VACUUM CLEANER SYSTEM 



VACUUM 

 PUMPS 



NOT least among the mechanical features 

 which have been introduced into the Singer 

 Building is the Vacuum Cleaner System, 

 which is one of the largest that has been installed 

 in New York City. 



This equipment is a special feature in the Singer 

 Building. It is not only designed to take care of 

 the regular cleaning of the halls, offices, walls, rugs, 

 etc., but a special Vacuum Cleaner is installed in each 

 office, or suite of offices, for the use of tenants. The 

 vacuum is maintained on this special system at all 

 hours of the usual office day and can be used by the 

 tenant at his convenience. 



The vacuum pumps used with this system, con- 

 stituting a very important part of it, are arranged 

 in three units, there being two 

 large units, each having capacity to 

 operate twelve to fifteen sweepers, 

 and one small unit with a capacity to operate four 

 to eight sweepers. These pumps are of the horizontal 

 steam-driven pattern, and are fitted with Cincinnati 

 Gear Air Cylinders. 



The governor used with the pumps is especially 

 designed for this class of work and is a combination 

 speed and vacuum governor, the speed feature of 

 which is very similar to the usual engine governor; 

 it is a limiting device which controls the speed of the 

 pump. The vacuum part of the governor is arranged 

 so that it can be set for any desired vacuum, and in 

 action will reduce the speed from the maximum 

 maintained by the speed governor to whatever lower 

 limit of speed is necessary to prevent the vacuum 

 exceeding the limit for which governors are set. Thus 

 the action of the complete governor maintains a 

 uniform vacuum up to the limit of the capacity of 

 the pump. Under this arrangement excessive vacu- 

 um is entirely avoided and the pumps are operated 

 'only to the extent required, so as to secure the utmost 

 economy in consumption of steam. 



The system of dust separation is what is known 

 as "double separation," being a combination of dry 

 and wet separators. It consists of 

 two large galvanized iron tanks, the 

 first of which receives the dust- 

 laden air from the building, and by a combination 

 of centrifugal action and gravitation precipitates all 

 the dust from the air, excepting that which is so 

 light as to follow the air currents. 



From the dry separator the air containing the 

 light dust is discharged into the wet separators below 

 the water line, and there, by special means, is broken 



[91 



DUST 

 SEPARATION 



up into very small particles and forced through the 

 water in such a manner as to eliminate every particle 

 of dust, and allow the air, free from dust, to pass to 

 and through the cylinders of the pumps, and from 

 there to the outer atmosphere. 



The system of vacuum pipes in the Singer Building 

 is naturally very elaborate and extensive and consists 

 v ATI HIM of a series of mains in the sub- 



pipps; cellar, from which a number of 



risers are taken off and extended up 

 through the building, some of them to the top of 

 the Tower. 



The risers for the special service in the offices 

 are kept separate from the risers for general cleansing, 

 though all are connected to the same system of 

 horizontal pipes already referred to. Outlets are 

 placed in the various risers in each story, to which 

 are attached special fittings arranged for connection 

 of the vacuum hose. 



The arrangement of hose, renovators, etc., in this 

 building is not materially different from any other 

 vacuum cleaner system. 



The special service for the use of tenants con- 

 sists of J-inch outlets arranged under each lavatory 

 throughout the building, of which 

 there are nearly four hundred, to 

 which is permanently attached a 

 short length of -inch hose. This 

 hose is arranged to coil up and be supported on 

 special hooks under the lavatory, and attached to its 

 end is a specially designed renovator for cleaning 

 hats, clothing, etc. 



The vacuum is on this system at all times, right 

 up to the renovator itself. To avoid the intake of 

 air, with its corresponding noise, which would exist 

 if these renovators were not closed off when out of 

 use, they are fitted with an automatic closing valve, 

 which is easily operated by the thumb, and is held 

 open during the entire period of use. The release 

 of the renovator causes the closing of the valve. 



These hat and coat renovators were designed and 

 first used in this building, and as a matter of fact have 

 not been used in any other building up to this time. 



This special vacuum system for the convenience 

 and comfort of the tenants, places this building in a 

 somewhat higher position from the rental standpoint 

 than other office buildings not so equipped. 



The installation of the entire Vacuum Cleaner Sys- 

 tem was placed in the hands of the Vacuum Cleaner 

 Company, with general offices at No. 425 Fifth Ave- 

 nue, New York, and factories at Pla infield, N. J. 



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SPECIAL 

 SERVICE FOR 

 TENANTS 



