Masonry Magazine February 1973 Page. 12
The premium dropped to $4608 per year, representing an annual savings in operating expenses of $9792. His conclusion was that the savings in fire insurance premium would more than pay for the added initial cost of the fire walls. But, there is more.
In addition to the $9792 per year savings for the owner, there is a comparable savings to the tenant of these apartments who elects to purchase insurance on his furniture and other property as more and more apartment dwellers are doing. For the apartment tenant who insures his property for $12,000 value, the annual insurance premium with and without the concrete masonry fire walls is:
Tenants Annual Insurance Premium
Without concrete block firewalls (8 apartments/bldg.) $ 92.16
With concrete block firewalls $ 28.25
Savings to each of 96 tenants due to firewalls $ 63.01
These savings in fire insurance premium to the tenant are an obvious plus factor for the renting agent or building owner. The apartment dweller can see a $64 per year savings in expenses as attractive, but there is even more. There is also psychologic value to fire walls, which extend through the roof and perhaps extend beyond the building at front and back in apartments, townhouses, and condominiums.
An architectural firm which has successfully researched the housing needs of the individual to the extent of more than 150,000 units in multi-family housing, has found that people react favorably to masonry fire walls that are exposed above the roof of the building. The fire wall separation conveys a sense of security, privacy and permanence.
NATIONAL CONCRETE MASONRY ASSOCIATION
P.O. Box 9185, Rosslyn Station, Arlington, Virginia 22209
325