Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1882-12-28
Fire Chief Cronin's Invention.

HE PROPOSES TO REvOLUTI0NIZE THE PRESENT
SYSTEM OF FIGHTING FLAMES; TO CHECK CON-
FLAGRATIoNs AND REDUCE LOSSES BY FIRE TO
THE MINIMUM.
An invention that proposes to reyOlutonZe
the entire system of extinguishing CONGREGATIONS
is matter of considerable interest in this city,
as well as elsewhere. Yet this is what Mr..
Martin CrOnn, chief at the District fire depart
ment. claimed. in talk with a STAR reporter
yesterday for his recently-granted patent for
an Improvement in fire-extinguishing engines"
This is the name under which the patent was
granted and it describes exactly what it is, for
Mr.. CrOnin has simply invented a means of
using In more extensive and general way the
chemical substances which are universally recog-
nized as the most effective fire eXtinguishers
that have been devised. In reply to a question
by the reporter as to the character of his new
invention, Mr.. Cronin said:
AS you know, in all the sO-called fire eXtn-
gulshers now in use. either gas or air pressure
is employed to force the chemical substance out,
and they are run separate and independent from
steam engines. Ny plan is to make each engine
do the work of the ordinary fire eXtingushers
now in use as well as to do the heavy work at
large fires that is now done by the steam en-
gines. This Is accomplished by forcing from q
reservoir or tank a stream of chemical LIQUID in
combination with stream of water or in a pure
state alone l can use chemical stream and a
water stream. each separate. at the same time
and at separate points. if necessary, or / can
combine both streams together"
"HOw would you manage to get a supply of
the chemical liquid!" asked the reporter.
There could be central reservoir or tanks
charged with the chemical liquid placed in the
densely built sections of the city, and at con-
yenient points, and on the occasion of fire. the
engines could be attached Just rs now is done
to the water plugs There could also be porta-
BILE tanks on wheels that could be conveyed to
any point"
Gould you use the same chemical liquids
now employed as fire extinguishers?" asked the
reporter.
Certainly" replied the chief, ANY of the
well known chemical liquid compounds could be
used. The only thing that my invention pro-
poses to do is to utilize the steam engine in
forcing these flame subduers when they are
needed. In the present extinguishers small
n0zzles are used while propose to use noZzles
OF the same size as are now employed by the
fire department for the passage of water"
What are some of the advantages of your in
vention?" continued the reporter
We'll. | will tell YOU" responded the chief
lone engine. either singly or in combination
with the compound hose pipe. can be managed
so that it will do more effective work on fire
IN Tour or i've minutes than Is done in as ma nv
hours under the present system; in other words,
that one engine using chemicals will be as effec-
tive as fifteen using water. | am satisfied that
with the new system in use large fires will be
impossible. and that instead of fires burning
The Chemical substance is much more powerful
and effective than water, and by its use the
losses from fires in cities will be reduced to
minimum"