Evening star., 1904-03-25
RE-RESISTING FLUID
PREPARATION FOR THE sATURA.
TION OF THEATER CURTAINS.
Tests Made Recently Said to Have
Been Satisfactory-Fire Mar
shars Report.

In an effort to secure fre-proofng tnat Is
really fre-proofing for theater curtains
scenery, and other inhammable materials
used In and around play houses and other
places where flames are likely to cause
damage. number of tests have been made
recently of a ''fire-resisting fiuid.' the for
mula and patent of Mr.. James r. Smith
and splendid results are said to have been
achieved.
One of the first tests was made at the
direction of the District Commissioners by
Fire Marshal Bieber. This test was made
IN the laboratory of the Capitol through the
courtesy of Mr.. Elliott Woods.
MI Bieber made an official report on the
test which shows excellent results. He
says that after certain wood had been sat
urated with Mr.. Smiths fire-resisting fluid
a Bunson burner with y tip giving off heat
at above $500 degrees Fahrenheit was ap-
pied to the diffehent samples of wood sub
mitted at different times, and the portion
touched would only char-burn. Theatrical
scenery and flimsy material tested would
not ignite"
Mr.. G. P. Cliem. chief electrical engineer
at the Capitol, who made test of the fluid
at the Capitol, says that. "after having ap-
piled the fire-resisting paint to ordinary in
flammable wood work theatrical scenery
lace curtains, etc. l exposed these mater
lals for an extended period to the heat OF
OH OiCS'ii~ dtc registering DelWeeH 4OVU dHC
o,OOO degrees Fahrenheit. My observation
OF the result of this exposure showed thai
the strong heat produced a charred effect
but the wood did not ignite or show any In
oications of inflammability.
The same charred effect which was
noticed In the woodwork was produced. but
the application of the fire-resisting paint
appeared to have rendered them incom-
Eustible."
Test at Treasury Department.
Another severe test was made at the
II easuryi Department. and showed equally
good results OF this test 1t was said un-
officially:
"In the chemical laboratory four tests
were made. &
Test No. IA piece Of oak wood about
ten inches square and three-quarters of an
inch thick. treated over five years ago;
several pieces of theatrical scenery was
wrapped around the wood. The test was
for ten minutes cover a Bunson burner one
inch flame, giving off heat and fame of
over 1900 degrees Fahrenheit. The wood
charred, but did not flame. 1t appeared
in,rossible to. Ignite or fame the scene
cloth.
Test No. "A piece Of wood, mahogany,
was tested ten minutes under the same
Fahrenheit as test No. l. The wood
charred but did not fame. This wood had
been treated only three weeks.
TEST No. 3 was upon theatrical scenery
taken from two of the Washington theaters
Four pieces were tested, each piece was
twelve inches square. Two-thirds of each
piece was chemically treated and one-third
not, The part-not treated instantly flashed
into flame. The parts chemically treated
would not ignite. and it was impossible to
get them to fame. 24-
Test No. was upon a piece of pine
wood chemically treated five hours before
being tested. In about four minutes 1t
showed signs of forked flame. This was
under the same flame as tests Nos. 1. 2
and g. The chemicals had not had time
enough to penetrate the wood, but under
the heat and flame it was a remarkable
test Of resisting fire"
These tests will be continued in various
ways, and the results are being watched
with much interest.