Oct. 17, ISS^l.] 



♦ KNOWLEDGE ♦ 



521 



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Interior View of a Model Fire-Engine Hoase. 



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varying from the size of a pin to the full capacity of 

 the pipe. In case the nozzle is reduced or is completely 

 shut off, the engine is relieved of all liability to serious 

 strain by the action of an automatic relief valve designed 

 by Mr. Pallet, of Engine 24. This valve is placed beside the 

 pump, to which it is connected at two points, one above 

 and the other below the plunger. The connecting passsage 

 is interrupted by a valve held upon its seat by a spring in 

 such a way that the pressure necessary to raise the valve 

 can be regulated at will. When the full power of the 

 engine is required, the valve is screwed down ; but, for 

 ordinary work, it is set at about 80 lb. As soon as the 

 water pressure in the pipes is increased beyond this point, 

 by partially closing the nozzle, the valve is lilted, and com- 

 munication made between the top and bottom of the pump- 

 chamber ; when the nozzle is completely closed, the valve 

 is raised clear of the passage, and the pump churns the 

 water round and round. The engineer is relieved of all 

 care, and the control of the water is placed in charge of 

 the one who best knows the quantity required. The spray 

 nozzle consists of a cylinder, one jjoition of which is 

 thickly studded with small holes, and upon which slides a 

 collar wide enough to cover the perforated section when a 

 spray is not desired. 



The sleeping quarters of the officers and men are on the 

 second floor. Through the floor, in locations so as to be 

 most quickly used, are three openings, in the centre of each 

 of which is a smooth brass rod leading to the floor below. 

 Upon the third floor are the billiard-room, lockers, drying- 

 room, which has a zinc floor, and, together with the bath- 

 room, is heated by a furnace in the basement, and feed- 

 room. Hay and grain are raised from the rear. The grain 

 bins are connected with the lower floor by tubes, and the 

 hay is passed down through chutes, so all the dust is con- 

 fined to one small room. 



When fighting a fire, it sometimes becomes essential t€> 

 throw a powerful stream into the upper stories of :> 

 building, and to give the most satisfactory results tbf 

 nozzle should be elevated and brought in close proximity to 

 the window. This is accomplished by the water tower 

 (shown in several positions in the first view), which con- 

 sists of a large pipe so mounted u| on trunnions that it can 

 be quickly raised to a vertical position. The lower end of 

 this pipe is connected by a flexible pipe that extends under 

 and to the rear of the trunk, where it terminates in four 

 3-in. inlets, each of which may be coupled to a hose leading 

 from an engine. Each inlet is furnished with a swinging 

 valve, operated by the pressure of water in the pipe. 

 Various lengths of pipe can be screwed upon the upper 

 end of the trunnion pipe, giving the following lengths : 

 single, 29ft.; long single, 36 ft.; two short lengths, 

 43 ft. ; two long, 50 ft. Between the end of the pipe 

 and the end of the nozzle is inserted a s-hort piece 

 of flexible pipe that moves between two side flanges. 

 Projecting from each side of the nozzle is a stud that enters 

 a groove in the flange. The nozzle is connected by a light 

 wire rope with a small drum placed on the body of the 

 truck, from which location all the movements of the tower 

 are guided. By winding up this rope the nozzle will be 

 depressed, and will deliver water in a downward direction. 

 The short connecting-pipe bends upon a curved frame that 

 prevents wrinkling. The elasticity of the pipe and the 

 force of the water are sufficient to raise the pipe when the 

 rope is unwound. To stay a long length of pipe there is a 

 stout wire rope extending from the top to a drum at the 

 base. This rope is extended by braces hinged to the 

 length.?. The vertical pipe may be moved upon its own 

 axis. The stream may be delivered at any height below 

 a certain limit, and directed up or down or to either side. 



A distributor to be attached to the end of a hose con- 



