National Republican., 1880-05-03
.EI1 HIING FIRE,
Wonderful Results of Experiments with
Chemical Extingmishers.

Wonderful Results of Experiments with
Chemical Extinguishers.
very satisfactory and interesting test or rather
series of tests OF the methods OF exnguishing fires
BY chemical apparatus was made at noon Saturday
on South Capitol street. u few squares from the
Capitol The test was made under the supervision
of the Committee on Public Buildings and Grounds
in obedience to q resolution of the House. The
machines used were those made by the Consoi-
dated Fite Exlingnisher Company of Chicago.
The first test was made with pile of
wood, containing twelve or ileen cords of
pitch pine loosely arranged, fcrtytwo feet
long, ten fec! wide and six feet high, filled in with
tho pile was saturlted with conl oil. When it wns
perfect mass OF fro the extnguishing was done
By tho fluid thrown from large stationary tank,
holding about four hundred gallons In forty
seconds the fire was under control, and In little
over minute II was entirely out. The second test
was more interesting than the first. A frame
building fifteen by twelve and about six
iillod With tar barrels. The roof aud sides
OF the structure were then drenuhod with coal.oil.
so when the match was applied tie whole building
was wrapped in sheet of flame In minute. Tho
fire was allowed to have It's own way for fully live
minutes, and then il seemed 10 be perfect folly 10
attempt to extnguish 1t, but when the word of
command was given Q warehouse extinguisher,
containing forty gallons OF the duid was put into
operation, and within five minutes the fire was
out. For the final test cord of wood, we'll sa,-
urated with tar, naptha, petroleum and turpentinc,
was set on fire, and after burning for five minutes
portable extinguishcr having capacity Of seven
gallons. Thus closed very satisfactory exhibition
Of the application OF carbOniC.Rcid gas 70 tiio ex-
iinsushers on The largest scale ever attempted
The Consolidated Fire Extinguishcr Company has
absorbed all valuable chemical fire cxtnguishGrs
in their new apparatus, notably the Babcock cxtin-
gu!sher. Before the perfection that now exists was
reached the water was imprUgnated with caTbonic-
acid gas by suphurlC acid and biCarbOnate of soda
The Consolidated Fire Extinguisher Company get
the same pressure 50 as 10 get the force TO throw
the stream, and all Of the eXtnguishing qualities
of carbonc-acid gas now. without using
suphuric acid, substituting in its place sul
phate of alumnH, when has no dcstruc-
tive qualities. The exhnguishing engine
now made by the company are 30 arranged
for use at a moments notice. The tests last Sntur
day were made under the personal supervision Of
Mr.. Charles NJ. Martin the Washington manager.
Among those who were present were Mossrs. Mar
tin, Persons Manning, Aldridge. iiGukle. Deuster,
Upsom and Lapham. Besides these were Archi-
teci Clark of the Capo Assistant Secretary OF the
Interior Bell, General Dumoni, Supervising In
spector General of Steamboats, Captain Smith
chief uf the Bureau of Engineering OF the Navy
Department, and Prof. Antisell, tho chemist OF the
Patent Once, who are members Of the commission
OF experts appointed by resolution Of the House
to investigate and report on chemical Gre eXtin-
gushors; delegation OF the Board of Fire Under
writers OF New York; Mr., Rlngsland, ex.Chcf OF
the Fire Department OF New York: j. j. Martin OF
the London, Liverpool and Globe insurance com
trician of the Capitol; Chief Engineer Crouin: the
foremen Of the several lire companies Of the Dis
trict, as we'll as two members from each company .
Major Brock Captain Vernon and lieutenant
Gcssford, OF the Police department. Every person
expressed the greatest satisfaction with the result
chimes can be made ut any time Gt MT. Martins
Oiliee, No. oO3 Fourteenth street.