Improvements in or connected with the Extinguishing of Fires.
Year: 1893

page_text: Date of Application, 18th Feb., 1893
Complete Specification Left, 20th Nov., 1893-Accepted, 13th Jan., 1894
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in or connected with the Extinguishing of Fires.
I, ORLANDO THOMAS NEWTON, of 14, Wright Street, Egremont, in the
County of Chester, Mechanical Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this
invention to be as follows:-
This invention has reference to the extinguishing of fires in buildings or enclosed
spaces generally, including ships; and it has special reference to the extinguishing
of fires in buildings such as warehouses and sheds, in which goods or articles of
various kinds are stored; it being however, at the same time, as stated, applicable
to buildings or other structures or enclosed spaces generally.
:
To render the explanation of the nature of my invention simple, I will describe
it as applied or used in connection with a building, say a warehouse or the like,
comprising a plurality of floors or storeys, it being understood that the features of
the invention, or any of them, are equally applicable to buildings or structures
differing in form and arrangement from such building, and may be applied,
collectively or individually, and they may be of the form hereinafter stated, or be
modified or combined in different ways to suit particular or varied conditions of the
application. In the application, then, to a warehouse or like building, a rising
main or conduit is provided which passes up through all the storeys or floors, and
is connected with the street service main or other source of supply; the water,
however, from the main being normally cut off from said building inain by a valve
of any suitable kiud, and the main thereby kept normally empty, as are also the
pipes constituting the supply and distribution system. In connection with this
rising main, in each floor there is or are provided distributing maius and distributing
pipes, arranged horizontally under the floor, and from which the water is distributed
or supplied in case of fire. Water is only distributed from such of the distribution
pipes as for the time being command the area of the floor in which the fire exists.
This distribution is effected by valves actuated through suitable manual or power
actuating devices, and under the control of the watch-man of a building; or capable
of being used by another person or persons; and this actuating mechanism, in some
cases, is also connected with the main valve which controls the main supply of
water and a drain valve on the inner ring main, and is so arranged that such main
valve will be opened and the drain valve closed whenever any one or more of the
distribution valves are actuated.
In connection with this arrangement and system, there are used wires throughout
all the floors, with fusible metallic portious thereon at different parts, whereby
when a fire occurs at any part or on any floor, the fusible metal above the portion
in conflagration will melt, and so sever the connection and release the wire. And
in connection with this wire, there is used an hydraulic elastic or other alarm
device (say a water motor with a sounding device thereon). When an hydraulic
device is used the water is supplied to it from the source of supply, by the fusing.
of the said metallic parts and release of the wire, and a weight or spring normally
held or supported by said wire, which when released actuates the water supply
valve or other device of said alarm motor, and admit water thereto when 80
released; or when electricity is used makes contact and closes the current. Thus
when a fire occurs at any part throughout the building, the melting of any of the.
fusible parts or devices on the continuous wire effects, through the supplying of.
water or electric current to an alarm device, the actuation of such device; and the
alarm having been so given, water is then turned on from the source of supply to

page_text: the main supply pipe, and to those of the distribution pipes which command the
area over which the fire exists.
They may be also used in connection with this arrangement and system, and
with the wires or metallic connections above described, an indicating device on or
representing each floor, which being freed or actuated by the release of said wire,
in the floor in which the fire exists, shews in each case that particular floor. In
some cases this may consist of an arm at each floor, which may have an indicating
number or word on it, and is released by said wire or wires, and falls outwards from
the building when released.
The actuating device for operating the main, drain, and distribution valves, may
consist of levers (say one in connection with each floor) suitably mounted; or,
other equivalent actuating means may be used. And these may be so arranged and
mounted on a common shaft or other support, which would be actuated when any
of the distribution levers are actuated, and this, being connected with the main
supply and drain valves, would always turn on the water and shut the drain valve
whenever any of the distribution valves were opened.
Any of the operative parts herein described may be adapted to make an
electrical circuit which is in communication with the fire-station or salvage station,
when actuated by suitable contact making or circuit closing device.
As above stated, the invention is not restricted to the exact forms or descriptions
of parts or mechanisms above specified, and the different features or parts may be
used collectively or individually in connection with fire extinguishing systems of
different kinds.
Dated this 17th dor of Fahr 1902
CHEESBROUGH & ROYSTON, Fels. Chart. Inst. P.A.,
15, Water Street, Liverpool, Applicant's Patent Agents.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in or connected with the Extinguishing of Fires.
1, ORLANDO THOMAS NEWTON, of 14, Wright Street, Egremont, in the
County of Chester, Mechanical 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 :-
This invention has reference to the extinguishing of fires in buildings or enclosed
spaces generally, including ships, and it has special reference to the extinguishing.
of fires in buildings such as warehouses and sheds, in which goods or articles of
various kinds are stored, it being however, at the same time, as stated, applicable
to buildings or other structures or enclosed spaces generally.
To render the explanation of the nature of my invention simple, I will describe
it as applied or used in connection with a building, say a warehouse or the like,
comprising a plurality of floors or storeys, it being understood that the features of
the invention, or any of them, are equally applicable to buildings or structures
differing in form and arrangement from such building, and may be applied
collectively or individually; and they may be of the form hereinafter stated, or be
modified or combined in different ways to suit particular or varied conditions of the
application. In the application, then, to a warehouse or like building, a rising
main or conduit is provided which passes up through all the storeys or floors, and
is connected with the street service main or other source of supply; the water,
however, from the main being normally cut off from said building main by a valve
of any suitable kind and the main thereby kept normally empty, as are also the
pipes constituting the supply and distribution system. In connection with this
rising main, in each floor there is or are provided distributing mains and distributing
pipes, arranged horizontally under the floor, and from which the water is distributed
or supplied in case of fire. Water is only distributed from such of the.

page_text: distribution pipes as for the time being command the area of the floor in which the
fire exists. This distribution is effected by valves actuated through suitable manual
or power actuating devices, and under the control of the watchman of a building;
or capable of being used by another person or persons; and this actuating
mechanism, in some cases, is also connected with the main valve which controls
the main supply of water, and a drain valve on the inner rising main, and is so
arranged that such main valve will be opened and the drain valve closed whenever
any one or more of the distribution valves are actuated..
In connection with this arrangement and system, there are used cords or wires
throughout all the floors, with fusible metallic devices or portions thereon at
different parts, whereby when a fire occurs at any part or on any floor, the fusible
metal above the portion in conflagration will melt, and so sever the connection and
release the wire. And in connection with the wire, there is used an hydraulic,
electric, or other alarm device (say a water motor with a sounding device thereon).
When a hydraulic device is used, the water is supplied to it from the source of
supply, by the fusing of the said metallic parts and release of the cord or wire,
and a weight or spring normally held or supported by said wire, which when
released actuates the water supply valve or other device of said alarm motor, and
admits water thereto when so released; or when electricity is used makes contact
and closes the current. Thus when a fire occurs at any part throughout the
building, the melting of any of the fusible parts or devices on the continuous wire
effects, through the supplying of water to an alarm device, the actuation of such
device; and the alarm having been so given, water is then turned on from the
source of supply to the main supply pipe, and to those of the distribution pipes
which command the area over which the fire exists.
There may be also used in connection with this arrangement and system, and
with the wires or metallic connections above described, an indicating device on or
representing each floor, which being freed or actuated by the release of said wire,
in the floor in which the fire exists, shews in each case that particular floor. In
some cases this may consist of an arm at each floor, which may have an indicating
number or word on it, and is released by said wire or wires, and falls outwards from
the building when released.
The actuating device for operating the main, drain, and distribution valves; may
consist of levers (say one in connection with each floor) suitably mounted; or,
other equivalent actuating means may be used. And these may be so arranged
and mounted on a common shaft or other support, which would be actuated when
any of the distribution levers are actuated, and this, being connected with the main
supply and drain valve; would always turn on the water and shut the drain valve
whenever any of the distribution valves were opened..
Any of the operative parts herein described may be adapted to make au
electrical circuit which is in communication with the fire-station or salvage station,
when actuated by suitable contact making or circuit closing devices.
In the drawings illustrating this invention,
Figure 1 is an end sectional elevation of a building provided with improvements
for extinguishing fires above referred to.
Figure 2 is an end sectional elevation of a building shewing the hand actuating
mechanism in detail and Figure 3 is a front elevation of same; while Figure 2ª is
sectional view of valvular device. And Figures 4 and 5 are side and front
elevations of said mechanism to a larger scale.
Referring now to the drawings, a is the town main or supply pipe. bis the
branch main leading to the building. c is the valvular device controlling the
supply of water to the building. d is the pipe connecting the device c with
the alarm e. f is the rising main, provided with an air vessel f1 thereon. And h
are distributing mains or pipes by which water is carried to suitable sprayers thercou
and distributed, in case of fire. The above parts and their functions being fully
described in the Specification of my application for Letters Patent No. 3627,
they need no further description generally, more than to say that the pipes by

page_text: which the water is distributed may be variously arranged, and the distribution
¡nozzles or sprayers disposed wherever may be deemed desirable or necessary.
The valvular device c consists of a casing with two branches; one of these is
from the street main a while the other-normally covered with a cap-may be con-
nected up
with the hose from a fire engine, whereby the direct main water or that
from a fire engine may be used at will. These branches are so adapted and
provided with lift valves that when one is being used the other communication is
shut off; that is when the fire-engine branch is being used the valve in connection
with same is automatically closed and the town supply cut off. This construc-
tion of valvular device which is shewn in section in Figure 24, is in the main
identical with that described in the Specification of said application No. 3627", but
its difference of detail will be hereinafter described: The alarm device in this case
is also similar to that described in the aforesaid Specification and is worked from
the valve case c as hereinafter specified.
i are the valves controlling the supply of water from the rising main f to the
different sets of distribution pipes h, each of which is provided with a weighted
lever with a weight thereon, which lever hangs down normally, but is pulled up
by the cord or the like herein specified, in cases of fire.
The valves of the valvular device c are disposed within the casing, that is
within the branches thereof, es being connected with the pipe b, and c being
the fire engine branch, having a removable cap c thereon. In connection with the
branch e, a valve c of the lift type is provided, having a piston c' above it working
in the upper cylindrical liner in the upper portion of the branch c, and within the
central part of the valve-which is hollow as shewn-a second valve c is provided,
working in connection with a seat on the valve c, and operated from the weighted
lever c outside said branch, through an interior arm cmounted on the spindle of
the lever c¹, within the branch, and the end of which is connected with the upper
part of the valve spindle of the valve c³, which spindle is also carried down beneath
the valve and works in connection with a lever (hereinafter described) within the
lower portion or base of the casing c³.
When the apparatus is not in action, the water entering by the branch c³ from
the main a, passes, and remains within the space between the valve c* and the
piston c', and fills the space above this piston by the leakage of water past it.
When, however, a fire occurs, and the lever c' is released and falls, due to its
weight x, it lifts the small valve c³ off its seat in the valve c", through the arm c°,
and the water above it passes into the lower part of the casing c³ by way of the
apertures c¹º. As the outlet by this valve is much greater than the leakage to the
space above the piston c-which is larger than that of the valve c-the pressure
lifts said piston and so raises the valve c' off its seat and gives full bore supply to
the building.
The effect of this duplex valve is that only a small pressure is required to lift
the small valve, whereas to lift the larger valve directly would require a large
pressure and the apparatus would not be so reliable.
By the lifting of the valve c as just described, the lever c" is operated, and so
operates a draining valve c", by which water remaining in the pipes and casing
after the apparatus has been used and the water shut off, is allowed to flow off
to any suitable outlet by the pipe c¹³. This valve drops onto its seat in action by
gravity. When the apparatus is out of action the valve c¹ takes the position
shewn in the drawings.
Referring to the fire-engine branch and the valve therein, this valve is
designated c, and is normally off its lower seat as shewn, in which position its
upper face comes in contact with and rests upon a seat on the lower edge of the
lining c. This valve is kept normally in this position from outside through the
weighted lever cl which is mounted on a spindle passing through the casing and
having upon it the arm c¹ connected with the valve stem of the valve c¹ within
the branch c. In action, when the branch c is connected up to the fire engine
delivery hose, the water enters the casing above the valve c and presses the valve

page_text: automatically down onto its lower seat, thereby making communication with the
pipes within the building, and shutting off communication with the lower part of.
the casing and the other branch.
When the pressure is removed from off the upper side of the valve c¹, it is
moved back outo its upper seat by the action of the weighted lever c¹³.
!
As regards the mode of and means for actuating the valves i and the valvular.
device these consist as follows:-I provide in connection with the levers i¹ of the
valves i, and the lever c¹ of the valvular device c, a number of levers k¹ k² k³ kt k
and mounted on a shaft and connected with the top, third second, first, and
ground floors and basement, respectively, by ropes j, such ropes passing over pulleys.:
or wheels placed wherever required to lead and direct same in the proper manner..
The levers to k are mounted loosely on the shaft l, and each lever operates such.
shaft indirectly through means of jaws m fixed upon said shaft, each jaw having a
pin m' through same in contact with which the lever thereof comes when operated
in pulling down the cord connected with same. Their normal position is nearly
vertical. When pulled down, the arms m engage with the pawls n. by the pro-
jecting part m thereof and held and thus whichever of the cords is pulled down,
the arm m connected with it is caught by its pawl n and held. Thus whichever
of said actuating levers is operated, the shaft and all the jaws m. will receive
partial rotation; and this shaft being connected with the lever c' of the valvular :
device c through the pulley p and cord p', such lever will be operated when any of
the levers are operated, and the valve opened and water supplied to the building..
Hence, when any fire occurs in any of the floors of the building the lever above
referred to connected with said floor is operated, that is, pulled down, thereby,..
simultaneously opening the distribution valve i on the pipes connected with that
floor, and opening the valve of the valvular device c, and allowing water to. enter
the building from the street main, and to be discharged from the sprayers in
connection with the pipes of such floor, onto the flames therein.
The means of actuating the alarm is an automatic one. It consists of a rope or
cord running throughout the building, connected up and making it one continuous
?
length, and having upon it at. different parts or distances of its length fusible
devices of any suitable kind (but preferably of the type set forth in my application.
No. 3627%). This cord or rope is connected at one end to a suitable part of or in
the building, and at the other with the weighted lever q¹ of the cock q³, which is .
connected with the water space of the branches of the casing c³, the cord q
passing over pulleys q to guide and direct same as required. In action, when a
fire. occurs in any part of a building, the heat caused by it, will melt the fusible-
portion of the devices above referred to nearest the fire, or first heated thereby, on
said cord or rope 7. This releases or breaks the continuity of the cord g, and.
allows the lever g¹ to fall, opening the cock g', and so allowing water to pass to the
water motor alarm e and sound the alarm.
The valves are of any suitable construction, but preferably of the construction.
set forth with reference to Figures 8 and 9 of the Specification of said application
No. 3627. In the arrangement shewn in Figures 2 and 3 of the present Specifi-
cation the cocks i are operated by the cords through the wheel with a weight
(see Fig. 2) thereon, whereas in the general arrangement shewn in Figure 1,
aid valves are operated by the said cords through a lever having a weight *‍
thereon.
In connection with this system of operating fire extinguishing apparatus, I may
n some cases, employ in connection with the alarm actuating means herein.
lescribed, the means of indicating in which floor the fire exists, described in the
Specification of my said application No. 3627 of 1293.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of this invention.
nd in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I claim is :--
1. In means for extinguishing fires in buildings or structures, a set of pipes with
praying or like devices thereon arranged under the ceiling or floors, or the-

page_text: like, of the different parts of said building or structure; a valve or cock con-
trolling the flow of water to each set of pipes; and a hand mechanism connected
with each of said valves or cocks through a cord or the like, and situated at a
convenient part: operating substantially in the manner herein described.
2. In means for extinguishing fires in buildings or structures, sets of pipes
arranged under the ceilings or floors of said building or structure; a valve or cock
on each of said set of pipes to each floor, by which water to said pipes is controlled;
and hand levers or equivalent devices connected with said valves or cocks by cords
or the like, whereby any one or more of said cocks can be opened; and an auto-
matic alarm device actuated by'a cord or rope having fusible devices thereon at
different parts and passing through the different rooms of the building or structure
in a continuous length, whereby an automatic alarm of fire is afforded, and the
supply of water to the part of the building or structure in which the fire exists is
controlled and provided by said hand actuated devices.
3. The pipes, valves i, main or mains f, cords j, and hand actuated levers or
devices k¹, 3, etcetera; arranged and adapted to operate as set forth with reference
to the drawings.
4. In means for extinguishing fires in buildings or structures, the combination of
a series of pipes in the different floors thereof; valves thereon for controlling the
flow of water thereto; mains for conveying water from the source of supply to said
pipes; hand actuated mechanism by which the different cocks on said pipes of the
different floors can be operated through cords or the like, at will; and a valvular
device also operated from said hand actuated mechanism, and by which the water
is normally shut off from the building and pipes, and in case of fire, supplied ;
substantially as described.
5. In means for extinguishing fires, of the kind herein referred to, an alarm
device consisting of a gong operated by a water motor, the water to which is
controlled by a tap or cock held and actuated by a cord or the like with fusible
devices thereon, and running through the building, in combination with a valvular
device, as c, actuated through a hand actuating mechanism, which also operates the
fire extinguishing water distribution cocks or valves; substantially as set forth with
reference to the drawings.
6. The fire extinguishing apparatus consisting of the combination of pipes,
valves, hand-actuating devices and automatic alarm device, and actuating means;
all particularly as set forth with reference to and shewn in the drawings hereto
annexed.
his 18th day of November 1893.
CHEESBROUGH & ROYSTON, Fels. Chart. Inst. P.A.,.
15, Water Street, Liverpool, Applicant's Patent Agents.