Page:The New International Encyclopædia 1st ed. v. 07.djvu/716

* FIREPROOF CONSTRUCTION. 650 FIRE PROTECTION. within seven-eighths of an inch of the surface of the flreproofing. Bieliogbaphy. The best literature relating to fireproof building construction is contained in the volumes of the various engineering papers for the last ten years. Among the books which may be consulted with advantage are: Freitag, The Fire- proofing of Steel Buildings (Xew York, 1899) ; Birkmire, The Planning and Construction of High Office Buildings (New York, 1898) ; and Kidder, Building Construction, part i., "Masons' Work" (Xew York, 1896). FIREPROOFING. The coating or impregna- tion of combustible materials, such as textile fabrics and wood, with chemical preparations so as to prevent their burning either partially or entirely. Such substances for the most part act by coating the material with a crust of mineral matter on the surface of the fibres that serves to prevent combustion, but does not interfere with decomposition. Cotton or linen may be steeped in any saline solution, such as alum, ammonium chlo- , ride, ammonium phosphate, borax, sodium phos- phate, and sodium tungstate, in order to render them incombustible. It is said that muslin dipped or washed in a solution containing 20 per cent, of sodium tungstate is perfectly non- inflammable when dried. Preparations of these salts in various combinations and proportions find extensive use for the treatment of canvas used for scenery in theatres, and in many places it is required by law that the drop-curtain shall be fireproof. Papers that are both fireproof and waterproof may be made from a pulp consisting of vegetable fibre to which asbestos and salts, such as alum and borax, in suitable proportions, have been added. For the flreproofing of timber a number of processes have been invented, and include the impregnation of the wood with such salts as iron sulphate and calcium chloride, sodium silicate, sodium tungstate, zinc chloride, and even com- mon whitewash. A similar result is frequently obtained by means of so-called fireproof paints. These include paints in which sodium silicate and zinc chloride have been incorporated. A preparation consisting of boric acid, sodium borate, soluble cream of tartar, ammonium sul- phate, potassium oxalate, and glycerin mixed with glue and incorporated with a paint, has been usetl in Paris as a flreproofing paint in the theatres. A mixture of these salts may also be used to render fibrous materials fireproof. See Fireproof Constriction. FIREPROOF SAFES. See Safes and Safe Deposit Vaults. FIRE PROTECTION, Municipal. The fire- protection service includes not only the fire-alarm telegraph, fire-engines, and water-works (qq.v.), but a variety of apparatus used in fire- fighting, horses to draw the apparatus, and men to operate and direct the whole. The sum total, with the general exception of the water-works system, constitutes the fire department. It i- hard to say whether the training displayed by the men or by the horses is most to be admired; but the intelligence, skill, quick initiative, cour- age, and devotion of the firemen :ire qualities po e Bed by them alone, and which are often de veloped to ■■< far higher degree in firemen than in any other branch of the municipal service. After the consideration of water-supply and lire-en- gines, wherever the pressure afforded by the water-works system is not sufficient for tire pur- poses, fire hose comes next in importance. Kuh- ber-lined hose is essential to the minimum loss of pressure, and is made with an outer cotton fabric which is either knit or woven, or rubber- lined linen may be used. The hose may be single or double jacketed, with some fabric for protec- tion against wear. Nozzles or plug pipes are of metal, tapered from the size of the hose, which should not be ordinarily less than 2% inches, to the desired size of the stream, which commonly ranges upward from 1% or IVi inches. Relief valves may be placed on either hydrants or en- gines, to enable the fireman to shut off the water at the nozzle without danger of bursting the hose or making it difficult to handle. Electric hose signals are used sometimes to enable the fireman at the nozzle of a hose to signal to the man in charge of the fire-engine or hydrant. An insulated electric wire is placed between the lining and outer covering of hose equipped with special couplings. A push but- ton on the nozzle connects with a battery and signal bell on the engine, and by means* of a signal code orders are given to turn on or shut off water, saving much time. Monitor nozzles are attached to standpipes placed on roofs, fire- boats, or elsewhere, and are so arranged that by means of proper joints and wheels for turn- ing the nozzle a stream may be given a horizontal range of 3G0° and a vertical range of 100° or more. They may be used at the base of a water tower, or mounted alone on a platform and wheels, and used to turn water into the lower portions or down into the basements of build- ings. Once set, a stream may be thrown in a given direction as long as desired, without fur- ther attention. Water-towers are valuable accessories to hose. They are tall, portable standpipes. which may be raised or lowered at will, and are mounted on trucks drawn by horses. A nozzle at the top, more or less like the monitor nozzle, enables the operator to turn a stream in any direction. One or more lines of hose may be coupled to the base of the tower. A material saving in friction loss is made by substituting the vertical pipe for an equal length of hose, on account of the smoother interior surface of the iron. Hose-carts and hook-and-ladder trucks aw made in a great variety of styles. Aerial ladders may be run up quickly by mechanism mounted on the truck. <t;is may he generated to aid in raising either ladders or water-towers. Fire-houses include the various buildings used to shelter fire apparatus, horses, and men. and are known as engine, hose, or hook-and-ladder houses, according to their actual uses. Willi paid fire departments the men as well as the horses are quartered in the fire-house, at leasi while on duty. When an alarm strikes the mel slide down a pole from their quarters above, the horses spring into their places in front, of the engine or other apparatus, the harnesses arr lowered and secured, the doors fly open, and men, horses, and apparatus are on their way to the fire in a few seconds' time. Scaling-ladders enable firemen to work (Inn way up from one window to another of a burn- ing building to rescue persons whose lives are in danger, and life arts are stretched below to catch without injury any who are obliged to