The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1904-01-28
FIRE underwriters RULES
Some Inconsistencies in the Require
ments of Electrical Construction
as Compared With Other Possible
Sources of Fire.

EDITOR GOLD LEAF:-Having had a
number of years experience in the install
lation OF electrical apparatus and Incl
Gentally with the requirements and re-
| tinements of the Fire Underwriters, and
| noting from time to time some inconsis-
| tencies relative to the fire hazard caused
| by the placing of electrical wires in build
| lngs, was much Interested in the follow
ing article which find in recent num-
Der OF the american Electrician.
1t is fact that the average property
| owner who wishes to equip his buildings
with electric lights or power, seems to
think that it is almost an impossibilitv
| to make the work safe and it is a rare
thing where a fire originates in an I'M
| known manner that the startling an
nouncement is not made that the fire was
| started by the deadly electric wires.
While it is true that electricians. as a
class. agree that electrical work should
| conform with Unpublished rules adopted
| by the Southeastern Tariff Association
and other concerns OF like nature it
does seem a little inconsistent that these
same concerns after insisting that all the
hair splitting refnements be strictly ad-
| hered to as per rules relating to electrical
| work should neglect other risks that
| so-called detective wiring, as noted in the
| letter appended below.
GEORGE C. WOODWORTH.
There are some Inconsistencies in the re-
| quirements of the Fire Underwriters relating
to electrical construction as compared with
other possible sources of fire, to which |
would like to call attention Every one who
has done electrical work under these rules is
1amlllarWlth the commendable assiduity with
which the inspector camps on the trail of
| the Wlreman, and the wisely rigid rules gov
ernlng the materials to be used and the
method of using them are also familiar to
those who are practically concerned with
construction work. But did any of YOUR
readers ever see any insurance rules demand
ing that metallic mat of certain dimensions
should surround a wood or coal stove in
stead OF Il rag carpet? Vino ever heard of an
inspector being on hand to note whether the
top OF hot air furnace was within one-half
inch or 16lnches of wooden jOists above it; or
whether the asbestos mat Gf one was put in)
above the furnace was 1-32 inch or y inch
thick; or whether the air ducts of this same
furnace had double insulating wall or sim
ply a thin, single metallic wall living bare
against the studding and lathing? Was IL
carpenterever required to keep shea thing and
rafters clear of a brick flue so that the upper
part might settle along with the lower and
not leave good, wide fire leak lust under
the roof? No; but the electricians wires
placed first and afterwards crossed by lot
OF water pipes, have to be moved as soon as
the Inspector finds the violation of rules
while nothing is said to the plumber and no
one considers compensating the wireman for
his extra work We are required (justly) to
use insulation on electric wires of sufficient
resistance to stand Is to 90times the voltage
that the wires will ever carry, but where is
there a rule that matches be kept in an air
tight non-combustible box having walls of IA
certain strength? And, coming little nearer
home, have the Underwriters ever formulated
regulations STIMULATING that lightning rods
must be kept off buildings and, in rural dis
tricts, erected on poles of cert ain heights 10
Gated certain distances from the dwellings,
other buildings to be protected?
'Now this etteris not written in any spirit
OF complaint against the restrictions as to
electrical work; it is not claimed that since
other classes OF work are not regulated there
fore the electrical work should go scot free.
But it is my opinion that the efforts of the
Fire Underwriters to minimize fire risks
should not be concentrated on our class Of
work to the exclusion of almost every one
else, but that all other branches of construc-
ton should be controlled, and the workers in
those branches made to face their RESPONSE
bilities both as to their own work and the
relation between that and electrical work
All we ask is fair play.
'ROY c. JACKSON''