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Development of multi storey buildings
Multi storey buildings were needed to house the large machines being developed during the industrial revolution.
Early buildings were constructed using traditional materials with wooden floors and beams.
Flammable materials were processed in mills. Wool, cotton and silk.
Oil and grease were used to lubricate the machines and dripped onto the wooden floors.
Candles and oil were used to light the mills.
A careless movement could overturn the light onto the cotton etc. and start a fire.
There were no efficient fire brigades to deal with fire.
William Strutt began to experiment with ways to reduce the risk of fire.
1793 William Strutt built a warehouse at Milford and a mill in Derby to a new design using cast iron in the construction.
Several mills were built in the next few years, using this type of construction. Charles Bage was in communication with William when he built a mill near Shrewsbury.
1803 the North Mill was destroyed by fire. It was replaced by the present cast iron framed building, designed by William Strutt as a fireproof mill.
The North Mill is an important step in the evolutionary process towards the construction of the modern skyscrapers.
North Mill was described as the most beautiful and technologically advanced building of its time and is part of the Derwent Valley Mills World Heritage Site.