The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1873-03-11
HOW 10 TEsT KEROSENE


sIons of kerosene lamps, three deaths
from this cause having been reported.
| q HOW TO TEST KEROSENE.
The operation Of testing kerosene Is
very simple TO those who have been
properly Instructed In the matter. II Is
merely ascertainiDg the degree Of tempe
nature at which the oil will explode and
burn-in other words, the flashing point
aud the burning point but 1t should be
remembered that even In the most skilled
hands n margin OF four or five degrees
should be allowed. IN ignorant or mex
perienced hands mistake Of twenty or
thirty degrees may be made. Hence the
Importance Of qualified inspector.
The best apparatus, perhaps, IS the open
tester Of Tagliabue's, which costs Sl2 or
$l4. The oil Is heated very slowly by
small flame from a spirit lamp, and the
operation tof testing should never be
completed In less than fifteen minutes.
when the oil flashes or burns but
lew degrees from the standard tempera-
ture, 1t Is hardly safe to spend less than
twenty-five or forty minutes In raising the
temperature to the flashing point"
1.-The thermometer should not descend
far below the surface Of the oil; II the
bulb is well covered, 1t Is sufficient There
is otter a difference OF q number Of de.
grees in the temperature Of the oil at dit.
ierent dGpts. It Is well, therefore, 10 stir
the oil before applying the flame" 81
To detect the flashing and burning
points, o lighted match is passed across
the cup, back and forth, almost touching
the oil.
ORDINANCE PRESENTED IN COUNCIL IN
1871.
The following ordinance was presented
In the Second Branch Of Council In July,
1870, and referred to the Committee on
Ordinances. The Committee reported
II not cxpedient to legislate on the sub
ject, deCmiDg it matter that should be
provided Tor by Stale legislation:
SECTION /. Be 1t ordained by tho
Council Of the city of Wheeling that nc
petroleum oil, or other liquid having like
composition or qualities as . burning huid
as said oil, shall be kept and offered Tor
sale as burning fluid for lamps, or any
like receptacle, for the purpose Of illumin.
alton; nor shall such oil or burning fluid
be purchased for use, or be used as q
burning fluid for any such lamps or re-
ceptacle, or be kept for such use, unless
ali such oil or fluid shall be Of such quail
ity or ingredients that it shall stand and
be equal TO both the following tests and
conditions, 10 wit:
l. That 1t shall not take FIRE or
burn at temperature below ITO deg,
Fahrenheit thermometer.
9. That 1t shall not evolve an explo-
sivc vapOr below 100 deg. Fahrenheit
thermometer.
SEC. g. No person, firm, or company,
shall deal in, sell, or give away, refined
petroleum, kerosene, or any other bnrn-
ing fluid, without taking out license
therefor, which license shall be granted
for year upon payment OF the sum Of
five dollars for each license, a certificate
OF which shall contain the name Of the
person, firm, or company, and the precise
place nj which the business is TO be car
ried on. DILL Il..
SEC. 3. Il shall not be lawful for any
person, firm or company, to deal In, sell
or give away any petroleum, or product
OF petroleum, kerosene, or other oil which
emits Combustible vapor at o temper
ature below $50 deg one hundred de.
grces OF the Fahrenheit thermometer, ex-
crpt each package Of the same be labelled
in clear and distinct characters, Highly
dangerous, Liable to erpIOde 6eIOp 100 deg.
Fafnnhat." And 1t shall not be lawful
to label, mark, or dispose OF such article
under any name which can lead persons
to suppose that It Is intended for burning
In lamps
SEC. 4. 1t shall be the duty Of the
City Health Officer TO inspect any refined
petroleum, kerosene, or other burning
fluid which shall be sold at retail within
the limits OF the city, making for his
standard Of test tho degrees hereInbeIore
prescribed, and he shall receive for his
services as Inspector by the reaner or
vender OF such burning fuld, twenty-five
cents for each cask, barre, case, or other
vessel inspected, and the same shall be
marked with his seal,
SRC 8. Any person violating any OF
tho provisions Of this ordinance, shal ]
upon complaint DO subject to arrest by
warrant, and shall upon trial and cOnvic-
ton, pay penalty Of not less than one
hundred dollars, and not more than five
hundred dollars.
SEC. @. This ordinance shall take
effect in twenty days from the date Of It's
passage, and the same shall, during this
period, be advertised In tho two daily
newspapers.