Gangways v. Staircases.
Mr. A. Lindsay Miller, in the Building News, recommends for theaters and other public buildings the use of gangways instead of stairs.
In public works, especially dye works, they will not use the stairs, but gain access to the several floors by gangways, with a rise of about 5 ft. in 12 ft. or 13 ft. of length, and any one watching the speed and ease with which the workers run from floor to floor would at once understand why staircases are not used. Of course, architecturally, they have not the dignity of the staircase; but, in theaters and music halls, dignity is secondary to security. The advantage of the gangway is easily explained.
In going down a stair, each step, or, in a hurry, each second step, must be taken, and the slightest mistake throws the person down. In a stair 12 ft. long, at least six different steps require to be taken. In the gangway of the same length, a person in a hurry, or in the excitement of a panic, would take it in two bounds, and with perfect safety.