Valves must invariably have one-fourth-inch drain cock immediately outside of seat for draining off.

23-92. Fire-alarm signal arrangements. Various means may be used for giving an alarm of fire; on small stations a gong, locomotive tire, or triangle may be used. If reliable electric service is available, a siren or large Klaxon horn may be arranged to operate from several points. Where there is a high-pressure steam plant the general alarm may be made by whistle. Telephones may be used to advantage. Plain direction cards should be posted for using telephones for the sending of fire calls. Large stations should have a standard closed-circuit fire-alarm system with boxes of the positive noninterfering type, with connection to the nearest city fire department. (See art. 1497-3 of Navy Regulations.)

CARE, INSPECTION, AND MAINTENANCE OF FIRE APPARATUS,

APPLIANCES, AND EQUIPMENT.

23-93. Motor-driven apparatus should be inspected and operated daily to assure proper operation of motor, supply of gasoline and oil, and presence of all equipment in place. Motor apparatus, steamers and chemicals, should be completely tested and overhauled semiannually.

23-94. Hose is to be tested twice annually, single-jacketed hose to 100 pounds and double-jacketed to 200 pounds pressure per square inch. Five hundred feet of single-jacketed hose should be provided for each hose reel, with a total of 1,000 feet in reserve; 1,000 feet of double-jacketed hose should be provided for wagons and engines, with 1,000 feet total reserve. Hose is to be changed on wagons and engines once a month, and every three months on reels. Wet hose must be changed immediately after using. Suitable drying facilities must be provided in some heated building. Fire hose will not be used for any purpose other than fire, and must be kept in places prescribed for it.

23-95. Interior hose must be habitually connected to risers, with nozzles attached. Easy access to risers must be maintained at all times. Valves are to be tested monthly; annually one representative section of hose in each building, shop, or each floor thereof, shall be tested.

23-96. Hose reels must be kept under cover at all times when not in use, and so located as to be readily accessible; they must be kept well painted and their axles greased.

23-97. Hose-reel houses should be painted fire red and, where practicable, equipped with a red electric light for identification at night.

23-98. Hand-drawn chemical engines are to be housed at all times when not in use. They shall be kept painted and their axles greased, and they must be recharged at least once each year; care must be taken to prevent freezing during cold weather.

23-99. Hand extinguishers are to be recharged annually and tagged to show the date of recharging; inspection shall be made monthly to see that they are in place and filled. Freezing of 21gallon extinguishers may be prevented by keeping them in tight boxes in severe weather, not more than six to a box, with each box heated by one incandescent-bulb light; salt must never be introduced into this type of extinguisher to prevent freezing, owing to the resultant corrosion of the copper container, and the generation of chlorine gas when the extinguisher is operated. In the case of 1-quart extinguishers, the contents (carbon tetrachloride) make a very good cleaning fluid, and unless care is taken to guard against such unauthorized use, extinguishers of this type may be found empty when required for their intended purpose.

23-100. Water barrels are to be kept filled, and common salt or, preferably, calicum chloride should be added, when necessary, to prevent freezing. Fire pails are not to be used for any purpose other than that for which they are provided. The following tables show the temperature at which water will freeze with given quantities of calcium chloride or sodium chloride in solution:

23-101. Every fire-alarm box shall be operated at least once a month; tests for grounds and continuity of circuits are to be made weekly; all contacts must be kept clean; batteries must be charged in accordance with directions furnished by manufacturers, and cells kept clean and free from sediment.

23-102. Inspect gate valves of fire mains twice a year, to assure their proper operation.

23-103. Sand pails and scoops shall be provided in kitchens, garages, and other places where oils are stored or handled; the pails shall be kept filled, and neither pails nor scoops used for any purpose other than fire.

23-104. Fire hydrants shall be inspected and opened monthly. Twice each year outlets shall be greased, working parts oiled, and necessary repairs made. Hydrants on dead ends shall be flushed monthly, and all hydrants kept painted with a distinctive and uniform color. Wrenches should be kept chained to hydrants.

23-105. Fire doors shall be inspected monthly to see that they are in proper operating condition. Nothing shall be allowed to interfere with the opening and closing of the doors, and automatic closing devices must be kept in order.

23-106. Wired glass windows shall be inspected monthly to see that closing and locking devices are operative and that broken lights are replaced. Outside fire shutters and wired glass windows shall be closed at night.

23-107. Inspection of all plumbing fixtures and water connections shall be made regularly and any leaks promptly repaired. Comparatively small leaks waste large quantities of water and if allowed to exist may have a serious effect on the adequacy of the water supply at time of fire. Leaks in mains shall be promptly repaired.

23-108. All automatic sprinkler systems shall be under the supervision of one thoroughly familiar with them, and no other person shall attempt to attend to them. They must at all times be maintained in working order and with all valves open. The failure of sprinkler systems is most frequently caused by water being shut off, and the next cause in order is defective or partial equipment. Sprinkler systems shall be inspected and tested weekly. The inspector should be particularly on 'the lookout for corroded, bent, or

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: