Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1891-08-27
A FOE TO FIRE.
i, EXHIBITION TEST OF THS GRlENELL
AUTOMATIC SPRINKLER
vos. Successful Fxhibiton-A R0uSng Blaze
Frduguishsd in Ihirg-Ons Seconds
Few Il Works
r, worked like a charm.

4 7, worked like charm.
This expresses the outcome of the
..ctical test Of the Grinnell automatic
thinker system which was made yes
-dav afternoon at Bloch Bros. tObac-
factory. Since this system, which,
the way, is the only one now in oper-
ion in West Virginia, was placed in
r. factory there has been more or less
forest evinced throughout the city,
4 rticnlarly by manufacturers, as to the
Lscticability of the scheme. AS
4 many have expressed a de-
T. 10 see it work, the
Iembers of the firm, always
live 10 progress aud improvements so
T. as il affects the community, con-
wed the idea of giving a practical
L. Of the system, and short time ago
bnt out invitations 10 quite a number
4 prominent citizens TO witness the OPP
kation. quite a number of whom at
kn1ed. The test was rendered in an
pen and unique manner, rendering the
keration all the more enjoyable. 10
fok place at three o'clock, and the
Eene of the blaze was in a building Is
h. square on the north side and al
Sost contiguous 10 the factory. Chief
tealy was present, and had on hand
,e OF the engines and reel, 10 bring
no play in case Of emergency. But
H. Grionell worked so effectually that
H. services Of the fire department
ere not required. In fact the fire was
|rt cut SO suddenly as to fairly
snaze the OnlOOkerS.
10 was arranged in this way: In the
hterior OF the small building above al
tded TO. were placed several barrels of
hayings, saturated with five gallons OF
AT the appointed time match
rs applled, aud an almost explosion
hDowed. In moment there was
|busipg blaze, and such was the inten-
~ OF the flames, that all expected TO
BE- the building in cinders in few
Soments. But right here, they were
Esappointed.
Running across the top OF the shed
! as a pipe with two sprinklers attach
\ which worked automatically, and
.oured such a volume of water upon the
kging elements thai they soon threw
h the sponge, and the interior OF the
hiding was only chGrred.
The pipe, rs are all the pipes through
|nt the factory, was charged with air,
|hd all the holes through which the
sater came threw out a half-inch
cream with great force. These holes
r. covered with solder all the time
hen nothing is happening and it takes
|eat 10 the extent Of $50 degrees TO melt
BE- solder. The moment the solder
heltS the holes In the pipes are open
.hd the air with which they are charged
hsheS out with loud, kissing sound,
hi as soon as the air is out, then comes
b. water, and it pOurS out with terrific
brce. just In front of the holes IN the
|pes are small discs, which break up
b. streams as they emerge from the
tpeS, diverging the water over cOnSld-
Bic territory. IL forms veritaole
trinkler, and il sprinkleS fast and furi-
b.
with such raging blaze as was
Iarted yesterday il didn't take long for
b. heat TO reach $50 degrees, and OF
Ame the solder, and down the water.
4 was only ten seconds after the hre
las started that the air came Kissing
c of the pipes, aud in just thirty-one
RcOndS from the time the match was
bplied, every spark Of flame was sub
bed, and this in the face of an unusu-
Dly lively blaze. AS soon as the pipes
kgin TO pour out water, its connection
Ith the rest Of the machinery starts a
|Dng ringing in the engine room
notify whoever is about the
|remiSes, and this gong remains ringing
ntil some one enters the room ana
butS of the switch. The system re-
hires some little machinery cooperate,
ut it is very compact and reliable. The
hgine carries two 14-inch cylinders and
hrOwS out 5000 gallons OF water min
be. The moment the pump ceases 10
FORK the huge tank outside, az an ele-
alton of l2S feet, and at pressure OF
S pounds, begins 10 work automatic
llv. As the tank contains Il, 600 gai-
onS of water, IL will last for some time
b feed a fire. The tank is supplied from
cistern which contains 10000 gallons.
The pipes through the factory are
laced along the ceilings OF the various
apartments, being 10 feet apart, ard
bee holes or SprinklerS In the pipes also
cling 10 feet apart. There are 1854 of
bese sprinklerS throughout the factory,
Ind il will be seen that the establish
lent is we'll fixed TO combat with
ameS. As soon as the fire Is eXtin-
Iuished the pipes are again charged
.ith air The advantage OF filling with
In IS that the pipes are less liable TO
feeze. and more likely TO always en-
'lre success. At the exhibition yes
erday ]. w. Grubb acted
i time-keeDer. After the extinguish-
of the blaze, hose was attached to
b. engine, and y stream OF water was
brown 10 the height Of the factory.
There we're quite q number OF manu-
ncturers present, who watched the
eSt with great interest Mr.. K NJ:
,ueland was so much In favor OF
be- system that he gave orders
b the agent TO have one OF the systems
Introduced into his glue factory In north
3enwood. The work of placing the
ystem in Bloch Bros factory was In
harge of T. II. Shay, of Boston. The
leSSrS. Block were very attentive 10
be guests, and all the workings OF the
ystem were carefully explained. All
elt that they had passed prontaoie
iternOOn.