Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1870-09-09

PREVENTION OF BOILER EXPLOSIONS. -
Frequent inspection and careful management
of boilers are the best preventives of posions,
and the insurance of losses by damage from
such explosions by companies especially estab
lished for such purposes secures the inspection,
and it the rules adopted by these companies are
observed, good management is likewise attain
ed. For the benefit Of engineers and ;fremen,
and the public generally we present the rules
for the management aud care of steam boilers
adopted by the Hartford Steam Boiler Inspec
tion and Insurance Company. The rules
are plain and practical and calculated to meet
various exigences:
Low Water.-ln case OF low water, immed-
ately bank or cover the fires with ashes, or
if no ashes are at hand, use fresh coal.
Don't turn on the feed under any circumstan
ces, nor tamper with or open the salty valve.
Let the steam outlets remain as they are.
In Case of FoamiDg. Close throttle and
keep closed long enough to show true level of
water. If that level is sufficiently high, feed
ing and blowing will usually suffice to correct
the evil. In cases of violent toaming, caused
by dirty water, or change from salt to fresh, or
vice versa, in addition to the action before stat
ed, check draft and cover fires with fresh coal.
Safety Valves.-Raise the safety valves eau.
tiously and frequently, as they are liable to be
come fast in their seats, and useless for the
purpose intended.
Safety Valve and Pressure Gauge.-Should
the guage at any time indicate the limit OF
pressure allowed by this company, see that the
safety valves are blowing off. 10 case of differ.
ence, notify the company Inspector.
Gauge Cocks-Glass Gauge.-Keep gauge
cocks clear and in constant use. Do not open
them too suddenly. Glass gauges should not
be relied on altogether:
Leaks.-When leaks are discovered they
should be repaired as soon as possible.
Blisters.-When q blister appears there
must be no delay in having it carefully examin.
ed, and trimmed or patched, as the case may
require.
Clean heets.-Particular care should be
taken to keep sheets and parts of boilers ex-
fues and connections we'll swept. This is par
ticuIary necessary where wood or soft coal is
used for fuel.
Blowing Of.-BIow down at least once in
two weeks-every Saturday night would be
better. In case the feed becomes muddy, blow
out six or eight inches every day. Where sur
face blow cocks are used, they should be often
opened for few moments at time.
Filling Up the Boiler.-After blowing down
allow the boiler to become cool before filling
again. Cold water pumped into hot boilers
is very Injurious from sudden contraction.
Exterior of Boiler-Care should be taken
that no water comes in contact with the enter.
ior of the boiler, either from leaky joints or
other causes.
Removing Deposit and Sediment.--ln tubu'
lar boilers the hand holes should be often open
ed and all collections removed from over the
fire. Also, when boilers are fed in front and
blown off through the same pipe. the collec-
,ion of mud or sediment in the rear end should
be often removed.
General Care of Boilers and Connections
Uoder all circumstances keep the gauges, cocks
&C., clean and in good order, and things gen.
orally in and about the engine and boiler room
in neat condition. s.a