Pullman herald. [volume] (Pullman, W.T. [Wash.]) 1888-1989, 1916-08-11
FIRES IN SEPARATORS EASILY II
AND QUICKLY DISTINGUISHED
Efficiency and 4Practicabiity of Fire Fighting
Devises Enthusiastically. Cardiff Gives
Timely Hints on Control of Smut.

Within "a few seconds after flame:
had enveloped the interior of a run
ming separator every spark had beer
extinguished by a fire eXtenguishel
system perfected by the United
States government and the interior
woodwork Of the machine was not
even discolored. A demonstration
of the effectiveness of the extin-
guisher system was given last Fri
day afternoon at the farm home OF
Charles Stirewalt, five miles north
of Pullman, near Whelan station
and 800 farmers. representing near
ly every part of Whitman county,
and some coming from as far east
as Lewiston and Genesee, were on
hand to witness the demonstration.
The demonstration was conducted
by Elmer Johnson, rural engineer
with the Department of Agriculture,
and proved conclusively to the as
sem bled farmers that the big loss
from separator fires which has
marked the past two or three har-
vest seasons can be reduced to a
minimum by ordinary precaution on
the part of the machine owners.
The system advocated by Uncle
Sam, and demonstrated by the gov
eminent expert, consists of a 40
gallon tank, which is placed on top
of the separator. Into this tank go
81 gallons of water and II pounds
of common baking soda. On the
top of the tank is smaller receipt
acle, into which is fitted a two
quart glass jar half submerged in
the water, and containing sulphuric
acid. From the main tank a one
inch pipe is run the full length of
the separator and to the end of the
stacker, with automatic valve nozzles
at intervals of 80 inches, and set at
different angles. A fine wire, con-
nected at different places with fuses,
connects with trigger on the side
of the machine. These fuses melt at
a temperature of $50 degrees, part
ing the wire and releasing the trig-
ger, which in turn releases a ham,
mer arrangement, which strikes the
glass jar. The acid thus released
mixes instantaneously with the soda
charged water, forming a gas with a
pressure of approximately 80 pounds
pressure. The water is thus forced
through the pipes and nozzels, which
are opened automatically by the
pressure, and every part of the in
terror of the machine is thoroughly
drenched with the solution, sQuelch-
ing the fire aim ost instantly.
The entire system works automat-
ically, no part being taken in the
fire fighting by the harvest crew,
and its effectiveness is beyond ques-
ton. For demonstration purposes
at the Stirewalt farm large quanti-
ties of mill dust were run through
the separator to make the conditions
as near true to actual harvest condi-
lions as possible A torch inserted
into the inside of the machine ig-
nited the dust particles and straw,
although the expected explosion
failed to materialize The system
worked perfectly, the machine being
kept running, and the solution was
forced to every part of the sep
arator.
The entire system was explained
in detail by Mr.. Johnson. Salient
parts of the continuance are under
patent by Uncle Sam, but no restrie-
uons are placed on the manufacture
of the appliances by farmers or
plum bers, and plans and specifica-
lions, with full directions for max
ing, may be secured free of charge
upon application. The cost of the
appliance is said to be under 500.
A device perfected by members of
the experiment station staff, under
practically the same plans as those
used in the manufacture of the gov
eminent attachment, was explained
and demonstrated by I. D. Charlton
of the State College, who also assist
ed Mr.. Johnson in the demonstra-
tion Of the government appliance.
The college system is said to be just
as efficient and thorough as Uncle
Sam patent, and its cost is much
less, thus making it more available
to the farmers. The college devise,
for which plans and specifications
may be secured free of charge upon
application to the state experiment
station, can be installed for approx
mately s25, and is so simple in con-
struction that the average plumber
will have no difficulty in manufac-
turing 1t. The college also offers to
send an expert to install the system
If the machine owner will pay his