CONSTKUCTION' AND FIRE PROTECTION OF COTTON WAREHOUSES. 29 



values of the risk arc large and in all cases if the cost is not great. 

 The owner should renieniher that a division wall loses much of its 

 value if it contains openings not adequately protected and that pro- 

 tection of these openings demands not only that the door resist the 

 action of heat when closed but that it close promptly. 



An essential for the satisfactory operation of a fire door is that it 

 be in good order at the time of the fire. Spread of fire through the 

 opening can generally be traced to the fact that the door was out of 

 repair or was obstructed by goods. Therefore doors should be 

 examined and operated by hand frequently and closing devices other 

 than the fusible link should be tested. The examination of the door 

 should be such as to determine whether or not it would close when 

 automatically released, as in case of fire. For example, the sliding 

 door should have its restraining weight lifted gently, care being 

 taken to see that the door moves promptly and closes entirely. Door 

 and track must be unobstructed and rollers must move freely and 

 without binding of the door. 



FLOOR DIRECTLY ON EARTH. 



The first or ground floor of the compartment (and this is fre- 

 quently the only floor) may rest directly on the ground, which is 

 decidedly the most economical arrangement in most cases. The ma- 

 terial should not be combustible, though treated wood-block paving 

 is not objectionable and is an excellent material for the compress 

 floor. Cement pavement usually gives the best results for such a floor, 

 as it may be trucked over with ease, does not deteriorate with time, 

 and is economical in cost of construction. The chief precaution to 

 be taken in its use is to insure freedom from moisture and consequent 

 damage to the cotton stored directly on the pavement. AVhere the 

 surface of the floor is a foot or more above the gTOund on all sides, the 

 site well drained and the soil not excessively wet, no trouble is likely 

 to be experienced, but in less favorable situations special methods 

 must be resorted to in order to prevent the penetration of water. 

 This may be accomplished in almost any situation by proper construc- 

 tion of the floor.^ 



■ The cement floor for such locations as do not present serious danger of water 

 seeping through the floor may be laid continuously and without joints except 

 for those that may be caused from a stoppage of work, as from evening until 

 morning. Here the work should be stopped off evenly so as to form a square 

 or right angle, vertical joint with the new work. In cases where tliere is any 

 danger of Avater seepage, the floor should be laid in squares with joints between 

 formed every 4 to 6 feet by tar paper, iirepared to form a thickness of about 

 one-fourth inch, which permits the floor to expand and contract without form- 

 ing irregular cracks and at the same time forms a joint which is waterproof. 



The pavement preferably should consist of a rough slab of concrete 3 or 4 

 inches thick, composed of 1 part Portland cement, one-seventh part hydrated 



