FIRI':-RI-:STST1N<^, I'.LMLDINGS. ()l 



.\fter ex]josure for one hour to a temperature from 500° F. 

 to ],6oo° F., followed by application of water at 25 lbs. pressiu-e 

 from a J//' nozzle, the result showed that, though the encasement 

 w^as cracked and sodden, it remained attached all around, and 

 the girder was unaft'ected. 



Non-Flaininablc JVood. etc. — The treatment of wood. 

 paper, or textiles to render same firc-rcsisting is of 

 three kinds ; those which on heating leave an earthy 

 deposit to ])rotect the combustible material, those which 

 fuse and t>orm a glassy protective coating, and those which 

 ,give off gases which stifle combustion. That under the 



first-named class is aluminium hydroxide ; of the second and 

 third, ammonium borate, and phosphate, giving off ammonia, 

 and coating the material with boric or phosphoric acids. In 

 the case of wood, the solution has to be forced in under pressure. 



Tests made by the British Fire Protection Committee in 

 i8(j9-yo i)roved that with identical partitions constructed of t" 

 boards, both sides, those that were untreated communicated tire 

 to an adjoining room in 18 minutes; whereas those constructed 

 of non-flammable w^ood did not, after 45 minutes' exposure, 

 when the test was suspended, and a maximum temperature of 

 1,545° F. had been registered in the i^yrometer. 



Textiles. — The tests upon textiles ])roved be}-ond douljt that 

 •even the most inflammable can be rendered slow-ljurning, and that 

 asbestos blinds are valuable as protection to doors and windows. 



Doors and JViudoi^'s. — Doors and windows are amongst 

 the most dangerous agencies for spreading tire in a l)uild- 

 ing. Before going into the comparative values of materials, 

 as proved by the tests of the British Fire I'revcntion 

 Committee. I would remark that even if a door is abso- 

 lutely fireproof, there is the danger of the Are spreading 

 through the buckling and twisting of the door, or througli the 

 failure oi its hangings and fastenings. Stone Hntels should never 

 be fixed above door openings on account of their liability to split, 

 crack, or flake away when heat and water are simultaneously 

 applied. In all cases woodwork should be avoided for linings 

 or architraves to fire-resisting doors. 



The results of tests upon several classes of doors have been 

 as follows : — 



Solid Wood Doors, 2" thick all over, nicluding the ])anels. 



Oak. — Flame appeared outside in 30 minutes. 



Teak. — Flame appeared outside in 24 minutes. 



Deal. — Flame appeared outside in 20 minutes. 



Pitch Pine. — Flame appi)eared outside in 20 minutes. 



Jarrah {iVf," thick, prol)ably specially selected samples). — 

 Flame appeared outside in 60 minutes. 



Karri (ij-^" thick, probably specially selected samjjles). — 

 Flame ai')]:)eared outside in 46 nnnutes. 



Deal. — Ledged door 1" boards, 3 ledges 6" X i". 4 minutes. 



Composite Doors. — 2" solid door, with core of bui't-up 



