FOUNDATIONS, GASWORKS BUILDINGS, ETC. 49
Fig. 5.—Steel-framed and 4|-inch Brick-panelled Retort House.
with the operation for wliich the building is required. In the case of engine houses, large, entrance doors should be provided, so that the instalment of larger plant in the future will not necessitate cutting through walls.
(e) The buildings should be roomy. for ensuring ventilation.
(f) There must be an abundance of light.
(g) The prevailing conditions should be easy and congenial for the men, facilities being afEorded for keeping themselves and tlieir apparatus in a state of cleanliness.
In the past it was an almost universal custom to erect such buildings as retort houses of substantial dimensions in brickwork, although later the steel-framed structure entirely sheeted with. comigated iron found a certain amount of favour in small works.
and of ample height, with efficient means
Fig. 6.—Expanded Metal.
Both methods, however, have their disad-
vantages. The first is excellent once it is erected, but the Capital expenditure is now excessive, being as much as 1 Id. to 13(Z. per cubic foot, inclusive of roof and founda-tions. Corrugated ironwork, on the other hand, is economical when considered in the light of first cost, but is a never-ending expense so far as maintenance and painting are concerned. In any case, if a corrugated structure is decided upon, it should be under-
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