FIRE FIGHTING

Evening Post, Volume CXXXIII, Issue 41, 18 February 1942, Page 4

FIRE FIGHTING

MORE EQUIPMENT

FIXED PRICES

The supply of first-aid fire fighting equipment has been difficult, and up till now it has been possible to meet requisitions signed by fire officials and other inspecting officers of business premises only in part, with no margin for people outside the high-risk sections of the city. Now the position is better, and some equipment can be supplied to residential owners and occupiers.

The position was stated to a "Post" reporter today by the Dominion Fire Controller, Mr. R. Girling Butcher.

There is now available at the Corporation Depot, Clyde Quay, equipment to supply 650 bucket pumps, complete with 30 feet of hose (to reach ceiling space, etc.) and standard nozzle. This number is still too small, said

'. r. Butcher, and so the stock is being rationed to business premises in the high-risk area. More pumps are coming to hand from day to day and large numbers are on order, but it will be some time before requisitions can be met in full, even for the highest risk sections of the city. Bucket pumps can be supplied only on requisition, for the present.

Theye are, he said, sufficient halfinch hose and universal couplings (to fit pny type of tap) and nozzles to supply approximately 1000 lengths of hose. Hose equipment is alternative to the pump and is fully effective as long as the water supply remains intact—and is, in fact, more effective than the pump because of higher pressure and continuity, yet it cannot be relied upon solely in the high-risk area because of the possibility of failure of the main supply.

The present.stock of universal tap connections and other hose: fittings is now such that there is some margin for dwellings, without presentation of requisition, and it is recommended that these be installed in dwellings in or in the vicinity of the business and highrisk areas. SAND UNITS FOR LIMITED USE. Sand units, consisting of small bags, each to hold about 201b, rake, and shovel, are available in practically unlimited quantities, said Mr. Butcher, but, he emphasised, under no circumstances should anyone rely upon sand f alone to deal with incendiary oombs, and sand was virtually useless for dealing with fires started by an incendiary bomb or other attack. Only water could extinguish fire started by attack in'ordinary business or domestic surroundings. The practicability of sand for extinguishing incendiary bombs themselves had been proved to be limited to cases where they fall on not really combustible surfaces, clear of inflammable goods or furnishings, or where Water is not immediately at hand, giving half-minutes for water to be obtained. No one should rely upon sand alone, unless his premises are of brick and concrete, and his goods and stock stuff that will not fire. Sand will .nop. extinguish fire in ceilings, on walls arid hangings, among inflammable stock, in a linen cupboard, a wardrobe, or in the hundred places in city premises or homes where fire can take hold unless tackled promptly with water. ' "If there is incendiary attack upon any New Zealand city, remember that the resultant fire is far more dangerous than the incendiary agent," said Mr. Butcher. "The incendiary bomb is only a fire-kindler." MORE EQUIPMENT ORDERED. Mr. Butcher said also that, besides bucket pumps, orders had been placed for the supply of 1000 stirrup pumps (a modification of the standard bucket pump) for early delivery, but the supply difficulties were great, and there was an immediate necessity that people should improvise, particularly with filled bucket and filled reserve water supplies. . In homes the MINIMUM of reserve water supply should be two filled laundry tubs (providing sixteen buckets Of water), and in business premises 44-gallon drums of water should be placed on all floors, with buckets nearby. If drums were not available, more buckets, or improvised buckets, should be kept filled. | .The standard unit of equipment re- j commended for a home or small business (lock-up shop, etc.) consists of:— One bucket or stirrup pump, with 30 feet of hose and standard nozzle. Three buckets of water, and reserve as above, to guard against failure of main supply. Hose sufficient.to reach any part of thd building, including roof space. Sand for incendiaries which fall among not readily combustible surroundings. Axe, or crowbar, or strong hook for clearing away obstacles. If one or other of these items cannot be obtained, then increase other items accordingly, said Mr. Butcher.' For instance, if a bucket or stirrup pump cannot be had, install more water in bucket or in reserve storage.