The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1905-05-15
recommendations
OF Underwriters
Many Suggestions on Fire
Equipment Are offered
The LOCAL WATER SUPPLY
Two Pumping Stations Should Be
Made Fireproof, the Committee
Thnks-Fire Alarm
System.

Board of Fire Underwriters contains
number of recommendations, which If
followed by the city and the water works
company would put this city on an equal
fire protection footing with any city in
this section
The recommendations follow the report
of the special committee of three, as
sisted by a captain of the United States
army engineering corps. The recommen-
datons are many, but a number of them
would not mean much added expense
to the city and the reduction in fire
losses would more than compensate for
the additional expenses.
Mayor Ward is said to be In favor of
fire department Improvement, having
stated before he was elected that he
would use every influence towards making
the improvements which were agreed on
by the Board of Trade and the commit
tee from the Southeastern Tariff asso-
citation.
This agreement is embodied in the fol-
lowing report:
Water Supply.
That the new pump houses and boiler
houses in both the Chaba and North Bir-
mingham pumping stations be rendered
thoroughly freproof by the removal of all
eombustible material from floors and
roofs; that all exposed windows be pro
teeted by standard fire shutters; and that
openings between pump houses and ad-
Joining buildings be protected by STAN
dard fire doors Sufficient 1a-inch hose
with nozzles, properly attached to sup
ply pipe, should be provided for all build
ings connected with the pumping sta
tions. Wiring at North Birmingham sta
tion should be placed in first-cass con-
dition at the earliest possible moment
That the conduit from Cahaba reservoir
to the city be strengthened by duplicat-
ing the present 30-inch milan for the en-
tire length. These mains should be cross
connected at frequent intervals.
That a main of at least 20-ineh diameter
be laid from the terminus of the conduit
from Cahaba reservoir through Fifteenth
avenue and Sixteenth street to Third ave-
nue., there reducing to 16-inch, and con-
tinued in Sixteenth street to Eleventh
avenue to Nineteenth street to Twelfth
avenue, Twenty-third street to Thirteenth
avenue, there connecting with the extern
sion of the 20-nch main from North Bir-
mingham pumping station proposed by the
company.
That the distribution system be further
strengthened by the installation of addi-
tional arteries.
That in the congested value district and
in important mercantile and manufacture
4
value district no distributing mains sup
plying hydrants shall be of less diameter
than IL inches.
That all mains of inches or less diam
eter supplying hydrants be replaced forth
with by pipes of not less than s inches
diameter.
That all future installations of distribut-
ing mains in residence districts shall be
by pipe of not less than inches dame
ter
That in existing gridiron systems of g.
inch mains, new mains of inches and
larger diameters be introduced into the
gridiron, where necessary, so that all
6-ineh mains be fed at intervals of not
more than 500 feet by the larger mains.
This will be recognized as furnishing a
fair measure of protection pending the
ultimate substitution of s-ineh pipe or
larger for all lesser sizes.
That the Twenty-sixth street crossing
Of the 2O-inch main from North Br-
mingham receive Immediately such at
tention as is necessary to reasonably en-
sure the integrity of this main.
That measures be adopted to check the
large waste of water i'm the city. either
by the extended use of meters on services
and mains. or by rigid house-to house IN
spection, or both.
That meters of approved design, with
readings at suitable intervals permanent
~ recorded, be introduced into the force
or supply main at such locations that
the whole consumption of the city may
be subject to exact measurement
That satisfactory fire prection be
furnished in the high service by the in
stallation of larger mains with MIGRANTS
and additional pumping machinery so
that pressures throughout. the service
shall approximate 70 pounds The limits of
this service should be extended to include
generally all that portion of the city
above elevation GO.
Extension of Main.
That mains of adequate size for fire
protection be extended throughout all
streets In the residence sections.
That additional gate valves be installed
in all mercantile and manufacturing dis
tricts and in the congested district, so