The Triangle Waist Company Fire and Its Impact on Building Safety Regulations

The video explores the concept of free egress in buildings, tracing its origins to the tragic Triangle Waist Company fire in 1911. This fire, which resulted in 146 deaths due to locked doors, led to significant changes in fire safety regulations. The NFPA responded by forming a committee that eventually developed the NFPA Life Safety Code, emphasizing the importance of free egress. The video highlights the historical context of the fire, its impact on safety standards, and the lasting legacy in modern building regulations.

What is the primary purpose of free egress in buildings?

• To allow easy access to restricted areas

• To enable occupants to exit without delay

• To prevent unauthorized entry

• To ensure security of the building

In what year did the Triangle Waist Company fire occur?

• 1901

• 1911

• 1931

• 1921

What was a common practice in factories that contributed to the high death toll during the Triangle Waist Company fire?

• Locked exit doors

• Inadequate lighting

• Overcrowding of workers

• Lack of fire alarms

What was the primary product manufactured at the Triangle Waist Company?

• Men's suits

• Children's clothing

• Women's blouses

• Work uniforms

Which organization was only 15 years old at the time of the Triangle Waist Fire?

• ANSI

• NFPA

• OSHA

• UL

What significant development resulted from the NFPA's response to the Triangle Waist Fire?

• The invention of the fire extinguisher

• The establishment of fire insurance

• The creation of OSHA

• The development of the Life Safety Code

What was the impact of the Triangle Waist Fire on NFPA's annual conferences?

• Increased focus on industrial safety

• Creation of a committee on Safety to Life

• Development of new textile regulations

• Introduction of new fire extinguishers

What is a key tenet of the Life Safety Code influenced by the Triangle Waist Fire?

• Mandatory fire drills

• Use of fireproof materials

• Free egress

• Installation of smoke detectors

Where is the former Ash Building, the site of the Triangle Waist Company fire, located?

• Brooklyn

• Queens

• Greenwich Village

• Harlem

How is the influence of the Life Safety Code noticeable today?

• Widespread use of fireproof clothing

• Mandatory fire insurance

• Increased number of fire stations

• Global adoption in building designs