Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-06-05
TO PROTECT CAPITOL
ECOMMENDATIONS OF FIRE DE-
PARTMENT OFFICIALS.
Introduction of Water Supply Pipes,
With Numerous Stand Pipes, Urged
Three Fire Alarm Boxes Needed.

The recommendations made for additional
fire-fghting facilities in the Capitol by AS
sistant Chief W. T. Belt and Fire Marshal
Sidney Bieber were today transmitted to
the superintendent of the Capitol by Chiet
Engineer Dutton.
In receiving the report the superintendent
states that the report meets with his entire
approval, and he expresses his thanks to
the fire department and requests that AS
sistant Chief Belt and Fire Marshal Beber
be thanked in his behalf for the able and
conscientious manner in which they have
rendered their services.
The Recommendations.
Assistant Chief Belt and Fire Marshal
Bieber recommend that three-inch water
supply pipes, with numerous outlets, be run
through the terraces into the Capitol build
ing with an abundance of hose. Provision
should also be made for standpipes and for
the utilization of the pumps now IN the
building. Mr.. Belt says that with this pipe
system installed it would reduce the time OF
the department in getting into service to a
minimum in a great many instances. The
tiremen when called upon would, instead OF
leading out long lines of hose through the
corridors and down and up the differen.
stairways, subdue the fire with the stand
pipe system and the different appliances
recommended
There should be a signal bell located in
each one of the pump rooms with an enun-
ciator to warn the engineer to start up the
pump in case of fire.
Il also recommend that three fire alarm
boxes be erected as follows: One in the Sen
ate wing, one in the rotunda, and one in
the House wing, and that instantaneous
fire alarm boxes be located in different
parts of the building and connected to these
three boxes
1t is also recommended that a chemical
tirltyI1 iSba nj nal in oh ,r,,it
tee room and the distribution of a number
of pick-axes and ceiling hooks. 1t is sug-
gested that at least two experienced men be
appointed to look after the appliances and
see that they are ready at all times for
immediate and to perform the duties
required of fireman. The report con-
cludeS:
Fires at the Capitol.
1T might be well to call attention to the
following fires which occurred at the Capt.
tol during the past fifteen years:
February %, 1887, at GIG "a m, the de-
parment responded to a fire in the store
room of the House wing. The time of
service at the fire was two hours and four
minutes. No record of damages.
January 2S 1891, at 7:3S a. m, the de-
partment responded to fire in the House
of Representatives folding room. No rec
ord of damage. Time of service, forty min
utes.
March %, 1892, at GAS pm. the depart
ment responded to a fire in the House Of
Representatives folding room. Damage,
$500. Time of service, two hours and four
teen minutes.
March 2S, 1894, at 3:04 pm, the depart
ment responded to a-fire in the basement
under the Senate wing. No record of dam
age. Time of service, fifty nine minutes.
August 49, 1897. at 1885 a. m, the de-
partment responded to a fire in the base
ment under the Senate wing. No record Of
damage. Time of service. twenty minutes.
November &, 1898. at 51S pm. the de-
partment responded to fire under the Su-
preme Court room. Damage, $31, 200. Time
of service, five hours and forty-one min
utes. 1t required a second alarm to sub
due the fire