The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1910-06-25

fremen Is greatly delayed then the,
consequences are sure to be serious.
No one can deny that the fire-alarm
telegraph adds immeasurably to the
efficiency of any fire department and
to the value Of any system of water
supply.
The purpose Of a fire-alarm tele-
graph, is first to inform the firemen
that there is fire in progress, and
second. to advise them as to it's To-
cation. The alarm must arouse all
concerned and simultaneously tell
them where the fire is. This is ac-
complished by sounding signal num-
bers, each of which defies a certain
location. A street box when operated
by opening its door and pulling a
lever automatically sounds it's own
particular number and repeats it four
times by strokes on tower or church
bell, or by blast from steam or COM
pressed air whistle. Sometimes both
bells and whistles are operated in the
same system.
simultaneously the signal number
Of the street box which has been pull
ed is usually displayed in every en-
gine and hose house In the town and
Is also sounded on small gongs in the
residence OF the Chief and other Off
GERS Of the department.
In small cities where the fire-alarm
system Is installed all of the appara-
tus Is connected on one or two cleo
tric circuits and is operated by a
chemical or storage battery. Boxes
and other apparatus can be added
from year to year without the re-
construction Of the original system.
All of the apparatus is so we'll con-
structed that it can be depended upon
to last a life time with the proper
care and attention.
Original fire-alarm boxes made
over fifty years ago, although lacking
In many important modern improve
ments, are still in use in many city
systems today.
There Is nothing about the care
and maintenance OF a fire alarm tele-
graph system which cannot be readily
learned and easily attended to by any
Chief in places where the system is
not large enough to require the SER
vices Of a man for this special pur-
pose. In hundreds of cities where
there Is no fire-alarm superintendent
the Chief Of the department maintains
the system. What little line work
end pole climbing may be required
Is always readily arranged for with
local people.
In reference to the cost of this sys-
tenn / will only state that, the first
cost or system for a City Of from
1000 to 10000 population will range
from $1,000 to $4,000 or $4,000, de-
pendent upon the type and amount
Of apparatus and the length Of the
lines.
In the method of fire insurance ra-
ting now in general use it Is found
that the installation Of an approved
fre-alarm telegraph system leads to
a reduction Of insurance rates which
means sum much larger than pays
the interest on the first cost and the
maintenance Of the entire system.
1t has frequently happened that the
installation Of a fire-alarm telegraph
system has in its first year been the
means OF saving many times it's cost.
L think that we will all agree that
any City or town which continues TO
ignore this great protection to life
and property is acting unwisely, and
that II Is our duty as citizens and fire
department officials to use our in
fiuence in every possible way to Sc
cure the extension OF present sytems.
and the installation OF new systems
In places where they do not now
exist in every city which has a fire
department and a water supply.
Before the National Firemen's AS
ISOLATION, Mr.. Frank G. Stover said:
When city reaches five Cor more)
thousand population II should invest
In the best perfect non-interfering
succession alarm boxes; have auto
matte non interfering fire-alarm re-
Deaters cOmhtnad Uongs oo1 i.a,o.
tors for the engine houses together
with either a tower bell or whistle
Tor sounding a general alarm. Such
plants rould cost from three thous-
and dollars up. according to the
amount OF apparatus and wire circuits
Installed.
With thanks to those who assisted
me In preparing this paper, / respec-