Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1907-10-28
As Made by Underwriters
Boards Representatives.
Praise and Criticism for Our
Local Fire Fighting System.
A Report That Needs Careful Per.
usaI by Every Citizen.

The conflagration hazard in the city
of Augusta as found by Charles f.
Barker and Charles II. Lum. engineers
of the committee of prevention of the
National Board of Fire Underwriters,
is, according to their report, which has
just been received. moderate in the
mercantile district as d whole.
owing to the lack of compactness.
Small areas, low heights, two good fire
breaks and a good water supply, but
severe locally, due to structural weak
ness, weak fire department and an
unreliable fire alarm system" Follow
ing is a summary of their report:
CITY IN GENERAL.
Population about 1900. The city is
hily. Streets of fair to good width.
Principal streets paved with belgian
blocks or macadam, in fair to good
condition. Outlying streets dirt, in
fair to poor condition. Railroad
crossings at grade bad and liable to
delay fire apparatus. High winds
frequent; temperatures severe in
winter Number of fires and average
loss high.
FIRE-FIGHTING FACILITIES.
Water Supply.-WorkS owned and
operated by the Augusta Water Dis
trict. Management only fairly efficient.
An ample supply is available from the
two sources. Pumping capacity ade-
nuate; only used when water is low at
Carleton Pond. Pumping station nom
hrcproof. but in good condition;
hazards slight. protection fair Supply
dependent on single main. which is IN
good condition and not liable to inter-
ruption. Reservoir holds about 3 days
domestic consumption. Consumption
high. Pressurcs satisfactory. Main
arteries to principal mercantile district
of ample size. but poorly connected to
distribution system; secondary feeders
lacking. Minor distributors mainly 6
inches in diameter in long lines, with
many dead ends. Gate valves not
properly inspected and in only fair
conditions; spacing very wide
HydrantS of satisfactory type, in fair
to poor condition; spacing very wide;
hydrants frequently not connected to
the larger Of two available mains
Fire Department.-Call basis. with
three full paid drivers. Weak in mon
and apparatus. Financial support
poor Management efficient. Chief
and company officers elected annually
Distribution Of companies good for
protection to the principal mercantile
district; the principal residential sec
ton poorly protected. The one engine
is unserviccablc. Ladder and chemical
service only fair. Hose supply ample
when supply recently purchased is de
llVcred. Minor equipment poor.
Discipline good Drills lacking. Fire
methods only fair. Reports incom-
pl"te. Service. as L whole. weak ana
only fairly efficient
Fire Alarm System.-Unsatisfa
single circuit type. insecurity housed
Under supervision of the chief of IN"
fire department. with no regular as
sistants. Boxes Of fairly satisfactory
type. but mostly with brush contact
breaks; some placed on walls of build
ings; keys under glass guard on poles
or buildings; distribution good in M
portant districts. Circuits all over
head. mostly of bare iron wire on same
poles with high tension wires. poorly
installed in buildings and not properly
protected at headquarters Current
from storage battery in duplicate, but
condition Of batteries poor and cells
not properly mounted. No private
telephone system and connections of
fire houses with telephone central
unsatisfactory. System, as Il whole,
unreliable.
Fire Department Auxiliarice.-No
fir" marshal: duties performed by the
municipal officers and the State in
surancc commissioner. Public service
corporations render no aid to the fire