74 BULLETIN 801^ U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 



WATCHMAN SERVICE. 



Watchman service is an asset of variable value. The reliable 

 service of one or more alert and able-bodied watchmen should be 

 provided for plants of any considerable size. This is a form of 

 protection which may be worth very much or nothing, depending 

 on the character and duties of the watchmen. The regular tour 

 of the watchman should be assured by well- distributed watch stations 

 and a recording clock. The watch stations should be so distributed 

 that in visiting them in sequence every part of the plant can be 

 viewed. The equipment may consist of a portable watchman's clock 

 carried by the watchman. The clock provides a specially ruled 

 paper dial which is punched by the keys contained in and securely 

 attached to the different watch station boxes. The paper dial is 

 not otherwise accessible to the watchman. These paper disks are 

 removed daily and filed in the office, thus effecting a record of the 

 time at which the stations were visited. This form of equipment 

 and service is adapted to most warehouses. 



Large plants should be equipped with the central station watch 

 service. In this case the recording clock is located at the watch 

 office and the record of reports is punched on a paper tape. The 

 watch stations provide a signaling mechanism electrically connected 

 to the central station. When the watchman turns a key the number 

 of this station together with the hour is registered upon the tape 

 record at the watch office. If the signal is not given at or soon after 

 the schedule time some one from the office is sent to the box to in- 

 vestigate the delinquency. In case any watchman on his rounds 

 discovers fire, he uses this same station for turning in an alarm, 

 which is transmitted to and automatically registered at the central 

 watch office. The wachman then gives his attention to the fire, 

 and is assured of prompt assistance directed from the watch office, 

 while the other watchmen not otherwise directed continue their 

 rounds. 



Any system of watch service should be based upon a regular 

 schedule, or tour, for the watchman, prepared by some one who 

 has a knowledge of fire protective service. Insurance bureaus are 

 glad to render this assistance. The interval set between visits of 

 the watchman depends upon the general hazard, but should Jiot 

 exceed half an hour. 



PRIVATE FIRE BRIGADE. 



Organization for systematic team work in dealing with a fire 

 should not be neglected. Years may pass without even an alarm, 

 but this is not a good reason for not training employees of the plant 

 as a j^rivate fire brigade. Each individual should understand fully 



