Improvements in the Construction of Fireproof Buildings, and Rendering Existing Buildings Fireproof.
Year: 1894

page_text: Date of Application, 27th Mar., 1894
Complete Specification Left, 27th Dec., 1894-Accepted, 27th Mar., 1895
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in the Construction of Fireproof Buildings, and
Rendering Existing Buildings Fireproof.
WALTER HORNE, 32 Lydford Road Paddington London W. Civil Engineer do
hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
The iron colunins of buildings to be made watertight filled and kept full of water,
and so connected together by pipes or otherwise as to form a continuous column of
water from the bottom to the top of the building. The main girders of the buildings
to be "box girders" made watertight, filled and kept full of water, and connected
by pipes to the columns or otherwise, such columns and box girders to be supplied
from tank or tanks placed at the top of the buildings or otherwise.
The fireproof floors to be so constructed as to admit of the steel iron or other
joists being flooded with water, in case of fire, from mains pipes or otherwise, or
to constantly lay or be submerged in water such water to be supplied as above
or otherwise.
"
The columns of so called existing fireproof buildings, or other buildings, be ro
altered as to make the same applicable, to be treated as above, and the main girders
where "box girders are used also and where H girders are used, flanges, sides
or gutters be constructed of iron or other suitable material, so fixed to the sides of
such girders, as to make the web, and lower flange at least, of such girders form a
trough or other receptacle for holding water, which may be supplied as above or
otherwise also connect to existing so-called fireproof floors, pipes or watermains,
to admit water to flow quickly (in case of fire or otherwise) into the same, and fill
all the spaces, left for the circulation of air, in, below, above, or otherwise with
water and such floors to be so altered if necessary as to admit of the same being
carried out.
Or as an alternative, and more particularly so in cases, where the floors of new
or existing buildings are constructed of wood or other inflamable material the floors
to be raised, at the doorways or other entrances to the rooms, by placing steps,
inclines, or other arrangements, the tops of the same to be higher than any part of
the floor, pipes or watermains to be so arranged, as to deliver water, so as to cover
the floors quickly, in case of fire or otherwise which water would leak through the
joints of the flooring boards onto joists ceiling and room beneath, or provision to be
made for its so doing.
Cocks and valves of all pipes and mains to be placed so as to be readily got at in
case of fire (outside the building preferable).
The water in the columns, girders and floors to be used for heating purposes if
desired.
This invention to apply to all cases where water is used or applied as a non-
conductor of heat in the construction of new and existing buildings-or as above
described.
Water to be drawn from any of the columns for manufacturing or other purposes
if desired.
Dated this 26th day of March 1894.

page_text: Improvements in the Construction of Fireproof Buildings, and
Rendering Existing Buildings Fireproof.
WALTER HORNE 760 Harrow Road London W. Civil Engineer do hereby
declare the nature of this invention and in what manner the same is to be
performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement :-
In order to prevent the destruction of so called fireproof or other mills, factories, 5
warehouses and other buildings, and their contents by fire, in consequence of the
columns, girders or floors, bending, buckling or becoming displaced, and giving
way, through the expansion, heating softening &c. of the metal, when subjected to
excessive heat. My invention provides that the iron columns which support the
floors of such buildings, should be made on an improved principal by having irou
plates bolted or otherwise fastened over the openings of the same as A on drawing
or otherwise constructed. So as to render such columns, watertight, such improved
columns, to be filled with water and kept always full of water, and where the
columns are one above another and supporting one or more floors, they be tapped
or otherwise connected together as B on drawing by pipes, flanges, backnuts seated,
faced, or other joints, so as to form continuous columns of water extending from
the bottom to the top of such buildings.
The main or other girders of buildings to be made on an improved principle
they being "box girders
as C on drawing so constructed with flanges or plates
bolted or otherwise fastened on the ends or openings, as D on drawing and otherwise
made, as to render them perfectly watertight. These improved girders to be
tapped and connected together, or connected with the improved columns by pipes,
backnuts, seated or faced joints, or otherwise, so as to admit of the water from
the columns or other girders flowing freely into the same or vice versa as E on
drawing.
The improved girders and columns to be kept constantly charged with water to
be supplied from a large tank or tanks filled with water placed at such part of the
top of the buildings, at a higher level than the tops of any of the columns or
girders, and in such a position as would be least likely to be effected by fire under
any circumstances and if necessary to sit upon improved girders as described.
My invention also provides, that the improved, columns, girders and their
connections when fixed in position may be used as an improved heating apparatus,
for warming, drying, or other like purposes, and the same may be used for supplying
water for manufacturing or other purposes--as F on drawing.
My invention also provides that the construction of fireproof floors be so improved
that the cavities of the same be so constructed by holes being made through the
iron or other joists, and the construction so improved as to make such cavities
connect one with another throughout each entire floor, so as to admit of the
same being filled with water in case of fire or to be kept constantly charged
with water, such water to be supplied from the columns or girders as above or
otherwise.
My invention also provides that. the floors, of buildings be constructed, on an
improved principle and more particularly so when such floors are constructed of
wood or other inflammable material, such floors to be so made as to rise abruptly
at the doorways of all entrances and exits, by means of inclines or steps so as to
cause the cill of each entrance and exit, to be at a higher level than any part of
the floor, pipes or watermains be so arranged, as to deliver water in order to cover
the floors quickly, with water in case of fire, this water to remain on the floor, to
prevent the spread of fire.
My invention applies to all cases where water is used, or intended to be used, as

page_text: a non-conductor, in the construction of new improved fireproof buildings, or the
improvement of old buildings, for the prevention of their destruction by fire, and
not as an extinguisher.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what I
claim is
The use of water and improved materials in the construction of buildings, for
the prevention of the spread of fire, substantially as hereinbefore described.
Dated this 26th December 1894.
WALTER HORNE,
760, Harrow Road, London, W.