XN000022-1973-03-22 — Page 3

Thursday, March 22, 1973

He noted that these unauthorised alterations included the installation

of security gates to the entrance doors of many of the apartments. In many cases

these obstructed the access corridors, which were already as narrow as minimum

safety standards permitted.

By doing so, they could well hinder a large body of people attempting

to escape in the event of an emergency of any kind fire, of course, being

the most obvious example.

Most dangerous were the hinged gates which swung outwards so that,

when fully open, they completely blocked the corridor. The removal of these

is an urgent priority for the safety of all occupants.

Sliding Gates

Another form was the sliding variety fitted outside the doorway

so that it effectively narrowed the width of the corridor. This still posed a

fire hazard, but to a lesser degree.

"The Director of Fire Services is aware that tenants are concerned

for the security of their property," said the spokesman. "Because of this

he is prepared, for the time being, to tolerate the existence of this less

dangerous form of sliding gate.

"Owners of this type of gate have been informed of this decision in a

letter delivered today by staff of the Fire Services Department.

"All contacts with tenants in these buildings have been on this door-

to-door, personal basis, because no form of management association exists there

with which we can deal direct.

"This is a very regrettable state of affairs in buildings whose condition

poses such serious implications for all of the occupants," said the spokesman.

/He added