CONSTRUCTION AND FIEE PROTECTION OF COTTON WAREHOUSES. 75 



the use of all fire protective equipment and the proper procedure 

 in case of fire. Some firms have found it an advantage to pay 

 •men on the fire team a small bonus. For an ordinary business it 

 is necessary to have all the force on the teams, while for a largef 

 plant the selection of men for the work may be such as to make 

 the place soug^ht. after by the employees. The essential features 

 are that the men be drilled sufficiently and be paid an amount that 

 will make them feel that the work is of importance. It may be well 

 to make this payment monthly, and separate from the regular wages, 

 in order that it may be recognized as a distinct bonus for extra 

 work. The organization of the fire brigade should be along mili- 

 tary lines with distinct recognition of authority. The details of 

 course, must be suited to the size of the plant. Valuable suggestions 

 for the organization may be obtained from the National Board of 

 Fire Underwriters, New York City, from the National Fire Pro- 

 tection Association, Boston, Mass., Inspection Department, Asso- 

 ciated Factory Mutual Fire Insurance Companies, Boston, Mass., 

 or insurance companies. These publications may be secured upon 

 request. 



PRECAUTIONS AGAINST FIRE. 



Even though construction and fire protective equipment is the 

 best there remains the need for careful administration on the part 

 of the management. The first requisite is that responsibility be 

 fixed upon some one individual as to proper upkeep and orderliness 

 of the whole plant. . 



All buildings should be kept in good repair, giving special atten- 

 tion to doors, roof openings, and fire breaks in platforms and sheds. 



Water barrels and pails should be kept well filled, and in winter 

 water should be treated to prevent freezing. All sources of water 

 supply must be under observation that the tanks may be kept filled, 

 pumps in good order, power maintained, and valves properly set. 

 All mechanical equipment must be tested frequently ; the hose should 

 be tested occasionally under full-water pressure, then properly dried 

 and coiled on the racks. 



The management should see that the automatic sprinkler system is 

 in good order, taking care that sprinkler heads are not " loaded " by 

 a coating of whitewash or paint, that there are no valves closed, and, 

 in the case of a dry-pipe system, that there is no water columning 

 of the dry valve — due to excess water lealring past it and into the 

 riser — and that the valve is in good working order. Eaves sprinklers 

 on a wet-pipe system must be drained in cold weather. A number of 

 extra sprinkler heads facilitate ready repairs. 



All water supply valves should be open and sealed or strapped. 

 The strap should be secured with a padlock so that the strap can 



