Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1889-08-08
A FIRE PROOF PAINT.
The Discovery of a French Chemist
Its Value and Importance.

In the early part of 1886 there came
10 this country titled Frenchman, the
Baron de Yerez. Though scion Of
noble foreign house, he came not as
searcher after the rich American heiress
but simply as a Woodworking chemist,
the controller of valuable patents which
he desired to introduce here.
Several years ago Professor Abel j.
Martin, chemist of Paris, made disc0v-
cries in the art of rendering substances
of all kinds fireproof, which provoked
widespread interest. A committee Of
sayants from the Academy of Sciences
Of France investigated and reported so
favorably that the French Government
adopted the process and made its use
compulsory in all theatres and places of
amusement. This is the process the
Baron sought to introduce.
After three years OF struggles strong
company has been formed. A New York
Sun reporter saw some very interesting
demonstrations at this company's fac
tory.
An ordinary straw cover, such as is
used to envelop wine bottles, was exhib-
tied. 1t had been soaked in the color
less fire PROBING liquid made by the
company.
There was no evidence apparent of
this treatment, however. A jet from
gas burner was introduced beneath the
cover, so that the flame passed up
through the centre. Instead of blazing
up in an instant, the flame simply
chalred the straw at its point of contact
with the latter, but in no case did the
fire spread, or was itpropagated to other
parts of the cover.
A section of lace curtain, half of which
had been treated by the fire probing
liquid, was next shown. The untreated
portion b.azed up into nothingness. The
treated part simply charred at the point
of contact with the flame, but the fire
did not spread. The charred fibre, even,
did not shrivel or break.
Some strips Of white pine board which
mad been soaked in the liquid were
shown. They resembled ordinary board.
They were deluged with kerosene. The
Jet of flaming Bunsen gas burner OF
1900 degrees Of heat was projected
against them. Immediately the kero-
sene was ahame. 1t burned out without
the wood catching FIRE. The fame was
projected against board. 1t simply
charred the wood through, but the fire
did not spread.
Experiments were made with wood
painted with the fire proof paint made
by the company, also cloths covered
with fire proof kalsomine. The coatings
so protected the wood and cloth as to
make it impossible for them to burn ex-
cept at the very pointof contact with the
flame. The fire proof paint is of all
colors.
A fire extinguishing liquid made from
the same chemical salts used in the
paints and kalsomine was also shown. A
starch is now being prepared to be used
on clothes which have been washed, the
same as ordinary starch, and which Will
make clothes so treated fire proof.
The ways in which the -prooting
preparations can be uscd are endless IN
variety. Buildings, railroad cars, bridges,
boats, clothing, stage fixtures, the seen.
cry and decor atoms Of theatres can all
be rendered safe from fire, for, 1t Is
claimed, a limitess length of time.
Three of New York $ latest buildings
have been treated with the process,
namely, the new Broadway, the Union
Square and the Berkeley Iyceum. The
Fire Board has passed upon these tho
aires as having been made fire proof ac-
cording TO law.