The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1909-03-06
NEED MORE men.
Topeka Fire Department Is
Badly Handicapped.
So Says Expert Hydraulic and
Electrical Engineer.
BUY MORE STEAMERS.
City Could Use Them to a Great
Advantage.
Firemen Are Well Regulated and
Managed.

Through the efforts of Charles E.
Eldridge, manager of the Kansas Fire
Insurance Inspection office, Mayor
William Green of this city received a
report last night which covered the
fire protection problems in Topeka.
This report was compiled by E. r.
Townsend, an expert hydraulic and
electrical engineer of Chicago, who
was asked to come to Topeka and
make a report of the conditions of the
fire fighting system.
According to Mr. Townsend Topeka
needs more men for the fire depart
ment, needs a new system of pumps
at the waterworks. a new building
ordinance and additional steamers.
The lowering of the pumps at the
pumping station is one of the import
ant problems and it has been ad-
Vocated by the waterworkS depart
ment for number of months As
whole Mr.. Townsend says that the fire
hght1ng system in Topeka is in
competent for the needs of the city.
1t will be noticed in reading the
report that the Topeka fire depart
ment is in very good shape and it is
far above the average. It is we'll
managed, the men are selected in an
advantageous manner and the sta
lions are in a good location. The
only thing the department needs is
men-and money
The report will tell the story and
is as follows:
Supervision very good; water supply
apparently adequate, but present meth
DDS of draughting impose a severe
strain on pumps by reason of excessive
lift and presence of fine sand, which
has tendency to destroy valves and
pump fittings. To overcome this diff
ficulty, the installation of a low ser
n G1rSf or iS nd
ranged as to discharge into storage
reservoirs on pump house site from
which water may flow to pumps relieV-
ing same of lift, and numerous troubles
generally encountered with long-suc-
ton lines.
The storage reservoir will also give
pumps full supply in event of emer-
gency, as the supply from wells may
run low during demands. Pumping ca
pacity considered to be low, inaSmuch
as it meets only about IS per cent of
the requirements necessary to furnish
supply for fire purposes. Pumps have
been recently overhauled and are ap-
parently in good condition. Tests of
fire pressure indicate that the main
feeder system is too small to supply
satisfactory fire service, but this objec-
ton is to be somewhat removed by the
installation of duplicate force main.
Distributing system and circulation
are considered to be fair only for di-
rect fire fighting purposes, but with
u.
be capable of giving a good supply for
full steamer service, with several addi-
tional hydrant streams. A large per-
centage of 4-inch pipes, together with
good supply for fire streams. especially
in the mercantile district. Tests indi-
cate that at least % per cent more
water could be obtained by the use of
6-inch hydrants over that of 4-inch
hydrants.
The municipality has authorized the
installation of six 90 additional wells
and duplicate force main. which will
ure of the system is the installation of
four az hydrants at the principal
street intersections in the commercial
district. All services should be metered,
in order to reduce the daily consump-
ton
Fire Department.
The fire department is we'll regulated,
and is under very good discipline. the
method of appointment being particu-
larly advantageous in securing COM
petent flremen, and much has been ac-
complished with an understood depart
ment. The annual appropriation of
only $4,000 (Which is considered to be
exceedingly low. seriously interferes
improvements. Stations are well To-
Gated. and none seriously exposed
The apparatus, after having been
given severe tests, is considered to be
in good condition. and is apparently
we'll maintained. The fire department
receives satisfactory cooperation from
the gas, electric light and water COM
,pany.
= A series of tests of the water system
Indicate that it will be necessary to
establish a full steamer service, with d
full complement of men, in. order to
successfully cope with serious fires.
The department is dangerously handi-
capped on account of the small numer-
icaI force of hremen, the insufficient
amount of hose and absence of small
apparatus. Outside aid may be obtain
ed from Kansas City. No, about seven
ty miles distant.
The department has been authoriz-
ed 10 build an additional fire depart
n4ent station in the eastern section of
the town.
General Recommendations.
observation-disclosures improve
rnents: Install low service pumping
system to relieve pumps of excessive
Iift. and provide for storage reservoir
on pump house site
Provide pumps with relief valves;