IMPROVEMENTS IN A SYSTEM FOR EXTINGUISHING FIRE, AND IN THE APPARATUS THEREFOR.
Year: 1879

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Henry Spencer Parmelee, of the City and County of
New Haven, and State of Connecticut, one of the United States of America,
for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN A SYSTEM FOR EXTINGUISHING
FIRE, AND IN THE APPARATUS THEREFOR.' "
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Henry Spencer Parmelee at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 30th June 1879.
HENRY SPENCER PARMELEE, of the City and County of New Haven and State
of Connecticut, one of the United States of America. "IMPROVEMENTS IN A SYSTEM
FOR EXTINGUISHING FIRE, AND IN THE APPARATUS THEREFOR."
One object of this Invention is to provide means whereby buildings on land and
ships may be automatically protected in case of fire by the agency of the fire itself,
so that as soon as a fire takes place the heat of the same will not only automatically
release an extinguisher, but by the lateral spreading of the heat will open other
extinguishers, and thus surround the fire by a wall of water, and confine the same
to the space in which it originated.
Another object of the said Invention is to provide means whereby an alarm will
be given automatically when a fire breaks out.
The said Invention consists partly in arranging a system of main and branch
pipes through a building, the outlets of which pipes are sealed by some material
fusible at a low temperature, and provided with distributors which spread the
water over a large surface, so that when a fire breaks out the heat will release the .
water or other extinguishing agent, and the fire will be extinguished automatically.
The said Invention further comprises the peculiar arrangement of a valve or
a float nearly filling the conduit or supply main, so that the flow of the liquid in
the conduit will move the float or valve, and the valve stem or other connection
will operate an alarm, which may be a steam or air whistle or a gong, or it may
close or open an electric circuit. It may release a mechanical striker or other means
for sounding an alarm, by which notice is given that a fire is burning, and
the guardian of the building may shut off the water or other extinguishing agent,.
if desired, so as to prevent damage by them..

page_text: I connect a system of pipes with a water supply, and place upon branches
extending from this system of pipes distributors or sprinklers, which I either cover
with a cap secured by some material fusible at a temperature low enough to melt
on the occurrence of a fire; or I secure a valve or disc by means of some material
fusible at a low temperature, so that on the breaking out of a fire the said material 5
will melt, the valve or disc will be released, and the water turned on, which will
quickly put out the fire.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Henry Spencer Parmelee in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
30th December 1879.
HENRY SPENCER PARMELEE, of the City and County of New Haven and State
of Connecticut, one of the United States of America. "IMPROVEMENTS IN A SYSTEM
FOR EXTINGUISHING FIRE, AND IN THE APPARATUS THEREFOR.”
Figure 1 is a sectional view of a building shewing different applications of my
improved system for the protection of buildings against fire, as also one application
of my automatic alarm to such buildings. It also shews the connection with the
system of fire extinguishers of an air pump, by which air is pumped into the system
of pipes, and also a connection with the outside of the building, so that a steam
fire engine may connect with the system of pipes and force water into the same.
Figure 2 is a view of my improved alarm valve, shewn as connected with a steam
or air alarm. Any other alarm may be operated by the valve, as shewn, when the
valve leaves its seat, and any weighted alarm may be released, and the alarm
Bounded.
Figure 3 is a top view of a revolving distributor.
Figure 4 is a view partly in section of a revolving distributor, in which a ring
provided with radial openings surrounds a central tube provided with ports, so that
the discharge of the water by its reaction on the loose ring revolves the same, and
distributes the water over a large space. A cap is shewn in section, covering and
protecting the distributor, and which may be secured by some low fusible material
so that the heat of the fire will release the cap, and automatically release the water
or other fluid or gas, and extinguish the fire.
Figure 5 is a view partly in section of another revolving distributor provided with
an extended base, so that the soldered joint between the base and the cap is more
exposed to the action of the heat, and provided with a closed central tube, a
portion of the metal of which is spun over so as to hold the revolving ring in place
instead of the screw cap shewn in Figure 4.
Figure 6 shews a sectional and an exterior view of a distributor, in which a cap
is soldered to the end of the inlet-pipe by a fusible solder, and protected by the
distributor.
Figure 7 shews a sectional and an exterior view of a distributor, in which a
disc, or seal made of fusible material, or secured by fusible material, so_that_the

page_text: same.
WAS DO Basically released on the breaking out or a are by the beat of the
Figure 8 shews a sectional and an exterior view of a distributor, in which a plug,
disc, or seal is secured within the central tube of a revolving distributor so as to be
released by the heat of the fire.
Figure 9 shewa a sectional and an exterior view of a distributor in which a seal
is held by the distributor to the end of the pipe, so as to form a fluid and gas tight
joint. The seal is made in part or whole of a fusible material; or the outer ring
forming the joint may be made of some soft metal, to which a central disc is secured
by a fusible solder.
Figure 10 shews a sectional and an exterior view of a rose sprinkler provided
with a projecting base, shewing a metal cap secured to the base by a solder fusible
at a low temperature.
Figure 11 is a view partly in section shewing a sprinkler secured to a pipe, in
the passage of which, or as shewn in the Drawings in one of the fittings, a disc is
secured by fusible solder so as to form a seal.
Figure 12 shows a sectional and an exterior view of a rose sprinkler, in which a
valve is held by a stem soldered to the crown of the rose, against which valve a
seat is secured so as to make a tight fit, and the whole secured to a pipe. As soon
. as the solder melts the valve stem releases the valve, and the water is turned on.
The object of this Invention is to protect buildings or ships against fire
automatically, and by the agency of the fire, so that as soon as a fire takes place
the heat of the fire will not only automatically release the extinguisher, but by the
lateral spreading of the heat will open other extinguishers, and thus surround the
fire by a wall of water, and confine the same to the space in which it originated
Another object of my Invention is to give an alarm automatically when a fire
breaks out.
The Invention consists in arranging a system of main and branch pipes through
a building the outlets of which are sealed by some material fusible at a low tempera-
ture, and provided with distributors which spread the water over a large surface,
so that when a fire breaks out the heat will release the water or other extinguishing
agent, and the fire will be extinguished automatically. The Invention further
consists in the peculiar arrangement of a valve or float nearly filling the conduit or
supply main, so that the flow of the liquid in the conduit will move the float or
valve, and the valve stem or other connection will operate an alarm which may be
a steam or air whistle or gong, or it may close or open an electric circuit. It may
release a mechanical striker or any other kind of an alarm by which notice is given
that a fire is burning, and the guardian of the building may shut off the water or
other extinguishing agent so as to prevent damage by them.
In the Drawings, a represents the pipes or conduits by which all the automatic
distributors are connected; bare the distributors, various forms of which are shown,
and others may be arranged to answer the same purpose, which is to distribute the
water in a spray over an extended surface, so that when the distributors are
arranged eight feet, more or less, from centre to centre, all the space occupied by
them will be showered by water or other extinguishing liquid.
Figures 3, 4, 5, 8, and 11 represent revolving distributors, and all the other
Figures rose distributors; in the revolving distributors the discharge openings are
arranged so as to effect a rotation of the head or ring by the reaction of the
discharging liquid upon the same; they are provided with a central tube or hollow
spindle provided with ports which form the axis around which the head or ring
revolves.
I prefer to arrange the distributors so that the water, if water is used, is forced
against the ceiling or roof, and falls down in a divided spray; by this arrangement
the heat is reduced in the upper part of the room or compartment, and the fire is
confined to the room in which it originated, but under peculiar conditions the
distributors must be located with judgment, so as to protect the building and
contents.

page_text: To ensure absolute certainty in the operation of the apparatus to confine the
water damage to the vicinity of the fire, and most important of all to concentrate
all the force of the extinguishing liquid or gas on the fire, I close all the outlets,
with a seal depending on the fusion by heat not much above the normal tempora-
ture of the room or compartment in which they are located, for their release and the
release of the extinguishing agent. This insures absolute certainty in the operation
of the extinguisher, as only one main is required, from which branches run into all
the rooms and compartments, and when the extinguishing agent is forced or allowed
to run into the main it will only find an outlet at the distributors over or near the
fire which have become unsealed, whereas without this fusible seal the building
must be divided into a number of separate systems confined each to a separate
portion of a building, and a main must connect each portion with the supply, and
must be closed with a valve.
In case of a fire, and the usual excitement incident thereto, it becomes difficult
to ascertain the location of the fire with certainty, and it is deemed safer to open
more than one system. The first danger is that in opening the wrong system the
fire is not interfered with, and, gaining force, gets beyond the control of any fire
extinguishing system. The second is the great loss by water damage, often much
greater than the loss by fire.
In manufacturing establishments or other large spaces or rooms, even when
divided into systems, and when all things work most favorably, the water damage
extends much beyond the fire, as it is only limited by the extent of the system,
whereas in my system the whole damage is confined to or nearly to the fire, as
in some cases only two or three distributors immediately over or near the fire
become unsealed. The advantage of concentrating all the available force on the
fire only is still more important. The waste of force, energy, water, and property
at an ordinary fire, even with a well disciplined corps, exceeds even the waste of
war, and its effect is more destructive and more impoverishing to a nation. With
my system in its simplest form, consisting of a main pipe and branches distributed
over a building, the ends are provided with distributors and closed with a seal,
which will be released by the heat of the fire.
If no tank or reservoir is provided, and no water pressure or street mains are
accessible, then any pump or fire engine when secured to the main will pump the
water or other extinguisher directly through the one, two, or more distributors that
have become unsealed by the hent from the fire, and all the energy, all the water,
and all the loss will be concentrated on the spot where the fire originated. If,
however, my complete system is used, and the extinguishing agent is kept under
pressure in the whole system of pipes, then every room, compartment, and even the
least accessible corners or places will have an ever watchful, trustworthy, and most
effective extingnisher, faithfully waiting to perform its duty, ever ready to save the
property entrusted to its care, it never sleeps, is never absent, and neither heat,
poisonous smoke, or the tongue of the flame can drive it from its post. At the first
flicker of a fire the fusible material melts, and the whole stored up force is exerted
to extinguish a fire which in some places in a few moments would reach such
proportions that the best fire brigade, with unlimited power, could not control the
same.
The seals may be arranged in various forms, preferable so as to form part of the
distributor, so that by securing the same to the outlet the automatic releasing seal
will be contained within the same, or soldered to the distributor, as shown in
Figures 6, 7, 8, and 9, in which C is the seal.
The cap d, Figures 4 and 5, sets over the distributor, and thus protects the
same against dust and injury, and is secured by some low fusible solder to the base
which for that purpose is made wider than the distributor, so that the cap passes
freely over the same, and fits the base sufficiently accurate to allow them to be
soldered, and make an air tight joint. An alloy of tin and bismuth can be arranged
so as to fuse at temperatures varying from 200 degrees Fahrenheit to 400 degrees,
and when mercury is added it can be made to fuse at 160 degrees of temperature,

page_text: whilst the cap soldered with this alloy to the base of the distributor will resist a
pressure much greater than would be required in an extinguisher.
The mains of this system are connected with a reservoir, so that the pipes are
supplied by gravitation, or they may be connected with a street or other supply by
5 which the pressure can be maintained, and when so supplied the system is most
truly automatic. e represents the reservoir to which the mains are connected.
When so arranged any fire will be extinguished automatically, and without any
special attention, but to prevent water damage it is desirable to have some notice
of the occurence, so as to shut off the water and prevent too much injury by water.
For this purpose I employ the arrangement shown in Figure 2, in which a valve is
provided with a cylindrical extension, and is arranged so that the valve and its
stem must pass through a certain distance before the water can pass freely through
the pipes. represents the valve, which is connected with a float g, the valve
stem, and "" the alarm.
When, by the heat of a fire, one or more of the seals or caps are released and the
water commences to flow, the pressure of the water acting on the float will push the
valve along until the quantity required to equalize the pressure is reached, or all
the water can pass between the cylindrical extension and the valve seat; the valve
stem is by this motion caused to act upon the lever or valve of a steam or air whistle
or gong, and the alarm is sounded. Any other alarm may be sounded in the same
manner by releasing the striking mechanism, and an alarm may be also sent by
either opening or closing an electric circuit by the motion of the float.
A slot or byway may be made in the valve seat, so that the water pressure may
become equalized by allowing a small quantity to pass by the valve, but not enough
to supply one distributor; as soon, therefore, as one or more distributors become
unsealed the pressure behind the valve becomes nil, and even a strain may be at
times exerted by the flowing water in the pipes below the valve, and adding the
pressure of the column above, the valve must inove and give the alarm, when, if the
fire is extinguished, the water supply may be shut off. A new distributor, properly
sealed, is then secured, and the whole is again ready for action at any time, day or
night.
A serious fire becomes an impossibility, and the most valuable treasures may be
protected against fire, and any building can be made absolutely fire-proof without
the immense expense and sacrifice of utility and comfort incurred in the so called
fire-proof buildings, not one of which has ever stood the test of a serious internal
fire, and in which the fire-proof construction of the walls, roof, shutters, and doors
proved the destruction of the whole by preventing the possibility of getting at
the fire.
Having thus described my Invention, I claim as new, and desire to secure by
Letters Patent,—
First. In combination with a system of main and branch pipes, the outlets of
which are provided with distributors arranged to spread the water, of a seal arranged
to be released by the fusion of metal or solder, substantially as and for the purposo
set forth.
Second. The combination with a system of pipes provided with distributors and
closed with seals or caps, depending on the fusion of metal for their release of the
tank "," or any other automatic supply of water, gas, or fluid, substantially as and
for the purpose described.
Third. The combination with a system of pipes provided with distributors and
closed with plugs, seals, or caps depending on the fusion of metal for their release,
of an alarm operated by the flow of water acting on a float, substantially as and for
the purpose set forth.
Fourth. The combination with a distributor of a cap arranged to fit over and
protect the distributor.
Fifth. In an automatic fire extinguisher, the combination with a distributor of a
cap secured to the distributor by a low fusible material substantiall

page_text: Sixth. The combination with a fluid supply mains and branches provided with
distributors of a metal cap arranged to fit over the distributor, and secured thereto
in any manner so that the same will be released by the action of heat on a fusiblo
material, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.
Seventh. The combination in an automatice fire extinguisher with the mains and
branches of a distributor, within which a seal is secured depending on the fusion of
metal for its release.
Eighth. A distributor provided with an extended base in combination with a cap
secured to said base by low fusible solder.
Ninth. A revolving distributor provided with a hollow spindle having ports and
a ring or cap provided with discharge openings arranged to revolve the same by the
discharge of a fluid or gas.
Tenth. In combination with an alarm, an elongated valve extending through the
valve opening, and arranged to be moved a distance before the valve is opened, so
as to operate an alarm.
Eleventh. The combination in a valve with a valve seat and an extension nearly
fitting the valve opening of a groove or byway, substantially as and for the purpose
set forth.
Twelfth. The combination with a system of automatic fire extinguishers of an air
pump arranged to maintain a pressure of air within the pipes, and exclude the water
wholly or partially by air pressure, as described.
In witness whereof, I, the said Henry Spencer Parmelee, have hereunto set
my hand and seal, this the Thirty first day of July, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and seventy nine.