CONSTRUCTION AND FIRE PROTECTION OF COTTON WAREHOUSES. 73 



decided after consideration of the exact character of the supplies 

 and the general hazard. Obviously, a fire-resistive plant well 

 sprinklered would not need so great a supply of water as a plant of 

 the semislow-burning, or wood-end type. While there are general 

 rules in use for determining the supply required, it is not thought 

 best to enter into a detailed discussion of them. The warehousemen 

 should govern this question in detail with the insurance rating bu- 

 reau having supervision before placing a contract for equipment. , 



SIGNALING SYSTEMS. 



Signaling systems include any devices, both manual and automatic, 

 for transmitting an alarm of fire. 



The automatic sprinkler alarm referred to under that heading is 

 especially well adapted to the cotton warehouse, and, generally, is 

 the only such device that is required. Where this includes the elec- 

 tric type of alarm (either alone or in addition to the water motor 

 alarm) the connection should be extended to the city fire department 

 if such is available. This may be done by making a connection with 

 the nearest city alarm box, though it is desirable that the connection 

 be extended direct to the city fire department headquarters. This con- 

 nection is valuable even in very small towns. A system of fire-alarm 

 boxes is needed for large warehouses, but the expense is not justified 

 for the plant of average size. 



There are various automatic signaling systems on the market, but 

 for the cotton warehouse the automatic sprinkler fulfills this service 

 with entire satisfaction. 



It is worthy of note that any electric signaling system, including 

 the electric sprinkler alarm, may be used to close automatic fire doors 

 when they are equipped with an electric release box. 



PROTECTION AGAINST LIGHTNING. 



Warehouses located in rural districts or in a locality subject to 

 severe electrical storms should be protected against this source of 

 fire, by adequate rodding. The " iron-clad " buildings are subject to 

 the least hazard in this respect if the metal covering is thoroughly 

 grounded. This may be accomplished by the gutter conductors where 

 these discharge into cast-iron drain pipes extending well below the 

 surface and into soil which is constantly moist.^ 



* Infoi-matlon on this subject, together with specifications for various types 

 of installation, is contained in Farmers' Bulletin No. 842 : Modern Methods 

 of Protection Against Lightning, which may be obtained free of charge- from 

 the Division of Publication, U. S. Department of Agriculture. See also Sugges- 

 tions for Protection Against Lightning recommended by the National Fire Pro- 

 tection Association. 



