The San Francisco call., 1906-05-29

ditions, the main arteries of the distrib-
uting system should be so laid as 10
avoid as far as possible all places where
slips and ground movements resulted
from the earthquake. should have ire
quent cross connections and should be
furnished with a great number OF gates
service pipes should be fitted with some
device, such as a balanced valve, which
will close automatically should the ser
vice pipe be broken
We recommend that park locations shall
not stand in the way of laying supply
mains on lines which will give the best
service. This is forced on our attention
by the devious line of the main supply
should have crossed Golden Gate Park.
Where soft or made ground must be
| crossed special precautions should be
taken to protect the pipe from injury by
settlement of the ground; for example. by
the use of flexible joints, slip joints, un-
yielding supports and Sinuous alignment.
1t is entirely practicable, in our opinion,
to provide system of mains which as a
system will not be seriously injured by
such an earthquake as occurred on April
l8, 1906. or even one of greater severity.
The character of the injury to the only
one distributing reservoir damaged by the
earthquake shows tnat sufficient guam
tity of water for successfully fighting
fires can be safely stored within the city
limits. To add to the quantity of water
stored within the city limits the number
of the distributing reservoirs should be
increased.
AUXILIARY SALT WATER MAINS.
Fifth-To afford additional fire protec-
tion within the congested value district
we recommend that a separate system of
mains be installed, to be supplied with
water pumped from the bay We advise
the installation of two pumping stations
on solid ground. one at the base of Tel
egraph Hill and the other at the base of
Rincon Hill, each to be capable of de-
livering at least 1900 gallons per minute,
with a hydrant pressure of 200 pounds
per square inch. The foundations of the
In design and construction. The main
artery connecting the two stations should
be swung to the westward sufficiently to
avoid insecure ground.
The system should be fitted at several
points on the water front with connec-
tions into which fireboats or other float
ing. pumps could discharge. At least one
such boat should be provided simultane-
ously with the installation of the separate
system recommended. 1t should be fitted
with pumps of the same capacity as one
equipment for lighting fires along the
dock front. We have communicated this
recommendation to the sub committee on
special session OF the Legislature to the
end that the initiative may be taken to
have such boat or boats provided by the
proper State authorities.
To avoid marine growths and corrosion
the system should normally be kept filled
with fresh water under pressure, supplied
from the regular service through sconnec-
tons provided with check valves TO pre-
vent salt water from backing into the
fresh water system.
Sixth-We do not recommend the car
rying out of the Twin Peaks reservoir
project for the fire protection of the con-
gested district. believing the above out
lined system to be preferable. This reser-
voir scheme involves long mains, injury
to which would render the system use
less. The pressure which would result
in the low district would also be greater
than desirable.
Seventh-We indorse the action already
taken by the city authorities for the ac-
QUESTION of a municipal water supply and
recommend that the construction of the
special ire-protection system and the ac-
QUESTION of. a municipal system be car
ried out as quickly as possible.