IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR EXTINGUISHING FIRE
Year: 1884

page_text: I, MOZART VINNING, of 33 Alexandra Road, Hornsey Park, Hornsey, in the
County of Middlesex, Retired Assistant Paymaster, Royal Navy do hereby declare
the nature of my invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR EXTINGUISHING
FIRE" to be as follows:-
My invention is designed to provide fixed or stationary apparatus whereby water
can be stored in a building or a block of buildings and discharged under great
pressure, when required, for extinguishing fire; and to provide means whereby
such pressure may be immediately caused to act upon the water so that it can be
utilized at such point or points of the building or buildings as emergency may
require, and whereby this result can be effected in a very short time by one
operator.
My invention is based upon the utilization of compressed air stored in one or
more tanks or reservoirs in such a manner that, whilst leaving the water supply at
ordinary times under the head or pressure due to gravity, it can be at any moment
caused to exert its force upon the water contained in the said tanks or reservoirs or
in another tank or tanks so that the water can be ejected with great force through
any or all of the mains, and the cocks and hose in connection therewith.
In carrying the said invention into practice I provide one or more closed tanks
or reservoirs (preferably cylindrical) in which water is stored.
These tanks may
be placed in any room or in the upper part of a building beneath the roof. To the
lower part of the tank I connect water mains which extend to different parts of the
building as desired.
I also provide a closed air-tight vessel of suitable size and shape (preferably
cylindrical) for the storage of compressed air; which vessel can be placed at any
convenient part of the building, not necessarily close to, or on the same floor as,
the water tank. To the bottom of this air vessel I connect a pipe, which extends
to, and discharges into, the upper part of the water-tank.
At any convenient point in this pipe I provide a box or casing which I term the
"valve box," and which contains a valve. This valve, when closed, retains the
compressed air within the air vessel until it is required for use. In the part of
the valve-box between the said valve and the water tank I provide a device
preferably operated by a lever for opening the said valve to permit the compressed
air to enter the water tank and act upon the surface of the water. This device is
so constructed that, when the valve is closed there is a free passage for the escape
of air from the water-tank and from the air-pipe below the valve, but when the
valve is opened, the escape of air is prevented. Any unnecessary pressure in the
water-tank is thus avoided, and any leakage of air through the valve, when closed,
will not cause an accumulation of pressure in the said tank, firemains, firecocks and
fittings with consequent liability to water leakage.

page_text: I sometimes attach to the said lever (which I term the discharge lever) when
practicable, a rod or chain which passing from floor to floor has, in close proximity
to each fire cock, a hand lever whereby the pressure in the air vessel (which is
usually kept at say 100 lbs per square inch) can be instantly brought to bear upon
the whole water system by a momentary pull of the lever nearest to the fire-cock
This discharge chain
most conveniently situated for attacking an outbreak of fire.
or rod is not, however, essential to the system, as the discharge lever can be moved
directly by hand if desired, and can be placed, with the valve box, at any part of
the air-pipe that may be deemed advisable.
For the purpose of keeping the closed-water tank supplied with water I connect
it with an open tank already existing in the building on about the same level or
with an open tank provided for the purpose. This open tank can be filled from a
public supply or other source through an ordinary ball valve and may be provided
with an overflow pipe. The connecting pipe extends from the base of one tank to
the base of the other tank and in such connecting pipe I place a non-return valve
that is to say, a valve which will close automatically when the air pressure is
admitted to the closed tank; but which, after the discharge of the water under
high pressure and the escape of the compressed air, will reopen automatically and
permit the water from the open tank to pass through the closed tank and be at
once discharged through the same mains, but obviously only under the pressure or
head due to gravity.
One or more pressure gauges can be attached to the air vessel, either directly or
by means of a pipe, and placed in any part of the building, to indicate at all times
the existence of the requisite pressure in the said vessel.
For charging the air vessel with compressed air I provide a suitable hand-power
air-pump, capable of being worked by two or more men according to requirements;
or I provide a small portable manual fire engine so fitted that it can be used in the
ordinary manner as a portable fire engine or worked by two or more men for
charging the air-vessel with compressed air when required.
.
In some towns where a constant supply of water exists there may frequently be
an effective pressure on the lower floors of a building, whilst there is an ineffective
pressure above the same; it might be desirable therefore to use my apparatus
only on the upper floors and the gravitation pressure on the lower floors. In such
cases I place a stop cock at such a point in the vertical main from the closed tank
as may be desirable, which cock can be closed if desired; I connect the base of the
vertical main to the external water supply, and at the junction I place a non-return
valve to prevent back pressure, in case the high pressure tank system is brought
into use on the lower floors.
I sometimes employ a series of closed water tanks connected with each other and
supplied with compressed air from one or more air-vessels. In some instances
I make the closed water tank with a dome or small extra chamber in its upper
portion to act as an air-chamber to allow for expansion in case of the water
becoming frozen.
In some cases I apply my invention for the purpose of supplying pressure for
acting on water contained in closed tanks erected in different and separate
buildings, by means of a separate and centrally situated reservoir of compressed
air, the pressure of which may be accumulated, and, if desired, maintained as it is
expended, by air pumps worked by any suitable powers.
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
For the Applicant.

page_text: Improvements in Apparatus for Extinguishing Fire.
I, MOZART VINNING, of 33 Alexandra Road, Hornsey Park, Hornsey, in the
County of Middlesex, Retired Assistant Paymaster, Royal Navy, do hereby declare
the nature of my invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR EXTINGUISHING
FIRE" and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly
described and ascertained in and by the following statement:-
My invention is designed to provide for storing air under pressure and utilizing
the same, when required, to effect, or assist in effecting, the forcible discharge of
water from one or more mains or pipes for the purpose of extinguishing fire.
My improved apparatus is so constructed that, although the water will, at
ordinary times,. be under the head or pressure due to gravity alone, yet the
compressed air can, at any moment, be caused to act upon the water and eject the
same with great force through one or more orifices in the mains or pipes, or in hose
or nozzles connected therewith.
In the accompanying drawings, I have shewn how my said invention may be
conveniently and advantageously carried into practice in cases where it is desired
to provide houses or other buildings with ready means for extinguishing fire
therein.
Figure 1 is a sectional elevation shewing part of a building provided with my
improved apparatus.
Figure 2 is a vertical central section of a stop-valve hereinafter described, and
Figure 3 is a vertical central section of a double stop-valve hereinafter described.
a indicates a strong cylindrical tank or reservoir for holding or containing water.
This tank in the arrangement shewn in the drawing, is situated near the roof of the
building, but it may, with greater or less advantage, be placed on any other level and
in any convenient position either inside or outside the building. b is a main or
pipe connected with the said tank at, or near, the lower part thereof, and extending
therefrom to to the bottom of the building. c, c are stop-cocks, one of which is
attached to the main b on each floor of the building; hose and nozzles, such as are
ordinarily employed for extinguishing fire, are provided for coupling to the said
stop-cocks when necessary. The main b is sometimes extended, as indicated by
dotted lines at b', to one or more points outside the building, at which points it is
provided with suitable stop-cocks, hose and nozzles.
d is a cylindrical vessel for the storage of the compressed air. This vessel, in
the arrangement shewn in the drawing, is placed in a shed d' provided for the
purpose at one side of the building, but the said vessel may, if desired, be placed in
any convenient part of the building. It need not be close to, or on the saine floor
as, the water tank a. The air in the vessel d is kept under a pressure of say one
hundred pounds (100 lbs) per square inch. The said vessel and the water tank a,
with which it is to be put in communication as hereinafter described, must be
sufficiently strong to withstand such pressure.
e is a pipe which is connected with the air vessel d (preferably at the bottom
thereof as shewn, so that any water of condensation that may accumulate therein
will be discharged therefrom). The said pipe e extends to, and is connected with,

page_text: the upper end of a stop-valve f, the construction of which is shewn in Figure 2.
The lower end of the stop-valve f is connected by means of a pipe g with the
water tank a.
The filling of the tank a with water may be effected by a pump or other suitable
means. I prefer, however, to provide for filling the said tank and keeping it
supplied with water as follows, that is to say: I connect the said tank a, by
means of a pipe h, with a tank or cistern i such as is ordinarily used for supplying
water for domestic purposes. This tank is filled from a public supply or other
source through an ordinary ball-valve and is provided with an overflow pipe. In
the connecting pipe h, I arrange a non-return valve k, that is to say, a valve which
will open automatically to permit water. to flow from the tank i into the tank a,
but will prevent the flow of water from the tank a into the tank i.
For charging the vessel d with compressed air, I sometimes employ a suitable
hand-power air-pump, capable of being worked by one or more men according to
requirements; or I employ a small portable manual fire-engine so constructed that
it can be used either in the ordinary manner as a portable fire-engine or for
charging the said vessel with compressed air. Or I provide for utilizing steam or
other power that may be available in, or near, the building, for charging the said
vessel. The connection to the vessel d for this purpose is made at d², for example,
a suitable valve being provided at this point.
The stop-valve f, when closed, cuts off communication between the vessel d and
the tank a.
The pressure in the said tank and in the main b is then only that due
to gravity. When, however, water is required for extinguishing fire, the stop-
valve is opened, and the compressed air in the vessel d is permitted to flow into
the tank a to act upon the water therein; the pressure in the said tank and in the
main bis thus greatly increased, and the water in the tank a can be utilized
for extinguishing fire on any floor of the building by opening one or other of the
cocks c.
The stop-valve fis constructed as shewn in Figure 2, in which is the valve-box
and m is the valve-proper, which I term the air-valve. The valve m is acted upon
by a spring n which tends to press it against its seat.
An excentric o is fixed on a
screw-spindle o¹, and is arranged to be operated by a wheel or pulley p, also fixed
on the said spindle, to open the valve m for the admission of compressed air to the
tank a. To prevent any accumulation of pressure in the tank a and main b by
reason of leakage through the valve m, I fit the screw-threaded portion of the
spindle o loosely in the valve-box l, so that air can escape between the said
spindle and valve-box. Moreover I make the spindle o¹ with a collar or flange o²,
so that the turning of the said spindle, to open the air-valve m, will cause the
collar o² to press against a leather or other washer on the valve-box l. I thus
provide for preventing the escape of air whilst the valve m is open, and avoid any
unnecessary pressure in the water tank, mains, and fittings, and the consequent
liability to water leakage.
9, 9 are pulleys one of which is arranged on each floor of the building in close
proximity to the stop-cock c. These pulleys are connected with the pulley p by
means of cords or chains r; and each pulley q is provided with what I term a hand
pressure lever 8. By these means the pressure in the air-vessel can be instantly
brought to bear upon the whole water system by turning the lever and pulley next
to the stop-cock c most conveniently situated for attacking an outbreak of fire.
The pulleys q, levers 8 and cord or chain r can, however, be dispensed with, if
desired, and the valve. f, with its wheel or pulley p, be placed at any convenient
part of the building so that the said wheel can be moved directly by hand.
I sometimes employ rods and levers or other suitable devices, instead of the pulleys
and cords or chains.
.
In some cases, by reason of the large extent of a building or a block of buildings,
it is desirable to have two or more stop-valves, communicating at one end with the
air-vessel d and at the other end with the tank a, and connected with pulleys 7
and hand pressure levers s on the several floors of the building or buildings. In

page_text: such cases, I employ double stop-valves constructed as shewn in Figure 3. This
stop-valve is somewhat similar to that shewn in Figure 2, but it has an additional
valve t arranged beneath the spindle o¹, and opening and closing the reverse way
to the air-valve m. This additional valve acts to prevent the escape of compressed
air from the water-tank in case the latter should be placed in communication with
the air-vessel by means of another of the stop-valves. The valve t is acted upon
by à spring t which tends to keep it closed. The said valve may be arranged to
be opened by means of the excentric which opens the air-valve; but I usually
provide a separate excentric o³ fixed on the spindle o' for this purpose.
excentrics are preferably so adjusted that a partial movement of the wheel P will
open the valve t without pressing the collar o² against its seat and without
opening the air-valve m; whilst a complete movement of the said lever will open
the air-valve m and press the collar o² against its seat. By these means. any
leakage through the air-valve m, which can be but very slight, will pass off
through the escape aperture; whilst any compressed air that has been intentionally
admitted into the water tank a can be allowed to escape by a partial movement of
the lever.
These
By reason of the above described connection between the tanks a and i, as soon
as the water has been discharged from the tank a by the pressure of the air in the
vessel d, and the compressed air has escaped or expanded the valve k will open
automatically and permit the water from the tank i to pass through the tank a
and be at once discharged through the mains b, but obviously only under the
pressure or head due to gravity. In the case of buildings separately fitted with
my apparatus, I sometimes provide means for utilizing, in a similar manner, the
power of a fire-engine on its arrival, or any power on the spot which, after a short
lapse of time, can be brought into operation, for forcing water through the mains
into the closed water tank, and thus using the said tank as a pressure accumulator;
I thereby avoid the great waste of power which takes place when water has to be
forced through great lengths of small portable hose, such as are required when
ordinary fire engines are employed to reach the upper or other distant parts of
buildings, and which have to follow the windings of stair-cases and passages.
One or more pressure gauges are sometimes attached directly to the air-vessel as
at u, or are connected therewith by means of a pipe, and placed in any part of the
building, to indicate at all times the pressure existing in the said vessel. By these
means any diminution of pressure therein can be at once ascertained.
In some cases, where a constant supply of water exists, there may frequently be
an effective pressure on the lower floors of a building, whilst there is an ineffective
pressure on the upper floors thereof; it might be desirable, in such cases, to use my
apparatus only on the upper floors, and to utilize the pressure due to gravity alone
on the lower floors. For this purpose I place a stop-cock in the vertical main at
any desired distance from the tank a; I connect the lower end of this vertical
main with the external water main, and, at the junction of the two mains, I place
a non-return valve, that is to say, a valve which will permit the passage of water
upwards into the vertical main, but will prevent the pressure in the tank a, when
brought into use, from acting upon the water in the external main.
I sometimes employ a series of tanks a connected with each other and arranged
to be supplied with compressed air from one or more air-vessels. In some instances
I make the tank a with a dome or small extra chamber at the top, to act as an
air-chamber, and to allow for expansion in case the water should become frozen
when the tank is filled.
In some cases, I employ closed tanks in separate buildings, and provide the air-
pressure for acting upon the water in these tanks by employing a separate and
centrally situated reservoir of compressed air, the pressure of which may he
accumulated (and, if desired, maintained as it is expended) by air-pumps worked.
by any suitable power at the central station; in this case, each building is fitted
with means similar to those herein before described whereby the tank or tanks

page_text: therein can be put into communication with the reservoir of compressed air, or
shut off therefrom at will.
Moreover I sometimes apply my invention for the purpose of enabling a high
pressure to be brought to bear at will (in case of emergency) on the water mains
of a district or town by means of one or more closed water tanks and one or more
air-vessels at a central station. In this case the whole water supply may, if
necessary, pass through the closed water tanks, so that it will issue therefrom,
under ordinary circumstances, at the normal pressure due to the existing head;
but, on the compressed air being admitted to the said tanks, the water therein and
in the street mains will be delivered at the most distant points under a greatly
increased pressure. A check-valve is placed at the water inlet to prevent the flow
of water from the tank through the said inlet. I sometimes provide for using the
water tanks and air-vessels thus arranged as an accumulator by employing an
engine (which is preferably stationary) driven by steam or other power. This
engine is brought into operation, as soon as possible after the alarm is given, for
the purpose of forcing water from the supply into the water tanks, thus compressing
the partially expanded air and maintaining the desired pressure on the street mains.
In the absence of such engine-power, the water under the high air pressure, would,
when the compressed air escaped or expanded, be at once followed by water under
the usual head or pressure.
It is obvious that any suitable number of water tanks and air-vessels may be
used in carrying my invention into practice, and that the construction and arrange-
ment of the apparatus can be considerably modified without departing from the
nature of my said invention.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what
I claim is
First. The employment, in combination with one or more water tanks or
reservoirs and mains or pipes connected, therewith, of one or more vessels or holders
for compressed air connected with the tank or tanks and provided with means
whereby the compressed air can be permitted to act, or prevented from acting,
upon the water, substantially as, and for the purpose, set forth.
Second. The improved double stop-valve constructed substantially as described
with reference to Figure 3 of the drawings and operating as, and for the purpose,
specified.
Third. The combination of the tank a and vessel d connected by the pipes e, g
provided with the stop-valve f, the main or pipe b provided with the stop-cocks c,
and means whereby the stop-valve f can be opened or closed from either Hoor of a
building, (with or without the tank i and valve k) all substantially as described
with reference to Figure 1 of the drawings for the purposes specified.
Dated this 15th day of September 1885.