towns The fire Involved the power supply clibles for ~!le e,-
crapge fac:lttv FIre B.:;hters \'..eanng: seu-contamed breathmg
apparatus e'CtlPgUlshed the blaze usmg 10 carbon clIO,'de port-
able extmgmshers Three fire fig~ters were illJl.'.red. one re-
q'.llred hosp:t'1llzat'on because of an electrical shock
T~e fire. J.lthough relJ.tlVeh slT'all. had a wIdespreJ.d Impact
on the CO'"'1'l1umn Telephones, mciudmg pohce a"lDU1.llH.e.
and fire e'llergencv Imes, were out of servIce for approx'rn.'tek
36 hours T~:s ehm'n.lled a ,....11 Imk m tbe eme-gc'"lC\' C"ffi-
munlcanons network -
Tl:>e te\~l+one CGlT'pam s response to tIle e'l'er::::eT'-C\ wa~
raplC R.lClO te~epj1Ones "ere pro\'lded Immedmteh ;or the
pohce and !he de:Jartments. alon~ WIth nortable OJ.v nilOnes
;or the oubhc W~rl.: was started -,mmed~atelv on - 'cle~tlf.':P"
and rer;Llclng damaged eq~npme"lt The to\\<Tl S B~~\rd ;i
Selectmen and CIV1! Defense DIrector declared a. state of
e:neTgepcv dun'1g tl'e afternoon follow.ng the fi~e R.ld.o-
etll'llTed polIce. fire, and Pllbhc works ..ehlcles were dls-
patc'led to strate!!,IC :oC;JllOnS In the town or placed on p.ltrot
T'le ",I'd lc('a.tlOP~ c;" t'"lese e'Tlergenc'! "eh'cle~ a"d 15 1.16'0-
t"re SrI' alar'"TI st~eet boxes '\<ere-contmuallv an'1011m,eU on .J.
locai commerclJ.l radlO slatlOn
Supplementm~ the munlcm....l dep.lrtments were m.ill\' CIll-
zen s b.lIld and h n'1 r,ld:o O1'entor' ~Ian'! of t!-e cOr'l'nt'TIlC'l.-
hm~ pro<,edmes I'sed wen .est....hhlled m Febru.!.fv 197<., dur-
'PC: 'me of ti'e wont '-,l'zz"rl:' .'nd C'Cean :Joodmi!~ th.lt Ihl~
~e,llo.L,t lC'mlT'llllltv '1.ul e\ t'r expl'nen<-ed
The r,'pIG rt.'i'un,e 01 t"(' LTlllO'lll'!>' ~ e'TIer~enl.\ 'L1""\ 'Lt.'
town "!~Illlj~ \ojllnteer~ md tltL telephone com!' 'no,. Ul"lL:
\\- Lth ('t'per~ePl \" lomrnun'cLltltP1... pn'l('ldures pre\'~otl....i\ l....tdb-
Il~hld utt'r 1 "l,lther (it, 1..,ter, 11L lilt d 10 Illltl!.( He ,11111tlllt',lih-
'enO\l~ "tll.J.t'LllI
.
"
\1 \ \ U' -\CTL II[ '\ C
ELl, CTIHC \L-El,lL.IP'-IE.... T \t-l......'- F \l. TL "[-"G
.....;-.D REP....1R PL,,"T
[nLt'r-cl,J.ry FTe,
5795 000 Loss
....l".!. 3U lc,nJ
\\'e~t 5 \cnmento, CJ.lti
TIm ~Ieei-(}n-steel-fr.une i)lllld'n~ :"jO feel 1,\ ~ '50 feet
hou...ed ..1 ~r~n th It Jlllnut....l.tl'n,;'{i IP(. re['LlIrcd .=e"U:"t"dtor...
1Tere "L'","n lll.t-nnltt"iL ....p.lnl....lt.. r fll Con. (h.....L~t'.'P ((:p'~)!l'e'lt
St..t.,,"h .qr till bl"dd'Il'''::' ~"'~I.... tPl:'\ I{~; d t..~ :.. ;...l-j...t" .-l-cr::"l'~ T\
.,.. ...~er"1 mOll1to.--etl hv Lt ~\ l[C~nl \11 '11 : ~]\:.'el ;:h...:.t"\ b ~f;() LCt""
1\\~l" i"om ~he lJllltdll-:"::
T~'H: r.n=.- IV "":l~l \rco 11' t1~L rr..)~lt "j: t~H._ h:'i"iid:" ~ 1'1 ':1 t'l"e L
u')eJ ~r)- ;",tq'l"F~p Tt-'l" Ul.l'\..b. t"lt LJ~' ~I,-(I ~....,- ~~1'''' T\ "'(;'(.U'-l'"
'\\...tell1 Ifl,e~tl:':1~()1'"lo d~t"-11PLih..(i tl.:t ," Irl(~D'L'- lil lC'J{)r"t. 'f
tilL .HeI (" O:rl~l'l h..'d ~~t"'l" .'))I'.....i.1 -.1'(' ~ ~i 111,'1' .:'1~~_ :l~:I.'(: 1 ~-~;
:H..~l' ."'''1I1l(1 {'.1 l'1C...Uh, q lr .T(": ,..:"!.l-l,1 ~l.._ .I~t ......rl~~td i~.~
..in t ....t,l..'~!~l.-~ ..:.~ -rHlultr......
1-:"
'\ -ltt. .'l"l~ .'1 .... .1\ .. .......-,~ ~
~, '0'''':''
tl....";l':..::::~ ~I~t '-\,lPdu'.- IT) 1,'''' -.,~I e-l LlI l.' 1i",:Y-~ .~~ t-;.::.! i. -I~ :"~L
de~i l~ i:~'H~nt It -.:...._p~:~\.ln1...tof.. ." =) ~) IL'-I .. "IL .....-,. lL .... .....;2.~
'''-,-1.'.,01'[ "} IP(~ll --\~... 1....~L' in l l'ilL d ~I t (1'0-... '.~("-" ,'~'-n[ '"'It :3." S ;"1(:-
, '
LUTI t.-) -l. p'jl t '''It'' '1 C'
-\-,....\iI'~ ~le r:..::l"jttr.... ~o.p~(l ~l'I' (I-t.'t_ 1",.1..~._,~.! :::'l\.ci. \l~
~q1t'o:...-:.. "tH(; fl{. ~hO'\1l1-:':' 1'1 .l~l..~ '..",:- '.'d.t 1- "~";l'''''' .:.~"- c"..::.,t-t'I'}
:1~1'1~ '!lLl1"'cil'llt'~ llHl LI't' l\ '... ..t...1... \'n... .:(, L'1~lH~t:....... i:O ,:;;,,\!"""'::lll~:'"-
:~~ f~e -"""'0 .,,~':..p'e"" \\ere -Lr<)~tl..rl
Ti-e :")"'~ ol-D J.i"'~ bl'dJ.~I"'~ :....C' F' ("I'.'_l'b ~'.'.... 1;:'....I1-JL1:-(.-.:... i~
S-JS GLJU
ELECTRO....lCS \P......CF ....CTt.RI '\"G PL........ T
\Y<l'e'Pow -\l.lr:n Old ;"-ot ......c.l\-,\te,
S!25.eoO Los~
Oc. 2-! t 979,
S.UF.l C1,;,-a_ CaH
Tl'l:-' ,",u~plLlall':: fire on,!]l"',,-l~eci l~ ~l ,'"('.(I[TI thL1.t housed ~ l;:lr~e
Dl"('l"oC'(;.O\.lpg tn<-lC;l'rt' The -1f!{L..~~Il.~! l -ll1ut . c-"u~n ,1ho tcr-
tamed ~helve~ of \Happed phot()(.')P' ::l.'rh~' ?'l.:~ ;:'1';::"
carclbo<lrd ho\e~
-'\utoInal:lL ~pnnh.ler rnotectlOq \~ l~ r~"'{)\.ldLJ ..t,:--.rnn..:bLlut "~e
?~allt InLlu(IHV~ ~he "on[TI pf ,re !)r'~Pl \\ ,l~l ~Il" "ld \. \h e
t.Hnper 5'';.::['"..11-... tor the '::'\"lorell1 '\Cn.. J.t.~i!2;~lLt: t'l "Pt.. ~r-:l'l""l""'""tet~
to .1 ce.,[r.ll ~[.'tlO'l
A secuntv <-heck of Ihe bUlldlDl; 'vas comple'ed al .JpprOXI-
matel" 2 30 ..nn on Ihe Plt)""n~ <)f ';'e 11,." .\t -! 2') am III
emplo,ee In an .lrea below the <-')r'.' room notll.t'u \\atLr dnp-
plU~ f~olll the celb'"l~, .md ~melkd ,..,,,ke h\e,t'~ltln!.(. j'e
found ~moi-..e LOffillHl; tram the l.OpLLl ]<lom .md 1 ,pnnJ..1L r
n~rat'n~ He notIfied plant seCllnt'. ~t'} 30 ,"n ,.lllJ "hen be
got '10 re~pon'e_ ,'I..( un .Lt -! 4.5 .un l)ut 'nr ~O'lHc' n',t~on Ihe
pL.tnt er"'ler:;'::t tKV Ole;~UHJ'dt.lJ:il \\nd l''''t,.l pubb<. fire c.lLI"\lrhnl1lt
were not L.l~ILllunc:l '50lJ un
The 'pnnkk" ,,,,ll'1\\ ".1>> ~hul <l0"1l 1)\ pl.l'1[ "1l>LrL..(lllL\'
pel~unnd .11:; 20 ,un blL.lu,e the pre W,l~ 'Hit "Il "....tl rTInw
.II.ITl') W.l~ rllL "cd It dIe lt~ntr,11 ,t.III"1\ dlLT'nc: the -nulll nt
bl~t Ll1.-~lhl ~l\lnr"Lr .ll'r.1l "'\.ct~ n_t( 1\.( d ,.:he"l tl'e ~\,tLnl \\. I.....
,hut <lm\ll \'tlr tIlL flf(' tl'l ",'tlr'!o" ,il,n'1 "'l'th \\ 1..'
"HLml 'n bl lllOpl I LIl'l lnd"" -, p: ILL d
! ilL :llt (Ild [IHlllll1 ~i d Ul"LH!.l t(~ "Ill nHHll tlld ,t... <.onh. n~"
r1\L proioIle:l d ~pPJlL.h I OpL r Itlllf} Il ...1Lltl d 'Il \.. Ltt. r d Lt'l I~l tu
tl\L lllfl\ LTl~ ~ (P'ltlltlL lit tilt l'I. t1LIP.!. 'Jill Huot., ui tlit 1 (HUH....
\;,1,"\ ti'l I'll LlJ'~ \, ,I" ,11L1l iI. d .l ..,12") I'i"~\
I II\! lOtH" \1 - \I \m II ,'j,,;1
. 1
..
-: ~P"__~''''''' <
~ t' ,
ATTACHMENT II
REPORT OF ASBESTOS
OCEAN TOv.-TERS
201 Ocean Avenue
Santa Monica. CA 90401
September 30, 1986
Hall-Kimbrell ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES
NEW YORK
KANSAS CITY
.
.
LOS ANGELES
.
.
Sample No. Location Asbestos Content
21699 Apt, 1803 B - Living room
South TOlo'er 14Y. chrysotile
21698 Apt. 180"38 - Ll.v~ng room
Above bar a.' chrysotile
'.
21697 Apt 1803B - bedroom 1 ?, chrysot.l.le
_I.
2119B Lobby South Tower 13r. chrysotl.l€i'
4795 Lobby South Tower lGr. chrysotl.le
2100 Lobby South Tower lOr. chrysotile
2l.!.'~]
~olth Towe~ LG~b)
lC.~ ......rH-ysotl1fc
;C,6,1
N8rTh To~~r L~b~y
13~~ '.-1.e}' -,,01 1 ~c
~1 -l5l
Nul U'", T,:.;.,..:.[ ;.i:..bby
J5"" ,:J-r:SG~_~_-
2138:
n0rth Tower Apt 170GP
I-ldllway
1 b:~ chr i.sotlle
21197
North Tower Apt. 170GP
M a~~ t er l3edl- c.Ofrl
1 4. '; c rd" Y:3.:o t 11 '"'
21308
North To~~r Apt. J70GP
St'L:l)nd '-,eJro0m
lS:'~ c),r i3ot11e
r
l
t
t
1 WJJLlIU '.tllJ ~" ..
.,~-
~.... ... '..--
-'"~,
JI-
pi
<
pi
~
~
.
.
.
.
.
.
II
---
.
II
II
-
II
-
.
..
.
nilll-I\IIIIUI11:1I tNYIKUr1MtnIAL jtltvlLt;)
NEW YORK · CINCINNATI · KANSAS CITY · ALBUQUERQUE · LOS ANGELES
1-800-445-0682
T -:; E~
Pf'trographJC Analysis for Asbestos
(Type and % by Volume)
C
L
I
E
N
T
REPORT
~UMBER
Ocean Towers (North Tower)
201 Ocean Avenue
Santa Monlca, CA 90401
1
OF
2
P.....CE
"....."\PLb RECEIHD ! ""'...1PLE'> .....'\I-\L~LED
------ ---l- ~ - ---
9-30-86
______--L_ ~_
-~
REPORT
9-26-86
SAMPLE NUMBER
COMPOSITION 4061
HO.\10CE~EOU')
....58E5TO') PRE5Er--;T x
SLIDE "U\\8E~
--
-\'>D~STO'i AB)E'=T
A CHRYSOTILE 18
S A \.105 ITE
B
E CROClDOLlTE
-- - - -
S ""ThOPHYLL1H
T
0 TRE/>.\OLiTE
S - - --
ACTIM)UTE
21193
21197
21381
21382
21388
x
x
x
x
x
16
14
16
15
15
--
MI"-ERAL \"\()()L i
GL -\~ ~;:~)-;-- --- --1- - - - --- ---
--:--.-=---~- --- --r- -- -
\ LI~'vt'l..L._" L
-~-" - - - ---- --- - t - - - -- -
CAL (iTi '40
2
~~=-~ -- - J- - ==~= ~--=----=--:~== ~=-: ~--
42 48 47 f 41 43
-===:===.=== ====1-==== ===C-=--===: -=----=
6 11 : 8
------ -~--- -- - --- ---- - - -----
--- -- - - - - - - - - - -- --
----------- ---
32 - - -j -"]'-7--
-- - -~ - I-~~~- [-~- --~=~- --~~~~~-~=- ~=~~=-= ~
_ ______J __ _ _ _ _ _ L _ ___ ____ _____
{
I
DOU)"'I'E
-----.~ ----------------
",-''\-\:0
GYP~l.;"1
I\UCJU ; 16::1<
13
4
12
- - - j-
f---~ ~ ----
PfR LI if
,
~~~)~~~- ~-~ ~ -- - - r - - -- -- -
C)U"'KII ;
~~~I?~:- _-~-~= =__ - -f __}9 -
i)THIII ;
-~ ~~ - - ~ -- _- _ _ J _ _ -
- i
I
[
,
;
I
--- -- ------- --- --
30
35
36
"I ,.....;.. " \i'.', '/I"J .j', I'()I h(I/' i) . Lt j. r "'''( .;; )<', UI"'; I) <,"fK'li)' ...1 ;.." ~c
:.rLI-'--"i ,,~; \rl\(II'\.~fi'.l t{)~....\'\.H'-' !(l{ \1'f)......I)R!\I~l)~\~(.r<) lr....I'-H__II.....\\.\P~[......I...;\.1iHR
. IlK' i. i ~ "., i. )+
\.......\I-"'~I~!, .....~\.I' i-~
IJROI F LT ( ()(Ji{i)]"'\ H *
~
..nrul~~-<:'-." .
~:f, .....~
&
nOli" RIIIID.-lill u" ll\U 11lnLIIIMl ulllf IlIl.J
.'
NEW YORK · CINCINNATI · KANSAS CITY · ALBUQUERQUE · LOS ANGELES
1-800-445-0682
t
> -
~~
Petrographic Analysis For Asbestos
iTvpe and % by Volumel
C
l
I
E
N
T
REPORT
t..;U\.1BER ~
Ocean Towers (South Tower)
201 Ocean Avenue
Santa Xon1ca, CA 90401
P'\Gf
2
OF
2
-- - -----------1 - - ------~~ -----
~.\"'1pa... 'IU_ E I\-" UJ , ""\\-1PLb "'~AL Y~ED
-~---~- - ~------ ---, - - ---- -- - --- -- ,
9-26-86 I 9-30-86 ;
____ __ _ ___.l___~~~_~______~~___1
REf>ORT
SAMPLE N UMBE R
COMPOSITION 4795
21100
21198
21697
21698
21699
HO\-10GE'-EOU'"
-\SBb TO,> PRESE.'iT
x
x
x
x
x
x
~L1[)F ,I;,--'\-H~k(
--- -- ---- - -- - - --
-\~I:l['iO~ ...."...l;-. T
"'..10<;ITE
I
. ,
- r- ------1--
16 j 10
-~-----~------
I
-- ----
A Ct1R'r,,()T:U:
S
B
E
S
T
o
S
13
12
8
14
CROClOOLlll
---. --- - ---~----
ANTHOPHYLLln
--~
TRE \--1( )lITE
-----. ---
-\C11"-lOUTE
\.~!--""':l:.R-\L \\{)()L
t
C.L.:.,....~ \..\()CJL
\-U':,,;;CLc .,
-r-- --- ----
- , ------
- i-- ----f--- - -
51
------t--- -- -------. - ------------ - - ---
52 1 47 45 42
- -----r-------- - -
,
CA.I (IT~
53
!
j
- ---- - -j
j
______u_
------i-~ ------
-t -
')(1u j\ll ~t
--,- - -
I
~'''';''''''il( (
\\(YJU I IoU"
5
- - _1. _ _ _ _
!
- - - -~~~--~ ~==-----ll -=-~-~~-===---== ----- - - ---
II i 7 10 10 15
----4~---- ---- -- --~-----
i
- - -- - ~ . -- -r --- -- - --- -~-- - - - --------
CYi-'~l \,.1
Pd'cl~'
".\( )u....
" ....UlK
----j-- ------ ---
_ _' __ 36 _ _ _ _ __ J _ _28
-~~--I
;
_ - ~ _~~~~_~,1 ~=_~ ~ ~-~ ~
- - - ----- - -- ----
1~__ -= t==~~~=-1-~7~~~~~~====
()..}~~Cl
t --
,
,
') -I" K
.\. .....\~t~._'") \.......:;,,"".~ll.'i-..-. Fi..:t },,-,-Tf.Dr '__.r \11i..-....}"".(.-JP) ~j;....PU.(').i{)..... "Jr4r......'......{,
PL; ,"I ,,' ',[[ \< .1\"..... I';k' ....v.' , -' J' \'I'ti'. ()^' I '";"i<\'(j"~ L''JIC)Lt \\\-1";[ f'.l'\FHK
1',":'( ::h ,). -'....\L'I,( \~ ,.,"., '''' PRI)JU 1 (()()RlJl....\T()~
fl.~t~-...;...
---~~---'
- .
.,. , ~ ~. ~ .-<'
-- -- ,
~~""'--'-'---
.:I!IdIIIIrIl_____
Il~~
CM:JJ:JG
June 23, 1987
Santa Monica, California
?-otO- 06J<:(
Information Item
TO:
FROM:
SUBJECT:
Mayor and city Council
City Staff
Results of Life Safety System Inspection of 201
Ocean Avenue.
Introduction
On June 22, 1987, in response to several anonymous complaints and
as a result of a continuing problem with false alarms at 201
Ocean Avenue, the Fire Department conducted an inspection of the
building's life safety (fire alarm) system. The following
outlines the results of the inspection and the recommendations
the Fire Department will make to the property owners regarding
repair of the alarm system in order to meet the City's minimum
fire and life safety standards.
Discussion
The Fire Department inspection of the life safety system at 201
Ocean Avenue on June 22, 1987, identified the following system
deficiencies:
- 1 -
1. None of the A.C. power indicator lights on the fire alarm
panels are functionning. Such lights indicate that
electrical power is being provided to the fire alarm
system. Non-functionning power indicator lights mean
that either no electricity is being provided to the fire
alarm system panels or that the power indicator lights
themselves are malfunctionning.
2. The stand-by batteries for the Palisades (North) Tower
smoke detectors are disconnected, which means no back-up
power for the system is available in the event of a power
failure. Under normal circumstances, when such batteries
are disconnected, a trouble light on the fire alarm panel
and an audible trouble signal would operate, indicating
failure of the battery back-up system. Neither trouble
light nor signal are currently operating.
3. The stand-by batteries for the Palisades (North) Tower
manual fire alarm pull stations are disconnected as well.
Neither trouble light nor signal are currently operating
to indicate lack of battery power. As such, in the event
of a power failure, the manual pull stations would not
function.
4. The emergency evacuation public address system microphone
switch has been taped in the open position, Which means
the public address system should be on in the hallways.
When the microphone is used, however, nothing can be
heard in the hallways, indicating that the public address
- 2 -
system is not working. If the tape is removed from the
switch, the system panel indicates trouble and feedback
is heard in the selected areas. This indicates that the
public address system requires repair.
5. As a result of the above outlined system deficiencies,
the Fire Department deems the fire alarm system
inoperative at this time. In specific, there is
currently no approved means of sounding a warning of fire
or notifying the Fire Department as required, which is a
violation of Title 24, CAe, sections 2-1738(a);
2-1738(d); and 2-1738(f), nor is the voice evacuation
system operating properly as required by Title 24, CAe,
Section 2-1739.
The lack of a fully operational fire and life safety system is
declared to constitute a fire hazard as defined in Title 19, CAe,
Section 3.14. In order to reduce the immediate threat to public
safety the building owners will be required to establish and
maintain a firewatch until such time as the fire alarm system has
been properly repaired and reinspected by the Fire Department.
The firewatch shall consist of not less than three properly
trained personnel. Two persons shall continuously patrol each
tower and one person shall remain at the desk to call the Fire
Department in the event of a fire or other emergency. The
firewatch shall be required to operate on a 24 hour basis until
the fire alarm system is repaired and reinspected. These
requirements are made pursuant to authority granted through the
California Health and Safety Code, section 13214 and 13215; Title
- 3 -
19, Sections 1.14 and 3.24 and Uniform Fire Code Sections 10.302
.
(a) and (b).
Failure to comply with these requirements is a misdemeanor and
punishable by a fine of $10,000 and six months imprisonment per
offense. Each day the violations continue to exist is considered
a separate misdemeanor offense.
- 4 -
l3-A: ASBESTOS/OCEAN TOWERS: The request of David Dantes to
address Council on the health hazards of asbestos at Ocean Towers
was combined with Item II-B.
'7- O,o--d?cOr
CITY COUNCIL MEETING
JUNE 23, 1987
i": '-
. . -
at Fie:. ~,
C.~~~ ~JrLL~-~
13 "A-
JUN 2 3 lQfl7
DAVID DANTES, MD.
201 Ocean Avenue, #305-8
Santa MOnica, CalifornIa 90402
(213) 394-6443 "87
MAY 29 AlO :34
SANT A f\1u:~j~.;,~" ~ . _
May 26, 1987
Ms. Donna Bettencourt
Clty Clerk's Offlce
1685 Naln Street
Santa Monlca. CA 90401
Dear Ms. Bettencourt:
ThlS wlll conflrm todayls telephone conversatlon, ln whlch
you klndly agreed to agendlze the wrltten communlcatlons from
Mr. Robert SkodlS, Mr. Mlchael Conner, and myself, to be heard
at the Clty Councll meetlng of June 23 lnstead of June 9.
Thank you for maklng that adJustment.
Yours Truly,
~~ ~J-,t-.~
Davld Dantes, M.D.
cc: Mr. SkodlS; Mr. Conner
Qe'
(l'rry MPdJAG-EP.
Q'\1{ A.TTO~E.Y
Cq)
(I)
t3-A-
JUN 23 lqa7
DAVID DANTES, MD.
201 Ocean Avenue, #305-8
Santa Monica, California 90402
(213) 394~6443
,
. . ~
"87,
;"," 1:; ~ .21
SANi;.
:VIa y 14, 1987
CJ..ty Clerk
Santa Monlca, Callfornla
r'1
p 1 e a s e p 1 ace 0 nth e age n d a for the ~1= J -ZO. 198 7 C 1. t y Co U n C II ill e e t 1 n g
my request to address the Councll on the health hazards of asbestos
at Ocean Towers 1.n the event asbestos IS dlsturbed for lnstallatlon
of fIre sprlnklers.
Thank you.
Yours,
~~(U
Davld Dantes, ~I.D.
SANTA
o~
MONICA
Ann M. Shore
City Clerk
1685 Main Street
Santa MOnica, CA 90401-3295
(213) 458-8211
June 17, 1987
Dr. David Dantes
201 Ocean Avenue #305B
Santa Monica, CA 90402
'to
I. _ .
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4 ~-;j~;~:~4-::
Dear Dr. Dantes:
Thank you for your request to address the Santa Monica City Coun-
cil at its next meeting. Your request has been placed on the
attached agenda under Section 13, Written Communications.
When you arrive at the meeting, it is helpful if you fill out a
"Request to Speak" form and submit it to the City Clerk. This
lets us know you are present.
Thank you for participating in the City government process.
a;::' ~ i -
Charles M. SChitOSke~
Deputy city Clerk
.,J:"
.~
AMS:cms
Attachment
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13-B: FIRE SPRINKERS/OCEAN TOWERS: The request of Robert Skodis
to address Council regarding the need to exempt Ocean Towers from
the fire sprinkler requirement was combined with Ite]l II-B.
;roo~o~i
CITY COUNCIL MEETING
JUNE 23, 1987
c\.--ry 01;>
SANTA
MONICA
, .
'liffln
Ann M, Shore
City Clerk
1685 Mam Street
Santa MOnica, CA 90401-3295
(213) 458-8211
IS..g
JUN 2 3 1987
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13-C: FIRE SPRINKLERS/OCEAN TOWERS: The request of Michael
Conner to address Council regarding the sprinkler requirements
for Ocean Towers was combined with Item II-B.
CITY COUNCIL MEETING
JUNE 23, 1987
;1tr A-AJ# .s I;-oLc-
C '1 CL~/UL
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JUN 2 3 1987
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13-C.
JUN 23 1987
SANTA
MONICA
;1):
Ann M. Shore
City Clerk
1685 Main Street
Santa MOnica, CA 90401-3295
(213) 458-8211
June 17, 1987
Mr. Michael Conner
201 Ocean Avenue Apt. 308B
Santa Monica, CA 90402
'I.
;:. - ~ ~ ~.
~ ': ....- ~
Dear Mr. Conner:
Thank you for your request to address the Santa Monica city Coun-
cil at its next meeting. Your request has been placed on the
attached agenda under section 13, Written Communications.
When you arrive at the meeting, it is helpful if you fill out a
"Request to Speakll form and submit it to the city Clerk. This
lets us know you are present.
Thank you for participating in the City government process.
Sincerely,
~ s~t~
Deputy City Clerk
-~
.~~
AMS:cms
Attachment
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13-G: ASBESTOS/FIRE SPRINKLERS/OCEAN TOWERS: The request of
Rodney smith to address council regarding asbestos and fire
sprinklers at Ocean Towers was combined with Item 11-B.
7otJ/0t9~
CITY COUNCIL MEETING
JUNE 23, 1987
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MONICA
..~~~~
Ann M Shore
City Clerk
O ,~~
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1685 Mal n Street
Santa MOnica. CA 90401-3295
(213) 458-8211
June 17, 1987
Dr. Rodney Smith,
201 Ocean Avenue, Apt. 305B
Santa Monica, CA 90402
Dear Dr. Smith:
Thank you for your request to address the Santa Monica City Coun-
cil at its next meeting. Your request has been placed on the
attached agenda under Section 13, Written communications.
When you arrive at the meeting, it is helpful if you fill out a
t1Request to Speak" form and submit it to the City Clerk. This
lets us know you are present.
Thank you for participating in the City government process.
sincerely,
~. ~to1J:r
Deputy City Clerk
"j:
2'.
AMS:cms
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