Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1907-10-28

Building OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES is
building inspector, but practically n"
building laws. Fire limits defined,
but are too restricted and frame con-
struction is permitted therein. Local
conditions only fair.
Explosives and Infamnlables-Law
mention only gunpOwGer and burning
fluids, with no provisions for enforce
ment. Inspections of buildings in the
mercantile district made semi-an-
nually by the building inspector and
the chief of the fire department; no
records kept. Local conditions fair to
good.
Electricity-There are no laws or
ordinances governing electrical work
ana no inspections are made by the
municipality. New inside work poor,
old wiring hazardous. outside work
principally overhead formn@: Obstruc-
tons in many places. Nothing known
of electrolytic action; no trouble re-
ported.
Confa grafton ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS in
the mercantile district as whole. ow-
ing to the lack of cOmpactness, small
areas, low heights. two good fire breaks
and good water supply. but severe 10
Il
weak fire department and an unreliable
fire alarm system. Outside Of the mer-
camille district the hazard would be
system was installed.
RECOMMENDATIONS.
WATER SUPPLY.
Records.
I. That plans and records of the lis
tribution system be kept up 10 date,
and that some means be instituted to
record the daily consumption Of water.
Supply Main.
,. That whole lengths and specials
of 20 and 24-inch pipes b. kept 1t inter-
walls along the supply main to facilitate
repairs.
Consumption.
8. That means be taken to reduce
the excessive waste OF water. beth by
house inspections and the installation
of meters on services.
Mains
4. That the distribution system be
reinforced by the following mains:
riamcter,
Inches.
~ Along Bennett. Granite. Winthrop and
Cushman extended from North to
Western.
8 Along Winthrop from Chestnut to
Granite.
s Along Canal from 70" at old station
II Washington
s Along Laurel from Water to State
s Along Mount Vernon Ave. from Bond
to Will.
$ Along Court from Chestnut to State
IS Along Crosby from Fridge to Laurel
s Along. Court and Front from G. in
Court to s" in Front.
s Along East Chestnut from Arsenal to
Stone.
8 Along Green from state to Grove
5. That mains be connected ut every
intersection, particularly at the corner
of Bridge and Water streets. and along
Water street and Cony street.
s. That dead ends ne connected
wherever possible. Some of the more
important connections are shown on the
accompanying map in red.
Z. That the distribution system be so
strengthened as to give fire protection
supply as follows: this supply to be in
excess of domestic consumption and to
he available at any point from hydrantS
averaging not more than $50 feet dis
tant. at a pressure in the PRINCIPAL ner-
camille district of at least 100 pounds
and in important residential districts of
Ut tdSt 81 pounds.
a. In outlying residential districts a
minimum of 1,5o0 gallons per minute
h. In closely built residential dis
trirts. from 1000 to 1000 gallons per
minute
q. In the principal mercantile dis
trirt. 1000 gallons per minute.
Notc.-Tho National Board believes
that it * essentially the business of
each municipality to lay OUT its own
system OF distributing mains, as it is
best able to judge of the present ami
future consumption in each district
ana OF other local conditions involving
prcssurcs. size and type of hydrant, etc.
hnt practical experience has shown that
the above quantities are required for
good fire protection in districts such as
are found in this city. and that a grid
IRON system Of mains Of the sizes rec
commended above is satisfactory only
when cross-connected at all intersec-
tons. free from dead ends and with
larger secondary crosS-feeder mains at
frequent intervals.
g. That the following be adopted az
the standard minimum sizes of mains
used for hydrant supply: mains of the
sizes NAMED can be considered salts
factory only when forming Il part of Il
vel @r,dironcd and cross connected
system:
=. For QUILTING residential districts
net likely to become closely built up, g.
inch.
b. Fer closely built residential. mer-
camille and manufacturing districts. $
inch.
Cat" Valves.
:. That the distribution system be
equipped with a sufficient number Of
gate valves. 50 located that no single
case 81 accident, breakage or repair to
the pipe system will necesSitate the
shutting from service a. length of
main greater than two sides of single
block or maximum of about 500 feet.
~. That all gate valves be inspected
at least once a year and kept in good
order, and records be kept Of inspec-
tions and condition.
II. That at least one employee of the
water department. familiar with the
distribution system. be detailed to at
tend all fires. 10 operate gates and 9TH
erwise cooperate with the fire depart