FINANCING THE INVESTMENT 



In installing a system of lightning rods, 

 it is well to observe a few simple precautions. 

 The most exposed parts of a building should 

 be provided with rods and the rod points 

 should extend 3 to 4 feet above the structure. 

 Conductors from the rod point should go in 

 the most direct line possible to the ground and 

 sharp bends in the conductors should be avoided. 

 One of the most essential precautions is to 

 thoroughly ground the conductors. Water pipes 

 on the buildings furnish excellent grounding. 

 The grounds for the conductors must be deep 

 enough in the soil to reach permanent moisture. 

 Lightning rods that are not properly constructed 

 or properly grounded may be a worse menace 

 than if no such protection is attempted. Specific 

 methods of protecting farm buildings from 

 lightning damage can be secured from state 

 agricultural agencies or from reliable com- 

 mercial firms which make a practice of erecting 

 them. 



Another cause of fires lies in unsound chimney 

 construction. By using care and the proper 

 materials in the building of chimneys, fire may 

 be avoided. Chimney bricks should be laid 

 flat rather than on edge, thereby practically 

 eliminating the development of chimney cracks 

 through which sparks can escape into floor 

 spaces, attics and roofs. 



37 



