The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1895-12-07

Sky scrhpets, NhiSh IohN '"N-' 'N"N''
skyward in every sizable town, promises,
il successful to supersede tie roof tanks,
which are now about the only provision
that is made against the danger that
threatens tai! buildings
The buildings that are put up so nigh
that several OF their stories are far
above the possibilities of the regular
water-supply pressure have given archi-
tects and engineers, to say nothing Of
6remen, a new and bothersome problem.
Asa rule. OF course, all such buildings
are ''hre proof but no such building in
the present stage OF their architectural
development, can be proof against awarp-
ing and collapse provided they are sub
jected to enough heat for long enough
time. Tley may not be possible OF
burning down, but the huge iron or
steel beams and uprights, that are the
skeleton OF such structures, are not
proof against giving way under
long continued heat and spiIling every
thing to the Rround in a heap. The or
binary scheme for protection compriies
roof tanks and sprinkler systems capable
OF flooding the upper stories, but the val
ne OF these is really greater for the floors
lower down than for the topmost floors,
the pressure and volume OF the streams
increasing with their descent. Moreover,
a roof tank, TO be in the least efficient,
must be enormous in size and with it's load
OF water has a tremendous weight the
disposition of which is good deal OF an
architectural problem. Not infrequently
has the tank, through the weakening of
its supports by fire, broken loose and gone
crashing down from floor to floor, carry
ing destruction in it's path.
The new system proposed is now be-
ing tried in several OF New York's lofty
buildings II has received the approval
OF the fire underwriters, and, unless prac-
tice proves the contrary, it will work.
The roof tank will be abolished, and the
water will instead be stored in the base
ment, where all the water that is reed
ed may be taken care of without making
it problem OF any great difficulty. IT
is called the pressure drum-system. The
storage OF water in the basement Will
provide pressure at the extreme height
OF the structure sufficient, say, TO throw
three-quarter inch jet oi water at the
rate OF l60 gallons per minute a distance
OF s'xty-six feet. without any additional
power than that afforded by the press
ure drums this stream can be- continuous
for 20 minutes.
The pressure drums will be placed in
the basement They operate upon what is
known as the stand pipe theory. That
is, the drum is filled with air supplied
automat ically from a duplex air compress
sor, and into this is forced the water
which drives the air to the top of the
drum, where il acts like cushion which,
rebounding, dives the water out the
moment an opening is afforded. A ser
vice pipe runs from the end drum to the
top Of the building with hose and reels
upon each floor. Ia case q fire occurs an
alarm can be turned i'm for the fireman,
and the Yaichman or ianitor can, for 20
minutes, fight the fire with stream
thrown 66 feet. Then there is connCc-
tion running out in the street. TO which
the firemen, when they arrive, can attach
their eng inc and force water into the press.
ure drums and keep constant stream
OF water Towing upon the floors OF the
building until the fire is under control
The plan seems to cfis encouragement,
but we VIII know more when fire
breaks out in bu ;lding thus supplied.
-S -
AHLWaRDT.
DIR. HELIANN AHLwARDT has won a