Small stones, gravel, and other obstructions, sometimes find their way into the nozzle of the branch-pipe, from having dropped into the hose before being attached, or having been drawn through the suction-pipe or from the cistern. Whenever the engine is found to work stiffly, it should be stopped and examined, otherwise the pressure may burst the hose, or damage some part of the engine. If anything impedes the action of the valves the pistons must be drawn, and if a person's hand be then introduced they may easily be cleared—constant care and attention to all the minutiæ of the engine and apparatus being absolutely indispensable, if effective service be expected from them.
Considerable attention ought to be paid to the selecting a proper situation for an engine-house. Generally speaking, it ought to be central, and on the highest ground of the district it is meant to protect, and care should be taken to observe when any of the streets leading from it are impassable.
If, in addition to these advantages, the engine-house can be had adjoining to a police watch-house, it may be considered nearly perfect, in so far as regards situation. These advantages being all attained, the engine can be conveyed to any particular spot by a comparatively small number of men, while the vicinity of a police watch-house affords a facility of communicating the alarm of fire to the firemen not to be obtained otherwise. When the engine-house is placed in a low situation the men who first arrive must wait till the others come forward to assist them to drag the engine up the ascent, and many minutes must thus be lost at a time when moments are important.
After choosing a proper situation for the engine-house, the next care should be directed towards having it properly ventilated, as nothing contributes more to the proper keeping of the engines and hose than fresh and dry air. For this purpose a stove should be fitted up, by which the temperature may be kept equal. When engines are exposed to violent alternations of heat and cold, they will be found to operate very considerably on the account for repairs, besides occasioning the danger of the engine being frozen and unserviceable when wanted.
There ought to be at least half a dozen keys for each engine-house, which should be kept by the firemen, watchmen, and those connected with the establishment, that the necessity of breaking open the door may not occur.
DESCRIPTION OF TOOLS WITH WHICH EACH ENGINE IS PROVIDED.
Having considered the sort of fire-engine which is best adapted for general purposes, I shall now notice the different articles which, in London, are always attached to, and accompany, each engine of this kind:—
- 7 coils of hose, 40 feet each.
- 4 bundles of sheepskin and lay-cord.
- 4 lengths of suction-pipe, each between 6 and 7 feet long.
- 2 branch pipes.
- 3 jet pipes or nozzles and an elbow for jet.
- 3 wrenches for coupling-joints.
- 2 lamps.
- 2 lengths of scaling ladder.
- 1 fire-hook.
- 60 feet of patent line, and 20 feet of trace line.
- 1 mattock.
- 1 shovel.
- 1 hatchet or pole-axe.
- 1 saw.
- 1 iron crow-bar.
- 1 portable cistern.
- 1 flat suction strainer.
- 1 standcock, and hook for street plugs.
- 1 screw wrench.
- 1 canvas sheet with 10 or 12 rope handles round its edges.
- 9 canvas buckets.
- 1 hand-pump with 10 feet of hose and jet pipe.
Of these articles I shall endeavour to give a description as they stand in the above list.
The article of hose being first in order, as well as importance, merits particular attention.