AN IMPROVED LIQUID COMPOSITION FOR EXTINGUISHING FIRES
Year: 1877

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to William Edward Gedge, of No. 11, Wellington Street,
Strand, in the County of Middlesex, Patent Agent, for the Invention of "AN
IMPROVED LIQUID COMPOSITION FOR EXTINGUISHING FIRES." A communi-
cation from abroad by Prosper Rolland, of Remollon (Haute-Alpes), France.
Sealed the 10th May 1878, and dated the 12th November 1877.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said William Edward Gedge at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 12th November 1877.
WILLIAM EDWARD GEDGE, of No. 11, Wellington Street, Strand, in the County of
Middlesex, Patent Agent. " AN IMPROVED LIQUID COMPOSITION FOR EXTINGUISHING
FIRES." A communication from abroad by Prosper Rolland, of Remollon (Hautes-
Alpes), France.
This liquid composition which is to be used in fire engines in lieu of plain water
possesses a very great extinguishing power. It is composed of the following
colution.
This solution, is obtained in more or less water, according to the degree of
extinguishing power desired. The proportion of one-fourth of this composition to
three-fourths of water appears to give very satisfactory results, but experience will
settle the best formula to be observed.
It will be found that the combination of the three substances above mentioned
with the water to be thrown by the pump will greatly facilitate the rapid
extinguishing of conflagrations.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said William Edward Gedge in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 10th
May 1878.
WILLIAM EDWARD GEDGE, of No. 11, Wellington Street, Strand, in the County of
Middlesex, Patent Agent. "AN IMPROVED LIQUID COMPOSITION FOR EXTINGUISHING
FIRES." A. communication from abroad by Prosper Rolland, of Remollon, Hautes-
Alpes, France.
The Invention relates to a liquid composition for the purpose of instan-
taneously extinguishing the beginnings of fires, and even of preserving therefrom
objects impregnated therewith. It consists in mixing and dissolving in water the
following substances in the proportions herein-after set forth :-Raw green vitriol
or sulphate of iron, about one hundred pounds; sulphate of alumina, about sixty
pounds; bay salt, about forty pounds, to about three hundred and fifty or four
hundred quarts of water; or more exactly, green vitriol or sulphate of iron, about
twenty-four pounds; sulphate of alumina, about twenty pounds; bay salt, about
twelve pounds; to about one hundred quarts of water.
When all the substances are dissolved the liquid is poured either into a forcing
pump or into a portable continuous jet apparatus, such as have been constructed for
many years, and thrown on to the fire, which is instantaneously extinguished.
The objects impregnated with- the liquid composition cannot be rekindled, and
therefore the said liquid composition, the proportions of which may be slightly
varied without departing from the principle of the Invention, may be used for
preserving from fire certain exposed objects.
Having thus fully described the nature of the said Invention and the manner of
carrying the same into effect, I would have it understood that I do not confine
myself to the precise details above enumerated, as these may obviously be modified
without departing from the principle of the Invention; but what I claim is, a
dissolution in water of sulphate of iron, sulphate of alumina, and bay salt in about
the above-mentioned proportions for extinguishing the beginnings of fires, sub-
stantially as above described.
In witness whereof, I, the said William Edward Gedge, have hereunto set
my hand and seal, this Tenth day of May, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and seventy-eight.
TTL
ANT NA
W. E. GEDGE. (L.S.)