Page:Library Construction, Architecture, Fittings, and Furniture.djvu/47

Rh preparation. A well-considered scheme of fire-drill for the attendants should be in force, and telephonic communication, tested daily, should be laid on to the nearest fire-station. Provision should be made of hydrants upon each floor of the building, and buckets filled with water always be available. If the latter are placed in entrance halls, or where they may be exposed to severe frost, a handful of salt should be placed in each to keep the water from freezing.

The use of automatic fire-sprinklers in the book stores, unless applied solely to the floors, is only mentioned to be condemned, as the water would do almost as much harm to the books as a fire. The Mitchell Library, Glasgow, has adopted a simple method of precaution against damage which might result from sparks from fires in the adjacent buildings. Tubes have been taken up from the water-mains to the roof of the building, and are run along the tops of the ridges of the skylights. They are perforated with small holes, and upon turning a tap in the basement a powerful stream of water is forced through in the form of spray, which effectually wets the whole roof, and would keep in check, if not extinguish, the fire of any burning brands, sparks, or cinders which might fall upon it. In fixing such a system care must be taken to so arrange the levels of the pipes that no water can remain in them, but must drain away at or near the tap in the basement. If this is not done the imprisoned water will freeze in the pipes, and stop the passage at the time probably when it is most required.