Los Angeles daily herald., 1888-05-11
FUEL PETROLEUM.
Announcement by the In
surance Companies.
MANY CONDITIONS IMPOSED.
The Oil to be of Not Less than 80
Degrees Flash Test-Effect
of the Order.

The adoption of petroleum for fuel
purposes has Of late become almost
general among the machine-using
houses OF Los Angeles, and in a great
MANY instances il has also obtained
entry to the domestic hearth, where ii
has generally given satisfaction. That
it will, to great extent, eventually
substitute coal on the Pacific Coast is
almost certain, for the ''black dia-
mond" is remarkably scarce, whereas
vast subterranean lakes of oil exist in
a number Of sections in California, as
is evinced by the rich discoveries at
Newhall, Puente and Santa Barbara
in this lower country and the Santa
Cruz mountains up north. Hearing
that the insurance companies
were making some kick" re-
garding the matter a HERALD
reporter yesterday afternoon called
upon Mr.. Alfred Stillman, Gener-
al Manager Of the Pacific Union, for
information as to what was the trou
Bile. That gentleman said: "We are
quite agreeable to have petroleum
used as fuel, but demand as protec-
t.vs policy for ourselves, that certain
stringent conditions be- laid down re-
garding the handling by insurers OF
the fuel in question. 1t seems to me
that most people who hold policies
guaranteeing them recompense in
case Of fire, have never carefully read
the contract which they make with
the insurance company, for If they
did they would find clause which
reads as follows: This entire policy
unless otherwise provided by agree
ment indorsed hereon or added here
to, shall be void if Illuminating gas
or vapor be generated in the described
building Cor adjacent thereto) for use
therein; or If (any usage or custom OF
trade or manufacture to the contrary
Notwithstanding there be kept,
used, or allowed on the above
described premises, benzine, benzole,
dynamite, ether, fireworks, gasoline,
Greek fire, gunpowder exceeding fifty
pounds in quantity, naphtha, nitro
glycerine or other explosives, phos-
phorus or petroleum or any of its pro-
ducts of greater inflammability than
kerosene oil of the United States
standard, (Which last may be used for
lights and kept for sale according to
law, but in quantities not exceeding
two hundred gallons, provided it be
drawn and lamps filed by daylight,
or at distance not less than ten feet
from artificial light)."
"Here is circular" continued Mr..
Stillman, containing the resolutions
arrived at at meeting of the Pacific
Insurance Union on the 3rd inst, and
as it is positively necessary that these
we have decided that they govern all
insurance policies from this date en-: )"
Permission may be granted for the
use OF petroleum for fuel in the gen.
GRAFTON of steam, subject to the follow
ing conditions and permits being at
tached to policies. When supply
tank is used, additional premium to
be charged at the rate of one-half of
one per cent on the sum insured.
"Before any such permit shall be
granted a survey of the premises
where the use of such fuel shall be de-
sired must be made by surveyor Of
the Pacific Insurance Union, and his
report must show that all the condi-
tions named hereinafter shall have
been complied with, and that from
the general condition OF the premises
and surroundings it would be suita-
BILE place in which to permit the use
of such oil for fuel.
FOR SUPPLY TANKS.
''[Form of permit to be attached to
policy when supply tank is used.l
sIn consideration OF additional pre-
MUM, and the following conditions,
hereby IN de warranties on the part
of the insured, permission is granted
to use petroleum for fuel Tin the gen.
Grafton Of steam):
"First- Oil of not less Lh ian 80 degrees
Fahrenheit flash test shall be used
atested by Tagliabue's Open Tester.)
fSecond-The storage tank shall be
constructed of boiler iron, shall be
buried not less than two feet under
ground, and at least two feet lower
than the furnace, surrounded on al!
sides by at least two feet of earth or
masonry. To be located outside all
buildings, and not within five feet of
the foundations OF any building. The
opening or pipe through which tank
is filed shall be perfectly closed, ex-
cept when used in filling. A vent
pipe not less than three quarter-inch
shall be attached to tank, extending
ten feet higher than adjacent build
ings.
"Third-The supply tank shall be
constructed of iron. 1t shall not ex-
ceed one hundred gallons capacity.
1t shall be placed on iron supports or
masonry, outside of all buildings; it
shall be protected from the rays of
the sun. The bottom Of the supply tank
shall connect with storage tank by a
two-inch pipe, provided with stop
cock or valve, and all oil shall be re-
turned to storage tank at close OF each
day. The top of the tank shall have
three-quarter inch vent pipe, fitted
with suitable float check-valve to pre-
vent overflow. The pipe supplying
oil direct to burners shall be fitted
with automatic valve near its connec
ton with supply tank.
sFourth-All connections shall be
made perfectly tight with well-fitted
Joints, and all pipes, connections,
pumps and supply tanks shall be ca
pable Of resisting a pressure OF 3O(
pounds to the square inch.
"Fifth--That two ste am pipesishal
be placed, one connecting the boiler
with the supply tank, the other con
Meeting the boiler with the storage
tank, and that each Of such steam
pipes shall be provided with shut-of
cock, SO arranged that steam can b.
readily directed into both (or eiihe
of such tanks, through said pipes, O
either Of them"
FOR STORAGE TANKS.