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

Ask by Chen Mitchell. in the United States
Feb 24,2025

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During the Triangle Shirtwaist fire, several critical issues led to the tragedy: 1. **Locked Exit Doors**: Factory managers kept some exit doors locked to prevent breaks, trapping workers inside. 2. **Poor Fire Escapes**: The building had unsafe and inadequate fire escapes that were impractical for evacuation. 3. **No Sprinkler Systems or Alarms**: Lack of fire sprinklers and ineffective alarms made it hard to control or warn about the fire. 4. **Overcrowded Conditions**: The factory was densely packed with workers, making movement and evacuation difficult. 5. **Flammable Materials**: The work involved cutting and sewing with flammable fabrics, increasing fire risk. 6. **Lax Safety Standards**: Building codes were minimal and not enforced properly. 7. **No Emergency Training**: Workers had no training for emergencies, leaving them unprepared. 8. **Delayed Rescue Efforts**: The initial response was slow and disorganized, further exacerbating the situation. These factors combined to create a highly dangerous environment that resulted in a major loss of life, leading to significant labor and safety reforms.

Solution

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.

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- The doors to the stairwells were locked to prevent theft, trapping many workers inside. - The building lacked a sufficient number of exits and fire escapes, making escape nearly impossible for many employees. In addition, the fire hose was found to be inadequate and the sprinklers did not function. Many workers were not trained in emergency evacuation procedures, leading to panic and confusion. The lack of regulations on workplace safety at the time also contributed to the tragedies faced by the workers.

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