The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-04-29
Water Lines Should Be Ex-
tended-Assistant Chiefs
Are Needed
ESTABLISHMENT OF
TWO MORE STATIONS
Flying Squadron at Station 16 Also
Wanted-Radical Changes Urged
in Fire Alarm System-Pro-
hibit Wooden Shingles

Some pertinent remarks concerning IRE
risk conditions In Birmingham and some
equally pertinent recommendations as 10
what was needed In Birmingham to lower
the fire loss are made in the report of the
committee on fire prevention OF the ma
tional board Of fire underwriters, which
some few weeks ago made an inspection
here. Copies Of the. committoss report
to tho national association have just
been received in Birmingham.
Wooden shingles, too small fire depart
ment for the space covered, too many
small fires. no enforcement of an ordi-
nance regulating chimney cleaning, and
other things are pointed out as the causes
of tho extraordiary high fire loss in this
city.
The committee compares the losses for
the past few years in this city as fol-
lows In 1911, Birmingham had 1895 hres;
1912. number of fires, 1856. The number
of fires per 1000 people in 1911 was s.S and
in 1912. 90, which, it says, is very high.
Total losses in 1911 were $716554 and 1872,
sS39, 109. Other important statistics are
given in this table.
1t then proceeds with a. list of recon-
mendations, which are as follows;
or the recommendations made in the
report of 1909. Nos. to II, inclusive, still
apply as affecting general protection and
continued action along the lines indicated
is urged. In addition, the following
recommendations are emphasized
1. That the Pinch line on Huntsville
road be continued to East Lake and the
1s-inch line on Sarah avenue be continued
to Corey as soon as possible.
.. That the city order the water COM
pany to place hydrants at least at every
street intersection in closely built out
living districts, pending the ultimate IN
stallation of hydrants to meet the re-
quirements given in Recommendation 10
of the report of 1902
3. That second and third assistant chiefs
be appointed.
4. THAT the strength of the department
be increased:
a. By establishing flying squadron or
auxiliary company at station 49, to be
nrovided with an automobile comblna-
tion chemical and hose wagon Of at least
so horsepower, carrying at least 800 feet
of hose and manned by seven men.
b. BY establishing 5-man hose COM
panies in the vicinity of Tenth avenue
and Forty-seyenth street. East Birming-
ham. and Bessemer boulevard and Ra-
leigh street, Fairview
c. BY making hose company IT a hye
man company and hose company 10
seven man company.
d. BY establishing a five man ladder
oompany. provided with an automobile
city service truck, at station 3.
e. BY providing hose companies IA and
II with combination chemical and hose
wa CONS. with 200 feet of chemical hose
and 2iA to 1-ineh reducing coupling.
HOSE
r THAT the specification of the national
board of fire underwriters for hose for
city fire department use be adopted or
used as a guide in formulating specifca-
tions for new hose, and that 3-inch hose
be included in all purchases so that ulti-
mately each wagon in service Will be
equipped with equal amounts of 21s and )
inch hose; all 3-inch hose TO be fitted
with 21a inch couplings properly beveled.
6. That stations ?, g. 4, :, 10 and 10 be
replaced by modern buildings, and that
all or part of station or 4 be made fire
proof for fire alarm headquarters
MINOR EQUIPMENT
THAT minor equipment be furnished
as follows, where not already provided:
a. To each hose wagon: Siamese
coupling, distributing nozzle, door open
er. wire cutter, nozzle holder, smooth
hore nozzle, hydrant hose gate, rope,
hose straps and buckets.
b To the ladder trucks Pompier lad
Gers. bale hooks. burst-hose Jackets,
cellar pipe crowbars, door opener, for
chile entry tools. hose roller, life belts
life net nozzle holders, rope, rope
gun, smoke masks. wall hook and chain,
and salvage appliances, including four
waterproof covers
c. TO each engine: compound gauge
on suction side of pumps.
OPERATION.
S. That at least two hose or engine
com panies respond to all alarms
g. That three-inch hose be used In
laying from engine to buildings. tur-
fct nozzle, ladder pipes and deluge
SETS.
10 That drill school be established.
equipped with pompier tower and in
charge of q competent officer. where
all members especially new men. shall
be drilled in the use OF apparatus ana
IN life saving.
H. That company officers inspect all
factory, mercantile and storage build
ings in their districts quarterly.
r. That a flat car be provided and
Kept near a fire station and arrange
ments be made with the street railway
companies to transport fire apparatus
to outlying sections upon request of the
chief.
Fire Alarm System
l3. That fire alarm headquarters be
removed TO a fireproof building espe
oially constructed TO reduce far as
possible all liability to interruption of
service In the new location. all ap
paratus to be placed on incombustible
mountings and no woodwork to be per-
mitted In the fire alarm room; until
this is done every effort shouls be
made to safeguard the present quarters
by having electric wiring throughout
the building brought up to standard,
providing standard shutters on exposed
windows and placing portable chemical
extinguishers in Railways on each floor.
APPARATUS.
IL That the system be changed to
a manualy operated system, covering
the entire city and including the fol-
lowing apparatus:
At headquarters.
a. Gable terminal boards for chang
ing connections.
b. Protection boards, providing
lightning arrester and heat coil and
Eeavy current fuse protection for each
conductor, and the usual switches and
Instruments for testing circuits for>l