UNITED STATES RAILROAD ADMINISTRATION DIRECTOR GENERAL OF RAILROADS A ^^^ Bulletin No 8 oH| A MANUAL ON °li FIRE PROTECTION FOR tm RAILROAD PROPERTIES FOR THE USE AND INFORMATION OF FIRE PROTECTION INSPECTORS COMPILED BY CHARLES N RAMBO. Manager THE FIRE LOSS AND PROTECTION SECTION DIVISION OF FINANCE AND PURCHASES JOHN SKELTON WILLIAMS Director washington government printing office 191'; The Appeal to America SAFEGUARDING INDUSTRY PRESIDENT WILSON says: "Preventable fire is more than a private misfortune. It is a public dereliction. At a time like this of emergency and of manifest necessity for the conservation of national resources, it is more than eVer a matter of deep and pressing consequence that every means should be taken to pre- vent this evil." SRL.F URL PREVENT FIRE LOSSES ON RAILROADS. PREVENTING AND REDUCING THE FIRE WASTE OF THE NATION WILL HELP TO PROVIDE FOR THE NATION'S NEEDS. 1. All officers and employees of railroads should be on guard at all times, show their loyalty and cooperation, and through earnest efforts and constant vigilance accept their responsibility toward the elimination of the unnecessary fire loss to railroad properties. 2. Let each employee consider liimself a fire inspector or warden, as far as his particular duties are concerned and in so far as any dangerous condition may come to his notice; and let each one have in mind constantly that through no act of his, or through no lack of action on his part, will he create a fire hazard or allow one to pass unnoticed. 3. If you know of or see a fire danger or hazard, report it immediately to your superior in charge of your department. 4. Keep in mind constantly that the first requisite in the preveution of fire waste is good housekeeping — meaning cleanliness. Remove accumulations of rubbish and waste, and guard inflammable property and materials from all sources of danger by fire. Guard against not only physical defects but neglects brougiit about through carelessness, indifference, ignorance, or willfulness on the part of any i»er.son.. Smoking is a general habit; guard carefully against hazards and careless practices incident to it. 5. Railroad operation is in its nature so continuous that destruction of prop- erty u.sed in it leaves marked consequential lo.s.ses. The acceptance of indi- vidual responslbHily will prevent not only large waste of property, whicli can not be replaced to-day, but temporary loss of employment through the destruc- tion of facilities and serious interference with ojjerations. W. G. IMcAnoo, DiiGotor Qeneral of Raihinnla. a CONTEXTS. ■*•• Page. Access to fallroad terminals, shops, etc., by public fire departments 67 Acetone 26 Alcohol 26 Amyl acetate 26 Ashes 14,23 Ashpans 96 Automatic sprinklers 45 B. --^ Benzine 20, 77 Benzole 26 Bituminous coal 43 Blacksmith shops .• 76 Blower systems 29 BoilfT houses 24 settings 24 stacks 24 Braziers 15 Bridges 94 Brigades, fire 47 Buffing as' C. Cars, on sidings, in yards, and at terminals. . .34 camp 36 Car heating, freight 44 Car inspectors' houses 95 Carbon bisulphide 26 Carlson tetrachloride exthiguishcrs 65 Calcium carbide, storage of 95 chloride C4 Camp cars 36 Cans, safety • 76 Chemical Are extinguishers, carbonic acid gas 64 carbon tetrachloride 65 Chimneys 21 Chloride, sodium 64 City fire dopartmenls, cooperation with.. 10,54 Clothes lockers 34 Coiil , bituminous 43 Coaling stations 27 Cold weather precautions i«h Collfxl ion 2tl lolunihliin spirlta 26 C'oiiccnirnllon of cars on sidings, in yards, or lit Krminals .34 ( onfirrii'-e of olliccrsand local committee 10 Constniotion 13 Conveyor systems, refuse and dust collect Ing. 29, .37 Cotton, handling, storage, and transporta- tion 97 Cotton rubber-lined Arc hose 56 Couplings, boso 58 Page. Culverts 16 Cupola 25 D. Dip tanks 96 Disposing of shavings and sawdust 29 Doors, fire 14 Dope 15 Drills, fire 52 Drip pans 14 Drop cords from electric lamps 84 Dry powder extingui-shcrs 66 Dust collecting systems 37 Duties of fire inspectors 20 Dynamos 17 E. Electrician 16 Electricity S2 Electric lamps 84 wiring S3 Employees' clothes lockers 34 Engines, stationary, gasoline, installation of 80 gas 80 Ether 26 Explosions of grain dust 37 Explosive compounds 27 Explosives 11, 15 Extinguishers, locomotive fire apparatus 66 chemical 64 carbon tetrachloride 65 dry powder 06 F. Fighting Hre , 55 Fire-alarm system 54 Fire barrels 61 brigades 47 cars 67 chiefs 49 departments, city, cooperation with 10,54 doors 14 drills 52 hazards, of grain elevators 36 hose 56 hydrants 59 hydrant systems 59 losses, how to prevent ,. 13 marslials 10 palls 61 prevention committees 10 pumps 46 shutters 13 walls 13 Fire extlngiilshlrip apparatus on locomotives. 06 Flrliig-up locomotives 75 G 6 CONTENTS. Page. Flues "21 Foreword ''•^ Forges ^^ Foundry buildings 25, 76 Freezing, protection against f'^ Freight car heating ^^ Freight transfers ♦. 33 l^irnaces, gasoline 16 hot air 21 Fuel oil 3" Fusees, storage '' ^ G. General Rtiles 13-19 Gas fixtures 16 Gas engines 80 Gasoline 26, 87 Gasoline barrels ^8 Gasoline engines, stationary, installation of. . 80 Giass-tont lamps — 16 Grain elevators 36 driers 41 Gi^ss, weeds 16 Guarding and identification 94 H. Handling, storage, and transportation of cotton Hazards paint stock Heating freight cars couplings Hose houses Houses, car inspectors How to prevent fire losses Hydrants IdentiQcation and guarding various properties ignition, spontaneous Illumination, grain elevators piers storage warehouses terminals Inspection of fire apparatus locomotives Inspector, duties of Installation of stationary gasolaie engines — Locomotive firing up . Lumber Page. 75 16 Macliiue-shop sweepings . Matches Motors Jets, gas 16 steam 32, 78 K. Kitchen ranges, setting of 81 Kerosene, oil lamps 85 Kerosene, for heating and lighting 86 L. Lacquer 26, 77 Lacquering ^^ Lamps, kerosene oil -i Large storage warehouses 94 Lighting 16 Lightning 90 Locker rooms . . . : ■ 14 Locomotives, fire-extinguishing apparatus ... 66 inspection of 96 itors N. Naphtha 26 National Standard hose couplings 58 Night watchmen 18, 68 No smoking, signs ''1 O. Oily waste Oil supply, storage and handling. Oil, fuel houses kerosene small supplies Opeff^ame torches P. 15,72 74 17 31 85 74 74 Packing material Pails, water , Paints Paint stock Paper flies Paper or pasteboard shades Petroleum ether Piers Post indicator valves Power Prevent fire losses, poster Private fire-alarm systems Protection against freezing. Public fire-alarm boxes Public fire departments, access to terminals, shops, etc •^. Pumps, fire Purchase, use, and careof firehose — Iroatl 15 61 78 76 91 16 26 94 IS 17 3 10,18 63 18,55 67 4« 56- R, Eecords, storage of 91 Refuse conveyor systems 29, 37 Responsibility of employees for preventing fire losses 3 Rolling equipment 15, 34 Rubbish 14j23 Safety cans lanterns. Salt Saud ^= Sawdust, disposal of Scoops IS Self-inspection Shavings, d isposal of Shop practices Sidings, storage of cars Skylights Smokiug Snow fences Sodium cliloride Soot accumulations Spark arrest ers Spittoons CONTEXTS. Page. Spontaneous ignition 92 Sprinklers, automatic -io Stacks, boiler l', 24 Steam fire pumps '*6 jets 32,7.S mains 2S pipes 23 Stored cars 1 5 , 16 . 34 Storage of bituminous coal 43 calcium carbide 95 ears on sidings, in yards, and at terminals 34 ;otton 97 fusees and torpedoes 7S records 91 small oil supplies 74 waste papers 71 warehouses 94 Stoves 21 gasolene 17 gas 22 oil 17 Sulphur bleachers 41 T. Tanks , dip 96 Telegraph and telephone wires 15 Terminals 94 storage of cars 34 access by public fire departments 67 Timber 76 Toluol 2'i Torches, open 74 Torpedoes, storage of 7S Page. Transfers, freight ;;:; Trunsportation of explosives and dangerous articles H Trestles 94 Turpentine 20,77 U. Underwriters' Laboratories U Unlined linen fire hose 57 V. Vapor carry-off ilues 82 Vapor-proof incandescent lamps 18 , 32 Varnishes 77 Varnish removers 77 Ventilating systems from kitchens 81 Volatileoils 77 W. Warehouses, storage 94 V,"ash rooms 11 Waste cans 72 Waste, clean 15, 72 Waste papers, storage and handling 71 Watchman service 18, 68 Water barrels 61 mains 18 pails 61 Weeds 16 White-wash formula 76 Woodworking mills 29 Y. Yards, storage of cars *. 34 FOEEWOED. FIRE PROTECTION APPLIED TO RAILROAD PROPERTIES. The large values invested in railroad property, aside from right of way, road- beds, etc., and the large liabilities involving the carriers, can be readily eom- pi-ehended. We are dealing with a problem affecting billions of dollars in l»roperty value. When we glance at the enormous growth of the transportation lines in this country in the last 25 years, and with the careful study now given to all phases of safety and economy in operation, it can readily be seen that the question of fire protection aiul prevention sliould play no small part, for, aside from the destruction of values brought about by fire losses, there is always tlie incidental and consequential interruption of operations. The nature of the business of transportation requires that more than ordinary precautions be ti'ken to safeguard against and keep free from the interruptions to their operations which fire loss and damage cause. Such interruption naturally varies with the importance of the property. As an illustration, we might cite the destruction by fire of an interlocking tower, with the subsequent detention or interruption in train service, on up to the large terminal and shop prop- erties, dislocating the machinery of trauhportation and requiring readjust- ment involving far-reaching consequential details. One of the first demands in connection with the study of fire prevention is that of good housekeeping, Involving enforcements tliat will insure it through a large property as a matter of daily ('ity and through which means the l>o.ssibility of fires may be largely avoided. This can be accomplished by the appointment of employees in each portion of a property with such authority as may be necessary to see that cleanliness is observed and through the posting fif ofiiclal notices in prominent places requiring the carrying out of fire- Iirotection rules .so pn-jtared as to meet conditions usually found in railroad fin (pert ies. Tiie protection of iiroportios again.st fire Is an imiiortant part of tlie (hity of ovi-ry offlf-er and employee. Every fire in railroad property should be made the I)frsonal responsibility of some employee. It must be remembered that the majority of fire lo.sses are preventable and that they are jjirgely a matter, of b-u-k of cleanliness and carefidness, and that the great study of prevention nuist be along these lines. This subject of flrc-e\tingu1shing apparatus Is necessarily one of great detail .iiid brings out the study of the extent and character of the iiroperlies, the niitiiral condith)ns surrounding them, and their use and oreuiK-uicy. Tlie class of appliances will necessarily cover a wide range, starting, however, with the idi-a of having an ample supply of water to meet the maxinnnn of conditions that might arise. Careful study Is necessary to deterndne the specific character of fire-extingnisbing devices rof|uired to meet the demands of each clas.s of property. These imhide the use of a system iierty are recommended. (8ee special article.) Flues, chlmnrys, and .-stadias: Pare should be used In their construftion so as to insure safety, particular alffiitinn being given (o keep free of timbers. (See special article.) It Is recommended when diawing j.lans and specifications that provlsicm be made fur wireways for rendering concealed wiring In buildings permanently accessible. The channeling and pocketing of buildings for electric light or power wires, teleiihotie, telegraiih, or signaling .'System wiring Is desirable; all wiring to be according to latest edition of the "National Electrical Code.". Provide substantial firewall cut-offs from .shaving vaults, dry kilns, bniler houses, to adjoining planing mills or other buildings. Skylights should be made of wired glass in metal frames in accordance with standard requirements or protected from sparks by screen guards sui»ported on iron frames. 13 14 FIRE PROTECTION FOR RAILROAD PROPERTIES. Fireproof or fire-resistinj? roofing materials are recommended to be used. The use of wooden unventilated closets for men's clothes Is not approved. Well ventilated metal closets or lockers to be kept away from wood structural material are i-ecommended for workmen's clothing and tools. It is recommended that separate buildings be provided, wherever possible, at shop plants for men's clothes lockers, wash rooms, etc., in order to keep this linzni'd out of main shop buildings. FiKE DOOKS. Fire doors are used to protect openings in fire walls. They should be hung on both sides of the wall and should be arranged to close automatically. Only doors and hardware incidental thereto which are approved and bear the label of the Underwriters' Laboratories should be used. Contracts should specifically require this as unlabeled doors and hardware are seldom satisfactory either from the fire-stopping standpoint or fi-om that of maintenance. Fire doors and shutters should be constructed and installed in accordance with the National Board rules. In installing fire doors particular attention should be given to the lintels, frames, and sills. There are a variety of methods and materials which may be u.sed, depending on the circumstances, but it should be borne in mind that the floor on one side of the wall may be destroyed, so no direct connection should be made to the floor or supiwrting timbers. Where the door opening is used for heavy trucking it is advisable to protect the front edge of the door with sheet metal to prevent tearing the tin. Fire doors should normally be kept closed but where conditions require the frequent use of the opening they may be held open by a counterweight with one or more fusible links or other device which will detach the weight when sub- jected to heat allowing the door to close automatically. The link should be in the door opening. Special approved automatic releases may be used. Home- made links should not be used as they can not be depended on to fuse at the proper temperature. CARE OF PROPERTY. BEING RULES FOR DIMINISHING FIRE HAZARDS. In shops and other large properties or even single buildings a competent em- ployee should be appointed, with authority, who sliould inspect all parts thor- oughly and regularly to see that the premises are kept clean and free from any feature which might cause fire. Standard covered metal receptacles should be provided for ashes, rubbish, greasy and oily rags and waste, torches and small oil supplies; and rubbish, ashes, and sweepings should not be allowed to accumulate on property, but should be disposed of daily. The use of wood boxes and barrels for these pur- poses should be prohibited. Oily clothing should be kept hung up in metal lockers. All machinery, especially the journals, and space underneath should be kept clean; di;ip pans should be provided for all journals and gear wheels; never use sawdust for absorbing oil; drip pans should be cleaned frequently, espe- cially in woodworking mills, as "the dust saturated with some kinds of oil is subject to spontaneous ignition; all belts should be examined to prevent fric- tion, especially against combustible materials; all bearings should be watched for heating; the babbitt in loose pulleys should not be allowed to show sigus of wear. FIKE PROTECTION FOE RAILROAD PROPERTIES. 15 Forges and furnaces should have hoods or shields over them ; wooden floors sh(»nld not be permitted around forges or anvil blocks and woodwork kept at •least four feet distant or protected by asbestos or metal with air space ; tire set- ting should be on a concrete or brick floor ; portable oil tanks should be built specially strong and special attention given to safety appliances guarding both life and property. All woodworking mills should have shavings and sawdust blower or exhaust systems. The woodwork of the interior of shop buildings should be kept whitewashed. or treated with lire retardent paint. Oil lamps should not l)e filled and trimmed after dark or near a fire, and care should be taken to keep surroundings, where such work is done, free of oil sat- uration, by having metal trays or metal covered stands provided on which to do that work. All oils, paints, varnishes, and similar compounds should be kept in special outside building provided for the purpose. A day's supply only should be allowed outside of stock house, kept in metal receptacles. Si)ecial provision should be made for storage of gasoline, benzine, and ether highly volatile oils and explosives, apart from and not exposing main buildings. Avoid the use of gasoline, benzine, etc., as far as possible. If no suitable substitute can be utilized and any highly volatile oils must be used, they should be used only iu restricted quiintities, by daylight only, and from approved safety cans. Main sui'ply to be stored as indicated in special rules. Braziers and furnaces (f/amlcnc) .—^Yhen not in use should be kept in a metal box outside of main buildings. Should be filled and lighted outside of build- ings. The principal hazard is carelessness in handling, especially in sotting thcui down after using them. Care should be taken to see that only approved devices are used. Smoking should be firohibitod and signs to that effect conspicuously posted. (See special article.) Sawdust should not be used on floors anrovided with a cover. .Ml fire doors and shutters sliould l>e closed night.s, Sundays, and holidays, or whenever it Is not neces.sary to keep them open. Explosives should not be used or .stored except under proscril)ed conditions. (See requirements of Interstate Commerce Counnission for trausiMirling and storing. See also bullfllns of I'.ureau of lOxpiosivi'S. ) In large freight dejxtts a metal or met;il-line:\])oi' flies. Telegraph and telephone wires iu buildings should be properly Insulated and equipped with aj)provetl protective devices, including excessive current pro- tectors and lightning arrestor.s, and »!iould bo installed throughout iu accord- ance with standard requirements. 16 FIRE PROTECTION FOR RAILROAD PROPERTIES. See Hint iill defocts which tend to hicrease risk of, or cjuise fires, are given prompt attention. Itolling equipment slionlcl uot be stored on tracks where it will be subjected to exposure from buildings longer than is necessary. Stored rolling equipment should be swept clean, doors closed, and any accumulations of rubbish, dry grass, etc., removed from around same. Stored cars should have ample facilities for prompt removal in case of fire. Grass and weeds near wooden bridges, culverts, trestles, buildings, snow fences, or piles of ties or timber, must be kept cut and burned ; old ties must be promptly inspected and burned ; drift-wood and other rubbish must not be allow^ed to accumulate around bridges, trestles, or culverts. The regular mow- ing to be done strictly in accordance with instructions. Lumber should not be piled within 50 feet of any building, preferably 100 feet, where exposures warrant. The proper installation of all lighting systems is important; electricity and gas are preferred forms of lighting when properly installed. Other forms of lighting may add a marked hazard (particularly gasoline and acetylene), and when used should be installed only in accordance with standard rules and requirements, and under special permission. A distinct fire hazard is attached to the use of electricity and various electrical devices; all installations of wiring and apparatus should be well made by competent persons and according to the " National Electrical Code " and inspected and approved before current is turned on. They should be regularly examined by a competent electrician and any necessary repairs promptly made to put them in safe condition, or otherwise brought and kept up to standard. Electrical wiring or apparatus should not be tampered with or altered except by electrician with authority in such matters ; special care should be taken not to overload systems. Between shelves in record rooms drop cords are not desirable ; ceiling sockets with reflectors should be used with the switch at entrance to shelves. When portable lights are necessary, use standard portable cords and lamps equipped with approved guard and handle. AVires must not be hung on nails, gas fixtures, iron hooks, etc., but properly supported by and hung from prescribed and approved insulators. In all wir- ing, special attention should be paid to the mechanical execution of the work ; careful running, connecting, soldering, taping, and securing and attaching of fittings. Do not allow incandescent electric lights lo come in contact with combustible material. Gas fixtures should be made stationary ; burners should be protected by wire guards or globes to prevent contact with woodwork or other combustible material. Protect wopdwork above or alongside gas jets with asbestos board and tin. Oil lamps, when used, should be rigidly and securely supported on substantial metal hangers or brackets. The use of glass font lamps is objectionable. Metal lamps should be used, and every care taken to keep fi'om paper files and wood- work. Paper or pasteboard shades should not be used on any oil, gas, or electric light globes. Metal or porcelain should be used. The use of torches is attended with danger, and should not be permitted where electricity is available. Every care should be exercised when used, both as to handling and storing. When not in use they should be kept in metal receptacles and not in wooden closets. FIRE PROTECTIOX FOR RAILROAD PROPERTIES. 17 The use of open liirhts In oil houses, paint houses, planing mills, grain eleva- tors, etc.. and where inflammable vapors or dust are present should be prohib- ited. The use of vapor-proof incandescent lamps is recommended in such places. Heating and Powicr. Tlie proper installation of all heating apparatus is important ; the following recommendations are made relating to same: Steam pipes should be properly supporteil and kept awaj' from woodwork and should be properly bushed where passing tlvrough woodwork. Greasy and oily waste or other inflammable material should be kept away from the same and clothing should not be permitted to hang on or near same. The overhead method of steam piping is preferred. Stoves should be securely erected with an air space beneath, and set on either stone, cemented brick, or metal mats of desirable- thickness, and near-by woodwork protected by metal and asbestos board ; stovepipes should be securely fastened and riveted. All combustible material mu.st have proper clearance and protection from stovepipes, particularly v.here they pass through wall.s, partitions, etc. The use of gasolene and oil stoves or ranges for cooking or heating purposes should be pi'ohibitcd. Gas stoves, when used, should be connected with gas supply by rigid metal piping. Chimneys and flues should be substantially and carefully constructed and not built up from posts or joists. Joists sliould not be permitted to run into the masonry work. All smoke pipes should run direct from furnace or stove to chinniey. All joists and woodwork should be protected by fireproof covering, metal and asbestos board, or by allowing sufhciont air space between them and all licaters or furnaces and their pipes. IJoiler plants should be located in separate detached buildings, where prac- ti«able, or cut off from main building by division wall.s, extending through roof • •r in fireproof room, as provided for under special building specifications for Ills class of property, (See special article.) The outside brick or concrete chiuuiey or metal slack is preferable. Around boiler stack.s, If of iron and if built up from inside building, where passing tihrougli roof, the smokestack opening nnist be twice the diameter of the stack; t)i«'re should be u clearance from all ww (lie siirface of I lie wood .»ynamos, mot,vees formed into brigades, trained iu the use and handling of same, and regularlj^ drilled, are of the utmost value. From whatever source water for fire purposes is obtained, the supply sJiould be ample and constant. Underground water mains for fire-hydrant systems sliould be cast iron, laid in complete circuit and, where the system is extensive, should be gridironed to afford circulation, never be less than six inches "in diam- eter, and should never be run under buildings. They should be buried deep enough in ground to prevent injury from surface and freezing. All inside hose pipe lines should be controlled by outside valves. A competent employee should be designated in all large properties whose duty shall be to inspect thoroughly and regularly all apparatus provided to ex- tinguish fire, alarm systems, etc. ; good order and condition of these devices is necessary that they may be depended upon. They should also be regularly tested. Fire apparatus, including pumps, should not be used for other purposes ; its use and location should be known by all employees. Fire pumps should preferably be located in fireproof houses beyond reach of fire from other buildings, and should be constantly in condition for immediate and protracted use at their full capacity. The use of frost-proof fire hydraii^ts with at least two outlets, with separate hose gates on each, is recommended. Hydrants should be placed far cnf'Ugh, generally 50 to 75 feet, from building to prevent their being injured by f;illing walls or being otherwise rendered inaccessible. Post indicator valves should 'be used to control underground water supplies in preference to sunken ones covered with traps. If indicator posts are not feasible, valves to he located in valve pits, and to be of the outside screw and yoke pattern, the location of such valves to be plainly marked by signs. Water meters in fire-service mains are detrimental to flow of water. If their use is unavoidable only detector meters installed on a by-pass should be used and an approved gate valve placed in the direct connection. Care should be exercised in the treatment of li< ?;> ; it sjiould be regularly tested (except linen) and drained and kept in well ventilated houses or properly reeled or folded on racks when not in use. (See special article.) Water barrels and fire pails should be kept filled with water at all times and salt added hi winter to prevent freezing. (See special article.) Chemical extinguishers should be protected from freezing and recharged at least ance a year with record of same kept on a card attached to machine. (See special article.) Pails of clean, dry sand (with hand scoops for throwing) and carbon tetra chloride type of lire extinguisher are recommended where oils, paints or inflammable liquids are stored. Designated locomotives in yard service are recommended to be equipped with special fire exting-uishing apparatus for service in case of fire. All fire hydrants, valves and connections should be regularly inspected, especi- ally in winter, to guard against freezing. They should be occasionally tested, except in freezing weatlier. The loss of a few minutes in sending in an alarm of fire may cause consider- able additi>;nal loss. I■ri^ate fire alarms are recommended so that the privave brigades may get into service promptly. Where located in a city, a public fire ahum b<'X and key should lie located at or near premises so that no time may be lost in getting assisiiince from city department. To secure regular and systematic inspection. of property during nights, Sun- day<, holidays, or such times as it is not in operation, reliable watcluuca sliou'd be maintained whose rounds should be recorded on an approved clock system ; FIRE PROTECTION FOR RAILRO.VD PROPERTIES. 19 rounds to be made at least every hour aud a siifficient number of stations pro- vided to insure tbeir visiting all portions of property. They should be specially Instructed in the location and use of fire extinguishing apparatus. Only approved safety lanterns or electric lamps should be used by watcl.nien. IN GENERAL. All employees in charge of property should be held responsible for the carv.\ - Ing out of such si)eeific rules and regulations as may be promulgated to enforci' the above care and protection of proportj'. SELF-INSPECTION WITH REFERENCE TO FIRE PREVENTION AND PROTECTION. Self-inspection promotes good housekeeping and means that you must per- sonally make investigation of conditions by Inspecting or appoint some one, whom you can hold responsible and in whom you have confidence, to do it for you. Large suras of money are paid for fire protection apparatus, which is only waiting In its latent power to give an adequate return in case of fire. Water mains with fire hydrants and pumps aud sprinkler systems cost thousands of dollars; fire hose, nozzles, fire extinguishei's, water barrels and fire pails and sundry apparatus for fire fighting run into large outlays. Irretrievable in event of fire is the money spent if the hydrant has -no wrench or is in an inoperative condition, the pump out of order, the sprinkler system with an unknown closed valve, the hose with a weak spot, the barrel empty, and the biirket not filled or near water.^ Large capital has iieen invested in buildings and their contents, and large lia))ilities are Involved by transportation lines, all of which has to be safe- gui^rded. Very few buildings can be classed as " fireproof " and few can with- stand a severe fire; therefore it becomes necessary to prevent a fire from Kt.'irting or having started, to control it in its incipiency. Tlie first step in conserving property under yoin* care is that of fire pre- vention ; the -second, fire protection. In theory one follows the other ; in prac- ti**^ both are of equal imi)ortance, for statistics show that a large percentage of fires are preventable, the rest due to inherent causes; therefore the problem Is to n'du<'e the pnnentnble fires and i»rovlde adequate fire protection for all. The best fire protection ajjparatus and flre-resisting building stand for naught unless they are kept In good condition. Tlie mere fact that fire hazards may have been safeguarded and fire protec- tion may have been installed originally In full accordance with standard requirements. Is no guaranty that these conditions will remain. Proper upkeei* is neeessary. and fretpient self-insj»ection is tlui logical method of obtaining satisfactory results so that there may be no rellection upon individuals. Ex- cuses are of no value after a property ha.s been destroyed. The following are brief suggestions for organizing a local inspection service of your property whatever the size: <^;et In sympatliy with the proposition to prevent "fire lo3.ses." Head literature pertaining to the subject, which Is readily obtainable ami gives valuable suggestions. If possible join a fire prevention nssorlntion to reap the benefits of their ex- periences. Issue rules and notices In the shape of posters, circulars, etc., and require a rigid enforcement of rules. 20 riEE PROTECTION FOB RAILROAD PROPERTIES. Hold forenioii of each shop responsible for its condition as to cleanliness and fire-protection apparatus. Prohibit smoking throughout your property. Look into jiour exposure hazards. Sometimes an old inflammable building will jeopardize a large valuable structure more than the operation in that structure itself. Fire walls and door and window protection afford safe- guards. Advocate fire-resistant construction for new buildings. Locate new buildings as far away from other buildings as feasible. Con- gested conditions are breeders of conflagrations. Appoint a healthy and reliable night watchman, preferably one who does not smoke, and require him to register his tours on an approved clock system. Appoint a competent active man for inspector. He need not necessarily be relieved of all other duties. Your fire chief would be best. Give him au- thority over the fire protection apparatus and authority to require minor hazards to be removed. Local Inspector's Duties. Make a written weekly report of all conditions. Report verbally and imme- diately any important hazard or bad condition. Make recommendations for betterment. Make daily, or at least weekly, inspections of entire property, inside and outside. Examine all heating appliances. Examine all fire hydrants. Pill water barrels. See that water barrels have buckets. Fill water buckets. Examine and recharge chemical fire extinguishers. Keep fire hose in condition. Have fire pump tested weekly. Have fire alarm tested weekly. Arrange fire drills. Test fire hose under pressure yearly. Examine automatic or other sprinkler installation. Talk fire prevention and fire protection. See that wrenches and all minor equipment are at fire hydrants. Se« that each installation of hose has hose spanners. See that all water valves are properly closed or opened as the requirements may demand. Test fire apparatus on locomotives. Examine roof ladders. See that all oily waste has been placed in proper receptacles and daily dis- posed of. Look for stray pieces of oily 'waste in out-of-way places. Criticize conditions when necessary. See that roadways are accessible to fire department. Examine electric fuses and require the removal of unprotected or nonstandard connections. Cause the removal of birds' nests from roof eaves and rafters. Examine woodwork around stacks, furnaces, stoves, and steam pipes. See that fire prevention and protection rules are obeyed. See that shavings and sawdust are kept away from heating appliances. See that small oil supplies are properly 'kept in suitably protected recep- tacles. FIRE PROTECTION FOR EAILROAD PROPERTIES. 21 See that all fire doors and shutters are unobstructed, that tliey are in good rei'air and kept closed at night or when plant is not iu operation. Examine clothes lockers, closets, and other catch-alls and remove torches, oils, and cotton waste. :Make men acquainted with location of nearest fire alarm and its operation. The duties of the inspector as set forth are given only as an outline and will increase in all directions as the man hecames experienced and takes the initiative. The time he consumes will vary with the size of the property ; a few minutes in a freight warehouse to an entire day in a largj? terminal or shop plant is well expendal, as it produces results. RECOMMENDATIONS IN CONNECTION WITH CHIMNEYS, FLUES, STOVES, AND FURNACES. Special attcutiun siiV'uld be given the construction and installation of chim- neys, flues, furnaces, and stoves used for heating buildings and pipes leading tlierefrom and regular examination thereof and their surroundings before being put into service. Constant operation of heating devices under intense heat in time will estab- lish deterioration of their parts. Reason: Radiated heat is of an intensely penetrating nature and will eventually set fire to wood or other combustible material which is heated to a temperature uncomfortable to the touch of the bare hand. An air or ventilating space between the source of heat or lieat shield and the combu.stible material lends to carry away the heated particles of air by circulation. Definitions. Chimnoy: Walls, usnally vertical, inclosing the passageway for products of ciinibustion from a fire. Flue is the opening through wliich smoke and gases escape. Snwjke pipe : Pipe comiections from stove, range, or heater to chimney. Slov»'pii)e: See smoke pipe. Chimneys. liuild all diinuieys large enough to give a sepanite flue for each fire. CbinuK'y fines should be ample in size and carried as nearly straight as possible from their foundations to at least 3 feet above the highest projection of roof. ('liimufys must be buiil fnim the pniuiid or siii.porled tlicrefnim witli lin^ pr(M.f nialcrial, and none of their weiglit should be carried by anything except tlu'ir foinidations. (^binuieys may form part of a l.'J-incli or more brick wall, Iti whirli case chliimcy shoidd not be corbeled out more tJian 8 inches from wall, and that corbeling should consist of at least live courses of brick. CiniHlriKtinn. — Sound hard l)ri'k or reinforced concrete at least 8 inches thick and lined continuously througliont witli 1-incli terracotta pipe or fire clay. I»o not run floor Jf»lHt« or oilier woodwork lntipe openings slioubl only Ite closed witli a light metal \\\\>^ cap after smoke pi|M^ has l>ocn removed. S.MOKEPIPKS. Smoke pi[>es should l>e constructed of substnntial metal ami be spark tight. Should run directly from furnace or stove to chimney and be firmly held in place by metal ttiimble and plaster. 22 FIRE PEOTECTION FOR RAILROAD PROPERTIES. Lons runs of pipe are dangerous nnd should be avoided. Be careful of joints between lengths of pipes. Smoke pipes should preferably not pas.s through floors, attics, or unused rooms, and never through closets. Shall not be placed near any woodwork. ^\'here pipes pass through lath and plaster or wood partitions and ceilings thoy nm.st he guarded by galvanized-iron ventilating collars at least one and one-half times the diameter of the pipes, or a concrete panel about 18 inches square, depending o^i spacing of studding and diameter of pipe, incasing smoke pipe so as to leave an air space of not less than 1 inch around it. Where it is necessary that pipes pass through wooden i»oofs in the absence of brick chimneys they should be guarded in the same manner as where passing through wooden partitions. Smoke pipe must be securely fa.stened to stove or furnace. Stoves. All stoves for heating purposes should be free from cracks, have well-fitting doors, and be supported on legs off the floor. Should be placed 3 feet from lath and plaster or woodwork, or if same is protected by a metal shield with an air space or asbestos, then distance shall not be less than 18 inches. A metal mat should be placed under and to extend at least 18 inches from all sides of all stoves that are placed on wooden floors. Stoves should not be used in woodworking or paint shops, paint storehouses, oil houses, or where flammable vapors or dust are present. Stoves without legs, such as laundry stoves, should not set directly on com- bustible floors ; use a course of bricks or a 4-inch concrete slab laid on sheet metal and asbestos board over wooden floors. Sand-drying stoves, where used, should be located in incombustible rooms. Gas Stoates. All woodwork under and near gas stoves must be covered with metal with an air space. Gas connections must be of rigid metal pipe; never use rubber or other tubing. Large gas appliances must be connected to an independent flue by a vent pipe. Furnaces. Furnaces should be installed only on noncombustible floors. Top of furnace should be not less than 18 inches below a combustible ceiling or floor beam. Combustible material at this distance should be protected with sheet metal with an air space underneath or by hard asbestos board following contour of surfafe to be protected. Top of furnace should have an insulating covering, such as sand or asbestos. Woodwork within 4 feet of furnace must be protected with sheet metal with air space or hard asbestos board. No woodwork should be permitted luider any circumstances within 2 feet. Cold-air boxes of all hot-air furnaces should be made of incombustible ma- terial particularly for first 6 or 8 feet from furnace. HoT-AiB Pipes. Hot-air pipes where passing through combustible partitions or floors should be of double-pipe construction with 1-inch air space between the pipes, or cov- ered with heavy sheet asbestos. FIRE PEOTECTIOX FOB EAILROAD PBOPERTIES. 23 Woodwork within 6 inclies of hot-air pipes must be protecterl with incom- bustible material. No wood allowed under any circumstances closei- than 3 Inches. Hot- Air Registers. Woodwork around register boxes must be removed from and protected as recommended for hot-air pipes. Registers placed on combustible floors must have a stone or iron border firmly set in mortar. SXEAil AND IIoT-WATEK PiPES. All woodwork less than 2 inches from pipes must be protected by a metal shield or collar, in which case it should not be closer than 1 inch. i'ipes conveying main steam supply should be wrapped with magnesia or asbestos covering. General. Ashes should not be stored in wooden boxes or barrels — use metal containers. Do not use a wooden bin for ash storage; brick or incombustible constructed bins are safe. Do not mix old papers or rubbish with ashes. Keep space around fire free of all combustible materials. Steam or hot-water radiators and pipes must not be used for drying racks for rags, clothes, and other inflammable material. Do not permit rubbish to accumulate behind steam coils and radiators. STEAM MAINS AND STEAM PIPES. Pijies conveying main supply of steam should be wrapped with niagnesia or asbestos covering, and where passing through wood psxi'titions should have a clear space of at least T inch. Steam-pii)e covering should preferably be car- ried in H single piece tiirough floors and partilions. It is advisable to examine covering, which may be dune with a penknife. Very often it will be found tliat a cheap covering of combustible material has been substituted. Sleam mains should not rest on combustible material; should have metal hangers to support them, and the outer covuring should bt; fastened to jiipe with brass bands. Steani heating piix's sbould rest on metal hangers or sujiftorts, and where Itassing througb conibnslible floors or i)artitions sliould hav(> at least a one- lialf inch air space from combustible material and a metal collar or tliiniblc. Steam radiators and steam pipes nnist not l)e used as receptacles on whirb to dry rags, clothes, or other combustible material. When' radiators are placed in window recesses, or concealed spaces, care slionid lie taken to see that such places have a noncomliustible lining and amj)Ie air (•i^culat^on. These Indostires should be denupd and Icopt free From dusi. Ail steam pljies slinnbl ix' so instalbMi that they dan not cumc* in contact with comliusiibie material of any character. 24 FIRE PROTECTION FOE RAILROAD PROPERTIES. GENERAL RECOMMENDATIONS IN CONNECTION WITH BOILER HOUSES, BOILER SETTINGS, AND BOILER STACKS. The location of boilers furnishing steam for power warrants especial con- sideration, for their operation is one essentially requiring no delays for the economical running of the plant. Three methods of installation are given, the preferable ones being No. 1 and No. 2 in order. No. 3 is not approved for new installations, but is given as a recommendation to make old boiler settings and surroundings safer. No. 1. Detached "fireproof" boiler Jioiise, cons^tructed with brick, stone, or con- crete parapeted walls ; steel roof truss covered with metal, reinforced concrete or tile roofing and noncombustible floors. Wall openings exposed by other buildings to be protected with standard fire doors and shutters or approved Avired glass in metal frames. Incombustible wall or roof ventilators should be installed for proper ventilation for which purpose also roofs should be elevated well above boilers. No. 2, Boiler lioiises attached to main building to be practically the same fireproof construction as given in No. 1 with the exception that party wall between boiler room and main building should be at least 18 inches in thickness and be parapeted 3 feet or more above roof o-f main building and in all cases make a complete cut-off from exposed wooden-roof monitors. This wall to have not more than one opening, in which case opening is to be protected by a standard automatic fire door each side. No. 3. Boiler installed in hvUding not ''fireproof.''' — Floor construction to be en- tirely of incombustible material to extend 8 feet in front and 4 feet at sides and rear of boiler. Clearance between boiler and combustible structural material must be main- tained ; 4 feet above steam dome, 4 feet at sides and rear, and 8 feet in front. In existing installations, when the required clearance can not be observed, all exposed woodwork must be protected witli a layer of asbestos board and sheet metal, in extreme instances with an air space between, same to follow contour of woodwork. Ceilings above boilers inclosing a concealed space should not be permitted. Means of ventilation must be provided to carry off the heat from under roof. Smokestacks. The outside brick chimney or metal stack is preferable. Inside metal stacks should have their entire weight supported on a brick or concrete foundation. Metal stacks passing through combustible roofs must have clearance and metal guards; i. e., all woodwork within one-half the diameter of stack to be removed, smokestack opening must be twice the diameter of the stack and a metal collar one and one-half times the diameter be placed around stack. The height of stack of chimney must not be less than 15 feet above roof of building of which it is a part or that of the nearest adjoining building. FIEE PROTECTION FOR RAILROAD PROPERTIES. 25 Breeching. Jletal breeching must have same clearance on all sides from comlmstible structural materials as required for boilers in installation No. 3. Steam Pipes. Main supply steam pipes must be wrapped wilh asbestos or magnesia or ap- proved insulating covering and must have at least 1-incli clearance from wood- work. ■ ■ GENilKAL. Boiler room should be occupied exclusively for steam-generating purposes. Tops of boilei's must not be used for drying combustible materials. Dust must not be allowed to accumulate on top of boiler. Ashes must not be deposited on combustible floors and must be removed to outside daily and not allowed to come in contact with inflammable material. Ashes should preferably be dampened before being disposed of. Oil fuel, if usQd, must have sui)ply pipe equipped with an automatic and manual shut-off valve located outside of building in addition to the ordinary control valves at burners. If shavings fuel is used, extreme care must be ii.s fc.-itiin-s (if 1m';ii. iiglit. and power should be as safely lnstallohly be run in metul conduit. SrKciAi- Hazards. The cupola Is n common cause of fire, either due to sitarks or excessive heat Igniting roof, charging platform, or other combust iblo material. Flasks, pat- terns., boards, etc., should, therefore, not even temporarily l)e placed In the vicinity of cupola. Cupola platform or charging floor .shou'^fter cupola shuts down and. before all employees leave, making sure that no hot cinders or smoldering embers remain thereon. Fire Protection. This class of property should be afforded as adequate protection from hy- drants and hose as other shop buildings. Interior protection of standpipes and hose, chemical fire extinguishers, water barrels, and fire pails is desirable. The pattern storehouse, owing to the large value involved in patterns, should be equipped with automatic sprinklers. SHOP PRACTICES. Inflammable and Explosive Compounds and Liquids. The use in railroad shops of materials containing highly inflammable and explosive ingredients should be discouraged as far as possible and whe]:ever practicable and the processes will permit, safer substitutes of nonexplosive and uoninflammable character should be used. The standardization of safe methods coupled with the economies incident to the use of materials in various processes should be given every consideration. The relative hazards of inflammable volatiles are usually determined by their flash points. The flash point of a substance is the ten ;;?:::.....' at which suffi- cient vapor is generated to cause it to flash without igniting the liquid, when a small flame or spark is brought in contact therewith. The burning or fire point of a liquid is somewhat higher, and is that temperature at which the vapor given off, when ignited, will coBtinue to burn. The following list comprises the more common inflammable volatiles: Acetone. Alcohol (grain). Alcohol (wood). Alcohol (denatured). Amy] acetate (banana oil). Benzine. Benzole. C"olin)ibiau spirits. Carbon bisulphide. Collodion, Ether. , Gasoline, Lacquer, Naphtia. Petroleum ether. Toluol. •Turpentine. FIRE PROTECTION FOR RAILROAD PROPERTIES. 27 Materials to be guarded especially are many forms of " cleansers " in the reiiioval of paint and vamisb from passenger coaches and locomotives and their parts. The ingredients and dangers of all patented commercial fluids and ooui- pounds should be well known before being used and where necessary to be used, proper precautions should be taken by the employees handling. Dangers should be .safely guarded. In using highly volatile substances particular attention should be given to keeping all open lights away, and approved containers for storage and handling are recounnended. special attention is directed to the dangers that might arise to both life and property in the following processes : Passenger coach and locomotive cleaning and paint removal therefrom ; tire heating and removing; paint burning: cleaning triple valves; lacquering, etc. The principal point Is to know the ingredients of the materials used and stored and place vyarning signs to " keep lights and flame away " where highly volatile oils and materials are used, such as gasoline, paint and varnish re- movers, etc., and store and handle only in approved containers. The principal hazards of shop buildings are: Soldering, babbiting, and spring tempering. Heating. Blower systems. Rivet heaters. Oil furnaces. Burning or cleaning off point. Glue ppts. Lacquering. I.or-oniotive tire heating. Drying, lighting. Portable forges. Tinners' pots. Torches. Caul boxes. Paints and oils. Upholstering. Hair or fiber picking. Spontaneous combustion of rags and waste. FIRES IN COALING STATIONS. Fires originating in coaling stations used for coaling locomotives and result- ing in tolJil losses are much too frequent. Jl^iny have been througli the experience of fire, luive stood by ;iractically hilplcss, and have seen the inconvenience caused and the conse(iueutial ex- IM'Uses until a new structure is built. There seems to be no reason why the coaling stations built in the future nhoiild be subject to fire and be a total loss, unless it can be attributed t(t the hai)it of looking at the initial costs of building and giving no attention to the retiiuneration re<'e!ved from a long and uninterrupted .service. Tiio priiifijial causes of the fires Imvc I)t'cii H[)urks lodging in innaninialtie building material and birds' nost.s, smoking, .spontaneous ignition of oily waste nnd bituminous coal, electrical defects, gasoline engines and their exhaust pipes, open flame torches, anlishe(l l)y moans of comi)ressed air or vacuum system. npen flame lights should be absolutely prohibited in shavings storage rooms. RECOMMENDATIONS FOR STANDARD OIL HOUSE. At terminals and division points it is necessary to carry in stock a large ((Uiiiitity of illuminating and lubricjxting oils, and It is important that those should be so stored and handled that they may not l)e a fire risk in themselves ^}V be liable to ber^ome ignited from fires which originate from without. The storage and handling of oils is recognized as a hazard of considerable magnitude. Many oils that do not give off Inflammable vapors at ordinary tenipf-rature do so in large volume when but slightly warm, practically all are highly combustible under ci-rtain conditions and once ignitt-d burn with great Iiersistency, resisting water to a greater extent than most substances. Handling ok Oit-. Whore large quantllies of oils are used they should be stored outside in imderground tank8 with pumps inside building; otherwise, oil-storage room lo be in l»asement constructed tlwongliout rixmi above. Volatile oils, or those which give ^ift' ignitablc or exfdosive vajjors at ordiiiiuy tfmi)erature, sliould be isolated. It is best to bury tanks contaiidng ga.solino, benzine, or nai)litha In the grounr] having l<»p covered to a depth of at li'asi two and one-half f(!et, using jninips to draw olT such oils. OlNSTRlTCTrON — T«) HK FtHK TlESIHTlNO. With basement or separate underground vault (preferably ouUiide .stairway to ba.soment). irci/8. — Brick or concrete throughout with no expo.sed skeel. 32 FIRE PROTECTION FOB RAILROAD PROPERTIES. Roof. — Concrete, Avithout exposed steel, and properly ventilated. Floor. — Concrete, graded and drained to one point. Platform. — Concrete, graded and drained to outer edge. Doors. — Approved standard automatic. Standard automatic trapdoors over all openings to basement. If trapdoors are not provided, stairs to basement to be inclosed in concrete, brick, or terra cotta tile and openings covered with ai^proved standard automatic swinging doors. Wiudoivs. — Wired glass in metal sasli and frames. Vent i)ipe.s. — To extend from tire floor through roof, and to be turned down at outer end and screened. Vent pipes from tanks. — To be carried up above the roof, turned down at outer end and screened. Drain pipe. — To be extended outside of building to a point well removed from all buildings or to a separate safelj^ arranged and ventilated receptacle. Okder and Care. Racks, stands, and shelves for ban-els or cans to be constructed of concrete, metal, or other incombustible material. Waste can. — At least one approved standard metal self-closing oily waste can must be provided. " No smoking." — Signs must be posted in oil room and on the outside of building at doorway. Sign reading " Danger — Keep lights and fire away " should be painted on door. Heating. Steam only to be used ; pipes to be overhead. Lighting. Electricity, incandescent system ; wires to be in metal conduit with keyless lamp sockets, and, lamps covered with vapor-proof globes ; all controlling switches and fuses to be outside. Miscellaneous. Glass gauges, the breakage of which would allow the escape of oil, should be avoided. If their use is necessary, they should have substantial protection or be arranged so that oil will not escape if broken. Preferably a slotted pipe to be used for guard. Valves on sight glasses to be normally closed. Peotection. STEAM jets to ACT AUTOMATICALLY. Approved automatic sprinklers to release steam from pipes; valve on pipe line to be sealed open at all times. Pipe sizes to be in accordance with rules governing the installation of automatic sprinkler equipment, viz : f-inch pipe — 1 sprinkler. 2-inch pipe — 10 sprinklers. 1-inch pipe — 2 sprinklers. 2J-inch pipe — 20 sprinklers, li-inch pipe — 3 sprinklers. 3-iuch pipe — 36 sprinklers. Is-inch pipe — 5 sprinklers. \f oil house is over 200 feet from boilers, supply pipes to be one size larger than regular schedule size. Pipe from inside of building to boilers to be lagged to prevent condensation, and should be an independent line from boilers. One automatic sprinkler jet to be provided, for each 1,000 cubic feet. Jets to be spaced not over 10 feet apart. High-pressure steam to be maintained at all times. FIRE PROTECTION FOR R-\ILROAD PROPERTIES. 33 Distributing pipes to be frraded, sloping from main feeder, so that water from condensation will remain in pipes against sprinklers. Install steam trap under main riser to carry off condensation. STEAM JETS TO BE OPERATED MANUAIXY. If automatic steam jets are not provided for, install steam jet, high-pressure connection, to be operated by hand ; minimum size pipe to be 1 inch in diameter, supplying a room of 1,000 cubic feet or less. Rooms of a larger size require a larger size pipe, leading up to a size of at least 2 inches in diameter for a room of 5,000 cubic feet. Controlling valve to be located on outside of building, with prominent siga located over same, designating its use. SAND rAIT.S. Tliree or more pails of clean, dry sand (with hand scoop for throwing) to be provided and located on shelf or hooks near doorway, or specially made sand box holding an equal amount of sand, with hand scoop for throwing. CHEMICAL EXTINGUISHERS. Approved hand chemical fire extinguishers, sufficient in number and so located as to be quickly accessible, are recommended. For oil fires the carbon tetra chloride type of extinguisher is considered the most effective. Also ap- proved " Foam " type, FIRE RISK— FREIGHT TRANSFER POINTS. On most railroads there is a marked liability for serious loss and a marked fire risk at freight transfer stations where large aucumulations of cars and their lading are found and where in many instances from 500 to 1,000 loaded cars may be congested, of a highly combustible nature, with their contents. Then, again, the transfer structures are usually constructed of wood, with wooden platforms several hundred feet long. Such properties are as a rule either remote from or inaccessible for city fire-fighting apparatus to reach them. They arc, as a rule, also not well provided with water supplies in the shape of water mains under adequate pressure, with fire hydrants or accessible supplies of fire hose. The best protection found is usually that to be used only as a "first Slid," or In the incipient stage of a fire, in the shape of water barrels and water palls or hand chemical extinguishers, with occasionally a portable chemical engine. The hazard of tiiese transfers is increa.sed by accumulations of rubbish from time to time, as well as the pronounced hazard of smoking on the part of the em[)loyoe.s. In the ab.sence of efficient facilities for either dealing with a fire in Its incipient stage or If It has become more or less pronounced, the effective- ness with which the fire-prevention features are watchee exposed to any valuable adjacent property. Where there is a large number of wooden cars subject to a conflagration risk, they should be spotted, wherever practicable, so they will be accessible in case of tire, for the purpose of either extinguishing the lire or moving the cars out of danger. A plan might be used such as storuig cars in drafts of not more than six or eight cars, and separating the drafts by 60 or 80 feet ; also in large yards every other track could be used for the storage of steel cars. Ample facilities should be arranged for prompt removal in case of fire. Watchman's service should be provided and watchman furnished in his watch box with an equipment of 2|-gallon chemical fire extinguishers, properly charged, and also instructed as'to notifying the nearest yard oflace for procuring assistance of locomotives for removing the cars should a tire occur. The service of a watchman is possibly more requisite during the winter season when tramps are apt to live in and build fires on the floors of stored cars ; there are the op- portunities for sparks from passing locomotives setting fires, however, at all seasons. Watchman should also be instructed, if storage is near a municipality, as to the method of obtaining assistance from the city fire department if it is accessible for service. If fire hydrants or plugs are available, supplies of fire hose, nozzles, and A-rcnches should be provided for use thereon by employees. Yard engines should be equipped with fire-fighting apparatus. AN'here large numbers of cars are stored in yards and wliere tliere are available water supplies distributed through adequate sized water mains, an efficient sys- tem of fire protection is one which makes use of standpipes and a specially designed nozzle, termed a " monitor " or " turret " nozzle. This device is so made that it can be turned in any direction and has been mechanically per- fected, so that it is a durable piece of apparatus. Standpipes are installed at regular distances tlu'ough car yards, attached to the water mains, and ax-e erected In the form of a tower about 20 feet high, with a platform at the top for the nozzle, the platform being large enough for a man to eivsily work on. A ladder from the ground makes access to the iilatform easy. In this way the operator can view the yard and direct the nozzle to the exact point needed. Tills, in many instance.s, affords a l^etter degree of protection and gives better opi)ortunity than ho.se streams both for fighling the fire and also for removal of car.s, inasmuch us great difliculty is experienced in dragging hose between and over and under cars to get at the fire, and while hose is laid under cars n-moval of cars can not be made without cutting hose or interfering with fire fi;.'liliiig unles.s hose is run under rails between ties in runways. With a well- devised piping arrangement in the yards and these tower and nozzle arrange- nionts, a heavy stream frojn Ihe nozzle can be directed without the delay of bringing ho.se from distant parts. Naturally, this form of Installation is de- pendent on an efTie bucket belt to become loose, by permitting the scale or garner to fill up the grain FIEE PROTECTION FOE RAILROAD PROPERTIES. 39 back up to the leg or to have an ivou bar or board fall out of the car into the boot of the elevator. At the bottom of the elevator we have a hazard that calls for very close inspection of the elevator boot. This boot is usually constructed of iron with slides at front and rear to remove chokes. Inside of this boot is the pulley* and belt. The journals are on the outside of the boot, but in some cases inclosed in an outer cover or pocket to prevent the grain coming out around the journal. The best journal used at this point is what is known as the car journal box as the pulley acts as an idler, the bearing is on the top, as on a rail- road car, and there is room in the bottom of the box to pack with hair or moss to hold the supply of oil. This pulley is regulated by rods extending to tlie first floor, so that when the belt stretches or shifts, it can be regulated to pre- vent a friction between the casing and belt or pulley. OILING BEARING AT BOOTS. These journals are often oiled through pipes from the -first floor, but this is bad practice, as the pipe may become separated, the oil may not feed properly, or the journal may be running hot from some cause and would not be discovered until probably too late, as the oiler is not compelled to go down into the sink to do the oiling, where long pipes are used. In cold climates the oil is likely to freeze in these pipes, and cases have been noted where the oiler, instead of taking the pipe out and having it cleaned, would have a long rod or wire heated i-ed hot and force it through the frozen oil in the pipe. This naturally adds an additional hazard on account of the method of oiling. A small pipe, say not over 1 foot in length, would be per- missible, as this would provide a reservoir for oil that would hold sufficient oil to keep the journal in good condition for several hours. CONVEYORS. The belt conveyors should all be abovtf the floors and all bearings exposed. The screw conveyors sliould have loose tops, so that in case of a choke the top will raise, permitting the grain to come out on the floor, SHOVEL SHAIT. The shovel shaft, idlers and all journsils should he accessible and above the floor.s. CLEANING MAf'lIINEIiY. Where cleaning machines are used special care should bo taken as these run at high s-peed. These should be kept out of main building wherever possible and where there is a fan attached this should be connected by metal piping to the outside, preferably to a separate house or if arrangements are made for burning the dust under tlie boiler Ihrough an apfiroved automatic feed .spout. This dust shfnild never be l)lown into a du.'^t room inside tlie l)uildiMg or out of the ventilator on the roof. STATIC ELECTRICITY, Static electricity has Ijecn known to cause a number of flres In elevators. 'Pliis is cauwMl by lielts slipping eitlier on account of the bell.s being overloaded or too loose on the pulleys or by rapidly moving belts under suitable atmos- pheric conditions. .Static electricity can be overcome In a largi> degree by grounding the shafting or bearings. This sli<»uld be done in all large elevators where the machinery is driven by belts and shafts, but it is unnecessary where elevators are driven direct by motors. 40 FIRE PKOTECTION FOR RAILROAD PROPERTIES. ■WINDOW SCKEENS. The windows of elevators slioiild be covered with screening of lieavy wire to prevent sparks from the outside entering. All windows should be kept open ^vhile the elevator is in operation to iiermit all the dust possible to esdape. COOPERING GRAIN DOORS. "Where grain doors are coopered outside of tlie buildnig they should be kept at least 50 feet from the elevator. The oiler is one of the most important men in the elevator from two sides. The first is in the watchfulness and care of machinery to keep it from heating, and the other is to keep the journals and drip pans clean. The latter is easily done if the oiler will carry a piece of waste with him and wherever oil is allowed to run over wipe it up so there will be no oil on the outside of the journal to catch the flying dust and cause it to accumulate, if the oil is kept oft" of the outside of journals and they are kept dry, the matter of cleaning is much easier. ELECTRIC MOTOR. Where the machinery is operated by electric motors, they should be of the inclosed or induction type, in order to prevent danger from the sparking of the brushes, the starting box and the resistance coils, which are a constant source of danger on account of dust unless inclosed in a separate iuclosure. LIGHTING. The lighting in an elevator should be electric, installed according to the re- quirements of the " National Electrical Code." Where there is no electric cur- rent, electric flash-lights should be us6d. Open gas jets, kerosene-oil lamps, or gasoline lighting systems should never be permitted. Switchmen, while handling cars in the building, should be compelled to use electric flash-lights or electric- extension lights. In no event should they be permitted to use the ordinary switchmen's lantern. Do not lower artificial lights into bins to determine the amount of grain they contain, a weighted tape should be used for this purpose. LOCOMOTIVES. Locomotives, while switching' cars, should never, under any conditions be permitted to enter building, on account of the possibility of fire from a spark from the stack or dropping fire from the ash pan. Railroad cars should not be left in the elevator or on tracks adjoining over night where it is possible to move them. Where possible effort should be made to require all steam vessels tied up alongside elevator or passing within 150 feet of same to put spark arresters on their stacks. There are only two parts of an elevator that need heat, the foreman's office on tlie ground floor and the weigher's office on the scale floor. These should be heated by steam and all woodwork protected from the steam pipes. Thes6 pipes, w-here passing through the house, should be covered with approved cov- ering to prevent dust settMng on them. Stoves should not be permitted in au elevator under any consideration. FIRE PROTECTION FOR RAILROAD PROPERTIES. 41 ■A OIL KOOil, LL'NCH EOOM, AND CARPENTER SHOP, It is reconiiuended that the oil room, men's lunch rooms, and carpenter shop be outside of the main building whenever possible. SMOKING AND MATCHES. Rmokin? should not be permitted in any part of the elevator. Men should not be permitted to carry matches into the building. OUTSIDE WALLS. * Wliere the wooden-l)in walls are covered with corrugated iron special attention should be paid to the condition of this iron, as an opening would make a ready receptacle for a spark to lodge in. LIGHTNING. Lightning, according to statistics from various insurance companies, has liccn the cause of quite a number of fires in elevators. All elevator buildings sliould be thoroughly equipped with lightning rods. Safeguards Recom:mende» for Duiev.s and Stlpiitr PiLEACHERS. Tiie hazards incident to the use of grain dryers can not be eliminated or safe- guarded to such an extent that their introduction inside tlie elevator would jiot cause a material increase in the fire lia^^ard. Their introduction inside the ele- vator should be prohibited. Notwithstanding the fact tliat tlie grain and foreign matter mixed therewith are the only materials of a combusli])le nature contained in a structure con- structed in accordance with the underwriters' regulations, it is believed that a fan-driven fire in*this dust and grain would result in considerable damage to the apparatus and possibly to tho structure. For this reason the following reromhjendations for safeguards are appended: First. An adequate system of autoipatic steam jets should be provided for extingui.shing fires in the apparatus. High-degree automatic sprinklers can l)e arranged so as to automatically fill the apparatus with steam In cases of fire. Tlie steam pipes for sprinklers and all other parts of the apparatus should hi- so arranged that all condensation can be removed during cold weather and when the drier is not in use. Second. If the fan is driven by :ni indcpendtMif eniriu(> a system of t^usilile links should be so arranged tliat the fusing f)r any link woidd close a shut-oiC valve on the steam coinicdion suiijilying the engine. Attachments for auto- matically stopiting the fan when tlie jtower is from other sources should be pif»vided if jwacticalile. Third. An automatic fire-alarm .system shoidd be iiistiillcd, iilai'ing alarms In the engine room and at other i)oints if desirable. Fourth. A thorough system of automatic sprinklers should be installed when the drier is u.sed iu connection with the .sprinklered elevator. Wlien Installed outside the elevator and in accordance with the under- writers' rules and requirements, grain driers, even of approved construction, are considered as adding to the fire hazard of the elevators In connection with which they are used, according to the construction of the diler building and the distance which they are removed from the elevator. SULPnCU TU.EACHERS. The snli)hur-l)urning furnace should be .set at least 2.' feet distant from the elevator, and he of fireproof construction. When necessary to get the furnace closer than 2.j feet, the fume pipe should be not less than 25 feet In length. 42 FIIIE PROTECTION FOB RAILROAD PROPERTIES. Tlie same regulations should also apply to sulphur bleachers as 'to grain driers in reference to comnuuiication, but the inclosure for burning sulphur should be so arranged ^fith division walls that in case of a choke in the con- veyor after passing the bleacher the grain can not back up to the pan in which the sulphur is burned. Fire Protection. The best means of fire protection is a standard installation of automatic sprinklers, although the autouiatic sjirinkhii- ia not as effective in an elevator as in other classes*f buildings. It is necessary to have a dry system on account of cold weather. When a sprinkler head is released on account of fire, the air expelled from this opening blows the dust about in such a manner as may cause an explosion. The standards require inside standpipes with hose on the various floors sufficient to reach all parts of the buildings. There is a question whether the hose at the various outlets should be standard 2i-inch fire hose or a smaller size, either 14-inch or 2inch hose. It is a well known fact that one man can not handle a 2i-inch hose line if it has an effective presslire on it. Therefore it is reasonable to say that a l^-inch hose with nozzles having *-inch openings would be the most serviceable. These inside standpipes should be supplied from a pump or pumps in the boiler house of sufficient capacity to furnish requisite volume and pressure. Where water can be obtained from city mains, with sufficient pressure to reach the top of the building, a by-pass around the pumps should be provided so that in case of the elevator being shut down or no steam on the boilers this water could be used. Where pumps are provided steam pres.sure sufficient to operate the pump should be maintained at all times. These standpipes should be arranged for draining, so that in winter there will be no water on the standpipes, as the buildings are open a^id the water in the pipes would be subject to freezing. StaTidpipes should be under outside control, so that if it is found impossible to use this protection on account of headway gained by a fire, the post indicator valve controlling can be shut, and the water supply reserved for hydrants or other protection that may be available. Water barrels with fire pails should be placed on all floors of the elevator, apportioned about one to each leg in a regular elevator or one to each 500 square feet in other buildings. Approved 2i-gallon chemical fire extinguishers are advisable as additional protection, but these would have to be kept in the engine room or office in the winter unless the nonfreezing type is used. In elevators where electric motors are used carbon tetrachloride extinguishers should be provided. Either of these extinguishers or sand in buckets should be provided for oil rooms. Axes and pike poles should be provided on all floors. Signal alarms from all hose out- lets to the engine room should be arranged for turning in fire alarms or notify- ing the engineer to start the fire pump. Fire brigades should be organized among employees and regularly drilled twice a month in order that employees may become familiar with handling fire appa- ratus provided. Daily inspection should be made of all fire equijiment and a weekly report form forwarded to proper official. A sufficient number of night, Sunday, and holiday watchmen should be main- tained to cover all portions of elevator hourly, with necessary approved watch- man's clock-service stations properly loca4;ed for registration. Watchmen should be instructed with regard to location of fire alarm boxes, interior standpipe and firehose connections, fire pails, chemical extinguishers, etc. The first tour should t)e made immediately after elevator has closed down. Electric journal alarms from journals to an indicator in engine room which operates in case of a journal getting hot are recommended, and when installed should be tested daily. FIEE PBOTECTIOJS" FOE RAILROAD PROPERTIES. 43 GUAKDING AND IDENTIFICATION. Wlieu possible, special guards should be provided outside of elevator to pre- vent entrance of unauthorized persons. When xnilitarj' guards can not be procured, special civilian armed guards should be provided. '^ "Where practicable, barbed wire fences or other suitable man-tight inclosures should be erected. Special electric-flood lighting should be provided at night to illuminate guarded area and approaches thereto. JS'o persons should be allowed to secure admission to elevator or guarded iuclo.sure except upon presentation of proper pass credential and a special employee should be designated to check crews of vessels tied up at elevator, as well as " grain levelers," observing their actions while at work and that all have left premises when loading or unloading is completed. The use of prop- erly authenticated photographic passes is recommended for inspectors and em- ployees. RECOMMENDATIONS FOR STORAGE AND HANDLING OF BITUMINOUS COAL. To PiarvEWT Spontaneous Ignition and Fiue Losses. It is important, in order to prevent spontaneous ignition, that the following rules l)e complied with as far as practicable: The storage ground should not be of a marshy nature or be subject to drain- age from any source. Coal sbould not be stored near external sourceg of heat, even though heat traiisniittess of pro- tection would be most valuable, as experience has frequently shown that fires once started in the roofs of large shops improtected by sprinklers are practically incapable of being controlled by hose streams, no matter how efficient tlie fire brigade, for the reason that such roofs are very dry, almost tinder as it were, and only require a spark to ignite them, and the currents of air which always exist in large buildings sweep the fire rapidly along the roof unless controlled at its start, which is the function of the sprinkier. Terminal warehouses and piers, through which not only large quantities of freight are constantly moving, but stored, are other types of property where this class of protection is most valuable. The regulations of the National Boai'd of Fire Underwriters governing tlie installation of automatic sprinkler equipments recommended by the National Fire Protection Association should be carefully followed, and all plans for the installation of automatic sprinkler apparatus should be in accoi'd with the i-egulations. STEAM FIRE PUMPS. Denign should be standard. "Trade" pumps, especially if of old desi-n, fi'equently are unable to meet demands of fire service. Location. — Pumps should preferably be located in fireproof room, as near to boiler as possible, cut off from rest of plant and accessible from outside. An unexposed separate building for pump and boiler is preferred. Alamtenan-oei — Pump should, be always in the best of condition, ready for instant service. Tests will usually develop defects. Leaking valves, defec- tive packing, worn piston rods, etc., are frequent defects. Steam supply should be examined with a view to the following: (1) Steam main or mains should be run in such a manner as to be free from possible damage through burning of buildings and falling of walls. (2) Mains should be run as direct as possible. Throttle valve should be of globe pattern and should always be in horizontal pipe. (3) Main should be an independent line from header on boiler. (4) AH other connections in boiler house should have valves in boiler house, 60 as to concentrate the supply to pump. (5) If supplied by two lines, eaeii line should be valved in boiler house, and also in pump room. (6) Steam line should be properly trapped so as to take care of condensa- tion, and so installed as to take care of expansion and contraction. (7) Minimum steam pressure of 50 pounds sh'mld be maintained at all times. (S) Recording steam gauge preferably should be provided, to be careiuUy examined, and dials to be filed daily. FIRE PROTECTION FOE RAILROAD PROPERTIES. 47 Cylinder cocks, on bottom of steam cylinders, must be kept open so as to relieve cylinders from condensation, and tliey should discharge into open cups connected with sewer. Suction connection. — ^Pump taking water under head must have indicator or O. S. and Y. valve in each suction supply. Where pump takes suction under lift, a foot valve may be supplied where lift approximates 15 feet or where suction pipe is long. Strainers are generally needed where suction is taken from reservoir or stream. Orifice of sti-ainers should be ten times the area of suction pipe. Suction wells or sumps are sometimes advisable, intakes thereto to be properly screened. Priming tank. — This must be provided where pumps take suction under a lift, uiiiess there is another reliable soui-ce of water supply for priming. A priming tank should have a capacity of not less than one-half of the rated capacity of pump. Reservoir. — If reservoir is provided with automatic fill connection, its efTi- cienfy should be tested by drawing water from reservoir. DiscTiarge connection. — Gate valve in the discharge line must be open at all times. Care and tests. — The following is suggested: (1) Pump room should l)e kept clean, heated, and well lighted. (2) Pump to be kept well lubricated at all times. (H) Ample supply of oils to be kept in pump room, in metal cans, with drip pjins. f4) Pump to be run at least once a week, for a period of several minutes, preferably at full capacity. (~)) See if relief valve is properly adjusted. (6) At each inspection run the pump and discharge through relief valve. Automatic rcf/ulator. — If provided, automatic regulator should be adjusted to maintain a pressure of 75 pounds at the ground level, plus any additional pressure which may be required to maintain 25 pounds pressure upon highest sju'iiiklers in sprinklen^d projiertios. Automatic regulator should be of approved tyije. Many now in use are poorly designed. Hognlator should be tested, and required to maintain the desired water pressure (williin 10 per cent) at any si)eed of pump from zero to full speed. Regulator should always be placed on l)y-pass, having valve above and below to permit of repairs; valve in addition to be provided in main line. Aiiriliary pump, if used to prevent noedle.ss travel 'on the part of fire pump, shfiiild have regulator sot about 5 to 10 pound.s higher than regulator on fire pump. Auxiliary pump yliould be of approved type, and not less in size than 7 by 3 by inches. Fire pumps should not be use*! for domestic scrvi<'c. RECOMMENDATIONS IN CONNECTION WITH PRIVATE FIRE BRIGADES. TnKin On(;ANizATioN, Maintenanck, and Uhefulnkss. Wlien a fire nrcurs. excitement and confusion oflpn prevail; and as fires in any class of property are ordinarily not extiiimiiKbed by pouring water into llic building promiscuously, but shoiild l>e scientifically and carelully sought out and fought, Ihe private fire brigade, trained in the use of fire apparatus, it) most important. 48 FIRE PROTECTION FOR RAILROAD PROPERTIES. Exporlence has shown lliat the efforts of undrilled employees, however well intended, will not control a fire as promptly as a disciplined force made familiar with the protective apparatus by regular drill and practice. No fire brigade can be a success unless the management of the propertij, both general and local, arc first interested and believe in it and arc xvilUng to en- courage the men. The principle of a private fire brigade organization is essentially that of mutual protection ; to the management the safeguarding and preservation of the property ; to the employees their permanent occupation. The thorough organization and drilling of private fire brigades greatly en- hances the value of and is a necessary adjunct to the use of private fire ap- paratus, which in large properties is purchased and installed at considerable expense. Many properties, such as shops, mills, and terminals of transportatioa lines, are isolated, depending more or less (in some instances absolutely) on the efforts of the employees to extinguish fires. Such drilled employees are also of more assistance to the public fire department, when available, than an un- disciplined force, and should ahcays be in full harmony tmtli the public de- partment. The manner of organizing a fire brigade in any property will necessarily depend upon its size and character, as well as upon the character of the fire- extinguishing apparatus used or required (the kind and amount of apparatus needed will depend upon the size, construction, number, and distribution of buildings to be protected). The following detailed suggestions for the forma- tion and maintenance of private brigades embrace sufficient general data upon which to base an organization, either large or small, and can readily be modi- fied and applied to suit the requirements of each individual case. GENERAL SUGGESTIONS. The entire brigade can be made up from employees of any property with but little interference with their other duties. It is important thatvall large prop- erties should have the constant service of a private fire organization, and therefore in planning one consideration should be given to not only the organiza- tion of brigades for regular day service, but for nights, Sundays, and holidays ; in other words, the property should never be without the prompt service of trained men. There should always be a specific number of men in each com- pany, and vacancies should be filled as soon as they occur. The selection of men for a fire brigade should be made from the regular, steady employees, who are cool-headed and well posted as to all the buildings and their various parts. It is well to appoint such men as live within hearing distance of the fire signal, if possible. There should be some means of identifi- cation for admission to the property during nights, Sundays, and holidays pro- vided members of the fire brigade. A fire-brigade badge would be suitable. The ideal private fire brigade should be organized under a special constitu- tion and by-laws and hold regular meetings. The members should be subject to discipline, and acts of unusual merit involving personal risk and endurance should be fittingly rewarded by the authorities. Membership in the brigade should of itself confer distinction and, if possible, carry with it some privilege sufficiently attractive to make membership desir- able and sought after. Various means may be adopted to secure these features. There could be elubroonis, with a view of encouraging social intercourse through the medium of the fire-brigade organization, special remuneration for services, annual tournaments between different shop brigades, with suitable prizes. FIRE PKOTECTIOX FOR RAILROAD PROPERTIES. 49 An organization in a large property consisting of several companies, com- posed of a small number of men in each, Is desirable and makes it possible for better direction with less confusion in connection with the worl^ of fire extinguishment. While special duties arc suggested for members of the companies comprising the brigade or department, as given in detail following, every man should be so instructed and drilled that he may perform any of the other duties out- lined and be avaihable for whatever duty may be assigned him at the time of a tiro. OKGANIZATION. 'i'li.' fire department should consist of the following: The head of the fire brigade should be- some one ordinarily in authority on the premises, and should preferably be a man with somp experience in fire-depart- ment operations. He should be held responsible for the care and condition of all fire-fighting appliances, be given ample authority in such matters, and have entire charge of the employees and fire brigades during fires and practice drills. He should make frequent inspections of the property and equipment and make at least monthly reports of the operations of the fire brigade and of the condition of the property and the fire apparatus to those higher in authority, such as the manager, superintendent, or master mechanic; and if any part of the apparatus is missing or out of order, personally see that it is reiilaced or corrected. He should be familiar with all water supplies, pipes, valves, etc., and tlieir service and purposes. ASSISTANT CHIEF. It may be desirable, in some instances, to have more than one assistant cliief. This oflicer should be a reliable man who is in attendance at tlie property the greater part of the time, and one who has authority over the men. Tlie assistant chief will as.sume the duties of the chief in his absence, and it is desirable, under the organization, to arrange, wherever possible, that eltlicr tiie chief or one of the assistant chiefs is always on the property. llofn. I wo hydrant men, r,\rTMV. Tlie rai.tain shall be in charge of a rniiipaiiy under (he dlre<(i..n of (lit^ chief 11 ml shall be responsible to the chlff for Ihc condition of the appliances under his charge. ' 84505°— rj 4 50 FIRE PEOTECTION FOR RAILROAD PROPERTIES. LIKUTENANT. The lieutenant shall assist the captain or take his place in event of his absence. HYDRANT MEN. These men shall make' the hyclvant connections and have charge of^ the hydrant, subject to the orders of their superiors, one man to stay at the hydrant all the time, the other to assist in handling the hose. HOSK MEN OR NOZZLE MEN. These men should draw hose cart and assist in laying lines of hose and have charge of the nozzle ; three men to each stream. Chemical engine company. Tliere should be at least six men in each company, including captain and lieutenant. Two men should have charge of operating the engine tanlc, and of recharging same. These men should be held responsil>le for the proper charging and condition of the engine at all times, also for having extra charges at hand. Two men to be selected to carry hpse and direct nozzle. Ladder companies. Where there are high buildings it is essential that ladder companies, inde- pendent of the hose companies, should be organized. They should be in charge of a captain, who should have a sufficient number of men, ordinarily about six, including a lieutenant, and should raise the necessary ladders, assist in enter- ing buildings, rooms, etc., and prepare proper access for the hose men. Per- manent ladders attached to the sides of buildings for reaching roofs greatly facilitate the work of the firemen. Engineers. The chief engineer of the plant, under the directions of the fire chief, should have the immediate charge of the entire pumping system and be provided with a sufficient number of assistants to look after pumps, boilers, or motors and see that tlie requisite water pressure is maintained. Valves. If water system is controlled by valves which i-equire turning in case of,fii-e under direction of the chief, the engineer or captain of one of the companies should be in charge of all the valves, either he or one of his assistants slionld attend to opening any valves controlling primary or supplementary water service. This is a, very important duty, as in the confusion of a fire it has often been demonstrated that the ivrong valves are opened or closed; or valves operated at the VM'ong time, seriously interfering with the toater supply and pressure. Salvage corps. It is important that a number of trustworthy employees, under a foreman, should be organized and instructed concerning the best course to follow in saving property from fire or water damage. These men should be utilized to proceed immediately to the scene of the fire and cover all machinery and stock with waterproof covers to prevent water damage. This organization should be provided with the necessary paraphernalia, such as rubber blankets, or what- ever may be required to cover the contents of a building. After a fire they can rmE PROTECTION FOB RAILROAD PROPERTIES. 51 be utilized in sweeping out or wiping oft machiuery, and draining off or sop- ping up water, separating tlie undamaged from the damaged property, and otherwise preventing further damage to the property. Apparatus inside buildings. Buildings equipped with hand tire appai-atus shoidd liave men designated to operate each special device as follows : One man for each chemical fire extinguisher. One man for each two buckets of water. Two men for each water barrel and buckets. Two men for each standpipe and hose connected thereto. It is preferable to select men working in the particuhir building to perform these duties, for instance, detail the men nearest to each lire appliance the special duty of getting that particular apparatus into action in the event of fire in thai building. All the above men to be under the authority of the fire brigade, but not necessarily members. General. When an alarm of fire is sounded, all members of fire brigade must instsiutly proceed to the position assigned them, regardless' of the nature of their employ- ment at the time, and be subject to and carry out the orders of the chief, assist- ant chief, or captain of their respective companies. In the event of a fire, the chief should give immediate orders to have tlie machinery stopped in the building where the fire fighting is going on; and the elpctrtcian should take such action as will insui-e safety to life and property endangered from electrical equipment. If gas or oil are piped into buildings for any purpose the supply should be immediately cut off. All emi)loyees, regardless of whether tliey are members of the fire depart- ment, should be instituted, on discovering a fire, to inmiediately somid an alarm from the nearest fire-alarm station, and in the manner shown by dire(*- tions, which should be conspicuously posted at each station, and also make an immediate effort to extinguish the fire with the apparatus at hand. All em- ployees, nor members of the fire brigade should, if called upon, give assistance in case of fire, and should obey tlie orders of the chief. Kigid Inspection of aiyfire apparatus and fire hazards should be made luider the dire<-tlon of the chief by one of the captains or a member of a company at letist once a week to see that every piece of apparatus is in its place and in good offler re;idy for nse. A report of such inspection sliould be made to the chief. In builflings eqtiijiped with automatic sprinklers a comprehensive system of inspection of all sprinkler valves and wsiter supplies should be maintained. It is desirnble after ealing connections rapidly and without confusion. The chief should direct where ladders should be placed and where hose should be carried and streams directed. As a general rule, except in freezing weather, pump should be started and water turned on to accustom the men to the recoil and weight. It is well to select for each drill a different building, assuming the one selected or the adjoining one to be on fire ; and practice drills should be made in response to an alarm with the full Service and discipline in effect as in case of actual fire from the sending in of the alarm down to the most minute detail. To protect men from accidents on ladders, ladder straps should be used with hose intended to be carried onto buildings to take the weight off the men and place it on the ladders. riEE PROTECTIOX FOE EAILKO-U) PROPERTIES. 53 Hose lines with water should never be manned on a I'oof with less than three men, and thej- should be assisted by extra men to pass signals and to assist in case the hose becomes unmanageable. During practice special attention should be given to the lajing of hose without twists or kinks, avoiding all short turns or bends at any place, beginning at the hydrant and throughout the length of the hose, the play pipe being held so as to make a gradual curve of the hose from the ground up ; otherwise twists or k'nks are liable to pull the hose away from the pipemen when the water is 1 urned on, making it impossible to hold the pipe, or the hose is liable to burst or be weakened, interfering with the free flow of water. At times when conditions are favorable, a sufficient number of hose lines should be stretched to test the maximum woi'king capacity of the water dis- tribution system. At the conclusion of the drill and on order from the chief, the companies sliould return all apparatus to its proper place and see that it is in readiness to respond to subsequent calls. If the hose has been wet. It should be placed upon a drying rack and thoroughly dried before being placed on the carts or in hydrant hose houses. A supply of dry hose should be on the cart while the hose which was in use is drying. EQt'lPilENT AND SUPPLIES. The following is necessary for the complete equipment of a fire brigade, the amount necessarily depending on the extent of the property : Sufficient fire hose to concentrate, if necessary, the total capacity of the water supply upon any building or section of the property, A thoroughly good quality of standard 2J-inch cotton, rubber-lined fire hose is requirent of the property and its charactei', and will vary from a gong installed for m;in- ' ual pull to an electric fire-alarm system of uumero,us boxes ^^'here the transmis- sion of an alarm is entirely automatic after the manual operation at the various box locations. A " general alarm " is essential to summon the fire brigade from their work or homes, and when it can be arranged, a steam whistle signal is preferable ; the general alarm to be followed by a location alarm, represented by a specified number of blasts on whistle designating the various districts of the property so that the brigades may proceed to the location soimded. If an electric fire-alarm system is justified, the proper number of fire alnrni boxes should be distributed to adequately cover and be easily accessible from all parts of the property, and should preferably be located outside of buildings where they can be readily reached. These boxes should be on a system center- ing in the main power plant, from which point the general whistle alarm is to be sounded. It may be necessary in some properties to have gongs and indi- cators installed on the circuit in the various buildings in which the members of the brigade are employed, in addition to the indicator and gong iu the power FIEE PEOTECTIOlSr FOR EAILROAD PROPERTIES. 55 hoiise, as tlie noise of tlie shop operation might prevent the wiiistle or other ahirin from being distinetly lieard. Eiectric flre-ahirm systems shouhl be tested daily from alternate boxes. The question of a fire-alarm system depends so much on the extent and char- acter of the property, that no detailed recommendations can be given. If a property is located so as to be. withhi the call limits of the public •fire deportment, a fire-alarm signal box connected with the city or town fire-alarm service should be installed on the property. In instances where the property is extensive, several boxes are necessary, or auxiliary boxes connected with the main box. In smaller properties, an auxiliary box connected with tlie nearest public fire-alarm box is recommended, or if not possible, a key to the nearest puljlic box obtained and its location carefully designated, together with that of the box. In event of fire the public department should be immediately sum- mrmed. FIGHTING FIRE. Alnnn. — When a fire Is discovered act quickly and keep cool. Pails of water or chemical extinguishers should be used immediately if available and the fire can he reached with them. The fire alarm should he turned in as qiiicldij us poftsihle. If the fire is beyond the fire pail or chemical fire extinguisher stage get water on from the hose as quickly as possible and carry the play pipe as close up to the fire as the heat will allow. A " solid .stream " will " knock out " a fire, while a " spray " is practically useless. Play the stream at the base of flames, so as to drench the material actually on fire. Fire brigade should remember that one good sti-eam is more effective than two poor ones, so don't put on too many streams and thereby reduce your water pressurp. Detail responsible men to watch flying sparks and embers and to extinguish small fires caused by them. As .'joou as practical»le notify persons in charge of property of tlie tire. When you realize that a building, which is on fire, can not be saved, im- mediately devote your best efforts to preventing the spread of the fire to adjoin- ing buildings. If any of the buildings on fire are equi|)ped with standpipes or automatic sprinklers, give special attention to the water supply, and when a building has collapsed, or the fire is absolutely beyond control, see that the sprinkler .sup- jilics jMid vertical pir>e sui)plios have their connecting valves closed, so (hat llic lir(> mains will not be drain<'d l»y broken i)ipln.!,' inside the building. Use water freely to check a fire. Once the fire is under control, however, use water as sparingly as po.ssible. so as to mlnlmlzo water damage to stock. This is especially important if the water sujtply Is limited. After a fire. — As soon as the fire is "out" use every elTort to. save the materials and stock and safeguard machinery. Put on a special watchman. If necesi^ary; to safeguard the property. RemcMnber that all fires have a vel'y small beginning, and cmu be extinguished if you act quickly; therefore keep yctur flre apparatus ready for Instiint use and drill your flre brigades regidarly and thoroughly. Have yrair men well inf;)rnKHl as to locntion of all valves and other niipuratu.s. Drills should be hail every two weeks by day and night fire brigades. 66 FIKE PROTECTION rOR~ EAILROAD- PROPERTIES. SUGGESTIONS FOR THE PURCHASE, USE, AND CARE OF FIRE HOSE. Fire hose is one of the most important of fire-extinguishing agencies, and, as witli all fire-extinguishing apparatus, to be reliable should be of the best mate- rial and workmanship. It should always be in perfect working order and at nil times properly cared for. I'urchasers are advised that specifications have been prepared for the manu- facture of fire hose for " fire-department use," having been adopted by the National Fire Protection Association and National Board of Fire Underwriters after conference with hose manufacturers. Such specifications cover the manu- facture of the cotton fabric, rubber lining, couplings, size, weight and flexibility, strength, etc. Such specifications are known as the " National Standard " and are furnished hose manufacturers, and purchasers are therefore advised when buying hose to i-equire that a guaranty be given by the manufacturer that the hose sold is made to at least meet such requirements and that any hose not meeting same after service and tests may be returned at the manufacturer's expense and is to be replaced. The above is mentioned as a caution against buying any inferior grades. Each brand of hose should be conspicuously and distinctly marked with the name of the manufacturer, the trade name of the hose, together with the date of manufacture, stenciled upon every piece of hose, twice in each length. It would be well also for each corporation or plant to stencil its name on the hose, so that the ownership may be known. Fire hose is subjected to a severe class of service, the importance of which makes it essential that the utmost care be given to the quality of the materials and the character of the workmanship employed in its manufacture. By purchasing only the best hose and giving it the small amount of attention suggested, the greatest practicable durability will be assured. Experience has shown that a good cotton rubber-lined hose, properly cared for, will frequently last 10 or 15 years. A cheap grade of fire hose is by far the most costly purchase. Do not pur- chase inferior grades of hose on the grounds of cheapness. Hose is always made to fit the price paid for it. The best quality and consequently more ex- pensive hose is usually cheaper in the end, on account of greater durability of the better grade of rul)ber compounds used in its manufacture. Kinds of Hose fok Fiee Service. cotton eubbek-lined hose. For use on the yard hydrants of shops, mills, terminals, or other property and for the interior of large stations, warehouses, piers, shops, etc., a single " jack- eted " or " ply " cotton rubber-lined hose is suitable for ordinary pressures and i-ecoinmended. For many yards and buildings it is preferable to the thicker .•ind heavier jacketed hose, as it is easier to handle and more quickly dried and more economical for the customer. For yards or buildings where hose Mould receive rough handling or be lial)le (eter tlian 2J inches should be used. The loss of pressure is three times as great in 2-inc'h hose as iu 2L.-in('h hose, and, although whore a line of only 50 feet is used the effect of friction is not much, for longer lines it is a serious detriment. TJNLINED LINEX HOSJ:. For tire hose to hang up in exceptionally dry, warm rooms, corridors of office buildings, hotels, etc., uulined linen hose is suitable and recommended. Specifi- cations are also prepared for its manufacture, and purchasers should be assured that hose of this class meets the requirements of the "National Standard." Its chief value is for short lines for brief use inside some class of buildings and is best on account of its lightness, compactness, and convenience for use by one man alone. T\to and one-half inch hose is the standard size used for attachment to standpipes inside buildings, depending upon the water supply, although 1\ inch and I2 inch are lighter and more easily handled, and may be used. Durability depends upon the preliminary preparation and spinning of the fabric; and hose manufactured in accordance with the special specifications for this class of hose is therefore necessary, that it may hold water and stand a higli pressure. Linen hos-e is injured every time it is wet, but if kept in a dry place, may continue a reliable safeguard for 20 years or more. It is not suitable for lines of more than 50 or 100 feet in length, because of the loss of pressure due to fric- tion caused by its interior roughness; and it is not suitable for outside use, because holes quickly chafe through it under pulsations of pump or when laid over sharp stones, cinders, luaterial, or around sharp corners. It will be seen that only xinder exceptional conditions is linen hose recom- mended, on account of inability to tost it or the water facilities, where used. (See Care of.) CAKE OF COTTON KUBBEU-LINED HOSE. Owners of hose and those responsilde for its care are cautioned and urged — To run water through it occasionally (at least four times a year), as it keeps the rubber in good condition and lengthens its life; but to drain the hose and allnw the cotton fabric to become thoroughly dry before stowing away again. To test it about once a year to about 150 iMiiinds pressure to make stn'c it is in good condition. If put on a cart and allowed to remain afler use, wet hose is liable to become damaged quickly. For this reason it .should bo removed from the cart as soon as It Is returned to the hose house, and dry hose substituted. In making this change, the requisite numl)er of lengths of dry ho.se should be gotten ready, the cfiuitlings and washers examined, and the threads treated with a liltle (allow or mineral oil. The wet ho.se .should be unreeled in sections and the dry hose iccled on. The wet hose sliouhl be hung up in a tower or laid on racks to dry. ir Ihe hose Is dirty, It should lie brushed olT with a broom after drying. If a drying lower is not prafllcable, a slanting ventilated hose drying nn k is reronimemled as a simple and cITt'clive arrangement, to bo used for drying hose after it has been wi't, either at a fire "alve; and silso to at least meet the retpiire- ments of " standard specifications," as to materials, parts, smd workmanship. In placing hydrants they should be so located as to allow of the concentra- tion at any point of two or more stre.ims from lines of hose not more than 250 feet in length. The fewer the number of hydrants, the more hose \\ill be nec&s- sary. Hydrants and pipe are more economicai than hose and more durable and eflicient. A long line of hose is more difficult to handle than a short one. more time is consumed in laying it. and the. loss of pressure from friction is greatly increased. Hydrants should be placed far enough from l)uildings lo escape being in.jun^d by falling walls. They should l>e frequently inspecte«l and tested, exceiit in freezing weather, and their couiilings slumld be occasionally treated with a little mineral oil. Hydrants in new InstallationH s!u)uld confonii in all particulars to standard, witii two or more 2*-inch outlets (fitted Mith independent hose gates). r'lire shouhl be talcen that threads on lioso outlets correspond exnctly to the cads on the public fir(> depnrtnicnt hose. Ill installing new hydrants care should be tnken (bat they are fastened ti> the ling in a secure manner, liy menus of <'l;imi)S niliuhed to lugs cast on hydrant body. Ea«'li hytlnuit should hf set <)n Hat stone and gravel, and broken ninte- ri;il jilaced under arirl around (o give projier dralnnge. ill) Observe if any hydrants are leaking, ami if so require lmm«MliM(e repairs. . In passenger, fn-lght, ami combined passenger ami fn-iglit stations, ware- houses, piers, wharves, shojts, ofiices, coal tipples, and such other misc-ellaneous 62 FIEE PROTECTION FOE EAIUIOAD PROPERTIES. property where the ooQupancy or operation produces or invites hazards and where the value would warrant the installation of some immediate means of extinguishment in case of ftre. 2. NUMBEK EECOMMENDED. ^ In passenger stations, three pails for ordinary size buildings, increasing the number by one pail for about each 500 square feet of floor space over the first 2,000 square feet. In freight stations at least one barrel and two pails for ordinary size; in- creasing the number in larger buildings by one barrel and two pails for each additional 3,000 square feet of floor space over the first 3,000 square feet,' so as to make them readily accessible to all parts. In combined passenger and freight stations, one barrel and two fire pails to be placed in freight room, increasing the number in larger buildings as Indi- cated for freight stations. In shop buildings, one barrel and two pails to be distributed for about each 3,000 square feet of floor space. In warehouses, two pails for a floor space of 1,000 square feet or less, in- creasing the number by an additional pail for each additional 500 square feet. In other and miscellaneous property as conditions may require and permit. 3. PAILS REQUIRED. To be of galvanized iron. Capacity, 12 quarts. To be painted red. To be lettered " FIRE " ; letters to be black, not less than 2* inches high. Hound or conical bottoms recommended, as otherwise employees are likely to use pails for ordinaiT purposes. Covers not required, but recommended so that dust and dirt may be kept out and water kept cleaner. Wooden pails not recommended. NOTH. — The use of an iron pail in preference to a pail of wood or other material is a matter of service and economy, in addition to the greater likelihood that an iron pail will be found serviceable when suddenly wanted for use. It has been found advisable to require that pails be painted red, with the word "FIRE" In black letters of a prominent size. The red color is useful because of its general asso- ciation with tire ; it helps to make the pail clearly visible when wanted ; and, with the •word " FIRE," it is a constant reminder that the pail is there for a special purpose, the putting out of Are, and is not to be taken away or used for ordinary purposes. 4. BARRELS REQUIRED. To be a good oak barrel, capacity to be not less than 50 gallons. To be paint.ed red, with word " FIRE " stencilled thereon in black letters not less than six inches high. To have a cover with a handle. 5. SETTING FOB PAILS. To be fixed, permanent and reserved for fire pails. Shelves or brackets are the approved setting, but they must be intended for, and limited in their use to, fire pails. Fire pails should not be placed on the floor, window sills, safes, desks, radia- tors, boxes, on or under work tables or benches, on top of one another or in tiers. To be not lower than 2 feet above the floor, measured from the floor to the bottom of the pail. FIRE PROTECTION FOR RAILROAD PROPERTIES. 63 To be not higher than 5 feet above the floor, measured from the floor to tho top of the pail. Vv'lien round-bottomecl pails are used and set in shelves, the holes cut for the ov:\l bottom should be only large enough to receive the oval, that is, the flnngo oi the bottom should rest on the wood and not be set into the opening! NdTE.- — Tlie placing at a medium height is devised to permit of grasping the pun una- I vA s;iining half its contents; if a pail is placed more than 5 feet high, it is liltely to be !ir of the reach of the average person ; and if set lower than 2 feet, it is likely to be . .-rlooked or to be knocked from its position. — \ permanent setting, such as hooks or shelves, is intended to make sure that the pail win be given a fixed position, which will become familiar to the occiipanis who, in time of excitement, can rely on finding pails in a definite spot 6. DISTKIBUTION OF PAILS. To provide pails near at hand in every part of the premises ; on eacli floor and in basements. To provide extra pails near dangerous features. In groups of 2, 3, 4, 5, or 6, but not larger than 6. An equipment ■©f 12 pails or less on a floor, to be divided into groups of 2 or 3. An etiuipment of 24 pails or less on a floor, to be divided into groups of 2. 3, or 4. An equipment of more than 24 pails on a floor, to be divided in groups. of not more than 6. , Groups to be placed diagonally opposite, i. e., " staggered." 7. LOCATION. In a clear space, providing free and unimpeded access. In close proximity to exits, such as stairwaySj, elevators, doorways, etc. In a familiar place, within con.stant sight of the occupants. Not to be blocked by merchandise or machinery, or covered with rubbish or oilier niatiTials. 8. FITXING. TlV/7er pdilH. — To be kept filled regiilarly with clean water. Nnnd pails. — Where oils, paints or inllanunable liquids are kept, used or stored, one-half of the total number of pails required, to be kept filled witli clean dry sand, and a scoop to be provided for use in throwing the sand. Sand ynjils Hhould not be filled <" f'lii wn (o make them inconveniently heavy; t^^ ■ liiirds full is .sufliclout. NoTK. — Rt'cnlnr refilling is a pricaiition rorominended to make sure that the paiis sli.ill lontnin water. .S'«*i(Z.— Wafer .should not be used on binning Ufjuids, Kuch as oils, etc., as It may '.'it: extinguish the fire but float the burning liquids to u distance, and thereby spread Ihe : ic. Some material such as sjind should be used, first, to keep the burning li(|ii! l| 12 above zero. 1-f If 9 above zero. 2' :::::::::;:::::::::: 2 6 above zero. 2} 2i 3 above zero. 2^ 1 above zero. ..- 3 3 below zero. 3 1. 3J. 8 below zero. 4" 41 5 5i The solution should preferably be mixed in a vat before being placed in barrels, care being exercised to see that the salt is entirely dissolved. If dumped into a barrel and covered with water, or if thrown into a barrel of water, the salt will be only partially dissolved and unsatisfactory results ob- tained. It is necessary that the chloride of calcium or the salt be dissolvtd by thorough stirring. Calcium chloride ds possibly superior to salt in the following respects: h does not readily corrode steel tanks and barrel hoops ; it has no odor and will remain odorless even if left standing for a long time, and its affinity for moistu^aratus. Engines provided with fire-extinguishing apparatus afford a flexible fire-pro- teetion system, as the equipment can be moved from place to place and is always ready for operation by the engineer, fireman, and yard crews. The extinguishing apparatus as applied to engines are steam pumps or steam nozzles of various kinds. There are several types capable of throwing very satisfactory fire streams from which the motive-power department of each railroad can select the type best suited for the kind of yard locomotives used. The hose equipment recommended should consist of three 50-foot sections of 2^-inch unlined linen hose coiled in cheese form and carried in a box under the running board or In the cab, the nozzle to be of standard smooth bore with f-lnch opening. This equipment with a steam pressure of 150 pounds will provide an effective fire stream capable of delivery to a distance of 75 feet. Where impossible to obtain unlined linen hose cotton rubber-lined hose may be used. In order to obtain the greatest efficiency from yard locomotives equipped with fire extinguishing apparatus, yards should be divided into districts, each of which is designated by a number. When a fire is discovered a general alarm on whistle is sounded calling the attention of the crews of yard engines and by a code of signals engineers and firemen of locomotives can tell immediately in which district the fire is located. To insure prompt response yardmasters and train directors are instructed to give the locomotives clear track in reaching the scene of the fire, and in cases where the locomotives are moving or shifting cars, the crews are instructed to uncouple the engines and proceed without delay to the fire immediately upon the sounding of the alarm, on the way to the fire connecting up the hose and preparing to get into service immediately upon arrival. A fire brigade organization should be formed in each yard or district and special instructions should be issued by the division superintendent and posted on the bulletin boards in the district covered. FIRE PROTECTION FOR RAILROAD PROPERTIES. 67 The fire-brigade organization should be planned on the following lines: Conductor should be held responsible for his own crew. First brakeraan : Laying of hose lines and assisting at nozzle. Fireman : Coupling hose to locomotive extinguisher and assisting engine- man. Engineman : Care and operation of fire extinguisher. Suitable fire signals should be arranged for summoning yard locomotives. Fire drills .«;hould be held every two weeks and reports made to the superintend- ent Water should not be turned on during freezing weather. FIRE CARS. At large yards where water supplies are not readily available and the cost of in.stalling water mains is prohibitive, the fire protection afforded by shifting engines equipped with fire-extinguishing apparatus can be supplemented by fire cars; these fire cars, however, should not be considered a substitute for or quali- fying the desirability of equipping all shifting engines with fire-extinguishing apparatus. Fire cars should provide for a total tank capacity of at least 10,000 gallons and .should be equipped with a 500 G. P. M. steam fire pump provided with a steam connection so arranged that it can be quickly coupled with the engine. The fire pump should supply two 2A-inch hose connections. A supply of 1.000 feet of 2i-inch C. R. L. double jacket fire hose should be kept on reel on tht fire car; also a supply of l|-iDch smoothbore nozzles, spanners, axes, lanterns, fire pails, etc., should be provided. It is preferable to equip the fire car with a small house to protect the fire pump, hose equipment, etc. A yard locomotive should be readily available to move the fire car whenever neces.sary and the shop or yard fire brigades should be drilled every two weeks in handling the fire apparatus and fire pump on the fire car. During freezing weather suitable arrangements must be made to prevent the water in the fire-car tank from freezing, either by keeping It in a heated build- ing or by keeping an engine attached at all times, or by providing a connection with the yard steam lines. This plan has been already adopted by two or three Northern raiU'oads. ASSIST PUBLIC FIRE DEPARTMENTS. CoNVKMKNT MKANS OF ACCKSS TO n.\IIt!OAD TkRMTNALS, SnOP8, ANP OtIIKK Pbopertiks FOR Pum.ic Fire Departments. A very Important point, which .should engage the attention of engineers of railroads or terminal superintendents, is tli«> convenient means of access to im- ixirtant properties for the city fire departments, where it is exi)ected tlM\v would render Important service In connection with fighting any possible fires that miglit occur In largp and valuable [)roi)ertles. lU^adlly accessible roaduiiys Hliould be built suitable for transporting fire engines or hose carts and trucks, and the heads of th«' city fire defiartnients should be made (horoughl.v a<- fiualnted with such permanant hlghwayK. and railroad employees, such as Mt-o clilefH. yarflinasters. watchmen, etc.. should be Instructwi an to where to direct the fire departments to enter the premises, when neces.snry, and any telephone operators slmnld be given similar Instructions In nnler to direct access of fire departments. These roadways to be properly illuminated. 68 ¥mE PROTECTION FOE RAILROAD PROPERTIES. This is a matter which is very apt to be overlooked, and experience has shown that witli tlie isolation and remoteness of many important railroad properlips and operations that very little attention has been given to the construction of roadways of such a character as would permit the entrance of city fire de- partments when needed. A very good plan adopted by one company has been to show in colored ink on plan or bltie pVint of properties the various paths by which city fire companies can reach their several pioperties. A WARNING AS COLD WEATHER APPROACHES. A Seasonable Word to Fire Inspectoks, Superintendents, Master Mechanics, Agents, Foremen, and Others in Charge of Property and its Fire Pro- tection. As the winter season approaches attention should be called to the care and protection of heating and lighting facilities and fire-extinguishing apparatus, and to use every precautionary measure possible in the interest of fire prevention. Special attention should be given to and examinations made of chimneys, flues, stoves, furnaces, heaters, and pipes leading therefrom, radiators, and their surroundings to see that they are in proper condition before putting into service, and that all inflammable surroundings are removed or protected. Steam pipes should be examined, and where passing through or in contact with woodwork or other combustible material should be properly insulated or sur- rounded with an ample air space. The placing of combustible material against steam pipes and radiators slioukl be prohibited. Lighting installations should be carefully examined and properly safe- guarded. Car heaters of all types should be overliauled and put in safe condition for use. All water mains and pipes, automatic sprinkler systems, fire pumps, fire hydrants, fittings, valves, connections, and outlets should be flushed, operated, or examined to see that pipes and parts are free of obstructions and in good operative condition, and, where tliere is liability of freezing, to arrange the necessary protection against frost, or see that water supplies to exposed pipe lines are properly closed off at valves provided for the purpose, and that ex- posed pipes and fittings are properly drained. Selected and responsible em- ployees should be fully posted as to the purpose of all controlling valves and make frequent inspection of all fire equipment. Measures should be taken to prevent or retard water in barrels and fire pails in cold buildings from freezing by adding salt, a combination of salt and bi- carbonate of soda, or calcium chloride. Chemical extinguishers should be ex- amined to see that they are properly charged, and, where liable to freeze, i-e- ni.)ved from cold and placed in heated. rooms during winter. Fire hose should lie examined, tested, and accessibly located. All hose, fire-hydrant fittings, and other fire-extinguishing apparatus should be prepared for pi-ompt service. WATCHMEN'S SERVICE. A good, efficient, intelligeuL watchman is a valuable help from a fire-proiec- tion standpoint. FIKE PROTECTIOX FOR R-VILROAD PROPERTIES. 69 A man who carefully goes ovei* every portion of property once an hour should discover most fires in their inoipiency. and if he is intelligent enough to act promptly, turn in the alarm of fire and then do what he can to extinguish it, he will, in most cases, render valuable aid. The watchman should devote his energies to watching the property and not be obliged to sweep up. attend fires, or other class of work. He should be fully instructed as to just what to do ; he should know the location of fire-alarm hoxos or other means of fire notification; he should know the use and location of tlie various fire-protection apparatus, how to use hand fire apparatus, and in general have an intelligent idea of all matters connected with the fire protection of the plant In permitting a man to assume watch and care over property representing large values, the management should employ not only a strong and able-bodied one. but one who is trustworthy and honest, as we should realize that large values are at stake and we are leaving the care of property to one man at a time when he must temporarily at least rely on his own resources. It certainly is false economy to hire a cheap man for work of such importance, and yet we often find the position of watchman filled by an aged, decrepit, unintelligent, or otherwise inefficient man, who is pr()l)ably unfitted for any other kind of work. He should report for duty before those whose responsibility he assumes leave the premises; begin his first inspection or tour immediately after opera- tions are suspended, it being esjiecially important that this tour be carefully and diligently made, including all parts of the premises; and make tours of in- spection once every hour tliroughout all portions of the property during the entire night, until the arrival in the morning of such persons as shall relieve him of his responsibility. .\n interval of rest of from 15 to 20 minutes between each tour of inspection should be given the watchman. If trip consumes le.ss than 15 minutes, two tours should be made each hour. Where the premises to be covered are of such area as to consimie an houi- or more for one trip, two watchmen should be employed, either dividing the area or making tours alternately. Day Skrvice on Sundays, Holidays. Etc. During the daytime on Sundays and holidays, or when the plant fs not in operation during the day, tours of inspection by day watchman at intervals (if at least two hours are recommended. MKTHODR or SlTl'KRVISTON. To promote the ('(hclency of watchman's service a system of sunorvlsinn should he employed, of which the three i)riuclpal methods are the cen(riil- .si.'ition system, the local or aiii)rovpd sl;i(ion:iry systems with st.'itionary clo( Ic connected with electric wiring to designated points, and Ihe port.ibic \\:it(li clock. Stations should he so lo'ated th.il all parts of proix-iiy are visited. The "central-station" system has the advantage of Irnniediately following n|. ;iny failure of the watchman to register his rounds; \t is hiiseil mi n llxed rental charge and can only be used in the larger cities and towns. The portable watchman's docks have been greatly improved In all way.s. and their simplicity, cheapness, and general reliability have brought them Into comiiuMi u.se and the present approved types give gotxl satisfaction. Kecords of .such service to be checked and r-hanged flally unless the clock la arranged to regi.ster distiuctly for more than a 12-hour period, In which 70 FIRE PEOTECTION FOR RAILROAD PROPERTIES. case the dials may remain on for not over two days. Records sliould be dated and leapt on file for inspection. Qualifications of Watchman. The following qualifications for a watchman are suggested in addition to those referred to above: Watchman should not be permitted to smoke while on duty. He should re- frain fi'om all intoxicants. In fact, a watchman without these habits is par- ticularly preferable, and should be given e.'^peeially favorable recognition by his employers. He should immediately make report to the management of any defective apparatus, or of the misplacement of the same. Upon assuming his regular duties he must see that all fire doors and shutters are closed, and that they are in operative order where they are not of the self- closing type. He must close doors to stairways and other vertical openings. The watchman must carefully olSserve the matter of cleanliness, especially the presence of oily waste, rags, workmen's clothes, rubbish and useless inflam- mable material. He should take instant care or removal of same, or report to management for attention. He must fuuiiliarize himself with location of all furnaces, boilers, heaters, or other heating apparatus, and their arrangement, especially observing upon his rounds the condition of same, and of any coml)ustible material nearby. Must know the exact location of gas shut-ofO valves, and of electric lighting and power cut-out switch. He must have full instructions as to the details of operation, turning on and shutting oft automatic sprinkler equipment. The watchman must be instructed as to prompt manner in which to com- municate instantly with superintendent or other company officials. He must not leave the premises unguarded during duty hours. He should, during his rounds, observe from the premises all adjoining exposing properties. In case of seeing a neighboring fire, he should also turn in a fire alarm. Watchman should not be permitted to carry or use other than safety matches. He should be provided with and use an approved safety lantern or electric lamp. Expei-ience has demonstrated that in certain classes of properties such as grain elevators, coal breakers, piers, woodworking mills, paint shops and paint stock houses, oil houses, etc., only safety electric lanterns should be used. Tlie watchman mtist never lose sinht of the fact that he is intrusted itnth the important responmhiUty of protective large values against loss by fire and that many employees are dependent for their livelihood upon the permanent operation of the plant and property over ichich he has charge. Inspector's Review of Watchman's Clock Records. The Inspector should review the watchman's records, and occasionally visit the plant at night to check up his work. The inspector should take the time and trouble to explain to the watchman the use of the fire apparatus to such an extent that the watchman can give the proper alarms and start in motion any of the pumps or other fire appliances which are not absolutely automatic. The watchman should be encouraged to assist the inspector by calling to the in- spector's attention any conditions that he may observe during his rounds that would be of interest to the inspector in his work. THE FIRE HAZARD IN CONNECTION WITH " SMOKING.** For several years past records have shown that hundreds of thousands of dol- lars of railroad property and property in the care or custody of railroads as car- riers hare been destroyed by fire due to carelessness and indifference on the FIRE PBOTEOTION FOR RAILROAD PROPERTIES. 71 part of employees In connection with smoking In shops, freight stations, ware- houses, etc. Every year adds some exceptional losses traceable to this particular class of indifference. It should be recognized that large values are involved which should be preserved and that there must be a personal responsibility felt in accepting the regulations and orders restricting smoking or prohibiting it in properties of large values and where inflammables are handled and it must be recognized to-day more than ever, that property values should not be dam- aged or destroyed through carelessness and indifference or other preventable causes. Property and material destroyed cannot be replaced. They are lost. Smoking should be prohibited m .shnpa, coaling stations, piers, warehouses, storehouses, freight houses and offices, including record rooms and around freight platforms, and in all other places where inflammahle materials are handled or stored, and if not already done, conspicuous "NO SMOKING" signs should be posted, and all watchmen and guards, oflScers and otlier employees hi charge of the property must be instructed to s^ee that this rule is rigidly en. "iced. If we restrict the hazard of smoking and prohibit it in valuable properties we will do much toward preventing the possibility of large property destruc- tion by fire traceable to preventable cau.ses principally through carelessnesij and indifference to dangers. FIRE DANGER IN MACHINE-SHOP SWEEPINGS. Machine-shop sweepings generally con.sist of oily waste, iron filings or borings, small pieces of wood, excelsior and, in some few instances, stray pieces of calcium carbide or the residue from an oxyacetylene machine. Sweepings are invariably more or less oily. Iron tilings or borings are subject to heating due to oxidation, which takes place very rapidly in the pre.seuce of moisture and the absence of oil on the metal. There are instances of piles of iron filings becoming heated to such an extent as to ignite woodwork. Calcium carbide readily heats and gives off inflammable gas when moistened, likewise the oxyacetylene machine residue which has not spent its chemical action. The wooden pieces and excelsior simply add fuel to the combination if Ignited. There arises the necessity of taking certain precautionary measures in the handling of machine shop sweepings. The sweepings should never be allowed to lie on the floor overnight, but should be swept up and removed dally. Metal cans with lids form an excellent receptacle for storing the sweepings tem- porarily In the shop. Oily waste and inflammable material should be re- moved from filings before storing. Kiliiigs should then be deposited outside of the building where they will be sheltered from rain. WASTE PAPERS. Waste paper jrenerally cau.ses an uncleanly condition nn«l Invften an added fire hazard, which seems to vary witli the buildln;;; in a mo.l. in . en •! i n.i.-d building the pajjer Is kept In fair to g> not .store fusees and torpedoes in same magazine or box. I Mrpedoes should not be carried on the jierson, or In tlie cIoHiing of em- • •es. ''I not store fusees and torpedoes with oUxt pvplosives or inflanunables. xercl.se care in keeping fusees dry ; improperly made fusees if d.imp are liable pontaneous ignition. iokeii, wet, •>!• oily fusees should be destrny<'d li\ l)iiiriing. liroken or defective torpedoes should be destroyed by Immersing In water. Fn8EF,S AND TORI'EDOES Ml8CELLANEOi;S .Su«'PLIE8. Such lf)ose suppli<'s as have been obtained by trainmen from storeliciuscs and as are freoose.s, towers and stations, with no designated receptacle, but loo.sely placed. We 80 FIRE PEOTECTION FOR RAILROAD PROPERTIES. suggest as a suitable receptacle for these small supplies a small metal or rec- tangular-shaped wood box with spring-hinged cover. Box to be only large enough to hold the requisite number of fusees, with one end of box partitioned off for storage of the torpedoes. Racks may be used to advantage in cabooses for fusees. The above suggestions not to interfere with any special and safe practice already in operation, such as that in connection with passenger trainmen's metal receptacles, ;is are now used for carrying flags, fusees and torpedoes; but to make provision for a special receptacle where not provided in the cases mentioned above. GAS AND GASOLINE ENGINES. In Inspecting these devices the following features should be observed : (a) Gas or gasoline engines should not be located in rooms where dust and inflammable flyings prevail, or materials of any sort are stored. The engine room should be kept clean and free from accumulations of oil and grease, and should be well ventilated. Rooms, containing gasoline engines should be lighted by electricity and be free from open flame or heat. A waste can and chemical extinguisher should be provided therein. Observe if engine is an approved type. (b) If gas bags are used for gas engines, they must be inclosed in a substan- tial gas-tight metal drum, vented to the outer air through a pipe used for no other purpose. (c) Regulators should be so designed as to prevent the flow of gas Into room in case the engine shuts down from any cause. Pressure regulators should be of approved construction. If a pulsating gasometer is used, a valve should be located on pipe to the same, and be accessible. (d) Note if piping is properly installed and allowances are made for expan- sion and contraction, jarring and vibration. (e) Careful examination of exhaust pots should be made. See that they are placed on firm foundation and at least 12 inches from woodwork or combustible material. (/) Exhaust pipe, whether direct from engine or from mufflers, should, where practicable, be carried above the roof of the building in which the engine is con- tained, and above adjoining buildings. When buildings are too high to make this practicable, the pipe should end at least 10 feet from any wall opening. No exhaust pipe should be within 9 inches of any vs^oodwork or any wooden lath and plaster partition or ceiling. Where exhaust pipes pass through combustible partitions, they should be guarded by galvanized iron ventilated thimbles at least 12 inches larger in diameter than the pipes, or by galvanized iron thimbles built in at least S inches of brickwork or other incombustible material. They should not, under any circumstances, be connected into chimneys or flues, except that the pipe may pass up in flues used for no other purpose. No exhaust pipe should pass through any floor, nor through a roof having wooden framework or covering without special insulation and ventilated thimble. Note. — This pipe is liable to become very hot and should have additional pro- tection whei'e dust or inflammable flyings are present. (g) Hot tube ignition is hazardous. Electric ignition only should be used. {h) Note if gasoline feed cup is rigidly secured to engine, and is in proper order and properly operating. (<) Water pockets in exhaust pipes should be provided with suitable nieuus for drainage. FIEE PROTECTION FOR RAILROAD PROPERTIES. 81 (/) Due consideration should be given the cleaning of the cylinders, valves. and exhaust pipe, as often as the quality of the fuel may necessitate. (A) Observe the location of gasoline supply tank. This should be buried, as per published standard. ( I ) Note if openings for pipes through outside walls are securely cemented and made water, gas, and oil tight. im) Observe if fill and vent pipes are properly installed. (n) Observe if gasoline feed pump Is properly installed and in proper work- ing order, and provided with check valves. (o) In no event should supply tanks of gasoline be erected on the walls of the building. Gravity feed is hazardous, regardless of location of supply tank. ilj) Portable gasoline engines should comply in all particulars with standard ••egulations. Gasoline tank should be filled during daylight hours only, and while the engine is not in operation. Tanks should be filled by means of safety cans from properly installed gasoline supply tank. VENTILATING SYSTEMS FROM KITCHENS, AND SETTING OF RANGES. Numerous fires occur in hotels, restaurants, dwellings, etc., due to poorly constructed kitchen ventilating systems, defective setting of cooking ranges, etc. ; the general hazard in connection with which should receive special at- tention and be guarded against. Walls, floors, and ceilings of kitchens should preferably be built of fire-resist- ing materials when ranges can be set to wall and floor without the special prerautions described herein. This is especially recommended for hotels, etc.. where ranges having two or more fire boxes are used. Ranges. A kitchea range shall not be placed less than 3 feet from any woodwork or conihu.stible material unless protection by metal shields is afforded, in which ca.se the distance shall be not less than 18 inches ; the metal to be so attached as to leave an air space between it and the combustible material and to extend at least 3 feet above top of range. Ranges allowing an air space of less than 4 inches between ash box and floor should be located on floors of flre-resisting construction such as brick, tile, or concrete; if set over combustible flooring a hearth shall be provided, constructed of 4-inch hollow tile or two courses of brick placed on sheet metal or one-eighth inch asbestos Ijoard, the lower course of brick to be laid so as to permit circulation of air between the bricks. The brick or terra-cotta work shall extend 12 Inches beyond the range at sides and rear and 24 inches in front. Ranges allowing an air space of more than 4 inches between ash box and floor, if placed over combustible flooring, siiould be set upon sheet metal or its eenlngs between floors. Stairways and elevator should he In- stalled outside and preferably In fireproof towers. Lighting. — Electric wiring In metal conduit; Incandescent lamps with vnpnr- tight globes, keyle>s .sockets, and outside fuses and switches. Power. — Steam or electric; when possible, shafting to be operated by outsiflc motors. Ve^ntilation. — Room should be well ventilated at top and bottom by suitable screened openings and If necessiiry an exliiiust fan sy.stein should b« installed. It Ik desirable to iiave a metal hood of larger area Mian dip tank suspended directly above tank and terminating in a metal vent pipe. Hcativg.^Hteam or hot water. Tanks. — ^To be cojistnutpd of steel or cast Iron. Covpra.— May be eithfji- hinged or sliding on tiiicks and should be nor- mally held open by approved tyites of metal ch.ilus containing fusible links, one such link to be near cover at tank and one at Ihc point where chain Is fastened to building wall or celling. Such covers may be constructed either 90 FIKE PROTECTION FOR RAILROAD PROPERTIES. of metal or tongned-aud-grooved boards covered on all surfaces by lock-jointed tin, and In all cases such covers must overlap the sides and ends of tanks at least 2 Inches. All covers to be so designed and installed that operation vpill I automatic and secure positive closing vi^ithout danger of sticking when re- leased by the action of heat on the fusible links or by manual operation. Covers to be closed and fit tight when tanks are not in use. Drip boards. — To be of incombustible material and readily permit of cleaning. Agitator. — If necessary each tank should be provided w^ith an agitator. Overflow. — Tank to have an iron or steel overflovsr pipe leading outside of building to a cistern. Overflow to have a coarse strainer at tank. Drains. — Each tank should preferably be provided with a drain pipe of suf- ficient size to empty tank in about 60 seconds. Drain to be provided with a valve capable of being operated both manually and automatically. Drain pipe to be connected directly or through an overflow pipe to cistern. Cistern. — To be of sufficient size to hold the aggregate capacity of all tanks emptying into it. To be detached at least 30 feet from any building and located in ground, or to be so arranged that any overflow can not endanger property. Overflow and drain pipes to terminate in bottom of cistern under water. Dry boxes. — Should be constructed entirely of brick, iron, asbestos board, or other non-combustible material, with no inflammable material therein and Avell insulated from outside combustible material. Large boxes should have vents with slight draft leading to the outside of building. Heating dry boxes. — Steam heat only to be used, with the pipes installed at the sides to prevent accumulations of drip lacquer thereon. Polishing and buffing. — Wheels using an oil lubricant create a hazard ; and should be equipped with a metal pipe dust collecting system, discharging into an outside metal dust box half filled with water. The oily lint and dust is liable to spontaneous ignition, and the polishing and bufiing should be done, if possible, in a room used for no other purpose. Emery wheels. — Locate at a safe distance from inflammable liquids. Storage of materials. — The main supply of lacquers to be kept in a detached building. All unused lacquer in the lacquering room should be removed to this building at night. Acids should be stored away from combustible material. Fire prevention. — Clean and remove all lint from polishing and bufling room at end of each day's work. Prohibit the use of open lights or allowing watchmen taking in oil lantern. Interior fire protection. — Entire building to be equipped with automatic sprinklers, or with a high pressure steam jet or pipe line for flooding with steam in case of fire ; operating valves to be located outside, with signs conspicuously posted designating their use. A few approved banc, chemical fire extinguishers should be provided. A large box of sawdust with a shovel should be kept In accessible location near lacquer dip tank ; sawdust to be mixed with bicarbonate of soda in the proportion of 10 pounds of soda to 1 bushel of sawdust. In event of fire in dip tank this mixture will float on the burning liquid, acting as an extinguishing blanket by excluding the oxygen of the atmosphere. PROTECTION AGAINST LIGHTNING. The National Board of Fire Underwriters publish suggestions for protec- tion against lightning, amongst which are the following : Lightning rods should have as few joints as possible, these to be mechanically and electrically secure and to be protected from corrosion. It is essential that FIRE PEOTECTIOSr FOE RAILROAD PROPERTIES. 91 the conductors be continuous and. tlioi-efore, the fewer the joints and the bet- ter these are protected from corrosion, the less chance of crippling the protec- tion due to a break in the conductors. Conductors never to be insulated from structures, but to be fastened securely In place, suitable allowance being made for expansion, by clamps of same material as conductor, the vertical rods being carried a sufficient distance fr.oni the wall to avoid sharp bends around projecting masonry or brickwork. In all cases as straight a run as possible should be provided and the conductors should Incline downward. The conductors should never be run through iron pipes and should b'» run as far as practicable away from Interior pipes. Protection against lightning is usually advisable on country buildings, on isolated buildings and on all buildings, wherever lornted, having elevated features such as tall chimneys, steeples, high-peaked or gable roofs, and flag- poles. Since the amount of protection which any building should have will depend upon Its location, construction, nature of its occupancy, and the value of the building as compared with the expense necessary to provide the protection, definite rules can not be laid down for the installation of lightning con- ductors. Ill general, all metal buildings, metal chinmeys or stacks need only to be grounded- STORAGE OF RECORDS AND INCIDENTAL FIRE DANGERS. The question of storage of records and files is a serious one to the chief clerks, agents, and ?)thers in charge of such matters, and also to those in- terested in the prevention of fires. Lack of time and space to properly arrange the flies are the two greatest obstacles to overcome. It has been found that a common practice is to use attics and other spaces unfit for ofiice use. All fires occurring in record rooms are due to carelessne.ss. The hazards in connection with storage of records are caused principally by the fact that through lack of space in many cases the records, usually com- posed of tissue papers and other Inflammable materials are piled in a more or less disorderly manner on the floor and in spaces not intended for their reception. In smaller ofilces, stations, etc., the entire clerical force has ticcess to the files, and it has been found, where smoking is allowed in I he offices, clerks will also carry their lighted pipes, cigarettes, etc., into the record room, or where smoking is prohibited in the offices, the record room, being In an inconspicuous location, i.s made a ren(lezv(»ua for smokers. On jiccount of the great Inflammability of the content.s of record rooms, and the fact of their being in more or less concealed spaces usually, this practice is extremely hazardous. A cigarette stub in a pile of tissue paper records can work a great deal of havoc in a little time, as has been proven through ex- perience. Uecords and old fi!e.