The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1883-04-19
\ Crowning Danger.


cerning the benefits and dangers that
attend the use Of the electric light. No
tice has been taken of the annoyance
and danger to life from the placing of
the electric light wires on poles and
buildings in proximity to other wires,
noticeably those Of telephone cOmpa-
nics, contact with which may result dis
astrO,lSly to persons using 'phones on
the circuit thus affected. 1t has become
an almost unwritten law that to avoid
such contingencies as far as possible all
wires used for electric light circuits
shall be placed below all other wires on
the same poles, with Il view to avoiding
possible danger IN case Of breakage Of
those conveying the current from the
dynamO-genelatOr. Although attention
has been called in emphatic manner q,
the obstacle which wires in general
whether on poles or buildings, are to
firemcn in raising ladders and in the
performance OF their many dtlicult du-
ties III eXtinguiSlling fires, but little
mention has been made uf the extra
danger to which they arc liable when
working in the vicinity of wires carry
ing the powerful currents needed for
the electric light. The rapidly increasing
demand for the light is 50 well known
that the most superficial examination
cannot fail to convince that danger to
tho fire laddicS from this source is con-
stantly growing.
Conversation with local fire officials
shows that they are kccnly alive to the
situation and anxious that the possibility
of serious results he speedily reduced to
the minimum. Very fortunate it is
that since the introduction of the elcc-
trio light in Buffalo serious fires have
been few, and in no case has the proX-
unity of the wires caused accident to
the lire-iightcrS. AS instancing the
vigor with which these wires make their
presence known, it is related that at
the Commercial fire when the new Hayes
truck was on Washington Street, the
extension ladder was at one time resting
across the bundles of wires strung on
poles through that thor0ughtarc. a
member of the company was leaning on
the crank used to turn the elevating
screw. Suddenly he jumped as if shot
and began rubbing his hands, which had
been behind his back resting on the
crank. Asked What was the matter,
the astonished fire laddie replied that
the thing was hot. Examination SO far
proved the truth of the assertion that no
one cared to bother the crank. In raising
the extension ladder there is used Il
stout chain passing over pullcys at the
top and bottom Of the main ladder. This
chain, it appeared, was pressing against
All electric light wire, and though the
latter was insulated, enough Of the
powerful current escaped to make the
electricity felt. Though the iron about
the ladders and truck, together with
the iron tires, sccmingl ly made COM
plete ground" there was still plenty
Of lightning left. While this incident
serves to convey some idea of the i'm
portance of these wires as Il factor in
fire fighting, there yet remains to DE
considered the danger on the inside of a
building which is lighted By electricity,
as is the case in many buildings occupied
for business purposes on Main Street
and elsewhere, and in large manufac-
tories where the light Is now in constant
use. IN all Of these places at all times
during the night the powerful current
passes into the building until it reaches
the lamp most remote from its point of
entrance and then passes out. Whether
the lights are in use, does not affect the
question. While the generator is in mo-
tion the circuit is complete within the
building, for if the lamps are not in the
use they are switched out" by simple
lever overhead, and the current, though
it does not pass through the carbon arc,
making its presence known by the light
thus formed, it is silently circulating
Just as powerful as if seen. Suspended
to the ceiling, rs these lamps usually
are, il is easy to see that even Il. slight
fire IN store or factory may tlctach both
lamp and wires from Ii" raStcnmgS that
keep them out of harms way. a break
age Of this sort and the room may be-
come a mammoth Lcytlcn jar, more cs-
pccially if the place is well Hooded, for
water is one of the best conductors.
The ends Of All electric light wire on Il
floor covered with two Or three inches
Of watct Is not state of things in which
the fire laddics find much comfort. Yet
the iremcn are by no means enemies OF
tho electric light, and only ask that rea-
sonable precautions bc taken for their
protection from this source Of danger
while at work.
a simple switch placed outside Of
each customers premises, by which such
place can be "cut out" of the circuit
and the current kept out Of the building
when the lamps are not in use, is Sug-
gestcd by local tircmen as probably the
most practicable safeguard that caii be
put III operation without expense or de-
lay. In factories or other places where
the light is used all such 'cut outs" can
be operated by the fircmcn on their
arrival at the premises, while consumers
using the light a shorter time can operate
the switch with but little more trouble
than in simply switching out the lamps,
as is now the custom. The subject in
creascs in importance as the use of the
light extends, and it will probably re-
ceivc local attention ere long.