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IMPORTANCE OF PROPER CODES <br /> Any fire chief or building official can point out in <br /> his community buildings which he regards as having <br /> defects as to construction and substandard means of <br /> egress which would tax the fire department to the <br /> utmost with serious danger to life, and which, under <br /> unfavorable conditions, might result in a spreading <br /> fire involving other buildings. <br /> Fire experience has clearly indicated that a large <br /> percentage of the loss of life and property is due to <br /> faults in the design and construction of buildings. <br /> Throughout the nation there are countless examples of <br /> buildings which have defects, from both a construction <br /> and a fire protection standpoint, that will create a <br /> serious danger to life in case of fire and that, with <br /> unfavorable conditions, might result in a spreading <br /> fire involving other buildings. The construction of <br /> fire walls to reduce areas of buildings, the <br /> construction of separation walls to reduce floor areas, <br /> the enclosure of stairways and of other vertical <br /> openings for the full height of each, the firestopping <br /> of walls and of other concealed spaces, and other <br /> features necessary to restrict the spread of fire, <br /> safeguard life, and aid firefighters in the control and <br /> extinguishment of a fire, have often been omitted <br /> either because of their cost or because of ignorance on <br /> the part of the owner, designer, or builder, as to the <br /> need for such safeguards. The increased cost of <br /> construction, the attendant increase in taxable values, <br /> and the large value of contents in buildings emphasize <br /> the importance of reducing these fire losses. The <br /> losses in tax ratables alone may have a serious impact, <br /> and failure of a burned out industry to rebuild may <br /> seriously affect a community's economic status. <br /> The correction of conditions introducing possibilities <br /> of death or injury is not always easy. However, the <br /> first step must be an attempt to have any <br /> unsatisfactory conditions corrected. <br /> There can be no question but that adequate exits must <br /> be provided, but exits alone are not the complete <br /> answer. Even with an excess of doorways, and of stairs <br /> and other exit provisions, there is the possibility of <br /> panic, together with danger from ignition of clothing <br /> and the inhalation of deadly gases. The general <br /> tendency is for people to try to get out by the same <br /> doorway they used in entering. The adequate marking <br />