The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1911-03-16
VOLUME LII.
SPRINKLER SYSTEM EXPLAINED.

continually about the different features
of our sprinkler system, installed for
fire protection last summer, showing
the great interest people take in the
matter, that we have concluded to give
short description of the plant and its
operation.
''The plant consists of about hund-
red thousand pounds of iron piping,
one to six inches in diameter, most OF
it close to the ceiling, with sprinkied
heads about eight feet apart through
out the building, including basement
and attics. These 9Sl heads open up at
heat of l55 degrees. The pipes are
full of water, except in show windows
and other places where frost might
burst them, these containing air COM
pressed at about forty pounds and
maintained at that point by means of
an electric air compressor pump.
"a tank, l6xlS feet, holding 25,OOO
gallons of water on steel tower eighty
feet high, containing 5000 pounds Of
steel, is connected by a six inch pipe
running down and below ground to
meet the six inch main passing under
the basement floor through the build
ing and connecting with an eight inch
water works main in the street. a
house under the tank contains heater
supplied with steam from our boilers
gauges, thermometers, valves, which
indicate temperature, height of water
in tank, steam pressure, etc.
''The water works pressure OF about
seventy-five pounds is on the system at
all times and is really all that is neces-
sary for the purpose, providing that
pressure does not fail because of some
accident to the water works plant.
This pressure being greater than that
of the tank water, which is about forty
pounds, holds the tank valve closed so
that no water can enter same, except
through a small pipe, with a valve for
opening and closing, that leads up from
the house at the bottom OF the tower,
and is used to replenish the water in
tank, which is never used, but evapor-
ates slowly, but should the water works
pressure, for some reason, fall below
forty pounds or that of the tank, then
the tank pressure will close the water
works valve at the street end and then
the system is supplied by the tank in
stead of the water works. Should both
the water works and tank fail-which
with ordinary care seems impossible
then water can be pumped into the
system with one of the city's fire en-
gines, connecting hose that fit our
steamer connection outside of our build
ing. Thus we have three sources of
supply for our sprinkler system max
ing assurance doubly sure.
Whenever one of the heads on the
dry pipes opens, the water, which Is
kept back by the air compressor, is
released and follows the escaping air
throwing circular sheet of water ov-
er large space. The opening of a
head, through a fire or accident, causes
large bell on each floor to ring the
alarm, at the same time an indicator
on the first floor, shows on which of our
three systems 1t has opened, Addi-
tional heads open one after another
as fire progresses, though one usually
extinguishes fire as past records
show.
''In addition to the above, we have
had during the last twenty years an
automatic fire alarm system, with ther-
mostats placed about sixteen feet apart,
connected by electric wire, which also
lead to the fire station. These heads
are set at about ll0-l20 degrees, and
send an alarm for our private bells as
well as to the fire station at the same
time an indicator fastened to the Jay
street side of building points to the
number showing in which part of the
building the thermostat closed the cir
cult on account of heat or fire. Stand
pipes with hose attachments, chemical
fire eXtinguishers, water barrels, etc,
on every floor, have long been among
our fire fighting devices.
SIN addition to our regular night
watchman, we are required to have q
special watchman for Sundays, holi.
days, etc, whenever store is not oper
for business, SO that the building is
never left without some one to watch
it-not an hour. Certain employes
keep the system in good condition; we
watch them, and insurance inspectors
watch us.
'1o install all these apparatuses fol
fire protection and to maintain same
means big expense, but it enables Il:
to carry insurance on practically ful
value of our buildings and stock, at a
bout one-third of former rates and the
entire cost would be paid in about si>
or seven years at present rate of insur
ance, which promises to be still furth
er reduced"
III ,-,,