[ 287 ] 



XLVIII. On extinguishing of Fires in Buildings. By Mr. John 

 Moore. 



Sir, — vJbserving the destruction of property by fire, anri the 

 fright and inconvenience to families when it occurs in dwelling- 

 houses, with sometimes loss of lives; — and after taking a survey 

 of the progress of the arts, I am surprised, that recourse is not 

 commonly had to the mixing of some ingredient with the water 

 employed, (as there are many known,) for the more immediate 

 extinguishing of that destructive element. The importance of 

 the subject is so considerable, that I think it ought to have the 

 most serious attention. 



To the uninsured, a means of speedy extinction would be a happy 

 resource, and to the public a great acquisition, provided the ex- 

 pense be but trifling. Now in order to stimulate others towards 

 the obtaining so desiral^le an object, I take the liberty to state to 

 vou the ideas that have occurred to me, hoping that improvements 

 on them, or the selection of some more effectual means, will be 

 the result; — therefore, without further introduction, I beg to sub- 

 mit to your consideration what I conceive would be serviceable. 



I would have every fire-engine provided with a few sacks of 

 ground clay in powder ; the clay to be ground after it is dry and 

 then sifted, in order that no large fragments of it may lodge be- 

 tween the valves, so as to prevent the working of the engine. I 

 doubt not but vou will observe, that the greater the quantity of 

 clay and water wliich passes through the pipes to the fire, so much 

 the sooner the fire must be extinguished ; because the clay con- 

 tained by the water will form a crust, and act like an extinguisher; 

 by which means the flames will not only be prevented from ex- 

 tending their destructive progress, but may, by a judicious appli- 

 cation of this clay water, be easily brought under. For clay being 

 uninflammable, wherever it falls in sufficient quantity, it will cut 

 off the communication between the fire and air, and thereby ex- 

 clude the accession of oxygen to support the flame, which will 

 consequently go out. 



Alum is also an excellent ingredient to mix with water; be- 

 cause it has no tendency to inflame, and will also form an extin- 

 guishing cap or crust like clay, with which I have no doubt mobt 

 of your readers are well acquainted : but if any of them should 

 not, let them throw a piece of alum on any common fire, and 

 they will be convinced of the truth of the observation. There is, 

 however, one objection to the employment of alum, namely, the 

 expense; and thi« is likely to keep it out of use, though its effi- 

 cacy were nmch greater. 



Hut the best substance of any for this purpose, is, in my opi- 

 nion, burnt lime, exposed to the atmosphere that it may ai)sorb 



moisture, 



