CONSTRUCTION AND FIRE PROTECTION OF COTTON WAREHOUSES. 29 
values of the risk are large and in all cases if the cost is not great. 
The owner should remember 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 Avas 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. Where the 
surface of the floor is a foot or more above the ground 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. 1 
- 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 there is any 
danger of water seepage, the floor should be laid in squares with joints between 
formed every 4 to 6 feet by tar paper, prepared 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 
