Form of
Factory
Construction.

ELEVATION.

The main points in connection with the foregoing forms of constructions are as follows:

Brick.

The adaptability of brick construction and rapidity of erection in one-storey shops of large area commends itself as being the most suitable and economical method in localities where bricks are easily obtainable. Further, with the use of steel roof principles to carry nothing but the weather covering the spacing of steel stanchions can be standardised to suit the requirements of the machinery involved in the processes of manufacture, the long walls being so readily stiffened by piers wherever necessary.

Combination of Brick and Steel.

The former remarks apply to this form of construction with the additional advantage of being able to divide the shops into any requisite number of bays and the rapid and economical erection of partitions formed of concrete slabs, which would receive their necessary stiffening from the steel stanchions and roof girders.

Steel Frame.

Form of
Factory

This form has many advantages in areas where the ground construction. is limited and it is necessary to get the requisite floor space by a number of stories. The loads being all carried by the steel supports, the brickwork of enclosing walls can be of much less thickness than would be necessary were the loads being carried entirely by the walls themselves, and is in fact only a protection from the weather and to act as a fire resisting protection to the steel.

Reinforced Concrete.

This method is being largely used either as the sole method of construction, in which case the building is practically monolithic, or else in conjunction as floors and supports to one of the former methods. Where ballast is plentiful or easily obtained, it is probably as economical as any, the cost of the labour in centreing and strutting for concrete being discounted by the material being mixed and handled in bulk. A building of this character is, of course, not so readily altered to adapt for any other purpose than its original one, and it is here that co-operation at the stage of sketch plans should prove particularly valuable. The depth necessary for the floor beams, where heavy stresses are set up, is also a large factor in some cases for consideration as against other methods.

Steel Frame and Metal Enclosures.

This method can only be regarded as a temporary form for emergencies-the corrugated steel shed. The large cost of maintenance and the difficulty of maintaining the temperature are much against it, and in many districts the use of this form would require the special approval of the local building authority.

Bye-Laws.

In the London County Council area, governed by the requirements Building of the London Building Acts, and in some town areas, it must be remembered that buildings for trade or manufacture are limited in extent to 250,000 cubic feet and must be divided by party walls into divisions not exceeding this. Openings in these walls must have double iron doors and are limited in size and number, and the provision of these requirements in the most suitable position requires serious consideration.

Much could be appropriately written on the subject of local building bye-laws, but space forbids and in any case these bye-laws are not always conceived with the narrow-mindedness with which local officials sometimes seek to carry them out. It may not demand

Building
Bye-Laws.

Lighting.

Heating and

an excessive patience or expense to get a sound design of factory accepted by the local authorities if set about in a competent manner -whatever the bye-laws seem to say.

The shops should be planned so that as much of the external sides as possible consists of windows and every attention should be given to procure as much natural light as is possible. In many cases where the buildings consist of two or more stories the initial cost of providing some form of prismatic glazing in the upper parts of the sashes will be quickly saved by virtue of the additional light acquired.

In one-storey buildings the arrangement of them east and west will allow for glazing in the north slopes, thus providing an effective steady light free from the direct rays of sunlight, obviating at the same time the necessity for darkening the roof-lights in the summer months.

In any case, where there is direct entry of glaring sunlight it will repay the cost of mechanical means of shading by reason of the comfort and sense of coolness ensured.

The question of artificial lighting deserves more careful consideration than it sometimes receives. The efficiency of a well-lighted shop is marked, and is a stimulus against the depressing darkness of the autumn and winter months, which so reacts on output.

In cases where vibration is set up by machinery the use of incandescent gas is liable to prove expensive owing to mantle troubles, and the use of electric lighting will probably be determined upon in shops where work can be carried on under a diffused " system.

The convenience of balance-weighted lights on close operations enables the operator to place the light as most convenient to himself and so makes for comfortable working conditions. In any system, however, it is false economy to limit the supply of lighting facilities, and an excess of points should be rather aimed at.

The question of heating and ventilation presents some diffiVentilation. culty to provide for same being efficient without creating draughts, and the careful study of the problem will be more than compensated for when the result is a warm, healthy and comfortable shop.

P. 194.

In the cases where radiators can be placed under windows and the air admitted from behind same and so warmed on its entry, hot water would seem to be the most economical and effective, the air being changed by means of exhaust flues.

This, however, is not the case where there are roof lights, the warmed air on rising becomes chilled on the glass and the tempera