Ladysmith news-budget. [volume] (Ladysmith, Rusk County, Wis.) 1907-1927, 1917-08-17
FIRST AID AT FIRES

FIRST AID AT FIRES
Prevention and preparedness must
always be the main thoughts in combat
ing fire.
Prevent all the fires you can by pay
ing proper attention to building con-
struction, heating and lighting install
lation, care in handling of gasoline,
benzine, naptha and explosives gener-
ally, and to good housekeeping, .
which means absolute cleanliness.
With all care some fires will occur,
and for these inevitable ones we must
be prepared. The critical time of a
fire is the first few minutes. Either it
is put out then, or it may consume the
building and contents, and even develop
into an ever possible confagration.
One cool man back of pail of water
or a chemical extinguisher at first is as
good as whole fire department later
on.
In store easements, factories, ware
houses, mills and elevators one water
barrel and two pals for each 25OO
square feet of floor area, or approved
chemical fire extinguishers, or both,
should be installed. The stream from
an extinguisher can be directed to places
not accessible with pail of water.
To keep the water from freezing put
Is pounds of coarse salt into each bar
rel. Mark barrels and pals "For Fire
Only"
There are two general types of hand
extinguishers. The one-quart, pump
type uses liquid chemical which does
not freeze. This type is easily operat-
ed. The chemical used in these is par
ticularly effective on oil, celluloid and
calcium carbide fires and electric arcs.
We recommend this type for use in
kitchens, rendering plants, garages,
dry-cleaning establishments, automo-
biles and motor boats. The stream
from all chemical extinguishers should
be directed at the base of the fire not
at the flame.
In many places larger extinguisher
is needed. For such we recommend the
approved % gallon, soda-acid, tip-over
type, especially where man is liable
to operate it.
This is strong copper tank, which
should be lead-lined inside. This tank
is nearly filled with water. Suspended
on the inside at the top is sealed
bottle containing sulphuric acid. The
hose and nozzle extended from the top.
When the tank is inverted the acid is
spilled into the cup of soda, or a
mixture of bicarbonate of soda, giving
sufficient pressure to throw the stream
forty feet or more. 1t is dangerous tc
use salt in these tanks to prevent freez-
ing. The salt Is liable to corrode the
metal, cause leaks, and clog the hose
and nozzle.
Recently, at La Crosse, man was
discharging one of these extinguishers,
of non approved make, preparatory to
recharging. Salt had been used in it.
The metal was corroded at the water
line and a small leak was caused. The
nozzle was clogged to some extent.
Leak and nozzle were insufficient to
relieve the pressure on the inside. AS
the man stopped over to sexamine the
leak the tank burst hurting him back.
wards onto the pavement causing his
death.
To protect from freezing each ex-
tinguisher may be installed in cab.
met, with glass door. An electric
light inside will keep the temperature
above the freezing point. Should such
cabinet be impractical in any case, il
is best to install the 81 gallon, pump
type extinguisher, using calcium
carbide solution.
When preparing to recharge, remove
the cover and empty the extinguisher,
clean it out thoroughly, and recharge.
The soda acid extinguishers should be
recharged every year.
| Hose and nozzle must be free from OBJ.
structions, the acid bottle sound and in
proper position in the cage, the stopple
in place.
J The only protection the purchaser
has to quality serviceability is to make
sure that the extinguisher bears the