Page:Popular Science Monthly Volume 26.djvu/783

Rh necessary when mills are idle. One of the workmen must be capable of starting the fire-engine and pumps instantly. Most fires occur at night. At other times when work is suspended, and supervision apt to be relaxed, the risk of fire increases. To meet this, comes the obvious suggestion that on Sunday, Independence-Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas, there should be increased vigilance by superintendents and watchmen.

However wisely designed a mill may be, and however vigilant its employés, it may take fire from causes practically unavoidable.

How flame may best be quenched then becomes the next important question. Apparatus for extinguishing fire, according to the Mutual underwriters, should include:

 1. In all possible cases, water-pipes supplied from at least two sources, with two or more fire-pumps; or one pump and a reservoir of sufficient elevation to give an ample supply of water through its connecting pipes. 2. An adequate pipe-service with hydrants in yards, porches, in all rooms, and upon the roofs. When possible, the water should stand in the hydrants, both in the yards and in the building, from the tank or reservoir. 3. Hose and hose-pipes should be ready for use, and should be attached to the hydrants, with a drip-coupling to take off any water that may leak by the valve. 4. Automatic sprinklers in all parts of a building where there is special liability to fire, and generally in all stories above the second, however occupied, especially the uppermost. Among the appliances of recent introduction for extinguishing fire, the automatic sprinkler deserves special mention from its importance and success. It mainly consists in a plug of fusible metal attached to a water-pipe, which melts off at a moderately high temperature, say 160° Fahr., and permits the issue of a drenching spray. Were not high cost a serious objection, sprinklers might be made controllable, not by fusible alloys, but by electrical levers attached to sensitive thermometers. Any device which shortens the time during which a fire is left to itself is of importance. A fire-alarm is usually applied to the existing automatic systems. 5. Small hose attached at numerous points to the water-pipes in the rooms. 6. A full supply of water-buckets reserved for fire purposes, and always kept full.

For the efficient use of apparatus, a well-drilled fire department is required. Watchmen particularly should be thoroughly trained in the use of appliances for combating flame, and should be familiar with the positions of valves, hose, and buckets. Aid in their work is given by an excellent electric fire-alarm, which is gradually coming into use in the mills of New England. It announces instantly, in both engine