The log cabin Democrat., 1916-07-18
ACTUAR|fS REPORT ON CONWAY RISKS FIRE FIGHTING FACILITIES Of This City are Criticised in Survey Made by Bureaus Inspector,
 D. $. McLaurin.

A comprehensive report on the city hazards and means of fighting fire hazards and means of fighting fire is contained in publication just is sued by the Arkansas Actuarial Blu reau, prepared by D. s. McLaurin, an inspector of the bureau who made an inspection on June 29. While several favorable features of the city and it's waterworks system are commended and the paved streets are mentioned as an especial advantage, numerous recommendation for improvements are suggested.
 The installation of additional hy- drants, especially in the congested business district, increasing the size of water mains, eliminating of dead ends" systematic inspection of valves, the keeping of record of all fires, the installation of combination auto hose and chemical truck and the passage of ordinances suggested by the National Board of Fire Under writers are among the recommenda- tions made.
 Some extracts from the survey are given below:
 "Topography-Th city is situated at an elevation of 3O9 feet above sea level. The mercantile district is level.
 "Streets-Streets are generally level. Six miles of streets paved, in- cluding principal business streets. In the congested district width of streets between buildings is 50 feet. In the residential section widths varies from 50 to 50 feet. The condi- tion of the paved streets is very good. Unpaved streets in general are grad ed and drained.
 Structural Conditions and Haz- ards-The fire limits include an area comprising the equivalent of nine blocks. This area includes the congested mercantile district, which is closely built up of brick or dinary joisted buildings, seriously exposed by number of large frame livery stables located just outside the fire limits. Buildings mainly one l SlOI HlSIl, liOIlC ONCi tWo oloilCo Parapets in majority of cases are deficient in height and thickness. Ex- posed exterior openings as rule i'm properly protected or not protected. Openings in division walls as rule unprotected. Majority of buildings in vre limits have metal or composition roofs. Buildings in residential sec tion of the usual frame construction with shingle roofs predominating, not closely built up"
 The waterworks system is minutely described. With the gravity system 183 feet above business district, with a capacity of 475,000 gallons, equiv alent to 2.83 days average consump- tion, and is capable of supplying in congested value district two 185gal- lon hose streams through 50 feet of hose with residual pressure of 36 3-4 pounds and 25 pounds flowing pres sure at 1 Is inch smooth nozzle. '"The system as regards ability to de- liver required fire flow in excess of domestic consumption is 78 per cent deficient of fourth class require ments" The town is graded 4 1-2 class. Prominent deficiencies pointed out are: Force main too small, caus- ing excessive friction loss. Insuffi- cient number of valves on system Excessive hydrant spacing in con- gested district" An objectionable feature" is the single transmission line to pumps.
 The water distribution system the report states, consists of approximate ly 2,S00 feet 10-inch, 4,500 feet 8-inch $500 feet 6-inch and 2S,000 feet of 4-inch pipe. All wood pipe except about 2,000 feet of S-inch, 1,200 feet of 6-inch and 600 feet of 4-inch cast iron pipe, laid since installation of system. There are 37 6-inch and AZ 4-inch two-way frost proof hydrants Hydrants are spaced from 200 to 675 feet apart in congested value district and from 300 to 675 feet with one ex- treme spacing of 1,400 feet in resi- dence section.
 sumption-During the year ] l91g the average daily consumption as indicated on record of hours ' pumps were operated was 1882 gallons per "A hours, not taking pump slippage into consideration l By calculations based on records ot hours pumps were operated, the max ; imum consumption for 24 hours dur ing 1915 is estimated to be 229,59I
 gallons. The rate of maximum con
 sumption with 2,520,000 gallons re qpired fire flow (fourth class require
 ment) is 2,749,597 gallons.
 a "Pressures-The normal domestic l nressures hY inSnector's puape WA