In those few minutes the installation saved its entire cost many times over. Truly
"A little fire is quickly trodden out,
Which, being suffered, rivers cannot quench."
Here, in a Shakespearean nutshell, is the whole science of fire protection.
AUTOMATIC SPRINKLERS
As these have been referred to several times a short description may appropriately be given. The building which they protect is fitted with a network of mains and branches ramifying into each room. At the end of each branch is a nozzle, the mouth of which is bridged over by a metal arch carrying a small plate. Between the bridge and a glass plug closing the nozzle is a bar of easily fusible solder. When the temperature has risen to danger point the solder melts, and the plug is driven out by the water, which strikes the plate and scatters in all directions.
This device has proved very valuable on many occasions. The Encyclopædia Britannica (Tenth Edition) states that, in the record of the American Associated Factory Mutual companies for the 5 1 / 2 years ending January 1, 1900, it appears that out of 563 fires where sprinklers came into play 129 were extinguished by one jet; 83 by two jets; 61 by three; 44 by four; 40 by five.
The fire-bucket is the simplest device we have as a first aid; and very effective it often proves. Insurance statistics show that more fires are put out by pails than by all other appliances put together. The important point to be remembered in connection with them is that they should always be kept full; so that, at the critical moment, there may be no hurried rushing about to find the two gallons of liquid which each is supposed to contain permanently. In Cassier's Magazine (vol. xx. p. 85) is given an account of the manner in which an ingenious mill superintendent ensured the pails on the premises being ready for duty. The hooks carrying the pails were fitted up with pieces of spring steel strong enough to lift the pail when nearly empty, but not sufficiently so to lift a full pail. Just over each spring, in such a position as to be out of the way of the handle of the pail, was set a metal point, connected with a wire from an open-circuit battery. So long as the pails were full, their weight, when hung on their hooks, kept the springs down, but as soon as one was removed, or lost a considerable part of its contents by evaporation or otherwise, the spring on its hook would rise, come into contact with the metal point, thus close the battery circuit and ring a bell in the manager's office, at the same time showing which was the bucket at fault. The bell continued to ring till the deficiency had been made right; and by this simple contrivance the buckets were protected from misuse or lack of attention.
FOOTNOTES:
[14.] Mr. W. H. Oatway.
[15.] Glasgow Evening News.