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Triangle Shirtwaist Factory |
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March 25, 1911 at approximately 4:45 PM a fire broke out on the 8th floor of the Triangle Shirtwaist Company Factory in New York. One hundred and forty six of the Triangle Shirtwaist Company employees were killed by this fire. Later investigation determined that many of these deaths should have been avoided, this fire is credited with bringing about major improvements to both fire safety regulations and workers rights.
After the Triangle Shirtwaist Fire a division of Fire Prevention was created as part of the Fire Department, their function being to investigate factories for fire hazards and proper exit routes. The new restrictions included making it mandatory that all doors open outwards an that no exit door be locked during working hours. Interesting to note is hat the Triangle Building was fireproof, and so remains in use today as part of the New ork University.
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