PROCEEDINGS OF SECTION H. 647 



to find than pillar fireplugs, and that the fireplugs are liable to be more 

 or less buried in clay, grit, debris, &c., which works in through the 

 cover, and has to be removed before the hydrant can be properly at- 

 tached. This latter is a special disadvantage where the plugs are 

 fitted in unmetalled streets, and the fire brigade superintendent of 

 an important town states that, in addition to having the fireplugs 

 inspected and the boxes cleaned out every quarter, he has frequently 

 to have this work re-done after heavy rains. Pillar fireplugs being 

 placed above the street level are necessarily free from these objections, 

 but are more expensive than the roadway type, which can be placed 

 directly over the main, whereas special branches have to be provided 

 leading to the pillars on the kerb line. 



The screw-down fireplugs are similar in principle to the ordinary 

 screw-down high-pressure taps, and whilst they are not used in Victoria 

 they appear to have been adopted extensively in some of the other 

 States. With them the hydrant connection is preferably of the ordinary 

 bayonet-joint type, and as the opening and closing of the plug is effected 

 by a separate key (which has, of course, to be carried by the firemen) 

 the hydrant waterway is not obstructed by any disk or rod. It is 

 claimed that with these plugs there is no liability of the water mains 

 being polluted with street drainage, as they are not automatically 

 opened when the pressure is removed or the mains emptied. On the 

 other hand, they do not act as air valves, and as the opening gear is 

 independent of the hydrant the water cannot be as quickly and con- 

 veniently turned on. They are more expensive than fireplugs of the 

 upward pressure type, and they require large covers, which, in addition 

 to being more expensive, are objectionable as being greater breaks 

 of an objectionable character in the street surface. 



Whilst the writer has no personal experience with these plugs, 

 he notes that necessarily dirt and filth will accumulate under the covers 

 and in the portion of the fireplug between the hydrant seat and the 

 valve. In the event of the plug being accidentally opened at a time 

 when the pressure is ofi, such filth will necessarily drain back into the 

 mains. Further, it is well known that high-pressure taps at times 

 become leaky, and it reasonable to assume that fireplugs on a similar 

 principle may do the same. With a leaky fireplug of this type and an 

 empty water main there is a liability for street drainage and liquid filth 

 to get access to the water mains, whereas pillar fireplugs, in which the 

 hydrant seats (or hose connections) are above street and drainage 

 level, are necessarily free from any such liability to pollute the water 

 supply. 



The Bateman and Moore is the original of the upwards pressure 

 fireplugs, and is in extensive use in Victoria. In it the closing valve 

 is a ball of specific gravity less than that of water, and is placed in a 

 valve chamber on top of which is bolted a casting forming valve seat 

 and hydrant seat, and having lugs for holding the hydrant in place. 

 A rubber ring is usually provided between the two castings, and facili- 

 tates the formation of water-tight joint. The water pressure forces 

 the ball against the rubber ring and valve seat automatically closing 



