Improvements in Fireproof Partitions and Drop Screens and in Fire-extinguishing Apparatus Connected therewith.
Year: 1887

page_text: Date of Application, 18th Oct., 1887
Complete Specification Left, 9th Nov., 1888
Complete "pecification Accepted, 5th Oct., 1888
Improvements in Fireproof Partitions and Drop Screens and in
Fire-extinguishing Apparatus Connected therewith.
I CUTHBERT GARDNER of the "Seven Stars Hotel," Manchester in the County of
Lancaster Contractor do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:-
To provide in Theatre's and similar public institutions an effectual means of
preventing the spread of fire, and localising the same, by the introduction of a double
fireproof screen which can be filled with water by simply turning a valve. The
mechanism of the invention is detailed as follows, viz :
1. Place down a foundation 18 in. x 18 in. across behind procenium wall into
which is fixed an iron Fire proof Partition, made of double iron Boiler plates framed
so as to leave 2in. cavity between the said partition to run across to the side walls
of Theatre, To have a 6 in. wall hold at each end, and to run up 3 feet above roof
line of Theatre, a space being left in front of proscenium for drop screen.
2. Two Iron Columns are fixed into said foundation and bolted to procenium wall,
the said column's run up the side of aforesaid partition at the top of which are fixed
two pedestals through which runs a wrought iron shaft the said shaft being supported
by iron Brackets fixed to procenium wall, one end of iron shaft to run into a pedestal
fixed in a wall box in side wall, Two pullies are fixed on aforesaid shaft, a chain to
run over each pulley, one end of said chain is fixed to the top of an iron fire proof
drop screen, and the other end to run down side of partition and fixed to an iron
weight.
3. The iron Fire proof drop screen is made of double iron Boiler plates and bolted
together so as to leave 2 in. cavity between. The said drop screen being fixed to
chain on shaft, as above described.
4. A Brake pulley is fixed on aforesaid Iron shaft. A brake to run round said
pulley and fixed to an iron fire proof partition and connected at the other end to an
iron upright rod. The said rod to run to an exentric to stage floor of Theatre and
when the said exentric is worked the said drop screen slides down a groove in each
column and runs into a grove in a girder fixed beneath floor line of stage, the said
girder to be supported by iron column's fixed into aforesaid foundation,

page_text: 5. A crab is fixed underneath stage with a chain attached on a hook fixed on under-
neath of the iron weight to lift drop screen into its proper place at top.
6. An iron cistern is fixed on top of procenium wall above roof.
7. A 12 in. water main runs from the street through side wall and along the inside
of aforesaid foundation to which main pipes are connected to fill 2 in. cavity in fire
proof partition and fire proof screen.
8. A 12 in. water main runs from street main the said 12 in. main to run through
side wall and through the inside of aforesaid foundation to which are connected 3-24 in.
iron pipes, the said pipes to run into fire proof partition other two 21 in. pipes are
also connected to 12 in. water main the said pipes to run from main through girder
and level with stage floor, and so fixed that when iron drop screen falls into its place
at bottom the said pipes will run into it, a pipe is also connected to main which runs
up inside of said partition to iron cistern on root, a pipe runs round bottom of said
cistern with hoses on the side which when water is turned on from main the said hoses
play on roof of auditorium.
9. A valve is connected to aforesaid main the handle of which is placed near the
aforesaid exentric which works drop screen, so that a man being constantly placed
there during the performance can in case of fire in a few seconds let down the afore-
said drop screen and open said valve, when the drop screen is down, the stage is
entirely shut off from the auditorium and when the valve is turned on the water
rushes through aforesaid main and the pipes which run up the inside of fire proof
partition delivers themselves and fills the fire proof partition with water likewise fills
fire proof drop screen and cistern.
10. A 9 in. water main runs from street through side wall of Theatre from which
four 2 in. water pipes are connected and carried up inside of fire proof partition to
which hoses are fixed to side of fire proof partition which plays direct on wings and
roof of Theatre over stage, a valve is connected to aforesaid 9 in. water main tho
handle of which is fixed near aforesaid exentric.
11. It will be observed that all pipes are protected from fire & Frost by being
carried inside of fire proof partition.
12. Where there is no pressure of water from street main I claim the right to use
a composition of asbestos to fill 21 in. cavity in partition and drop screen.
Dated this 17th day of October 1887.
CUTHBERT GARDNER.

page_text: Improvements in Fire-proof Partitions and Drop Screens and in
Fire Extinguishing Apparatus Connected therewith.
1 CUTHBERT GARDNER of the 7 Stars Hotel, Manchester in the County of
Lancaster Contractor 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
The object of my invention is to provide in theatres and similar public institutions
an effectual means of preventing the spread of fire and localizing the fire by the
introduction of a double fire-proof screen which screen can be filled with water by
simply turning a valve.
In order that my invention may be readily understood and carried into effect I
describe the same by reference to the drawings hereunto annexed in all the figures of
which the same letters of reference indicate similar parts-For convenience of
description I will describe my invention as applied to a Theatre-In the drawings
hereunto annexed Fig. 1 is a front view. Fig. 2 a plan and Fig. 3 a vertical section
showing so much of a Theatre as is requisite to illustrate my invention.
In the figures above mentioned C, C are the side-walls of the theatre and A is the
proscenium-wall behind which I place a hollow partition B formed of metal plates-
The partition B extends across between the walls C and above the roof of the theatre
which roof is indicated by the dotted lines a―The partition B at its sides passes into
grooves or recesses formed in the walls C--The lower edge of the partition B rests upon
a foundation of brick or other suitable material formed between the walls The par-
tition B is formed of plates of metal secured together so as to leave a cavity B' between the
two plates-Through the partition B and in front of the proscenium is formed an opening c
-Metal columns E rest at their lower ends on the foundation band at their upper ends are
secured to a cross-beam F the extremities of which pass respectively into the walls CC to
which they are secured-D is a drop-screen formed of plates of metal which plates are so
secured together at their edges that a cavity dis left between the two plates D'and D'
The plates D1, D2 are secured at the sides and bottom to a suitable frame-Extending
between the columns E and secured thereto is a sill G in the upper edge of which is
formed a groove g-The upper edge of the sill G is level with the surface of the stage
In the sides facing each other of the columns E I form grooves e (Figs. 2, 3) which
grooves form guides in which the edges of the drop-screen D may be slidden-In
bearings secured to the proscenium-wall A and capable of being rotated therein is a
shaft Upon the shaft is mounted a barrel; secured to such barrel is one end of
a chain the other end of which chain k is secured to the drop-screen D-Fast also
upon the shaft is a barrel / secured to which is one end of a chain m the other end
of which is secured to a weight n which serves to partially counterbalance the weight
of the drop-screen D-To the lower end of the weight n is fastened one end of a
chain m' the other end of which is secured to the barrel of the "crab" H secured to
the stage. Fast upon the shaft h is a brake pulley partially around which passes a
brake one end of which brake is secured to the proscenium wall A the other end of
the said brake being fastened to the upper end of the rod ³ the lower end of which is

page_text: connected to the "strap" of an excentric J carried by brackets fixed to the stage
which excentric J is furnished with a handle J-K is a pipe connected with any
suitable water-supply such as a "street water main "-Communicating with the pipe K
are pipes L which pass into the cavity B¹ between the sides of the partition B the said
pipes L each terminating at one of the points marked L'.
Communicating with the pipe K are pipes M which pass within the cavity B¹ of
the partition B and then project through the side of the partition B at the points
marked M', M³, M³ respectively-The end of each of the pipes M is provided with a
hose-pipe The hose-pipe on the end of the pipe M projecting through the side of the
partition B at M³ serves at times to conduct water to the roof of the auditorium and
the hose-pipes on the ends of the pipes M projecting through the side of the partition B
at M and M² serve at times to conduct water on to the stage.
Communicating with the pipe K are pipes N the upper ends of which are secured
to and pass through the sill G-The upper ends of the pipes N are open and are level
with the bottom of the groove g formed in the sill G-In the pipe K I place a valve
or tap connected to which is a rod provided with a handle o by means of which the
said valve or tap O may be opened or closed-The screen D is shown in the position
in which it is when raised to leave the opening through the partition B clear-Should
a fire occur either in front of the proscenium-wall A or upon the stage behind the
partition B or should it be desired to lower the drop-screen the excentric J is turned
so as to slacken the brake which acts upon the brake-pulley h¹.
The drop-screen D will then descend being guided while descending by the grooves e
until its lower edge passes into the groove in the sill G-The drop-screen D will
then close the opening e-In the case of the drop-screen being lowered in the event of
a fire occurring the valve or tap O is opened to allow water to flow into the pipe K-
Thereupon water will be conducted by the pipes L into the cavity between the plates
of the partition B and simultaneously water will be conducted by the pipes N to the
cavity between the plates of the drop-screen D, the drop-screen D being open at the
bottom to allow the water to pass into the said cavity, d. Water will also be conducted
by means of the pipes M and be directed upon the top of the roof above the auditorium
and upon the stage.
The rate at which the drop-screen D descends may be controlled by means of the
brake aforesaid The drop-screen D may be again raised by means of the crab H-
When the drop-screen D has been raised to the height desired it may be retained in
such position by the handle J¹ being turned so as to cause the brake above mentioned
to be tightened upon the brake pulley h¹.
The pipes L, N intended to supply water to the partition B and the drop-screen D
are to be of such size that they will allow water to pass in such quantity that the
cavity B¹ between the sides of the partition B and the cavity d between the sides of
the drop-screen D may become quickly filled with water in spite of any leakage which
may occur.
The partition B and drop-screen D if kept supplied with water as above described
will prevent fire from passing from either side of such partition B and drop-screen D
to the other When the fire is extinguished the valve or tap O is closed so as to shut
off the supply of water and 'the drop-screen D is raised.
Figs. 4, 5, 6 and 7 illustrate another method of carrying my invention into effect
according to which method I form the drop-screen in two or more portions_Fig. 4
being an elevation as seen when looking from the back of the stage. Fig. a
horizontal cross-section and Fig. 6 a vertical section of so much of a theatre as is
requisite to illustrate this arrangement of my invention. Fig. 7 is an elevation
showing the double fire-proof drop-screen lowered.
In this arrangement I form the drop-screen D which when required closes the
opening c formed through the fireproof partition B in three portions D3, D4, D' and
I form in each of the columns E a groove e for each of the portions D³. D. Do as
shown in Fig. 8 which is a view showing one of the columns E when seen from the
direction of the other of such columns E-The grooves e in which the portion D³ of
the drop-screen D slides terminate at P-The grooves e in which the portion D* of the

page_text: drop-screen D slides terminate at Q-The grooves e in which the portion D'
of the drop-screen D slides are carried down to the level of the bottom of the
groove formed in the sill G-The barrel of the "crab" H employed for raising
the drop-screen D I provide with portions p q r
different diameters-To the
portion p of largest diameter I secure one end of a chain p¹ which chain pl passes
over guide-pulleys carried by the cross-beam F and is connected to the portion D' of
the drop-screen D-To the portion 7 of the barrel of the "crab" H is secured one
end of a chain q' which after passing over guide-pulleys carried by the cross-heam F
is secured at its other end to the portion D' of the drop-screen D-To the portion r of
the barrel of the "crab" H I secure one end of a chain r¹ which after passing over
guide-pulleys carried by the cross-beam F is secured at its other end to the portion D³,
of the drop-screen D-The diameters of the portions p q r of the barrel of the
"crab "Hinust be such that the lower edges of the portions D3 D4 D of the drop-
screen D will when in their highest positions as indicated in Fig. 4 be raised to the
top of the opening c formed through the proscenium wall A-Should there be any
tendency in the chains to pass from the larger to the smaller diameters of the barrel
such tendency may be counteracted by guide pulleys placed just over the respective
diameters of the barrel-When the portions D³ D D of the drop-screen D have been
raised into the positions in which they are indicated in Figs. 4 and 6, they may be
retained in such positions by means of a pawl or click jointed to the framework of the
"crab" H which pawl or click takes into the teeth of a ratchet wheel mounted fast
upon the axle of the barrel of the "crab" H or the barrel of such "crab" H may be
prevented from being rotated, except when desired, by a brake or other convenient
means. The cavity between the plates of the portion 1³ of the drop-screen D is closed
at the bottom but is open at the top-The cavity between the plates of the portion D
of the drop-screen D is closed at the bottom but open at the top-The cavity between
the plates of the portion D of the drop-screen D is open at the bottom and also open
at the top-In case of a fire occurring in front of or behind the proscenium wall A the
pawl or click which prevents the barrel of the crab H from being rotated except when
required is raised or the brake or other means employed for the said purpose is or are
released and the portions D³ D₁ D³ of the drop-screen D are allowed to descend-The
portion D³ of the drop-screen D will descend until its bottom edge arrives against
the ends of the grooves e in which the portion D³ of the drop-screen D slides-The
portion D of the drop-screen D will descend until its bottom edge arrives against
the ends of the grooves e in which the portion D* of the drop-screen D slides-The
portion D of the drop-screen D will descend until its bottom edge passes into the
groove g formed in the sill G-The attendant then opens the valve or tap O and allows
water to pass into the pipe K-Water is conveyed by the pipes L into the cavity B¹
between the plates of the partition B as previously described in reference to Figs. 1. 2
and 3-Simultaneously water will be conducted by means of the pipes M and thrown
upon the stage and upon the top of the roof above the auditorium-Water will pass
by means of the pipes N into the cavity between the plates of the portion D of the
drop-screen D-The water flowing from the pipe R which is connected to the pipe K
will fill the cavity between the plates of the portion D³ of the drop-screen D and the
cavity between the plates of the portion D' of the drop-screen D-Water may continue
to be supplied to the partition B and the portions D3 D4 D' of the drop-screen D until
the fire is extinguished when the tap or valve O is closed so as to shut off the supply
of water from the pipe K and afterwards the water in the cavities between the plates
of the portions D³, D, D' of the drop-screen D and in the cavity B₁ of the partition B
may be removed by means of suitable taps or in any other suitable manner and the
portions D3, D4, D5 of the drop-screen D inay be again raised to the position in which
they are indicated in Fig. 4.
In some cases I connect weights to the chains p, q, r1 respectively which weights
partially counterbalance the weight of the portions D³, D₁ D of the drop-screen D
respectively thereby lessening the amount of exertion necessary for raising the
portions D³, D, D³ of the drop-screen D into the positions in which they are indicated
in Fig. 4.
1

page_text: By placing the pipes L M R as far as possible within the cavity B¹ within the
partition B I protect such pipes from injury and protect them from becoming stopped
and from being injured by frost.
In those cases in which there is no water main from which water may be supplied
to the pipe K, the pipo K may be supplied in the first instance from a cistern situate
at a level higher than the highest part of the partition B or from any other suitable
store of water and a further supply of water may be kept up by means of a suitable
pump or other convenient means.
In the foregoing description of my invention I have described my invention as
applied to a theatre but I would have it understood that my invention may be applied
to any other building in which it may be desirable or necessary to prevent the spread
of fire from one portion of the building to another.
The proportion and sizes of the various parts of the apparatus hereinbefore described
will require to be varied to suit the various sizes of the theatres or other buildings to
which my invention may be applied but for a theatre of ordinary size I would
recommend that the distance between the plates of the partition B be two and a
half inches and that the distances between the plates of the drop-screen D) or the
plates of the portions D³ D D into which the drop-screen D is divided be two and a
half inches I would also recommend that the pipe K have an internal diameter of
twelve inches and that the pipes L, M, N, R, have an internal diameter of not less
than one inch-I would however have it distinctly understood that I do not confine
myself to the dimensions above stated as the dimensions of the pipes L, M, N, R will
require to be adapted to the pressure at which water may be supplied and the size
of the partition and drop-screen or portions of the drop-screen to be supplied
with water.
In some cases in order to ensure that the drop-screen D or the portions D³, D¹, Do
of such drop-screen D shall readily when required slide down the grooves e in which
it or they is or are mounted 1 place in the said grooves e balls or rollers u as indicated
in Figs. 9 and 10 which balls or rollers u are placed between each edge D* of the
drop-screen D or the portion thereof and the back of the groove in which such edge
is intended to slide such balls or rollers u being retained in the said groove by the
edge of the drop-screen D or the portion of the drop-screen D and a projecting part
formed or attached at the lower edge of the said drop-screen D or the portion of the
drop-screen D.
In some cases the portion of the partition B which is above the level indicated by
the line may be so formed as to serve as a cistern or reservoir which being filled
with water may serve to fill with water the cavity d in the drop-screen D or the
cavities in the portions D3, D4, D5 of the drop-screen D should the pipes L, M, N, R
from any cause fail to supply water to the cavity d in the drop screen D or the cavities
formed in the portions D3, D4, D' of the drop screen D. In such cases a pipe or pipes
is or are provided so that water may be conducted from the cistern or reservoir
formed by the said portion of the partition B and the said pipe or pipes is or are
provided with a suitable valve or tap or valves or taps by means of which the water
may when necessary or desirable be allowed to issue from the said cistern or reservoir
to the cavity in the drop-screen D or the cavities in the portions D³ D₁ D³ of the
drop-screen D.
The valves or taps by means of which the supply of water to the cavity B¹ between
the plates of the partition B and to the cavity d between the plates of the drop-screen D
or to the cavities between the plates of the portions D3 D4 D5 of the drop-screen D is
controlled may be so arranged that the tendency of the movable parts of such valves
or taps shall be to occupy a position which will allow water to pass to the said cavities
and when water is not required to pass to such cavities the said movable parts of
the valves or taps may be secured in any suitable manner by means of cords or other
suitable means in position for preventing water from passing to the said cavities.
Thus if the drop-screen D or the portions 13 D D of the drop-screen D are placed
in a position to close the opening c in the partition B a fire if such occurred would
by burning the cords or other suitable means above mentioned allow water to pass to

page_text: the cavity B between the plates of the partition B and to the cavity between the
plates of the drop-screen D or the cavities between the plates of the portions D3 D4 D'
of the drop-screen D and thus the efficacy of the appliances would not be dependent
upon the attention of an attendant.
If desired also the "crab" may in like manner be prevented from allowing the
drop-screen D or the portions D3 D4 D5 of the drop-screen D to descend by means of
paris kept in position for preventing the rotation of the barrel of such "crab" by
means of a cord or other suitable appliance which would be burnt in the event of a
fire occurring and thus allow the drop-screen D or the portions D³ D* D* of the
drop-screen 1 to descend into position for closing the opening e formed through the
partition B.
If desired also the cross-beam F may be so arranged that water may pass through
the interior of such cross-beam F in order that such cross-beam F may not be
destroyed in the event of a fire occurring.
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:
1. The double fire-proof partition hereinbefore described the cavity in which may
be filled with water and acting in conjunction therewith a fire-proof drop-screen in
one or more portions formed with a cavity or cavities which may be filled with water
all constructed arranged used and operating substantially in the manner herein before
described in reference to and indicated in and by the drawings hereunto annexed.
Dated this Fifth day of July 1888.
CUTHBERT GARDNER.