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34
TOWN HALL.
(a) ALTERATIONS REQUIRED BY THE LONDON COUNTY COUNCIL.
On the 21st day of November, 1890, the Vestry received the following list of
structural alterations which the London County Council considered necessary to
make the Hall safe in case of panic from fire.
(1) That the two stone staircases and the two wooden staircases between the
ground floor and the body of the hall, and the four wooden staircases to
the gallery, be pulled down, and the flooring made good where necessary
with fire-resisting materials.
(2) That two new staircases be constructed to the gallery, one in the northeast
angle of the hall, and the other in the north-west angle leading
directly from Old Street, and be carried up to the level of the topmost
part of the gallery, that such new staircases do have solid "square" (as
distinguished from "spandril") steps of York or other approved stone,
with 11 inch treads and 6 inch risers, 4 feet 6 inches wide in the clear, in
flights of not more than 12 steps each, without winders, with intermediate
landings between such flights, and a landing at the top and bottom, and
the steps of the staircases be supported at both ends, and that the staircases
be enclosed upon all sides by brick walls 9 inches thick; that the landings
of such staircases be formed of similar materials to the steps, and be 4 feet
6 inches wide and 6 inches thick in one stone; that such staircases do
have a roof formed of brick arches 9 inches deep, or constructed of other
fire resisting materials to be approved by the Council and to the satisfaction
of the District Surveyor; and that iron handrails be fixed to
strong brackets built into the walls on both sides of such landings and
staircases.
(3) That the two stone staircases at the south-east and south-west angles of
the hall on each side of the platform be reconstructed in a similar manner
as described in paragraph No. 2, with doorways at the foot leading directly
into the private passages on the east and west sides of the building, and
that such staircases be carried up to the level of the floor of the hall.
(4) That the floor of the hall be constructed of fire resisting materials, to be
approved by the Council and to the satisfaction of the District Surveyor.
(5) That all doors used by the public be not less than 4 feet 6 inches wide, and
hung in two folds, and made to open outwards, and be fastened on the
inside by approved automatic bolts.
(6) That the doors in the principal entrance in Old Street be made to open
outwards.