CONSTRUCTION AND FIRE 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 large 
plant the selection of men for the work may be such as to make 
the place sought 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 leaking 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 
