SPECIAL MEETING

July 24, 1944

            A Special Meeting of the City Council of the City of Dover was held on the 24^th day of July, 1944. The meeting was called to order by Mayor Woodford and on roll call the following members answered “Present”: Messrs. Downes, Keith, Burton, Vane, Hinkle and Hartnett.

APPLICATION FOR PERMIT

            An application for a permit to operate a pool room on Sundays during certain hours was read by the Clerk and upon motion of Messrs. Keith and Hinkle, the City Clerk was instructed to notify the apllicant, William H. Patton, that the City Council did not grant this permit.

ORDINANCE

            Upon motion of Messrs. Keith and Downes, the City Council voted to adopt AN ORDINANCE PROVIDING FOR FIRE ESCAPES AND FIRE TOWERS ON CERTAIN BUILDINGS WITHIN THE CITY OF DOVER AND ESTABLISHING REGULATIONS THEREFOR.

            The ordinance appearing herein upon the following verdict: Downes, Yes; Keith, Yes; Burton, Yes; Vane, Yes; Hinkle, Yes.

AN ORDINANCE PROVIDING FOR FIRE ESCAPES AND FIRE TOWERS ON CERTAIN BUILDINGS WITHIN THE CITY OF DOVER AND ESTABLISHING REGULATIONS THEREFOR.

BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF DOVER IN COUNCIL MET:

            SECTION 1.   That from and after the passage and approval of this act, it shall be unlawful for any person, firm, association or corporation to maintain, manage, conduct, control or operate any building or buildings of more than one story used in whole or in part as and for a hotel, apartment building or tourist home unless such building or structure shall be equipped with an emergency means of egress from the upper story of such building or structure, as more particularly hereinafter set forth.

            SECTION 2.   This ordinance applies to emergency means of egress from the upper stories of hotels, apartment buildings, tourist homes or multi-storied buildings of any kind more than three stores in height where more than ten people are using all or a portion of the floors above the second floor for temporary or permanent residences, sleeping or living quarters; and for auditoriums, theaters or any buildings used for public gatherings where meeting or congregating rooms intended to contain fifty or more people on the second floor or any floors above. The word “building” as referred to in this ordinance shall apply to all structures described in this paragraph.

            The provisions of this ordinance apply to buildings as defined herein, either in existence at the present time or which will exist as the result of alterations to an old building or the construction of a new building.

            SECTION 3.   All buildings or structures within the provisions of this ordinance shall be equipped with an exterior fire escape or fire tower built of incombustible materials, either free-standing or supported by the walls of the building. The construction of such fire towers or fire escapes shall be in accordance with the building code as recommended by the National Board of Fire Underwriters, except where stipulated provisions of this ordinance are in contradiction thereto, in which case the provisions of this ordinance shall apply to the construction.

            SECTION 4.   The following provisions shall control in the erection or construction of an exterior fire escape or fire tower required under the provisions of this ordinance:

(a)       At every floor above the first floor adequate provision for access to the fire escape or fire tower from the building proper shall be constructed in accordance with the approval of the Fire Marshal.

(b)       All such fire escapes shall be of sufficient strength to sustain a live load of 100 pounds per square foot on balconies, passageways and stair landings and a concentrated load of 400 pounds on stair treads.

(c)       Fire escapes or fire towers shall be placed so that they can be readily and safely reached by the occupants of the building. They shall be located so that the foot of the tower or fire escape shall have free access to an open yard, alleyway or street.

(d)       Fire escapes or fire towers shall be spacious enough that the movements of those using it will not be retarded.

(e)       The access way to the fire escape or fire tower at each floor shall connect with a portion of the building where no accumulation of materials or furniture is allowed to remain in a position where it can interfere with the rapid exodus of persons through the access way.

SECTION 5.   No accumulation or storage of materials of any kind shall be permitted on any portion of the fire escape or fire tower at any time.

            No accumulation of materials of any kind shall be permitted on the ground near the foot of the fire escape or fire tower where it can interfere with the safe and rapid escape of persons using the fire escape or fire tower.

            SECTION 6.   Where fire escapes suspended from the side of the building are located on the street side of the building, the lowest section of the fire escape shall be of the counter balanced type, hanging normally with its foot not more than eight from the sidewalk or street and so balanced that the weight of a person descending the fire escape will automatically lower the counter balanced section so that the foot is on the ground.

            SECTION 7.   No parking of vehicles shall be permitted at any time within ten feet of any portion of the foot of the fire escape or fire tower.

            SECTION 8.   All buildings to which this ordinance applies shall have fire escapes or fire towers erected in accordance with the provisions of this ordinance within sixty days next after the passage and approval hereof.

            SECTION 9.   Any person, firm, association or corporation violating any of the provisions of this ordinance shall upon conviction thereof be fined not less than Five ($5.00) Dollars for each day until compliance shall be had, or be imprisoned for a period of not more than thirty (30) days, or by both fine and imprisonment.

            Upon failure to comply with the provisions of this ordinance within the sixty (60) day period next after the adoption and approval hereof all occupants of any building or structure not in compliance shall vacate said premises until said building or structure is brought into compliance.

                                                                                    Passed July , 1944

                                                                                    Joseph O. Willis

                                                                                                Clerk

                                                                                    Approved July , 1944

                                                                                    ___________________

                                                                                                Mayor

OPENING OF STREET

            A hearing of the owners of the land situated on S. Gov. Ave. belonging to Howard Tucker was held by the City Council and after some discussion with Mr. Tucker’s attorney, A. B. Magee, Jr., the Council decided to postpone any action on condemnation proceedings for this land until a later date.

PURCHASE OF LAND

            Upon motion of Messrs. Keith and Downes, the Mayor and City Manager were authorized to purchase the necessary land along the east bank of Silver Lake in order to make a bathing beach.

ADJOURNMENT

            Council adjourned at 8:45 P. M.

                                                                                    Signed:           Joseph O. Willis