Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1899-03-21
NOT TO BE MODIFIED.
COMMISSIONERS OPPOSE AMENDED
acErYLESE GAS ORDINANCE.
REPORT OF The STATE CHEMIST.
where Careless Handling Is POSI-
Bile, Even Remotely, the Restric-
lions should Re RfgId-A site
nourhf for the New station.

The Board OF Fire Commissioners met
in the City Hall last night In regular
senli-monthly session. The following
members were present: Messrs. j. IL.
Frischkorn, George w. Taylor, Charles
F. Taylor. Joseph L. Levy, and L. c.
jenkins.
The meeting was very interesting
one. though Its principal feature was a
report from the State Chemist on the
modified ordinance regarding the use of
acetylene gas. DR.. Taylor advises that
the restrictions shall not be altered
President Frischkorn read the opinion
OF the City Attorney in regard TO police
fire. and ambulance stations. The board
appointed a committee to confer with
the Police Board in this regard.
REPORT ON ACETYLENE GAS.
The president read the following letter
from State Chemist w. II. Taylor con-
corning acetylene gas:
March 18th.
John II. Frischkorn. Esq, President or
Board of Fire Commissioners:
Dear Sir,-In compliance with your re-
quest for an examination and opinion. |
have compared the two ordinances re-
lating to calcium carbide and acetylene,
and find that the notifications proposed
I'm the substitute ordinance are essential
" these:
Liberty is granted TO store 200 pounds
OF carbide I'm building at n minimum
distance Of 10 feet from other buildings.
instead of 100 pounds at p feet
The Clubhouse building where the gas
generating and holding apparatus is in
stalled is not required TO be iire-proOf.
The requirement as to charging the APP
paratus by daylight and prohibition Of
the use Of artificial light in the apparatus
room. and the requirement that the de-
tached building shall DE heated only by
steam. are omitted.
There is no restriction as to liquefed
acetylene.
The amount called 1lmted supply"
comprising % pounds Of carbide Tor the
generator and 80 pounds surplus. is
changed to allow ! pound 10 each burner
capacity. and the same amount as sur
plus supply.
As the question of limited supply ap-
pears TO dominate the others II Will prop
ably be sufficient for me to say that i'm
my opinion, IL would not be advisable 10
adopt the provisions respecting this which
are proposed In the substitute ordinance,
since to allow pound of carbide 20 each
burner capacity-nOte that this allowance
is based, not on the number OF burners
which may be necessary for lighting. but
on an underlined and unlimited capacity
OF the apparatus-and another pound per
burner capacity as a surplus supply,
would be, practically. a removal Of pll re-
StrictiOn as to quantity.
l may add that, in considering the sub
Stitute ordinance as whole, IL does not
seem to me as satisfactory as the Origi-
nal one. In reaching this conclusion,
reason on the fact that the manufacture
OF any gas for Illuminating purposes IS
always beset with dangers, and that II
the manufacture is to be permitted 10
persons unfamiliar with the principles in
yolved, and who are careless IN manipu-
lat0n, as most persons are. rigid mea-
sures should be taken to prevent this
class of manufacturers from becoming a
menace to other people, II not to them
selves. Very truly yours,
4 On