The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-10-12
FIRE FIGHTING EXPANSION IS
 URGED IN CITY
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reach some sections and the large number of alarms, averaging more than seven day, additional engine companies are needed; ladder sery- ice Is also seriously deficient in many sections be ause of the small num- Der of ladder companies and the lack of ladders of sufficient length on bumpers and hose wagons. Chemical service is good. Engine capacity is adequate, engines were in fair condi- tions, and generally well operated. Some of the hose wagons are not suitable for fire service, because of the poor type of motor and insuffi- cient power of motor. Heavy stream appliances are deficient. The two and one-half inch hose supply is ample. well cared for and periodically tested. Repair facilities are excellent, com potent mechanics are provided"
 The report covers 35 pages of an 8 by 10 inch pamphlet giving num- bers of tables. comparisons and un- limited research data of technical nature. It handles the fire situation in a series of chaL,e ,ers, analyzing the water supply service, the fire de- partment as whole, the fire alarm system, sources of water supply, gives details as to apparatus, recently made and recommended improvements, the telephone systems, structural condi- tions of buildings, the building per- init office operation. auxiliary fire fighting facilities of large plants, of which there are a number laws re- garding building construction.
 Recommendations Made.
 Recommendation are: That the water works company make the street names of it's maps conform to lthose of the city; that responsible employe of the water works company attend fires; that water pumping sta tions be made fireproof; that a sprin- kler system be installed in the North Birmingham water pumping station: that the 36-inch main be laid from the Shades Mountain filter plant to the Little Red Mountain tunnel, to make the combined capac- ity of the mains in this section equal to the capacity of the mains south of this tunnel; that four-inch mains supplying hydrants be changed to eight inch, and four and six inch dead ends be eliminated wherever possible; that the distribution sys- tenn be equipped with a sufficient number of gate valves. that inspec- tions be made at least once year of valves; that sprinkler wagons re- frain from using fire hydrants.
 For the fire department the under writers recommend:
  stallation of more fire hydrants; that the aerial truck and water tower be put in regular service; that suffi- cient men be added to the service; :; that more apparatus be added; that the unreliable and obsolete air cooled hose wagons now in service be re-. placed with modern automobile com bination wagons. The report goes on minutely to enumerate the needed additional equipment it recommends for the fire department. It also rec ommends the installation of dupli- cate source of current for the fire alarm system It recommends in- stallation of red lights on the fire alarm boxes of the business district and also enumerates additional fea- lures and maintenance for the box alarm system. re
 With a black star heading the par agraph and in black-faccd type this recommendation is made: That combustible roof coverings be pro- hibited throughout the city on all new or repaired roofs"