FIRE SERVICE SUMMONS

Hawera Star, Volume XLVII, 30 March 1928, Page 4

FIRE SERVICE SUMMONS

PROVISION AT HAWERA. TRIAL OF SIREN SYSTEM. Early last evening Hawera and the surrounding district was disturbed by the wail or a powerful siren which was being tested as an alarm at the Hawera" i< ire Brigade station. , , A trial of the alarm was sanctioned by the Fire Board owing to the necessity of either facing considerable expense in repairing the bell tower or replacing the bell alarm, and the efficiency of the siren in summoning brigade members from all parts of the town and its outskirts was amply demonstrated.

A “Hawera Star” reporter, who ’phoned a Normanby resident during the demonstration, was told it was clearly audible at a point there four miles in a direct line from the fire station, and an Ohangai resident living over six miles from the station also reported having heard it from his house. The siren, the maker of which is Mr. R. H. White, of Wellington, is similar to those installed in various centres of the Dominion. The Hawera unit is placed on top of the tower of the main building. Operated by a two-horse-power electric motor, controlled trom the watchhouse, the circular vane platforms, which are 20 inches in diameter, revolve beneath the sound box at a speed of 2880 revolutions a minute One particular advantage held by the siren as compared with the bell is that it will not draw upon the water supply lor its motive power, as is the case with the hell, which, operated by hydraulic power, lowers the main pressure while functioning. The installation for the trial was made by Superintendent A. Morrison, and before finally deciding upon its adoption it was the intention of the Fire Board to be present during a further to-day.