Story of US: Triangle Shirtwaist Company Fire (1911) 1. Make a list of what went wrong during the Triangle shirtwaist fire? - -

Below is a list of some of the critical factors that went wrong during the Triangle Shirtwaist fire: • Locked Exit Doors – Factory management kept some exit doors locked to prevent unauthorized breaks or theft, trapping workers inside when the fire broke out. • Inadequate Fire Escapes – The building had poorly constructed and insufficient fire escapes, which proved unsafe and impractical for a rapid evacuation. • Lack of Sprinkler Systems and Alarm Devices – The factory did not have a sprinkler system or effective fire alarms in place to help control or warn about the fire in its early stages. • Overcrowded Working Conditions – The factory spaces were densely packed with workers, making movement difficult and contributing to the rapid spread of the fire. • Highly Flammable Materials – The nature of the work, which involved cutting and sewing fabric with flammable materials and scraps, created an environment that was highly susceptible to fire. • Poor Building Safety Standards and Code Violations – At the time, safety codes were minimal and poorly enforced. The building’s design and lack of regulatory oversight contributed significantly to the disaster. • Insufficient Emergency Preparedness – There was little to no training or established procedures for workers to follow in case of an emergency, leaving them unprepared for a rapid evacuation. • Delayed and Disorganized Rescue Efforts – The initial response to the fire was hampered by confusion and insufficient emergency planning, delaying rescue and contributing to the tragic loss of lives. Each of these factors, when combined, created a situation where a preventable disaster escalated rapidly and resulted in a major loss of life, ultimately sparking widespread reforms in labor laws and workplace safety practices in the United States.