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• <br /> • <br /> HOTEL LASALLE FIRE - A POINT OF STUDY <br /> The story of this fire is primarily one of combustible <br /> construction in an otherwise fire-resistive or so- <br /> called fireproof building with unprotected vertical <br /> stairway openings serving as the principal means of the <br /> rapid spread of the heated gases, smoke and flame to <br /> the upper floors. <br /> Investigation has proved that few, if any, persons lost <br /> their lives in this fire from actual flames. In most <br /> cases, death was caused by the inhalation of gases that <br /> were distributed by the strong draft created by the <br /> unprotected stairways and pierced elevator shaft <br /> openings. <br /> In many cases, these gasses were drawn through open <br /> transoms into the guest rooms, causing many losses of <br /> lives. The unprotected stairways reduced also the <br /> value of the emergency exits by permitting the spread <br /> of the fire and gases through corridors so rapidly that <br /> escape was cut off. <br /> It is of importance to note that early plans of the <br /> hotel specified fire doors in the corridors at the <br /> stair shafts but they were then deleted on later plans. <br /> Had these doors been installed, many lives undoubtedly <br /> would have been save. <br /> This fire is an outstanding example of the manner in <br /> which a severe loss of life and property can occur in a <br /> fire-resistive or so-called fireproof type of building. <br /> It is not realized generally that the usual hotel, <br /> office and mercantile establishment, etc. , will contain <br /> sufficient combustible material to cause a fast- <br /> spreading devastating fire. Combustible materials are <br /> just as flammable in a so-called fireproof building as <br /> in any other type building. <br /> RECOMMENDATIONS FROM THE NATIONAL BOARD OF FIRE <br /> UNDERWRITERS <br /> 1 . Fire-resistive building construction with <br /> approved automatic sprinkler protection, <br /> and/or automatic fire alarm and detection, <br /> preferably supervised by approved Central <br /> Station, for kitchens, basements, lobbies, <br /> stores, shops and hazardous and/or <br /> combustible portions. <br /> 2. Approved automatic sprinkler protection <br /> throughout existing buildings of other than <br /> fire-resistive construction. <br />