The Brattleboro daily reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1913-1955, 1922-12-12

"In the principal mercantile district
| the absence of proper protection TO YER
teal and horizontal openings, INSULT
cient parapets, lack of protection
buildings with highly combustible con
| tents in interiors of some block areas
and poor accessibility in some instances
present n high potential fire hazard fur
Their augmented by poorly equipped
undetermined and lnadequately trained
| fire department Residential districts
with exception Of sections adjacent to
| lumber yards do not present n serious
| hazard the lack of adequate water sup
ply in some sections at presSures suit
able for hydrant streams and lack of en-
gines in service in fire department con-
tribute to possibility of group fires, but
prompt notification of alarm and response
Of fire department should prevent rapid
spread of fire
The recommendations made by the In
surance Exchange are in % sections,
condensed statement of them being as
| follows:
/. That an employe of the water
company respond to all first alarms in
the mercantile district and to second
alarms elsewhere, with emergency wagon
and equipment
, That complete plans Of the supply
works and distribution system. showing
size and location Of all mains, gates, ny
drants etc, be prepared and kept up to
date
3. That the present high rate of con-
sumption be reduced by the general
metering Of all services and a well-de-
fined plan be adopted whereby all ser
vices will be metered within a reasonable
period.
4. That the distribution system be
strengthened by the early installation of
additional mains. (Shown on drawing
accompanying report.)
5. That the distribution system be
equipped with sufficient number of
gate valves 50 located that no single case
of accident breakage or repair to the
pipe system in important districts win
necessitate the shutting off from service
a length of pipe greater than the side of
single block or a maximum of 500 feet
or in other districts greater than 800
feet
6. That additional hydrants be in
stalled so that in the mercantile district
the average distance between hydrants
will in no case exceed 80 feet: and in
the residential sections. $50 feet
q. That a fire chief who shall devote
his entire time to the service be APP
pointed for an indefinite term. remoy-
able only for cause and held solely re-
sponsible for the supervision and main
tenanee of the department. and that he
act also as building inspector.
:. That the appointment and promo
ton of officers be based on examination.
seniority and record with tenure of
Office provisions.
o. That appointments 10 the service
be made for indefinite terms, removable
only for cause, after applicants have
passed suitable mental and physical ex-
aminations.
10. That five full paid men be APP
pointed
II. That a 750-gallon per minute
automobile combined pump, chemical
and hose wagon, equipped with 40-gallon
chemical or 60-gallon water tank, a 30
foot extension and 14foot ladder pro-
vided that a 60-foot combination auto
mobile city service ladder truck equipped
with 40-gallon chemical or 60-gallon
water tank be provided.
II. That various necessary equip
ment be furnished where not already
provided
IL. That all hose purchased in the
future bear the label of the Underwrit
ers' Laboratories, Inc; that all hose be
tested ST least annually TO a pressure
Of 200 pounds and detective sections dis
carded that all hose If not used ut
fires he shifted on apparatus monthly
that sufficient hose be provided to pro-
vide a total of 1000 feet.
IT That Il new modern Ere station
be erected; a portion 10 be OF fire re-
sistiye construction for housing fire
alarm equipment: centrally located, for
the housing Of apparatus and men.
II. That suitable drilling facilities
be provided and all members 30 regu-
larry drilled in the use of all appliances,
quick handling Of hose, salvage work