missing heads, missing deflectors, improper use of pipes or supports, closed gate valves, deficient water or air pressures, and restricted distribution by reason of unauthorized partitions and inclosures, or stocks not being clear of walls and ceilings. At the time of the weekly inspection, sprinkler alarm valves and alarm gongs should be tested by water flow by means of test-valve connection. On wet systems water pressures below and above alarm valve, and on dry systems water pressure below and air pressure above the alarm valve, should be observed. To insure against collection of sediment, sections of the sprinkler system should be drained at regular intervals, at which time hose valves, if connected, should be unseated and reseated to insure proper operating condition. Wet systems should be protected against freezing in cold weather. In addition to weekly inspection requirements, dry pipe systems shall be inspected as frequently as necessary to insure maintenance of proper operating air pressure.

FIRE-FIGHTING FORCE.

23-109. Fire brigade and inspection force. This force, where maintained as a special organization, should be directly under a fire chief, preferably a person who has had experience in a paid city fire department. Duties of the force will include the detail inspection work for fire prevention, distribution and care of fire appliances, and constant readiness for service in case of fire. Where the size of the station or other conditions do not warrant the establishment of a special force, it may be advantageous to employ one man, of adequate experience in actual fire service, in lieu of such force, and to organize under his direction a voluntary brigade among the employees. (See art. 1497-2 of Navy Regulations.)

23-110. Fire-prevention inspection service. Where a separate fire brigade is maintained, properly qualified individuals in the brigade should be designated as inspectors for fire prevention, in accordance with the preceding paragraph. It should be the duty of such inspectors to report daily all unsatisfactory conditions as to cleanliness, accumulations of rubbish, blocking of fire hydrants, and other factors that might cause fire or interfere with the effective fighting of fire. Inspectors should immediately report to the fire chief the temporary closing of any roads or streets within the station, and the disconnecting or removal of any hydrant. Reports to department heads as to equipment and conditions should be made on blanks prepared for the purpose, and weekly report of defects or unsatisfactory conditions should be made to the commanding officer.

23-111. Utilization of watchmen for fire service. Where a separate fire brigade is not maintained, a combined organization should be effected by instructing watchmen in the details of fire fighting and fire inspection. The duty of watchmen carries them into practically every building, and to all parts of the plant, and the frequency of rounds familiarizes them with the location of buildings by names or numbers, position of entrances and exits, location of fire-fighting apparatus, knowledge of contents of buildings, method of access to roofs, and other details; which knowledge can be utilized to great advantage in connection with fire inspections. The younger and active members of the watch force should be particularly instructed in the operation of all fire-fighting appliances.

23-112. Fire drills. Weekly fire drills of those detailed to man apparatus should be held under the supervision of the fire chief, who should carefully explain the duties of each person detailed. General fire drills should be held each month. (See N. R. 1497-2.) Details for weekly or general fire drills should be prepared by the fire chief and submitted to the commanding officer for approval; the proper execution of duties assigned can not be assured through printed instructions, but only by holding regular and frequent drills. Department heads should instruct their subordinates as to duties required of them in case of fire, and question them as necessary to insure their knowledge thereof. (See draft of fire bill, par. 23-117.)

23-113. Guarding new construction. Close watch should be maintained over construction work in progress, since extra fire hazards are involved. This duty will ordinarily be performed by the regular watch force, but in cases involving incendiary, hostile, or other special risks it may be advisable to secure the services of a military detail, the number of sentries required being determined by the extent and nature of the work.

23-114. Report of fires occurring. Yards and stations are required to submit with the annual report to the bureau a tabulated statement concerning all fires which may have occurred during the preceding year (Y & D form 31, report No. 19). A separate entry will be made for each fire, covering the following information:

FIRE BILL.

23-115. Inclusive character of accompanying draft. In the preparation of the following suggested "fire bill" an effort has been made to include the specific conditions covered by the existing bills of all stations. It is advisable that a fire bill be as brief as possible, and each station should be careful to see that only those provisions which are applicable to existing local conditions are included in its particular draft. (See art. 1497-1 of Navy Regulations.)

23-116. Publicity essential. The fire bill should be printed in suitable form and thoroughly distributed and kept posted. Officers should insist upon persons under their supervision familiarizing themselves with the instructions of the bill.

2. Telephone chief telephone operator, giving exact location of fire. (For stations without fire-alarm systems, the following in lieu of 1 and 2: Spread the alarm, and see that telephone operator, power plant, and commanding officer are notified.) 3. Fight fire with appliances at hand.

Section II.

Diagram of station, showing location of station fire-
alarm boxes, city fire-alarm boxes, fire hydrants, and
fire-fighting apparatus.

Explanation of fire signals, with reference to designated zones or districts.
Signal stated for "fire out."

Days and time designated for fire drills.

Section III.

DUTIES IN CASE OF FIRE.

1. The senior line officer shall have general command at time of fire, but the fire chief shall be in charge of fire fighting. City fire chief shall be in full charge as soon as he arrives.

2. For a station in the vicinity of a city, town, or borough, it shall be the duty of the senior line officer to see that the city fire department is called immediately upon the sounding of the station alarm.

3. Telephone operator shall notify senior line officer, chief of power plant or pumping station, chief electrician, foreman plumber, and sentries at gates,

4. Sentries at gates shall open gates to permit entrance of outside fire department, and shall then close them, admitting only persons having duties to perform in connection with the fighting of fire, or those living within the station.

5. Officer (or the operator) in charge of power house or pumping station shall sound siren or whistle, supervise the operation of pumps, detail men to open or close gate valves, and see that schedule pressure is maintained on fire mains.

6. Chief electrician shall give attention to lighting and power circuits entering buildings involved in fire.

7. Foreman plumber shall give attention to gas shut-offs for buildings involved in fire; he shall also handle sprinkler control valves and other valves, if necessary, as directed by the fire chief or officer in charge.

8. The "duty officer" (or yard boatswain) shall see that everything is made ready to remove vessels from moorings, if necessary, and that fire boats and tugs are in readiness to assist in fighting fire. Fires under boilers of fire boats and tugs shall be kept banked at all times when not working (unless vessel is assigned as "duty tug").

9. Shop foremen other than those in buildings involved in fire will keep their men at work, see that all windows, doors, and skylights offering exposure are closed, and hold themselves in readiness to direct men in the operation of fire extinguishing appliances in accordance with fire drill regulations.

10. Yeomen and clerks shall see that windows, doors, and skylights are closed, and shall be prepared to remove or protect records in accordance with fire drill regulations. 11. Medical officers and hospital corpsmen shall be prepared to administer first aid and to assume charge of their stations in accordance with fire drill regulations. 12. Yardmaster shall see that railroad cars are moved so that they will not interfere with fighting fires, and to places of safety when necessary and possible.

13. Officer of the guard shall see that prisoners are removed to a place of safety, if there appears to be danger of fire communicating itself to brig.

14. Officers in command of enlisted men shall see that details are assigned to the preserving of fire lines and that no one is allowed inside of fire lines except those having to do with fire fighting, all in accordance with fire drill regulations.

15. Officers in charge of hangars shall see that seaplanes and dirigibles are removed from exposure to fire.

16. Station fire department shall respond to fires outside of station only on order of commanding officer. (See art. 1497-4, Navy Regulations.)

17. Should the chief of the power plant or pumping station have occasion to raise pressure on water mains at any time other than for fire or fire drill, he shall first notify the dry dock attendants or others using water from fire mains.

Section IV.

PRECAUTIONS FOR THE PREVENTION OF FIRE.

1. Smoking is prohibited except in such places and at such times as are specified by the commanding officer.

2. Waste paper, rubbish, or refuse of any sort shall be put in receptacles provided for the purpose.

3. Oily waste or rags shall be kept in the separate metal cans provided for the purpose.

4. Greasy overalls or clothes, and painters' clothes, shall be kept hung up in lockers. 5. Clothing or other inflammable material must not be hung or laid on steam pipes or radiators.

6. No changes in electric wiring or fittings or attachment of electrical appliances shall be made except by order of the public works officer. Do not put paper shades on lights.

7. Gasoline, naphtha, or benzine shall not be used for any purpose except under orders, and shall never be dispensed in open cans.

8. Burning of rubbish, or bonfires, will not be permitted in the station unless specifically authorized.

9. Lanterns or open lights shall not be used unless specifically authorized.

10. Stoves of any kind, braziers, or salamanders shall not be used without permission.

11. Ashes must be put in the designated metal receptacles.

12. Foremen of garages, automobile repair shops, carpenter shops, plumbing shops, and paint shops will be held responsible for the orderly condition of their shops, and any one seen smoking in any of the above shall be summarily dealt with.

13. Combustible material of any kind shall not be stored or piled in any place except as ordered.

14. Packing materials shall be kept in the receptacles provided.

15. No gas connections shall be made except by order of the public works officer, and then only by means of rigid metal pipes.

16. Calcium carbide shall always be kept in the place provided for its storage. 17. Lump or unslaked lime shall be stored in a dry, noncombustible structure. 18. Moving-picture machines shall not be operated by any person not authorized to do so, and the films will not be allowed outside of the metal cases provided in the booths except when being used.

19. Paints and oils shall be kept only in the places provided for their storage; they shall be procured from storage houses as needed, and any surplus returned to storage houses at night.