The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1870-02-17
FIGHTING TIVE FLAMES.
tn "UniOI Fire ExtiBguIsher-Int erestIua
Experiments.

experiments.
A very large proportion OF the destructive con-
iagratiOns that have annihlated thousands of
dollars worth Of property in this and other
cities, could have been prevented II some GER
tain and reliable apparatus for eXtinguishing
flames had been at hand ready for use at their
incipioncy. Unfortunately however, water is
seldom TO he had in sufficient quantity Just at
the time and in the place it is wanted, and even
when il can be procured the damage done by IL
is so great as to leave but little choice between
it and the flames. The combustible matter, too,
that oftentimes feeds the flame is OF such
nature that 1t is almost impossible to eXtlnguish
it with water If it once becomes iafrly lgnited.
1t is notorious, too that private ire-extingulsh-
ing apparatus is seldom or never ready for use
when it is wanted, or If in order, II Is impossible
to obtain for Immediate use sufficient supply
of water The great desideratum therefore, is
for some apparatus that will be at once cheap,
portable, easy of operation, not liable to get out
OF order, always ready for use, and requiring
but q small quantity OF water. All of these
qualities are combined in most perfect manner
i'm the Union Fire EXtinguisher, some inte-
resting experiments with which we witnessed
yesterday which demonstrated conclusively its
efficiency. For the purposes of the test small
shanty of resinous boards was erected and this
was filed with the fragments of several tar bar
res, arranged in such manner as to allow the
flames tirst-rate opportunity to communicate
with the entire mass of combustible material:
and so that they would be exceedingly difficult
to reach. The whole was then well filed in with
duce fire of an exceedingly obstinate charac-
ter The experiment was made in the presence
of a number of gentlemen connected with pro-
mlnent insurance companies and the Philadel-
phia Fire Department, and it was admitted by all
that the combustible pile prepared for the occa-
sion would furnish n most complete and salts
factory test. When fire was applied only few
moments elapsed before the whole pile of tar
soaked wood was in a fierce blaze. 1t certainly
looked like very unpromsing subject for Mr..
Austin vi. Green, the Superintendent of the
"Union" Fire Bxtinguisher Company, to operate
upon with the little machine only holding about
six gallons of water that he now took upon his
back. thin stream was directed upon the
flames, however, and in about one minute and q
half the fire was nearly eXtngushed, amid the
applause of the assembled multitude. 1t was
found that some OF the pieces OF wood were
slightly charred, but otherwise no damage was
DONE and the little pine shanty. against the roof
and sides of which the flames moment before
had been beating tercely, was absolutely unin-
iured The fire was then permitted to burn up
again, and the experiment was repeated several
times until the contents Of two eXtinguishers
were exhausted. The method of charging the
apparatus was then shown, and while this was
being done the fire was again urged into fierce
blaze until the whole structure was enveloped
in flame. The process of changing occupied a
a longer time than on ordinary occasions, owing
to some of the materials not being at hand, but
all was in readiness for action and the fire SUBJ
dued within such brief space that this demon
sITdlOu vi JuG GllClcilCN Vi lUC apparatus was
considered even more perfect than those that
preceded it. These experiments convinced every
one present that this eXtnguisher is all that is
claimed for it, and that if kept in readiness in
cur hotels, factories theatres, and private dwell
irgs a very large number of fires can be in
stEntly checked.
IYhe principle of this apparatus is the appli-
cation of carbonic acid gas to the flames 30 as
to smother them. 10 generate the gas the eX
tingusher is filed with water, into which about
Is, 10 = II g
phuric acid is then fixed securely in the top of
the machine, and in order to generate the gas it
is only necessary to turn a screw at the top,
which breaks the bottle of acid, which, min
Cling with the soda, generates carbonic acid gas:
This is applied by means of a small piece OF
rubber hose, which throws a thin stream of the
super-saturated water. In the old form of these
machines, the acid and soda were mingled at
once in charging, but it was found in course of
time that this caused corrosion of the receiver
and leakage. This defect is now remedied
entirely by an arrangement that mingles
the acid with the sodafed water
only when the apparatus is required for action.
This is accomplished In second simply by
turning screw, aud the extinguisher will re-
main for years ready charged for action at a
moments notice, and without any danger that 1t
will get out Of order or fail to perform its duty
| in an emergency. These little machines have
| already saved an immense amount of property
by eXtinguishing incipient coniagrations; and in
! all large buildings, such as hotels, theatres,
| churches, factories, mills and amusement halls
number of them should always be kept in con.
slant readiness at convenient points. Within
reasonable limits their sctisn is absolutely GER
tain, and if applied before fire gets headway
there is not the slightest doubt that they will
smother it without damage to the property II
every housekeeper would provide himself witt
one and take care to instruct his family and ser
wants in its very simple mode of operation thou
sands of dollars could often be saved, at an ex
pense that is exceedingly trihing. These ma
chimes are manufactured by the Union" Fir
the rights ard privileges. The general agent i
d. T. Gage, No. 11S Market street,