The Hawaiian gazette., 1870-08-03
Kerosene

Not a few persons who use Kerosene
oil for lights, do so with an apprehension
that it is a somewhat dangerous oil to
burn in their dwellings. 1t is not per
fectly safe article, and, unfortunately, it is
not within the power Of the buyer by
any easy test within his reach, to protect
himself against purchasing, unawares, the
low proof oils He must depend on the
makers reputation for honesty, for the
fact that the oil is up to prooftest, and
upon the retailers, that the oil sold is from
the maker whose trademark it bears.
The lower grades of Kerosene are nearly
as dangerous as nitro-glycerine; are most
unfit for lamps, and 50 liable to ignite and
explode, that the retailer who sells them
to the community ought to be held liable
at law for accidents through their use.
Fortunately for our community, none
of these really dangerous oils are brought
here for sale, as all classes of our people
can afford to burn kerosene of the best
makers; yet the frequent accounts in the
papers of the lives lost and houses burned,
by kerosene lamp explosions, do not tend
to assure us of the safety of even the best
oils.
One or two rules ought always to be
observed, in the use of every kindtof kerr
osene The lamps ought always to be
filled in the daytime; a lamp only par
TALLY filled with oil ought never to be
lighted; and the flame never should be
blown out when it is to be extinguished.
The empty space in the lamp, above the
oil, is filled with an infammable vapor
that ignites like gunpowder, and if the
oil is of inferior quality, will cause an
explosion So, also, if the oil is nearly
used up through burning, the flame may
ignite the vapor and burst the lamp. We
were cognizant of an accident of this
kind. where a woman lighted a hall-lamp
of an evening. that had but very little
kerosene in it. She left the house to make
calls abroad. As soon rs the oil was ex-
hausted, the lamp burst, and the burn
ing wick and driblets of oil falling to the
floor, kindled lively fire on the carpet,
that would have burned the dwelling but
for the timely observation of the mishap
by others.
Every description of kerosene has a
temperature at which it will flash and
ignite, and to this fact regard Is paid by
the manufacturers who intend to make,
oils that shall be safe for ordinary use.
The poorer oils readily ignite by a match,
at the usual summer temperature, while
the best kerosene can not be so lighted in
the open air This liability to ignition
can only be eliminated by repeated dis
tillation of the crude oil; and to in
insure that this shall be done. the law in
the United States requires that the oil
shall stand the flashing test of 10 de
grees, Fab; in England, 100 degrees
Fab. For oil in a properly constructed
lamp to be heated up to 100, or 10 de-
grees, is so improbable an occurrence,
that oils which will stand these flashing
tests maybe considered safe to use, ana
if the public could always be furnished
with such oils, accidents would only occur
as the result of gross earelessness on the
part of those who use them. The adul-
terations of kerosene, and the frauds prac-
ticed by those who deal in the article,
Though exactly by whom is not clear,)
have caused public attention to be drawn
to the subject, and it has brought out
various suggestions bearing on the pro
lection of life and property. :,
The following extracts from the Buk
Leti,, contains information on this subject:
PACIF1C CHEMICAL Works,
San Francisco. May !. IS70.
Hr. Charlie d. Gorey-DEAR SIR: We have care
fully examined samples taken from six cans Of coal
oil which you left with US as to their safety for H.
Eliminating purposes. and have arrived the follow
ing result;
" NH Giees ii iaaam- B.s1siag SPECIFIC
Rabie raPors. Pot7er. grarifg