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. 1 
* Information 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. 
