Ladysmith news-budget. [volume] (Ladysmith, Rusk County, Wis.) 1907-1927, 1914-11-13
ACETYLENE LIGHTING SYSTEM

ACETYLENE LIGHTING SYSTEM
Two recent explosions of acetylene
generators, both of which caused prop
erty loss, and one a life, lead us to
give warning as to the installation
and care of these systems.
The manufacturer and sales agent
will say, that explosions are impos-
sible, and neither carelessness nor
ignorance makes the machine dan
gerous." This is only selling talk. A
machine thus guaranteed cost the
life of young man last month at
Wilmot, in this state
When the system is properly in
stalled and cared for, acetylene gives
perfect, brilliant and steady light.
AS electricity and gas from central
stations cannot be had in the cOun-
try, acetylene lighting systems are
often found in farm homes and coun-
try hotels and we have no desire to
discourage the use of these lighting
systems, and do not claim that they
are fraught with more danger than
gasoline lighting systems, but we
want people to realize that acetylene
gas is highly explosive, and claim cal
cium carbide also is dangerous I'M
less kept dry.
The purchaser of such a system
should make sure that the system
has been tested and approved by,
and bears the label of the Under
writer's Laboratories.
The main danger of explosion is at
the generator tank; so it is impor-
| tant, that this tank be kept in a
separate, outside building, and not
| in the basement of the main build
ing, where an explosion is certain to
destroy the building and to endan-
ger the lives of the occupants.
The building in which the genera
| tor is installed should be well light
ed and ventilated. No artificial light
or fire should be within fifteen feet
of the generator. The use of any
candle, lamp, match or other open
| light near a generator should never
be permitted.
The generator should be charged
| by daylight only, at regular inter
walls and never by a novice. Before
n q Onn
clean out the generator chamber and
remove all residuum. Do not place
this in sewer pipes or keep it in
garbage cans or wooden receptacles
or near any combustible or inflam-
mable Materials
The carbide container should never
be filled over the mark designated,
thus making allowance for expansion.
When re-charging the proper sup
| ply of fresh, clear water should be
put into the tank.
The building in which the genera
tor is installed should be heated by
steam or hot water if possible The
room must be safe from freezing.
The presence of pungent odors, or
a Pickering, irregular flame or hiss
ing sound at the burner means trou-
BILE, and should be investigated at
once by one who understands the
system.
Calcium carbide should be bought
in metal drums only, of not over one
hundred pounds capacity, and not
more than one drum should be
opened at the same time. The car
bide drums also should be stored in
an outside building, which is always
dry, waterproof and we'll ventilated.
They should not be kept in the build
ing where the generator is. 1t is
we'll to raise the drums from the
floor by supports so that the air can
circulate under them, and that they
may not come in contact with damp
floors.
Consider this danger to human life
and property and let your motto al
ways be: SAFETY FIRST.
GLEN P. HOST,
TN.