Connecticut western news., 1876-08-11

A Huge Fire Extinguisher Our vi..
 lage readers very we'll remember Major
 Charles M. MaEtin, who has summered two
 or three seasons at the "Maple Shade. ;"
 The Major is director in the Protective
 Fire Apparatus Company of New York,
 and has recently given an exhibition of the apparatus at the Centennial Exhibition at
 Philadelphia. concerning which the Phila- delphia Enquirer speaks as follows:
 One of the most interesting of recent events was practical test of the protective fire apparatus ordered by the Centennial Commission for the protection of Agricul- tural Hall. The trial was under the man agement of Charles M. Martin, director. ana John w. Stanton, superintendent of the Protective Fire Apparatus Company of New York. Officials of the fire and water department of the Centennial Board were present, and the tests were superintended by Captain Hammond of the Centennial Fire Department The apparatus consists of strong bOier-iron tank. 32 inches in diameter, and l2 feet high, lined with lead. In the upper end of the tank slotted head IS inserted, leaving con pertinent capable ot holding large amount of bi-carbonite ot soda. The slots in this position are closed cy covers that are connected by central shaft, and is revolved by a crank and sits the soda into the lower compart- ment of the tank in which sulphuric acid and water in proper proportions are con- tanned. From the upper end of the cham Der ln which carbonic acid gas is generated, pipes are attached connecting the appara- tus with the fire plugs and main water pipes. These connecting pipes are SUD- piled with proper valves for the purpose of conveying dry carbonic acid gas under pressure, whereby the water as thrown from the fire plugs, is thoroughly impreg- mated with the gas. There is also an at- tachment to this apparatus whereby impreg- hated water can be thrown from the ma chine. The apparatus designed for ware houses differs from thls as follows: h. stead of the slotted head there are placed a series of tripping shelves or their tquiva- Tents, upon each of which is placed a large amount of bi-carbOnate of soda. A large outlet pipe connects the apparatus with the warehouse. This pipe runs through the warehouse from top to bottom, having valve openings upon each floor. In time Of fire the valve openings upon the floor upon which the fire is raging is opened, shelf tipped, the soda contents of the shelf precipitated into the solution of vitriol and water, generating instantly carbonlc acid Ss0o' "hANA DJ tA0 ptCeSuI0 CTeAIeQ Oy US own generation is forced through the pipe into the room in such quantity as to instan- taneously extinguish the fire.
 Of the three systems of extingushlng fire by this apparatus, the one adopted for the protection of Agricultural Hall is identified with that which was demonstrated by this company in Washington city in the pres ence of board of army officers. A large building, forty feet square, had been partly burned, and the fire had gained such head | way that to control it Was not regarded as possible. Yet this apparatus actually ex- tinguished the fire in twenty seconds. The | Board of Supervising Inspectors of Vessels. after thorough investigation of the merits l of the apparatus as applicable to vessels, state that ''It furnishes the most effective means to prevent fires on shipboard," and that it's use, eff kept Tn order and ready for | action. would render fire on sbipboard al- most impossible, ard we recommend it's use be approved on ocean steamers" By this method all damage from too abund- ant use of water is avoided