CONSTRUCTION AND FIRE PROTECTION OF COTTON WAREHOUSES. 77 



be stored in the compressed or flat form of bale? (5) ITow long 

 will the present business conditions exist and what prospect is 

 there of a materially enlarged business? 



If, in answer to question 1, it is determined that the warehouse 

 will be filled to capacity during a few months only as is generally 

 the case of a watehouse which stores for farmers, it is evident that 

 a low investment cost is essential. Hence the semislow-buming 

 type of construction should be used unless the surroundings or the 

 size and congestion of the warehouse entail a serious fire hazard, in 

 which case the slow-burning type of building should be adopted. 

 If, in answer to question 2, it is found that cotton will be handled 

 in small lots or by selection of individual bales, the- cotton should 

 not be piled, but should be stored one bale high on end, the storage 

 arrangement being vitally connected with the cost of handling. 

 This means that economy of investment and avoidance of over- 

 expansion of the plant both are favorable to a building of two or 

 three stories. The influence of question 3 will depend, upon cur- 

 rent local practice among storers of cotton. As to question 4 regard- 

 ing cotton storage in flat or compressed form, this determines the 

 amount of cotton which can be placed in a single compartment 

 subject to one fire ap.d hence influences the size of compartment ad- 

 visable. The last question of expected future conditions must de- 

 termine the planning with a view to future extension of the plant 

 and permanency of the structures. 



If the solution of question 1 indicates that the warehouse will 

 be filled to its normal capacity for a large portion of the year, as 

 may be the case of a warehouse storing for cotton dealers, the item 

 of investment cost is of less importance and is superseded by the 

 possible cost of insurance, of labor, and of depreciation charges. 

 In such case, determining whether cotton will be handled in large 

 or small lots, with or without regard to the characteristics of the 

 individual bale, is of foremost importance. Coordinate with this 

 factor is that of the number of " turnovers." Closely associated is 

 the question of whether cotton will be stored flat or compressed. 

 In general, the labor cost should be given the greatest consideration, 

 because it is the only factor which increases with the volume of 

 business — the end aimed at. Hence, piling cotton can not be tol- 

 erated, except for a small portion of the season. This means that 

 unless cotton is stored compressed the multiple story design generally 

 must be adopted. If cotton is stored compressed a single tier of 

 bales on end filling a single story compartment economically pro- 

 portioned will result in a, value as great as should be subjected to a 

 single possible fire. If cotton is stored uncompressed the contents 

 of three such floors of equal area each, if sprinklered, would not be a 

 greater hazard, even with the slow-burning type of construction. 



