ABSTRACT
Buildings and all parts of buildings designed and arranged to retard the action of fire are termed fire-resisting constructions. Fire-resisting constructions have been the subject of much study during recent years, and considerable advances in this direction have been made in all modern buildings of any importance. The experience obtained from all the great fires of late years, however, leaves no doubt that the construction of a furnace would be necessary to withstand the intense heat of a general conflagration. Fire-resisting floors, among their other advantages, are eminently sanitary, and are, therefore, suitable for public buildings, notably hospitals, and are noiseless if covered with a wood-block floor. Stairs are constructed in a similar manner to the floors. If the staircase has a well, and one end of each of the steps is free, the other end is built in the wall.
