Another point which has been considered is that, notwithstanding the fact that this is a day of specialists, every contractor and builder must be familiar with the specifications for the foundations, framing, interior work, heating, plumbing, wiring, and other specialties entering into the construction of the building. This information is presented in readable form and will be found adequate for the construction of buildings of moderate size. For the details of construction of large buildings of steel and concrete, readers are referred to our more comprehensive reference work entitled "Architecture, Carpentry, and Building" in ten volumes. The various sections of this work have been prepared especially for home study by acknowledged experts on the subjects and are as free from technical terms as possible. The importance of such practical subjects as Carpentry, Building Superintendence, Estimating, Steam and HotWater Fitting, Drainage and Venting, Blueprint Reading, etc., has been emphasized. The illustrations have been celected with care, and numerous tables and diagrams are introduced wherever possible. It is the hope of the publishers that this reference work will be found of distinct value in its field. VOLUME III BUILDING SUPERINTENDENCE (FRAME, BRICK, AND STONE) Introduction : Responsibilities of Superintendent, Relations with Electricity as a Cause of Fire-Elementary Electrical Terms-Essen- tial Parts of Electric Installations-National Electrical Code-Power Stations and Their Equipment: Generators, Switchboard, Rheostats, Lightning Arresters, Ground Detectors, Motors, Storage Batteries, Transformers Outside Work: Wiring, Electrolysis, High-Tension Lines, Mounting Transformers, Grounding Circuits Inside Work: General Rules, Constant Current, Constant Potential, Switches, Fuses and Circuit Breakers, Electric Heaters, Fixtures, Transformers-In- stallation of Wires in Buildings: Open Work, Wires in Molding, Con- cealed Work, Armored Cable, Conduit Work-Decorative and Commer- cial Lighting-Theatre Wiring-Moving Picture Theatres-Car Wiring -Lighting and Power from Railway Wires-High and Extra-High Potential Systems-Signaling Systems-Testing by Voltmeter Method- Devices and Materials: Rubber-Covered Wire, Rigid Conduit and Fit- tings, Cut-Outs, Switches, Circuit Breakers, Panel Boards, Sockets, BUILDING SUPERINTENDENCE PART I FRAME CONSTRUCTION INTRODUCTION Responsibilities of Superintendent. The superintendence of building operations is one of the most important and, at times, one of the most perplexing duties which an architect is called upon to perform. Plans may have been prepared with the greatest of skill and elaboration, and details may have been worked out to a marvel of perfection; and yet by the want of attention given at the proper time, costly mistakes may be made and results attained which are a source of annoyance and expense to the owner, and often a lasting discredit to both architect and builder. It is only by constant watchfulness and by the exercise of a thorough knowledge of common practices and materials, that these errors can be avoided, and it is the duty of the architect, as superintendent, and as a just and impartial referee between the owner and the builder, to acquire this knowledge and to exercise it freely and decisively. The owner, who has secured the services of an architect, will naturally expect from him something more than the builder could have furnished. Superiority in matters of taste he will look for as a matter of course, and, beyond this, a superior knowledge of materials and construction, and an executive ability to handle men and direct the many forces which must be applied to obtain a certain and satisfactory result. The architect should possess then, as superintendent, a thorough knowledge of the materials at his disposal and should see clearly before him, with his mind's eye, the building which he proposes to erect. To do this, he must know how all the various elements of the building are, to be assembled and molded into a complete whole. To a familiarity with details, the architect must add such a quickness of perception and soundness of judgment, that it will be impossible for any bad work to escape his notice; and to this knowledge of the general principles of building, he must add an understanding of principles and possibilities far beyond that of the builder, so that he can foresee causes and effects and guard against any waste of effort or of time. In his position of referee, he must show such a familiarity with building matters that his judgment will be respected by both owner and builder, and he must have confidence that his opinions are correct. Having rendered a decision, he must stick to it, for any weakness or indecision will be quickly discovered by the workmen, and the architect will be discredited and very likely imposed upon. It will not do for him to trust too much to the generosity of the owner, or to the liberal intentions of the builder, for it is probable that both are at the same time trusting in the ability of the architect and the clearness of his foresight. The preliminary remarks here made upon the duties and responsibilities of the superintendent will serve to bring before the student of architecture the importance of familiarity with ordinary practice. The young architect or student will rarely have an opportunity of gaining this knowledge by practical experience, and it will be necessary for him to depend in a great measure upon technical books for information he must possess. It will be the object of this paper to point out to the student, in a manner that can be easily understood, some of the ordinary methods of building construction, rather than the theoretically perfect methods, and to show as well some of the ways in which defective work and materials are to be discovered and avoided. It will be assumed that the student has become familiar with the usual methods of drawing and construction from his previous work, and that he would be able, if called upon, to superintend the construction of the suburban house which is here used as a type. This does not mean that the erection of a dwelling is the easiest matter, for such is not the case; but this class of building has been chosen because there is greater opportunity for the comparison of results with practice with the buildings in which we live-and also because it contains a variety of structural problems. Relations with Owner and Contractor. It is important for the architect to have, as early as possible, a clear understanding of what is expected by the owner, and for the owner to have an equally clear understanding of what is due to him from the archi |