FIRE EXTINGUISHING APPLIANCE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXVIII, Issue 8482, 5 February 1891, Page 6

FIRE EXTINGUISHING APPLIANCE.

A USEFUL INVENTION. It will be recollected that on the occasion of the fire on board the American barque Leading Wind, which necessitated the scuttling of the ship, the Fire Brigade had used every possible endeavour to reach the seat of fire, but they were unable to do so in consequence of smoke and the impossibility of getting through the hatches. This is a matter which Superintendent Hughes has given a good deal of consideration to, and observing the fire apparatus on board some of the German men-of-war, he made inquiries from tho engineers. He placed himself in communication with Mr. R. F. Luks on the subject of the invention, and Mr. Luks wrote to Germany for information. ~ r l . Under date 4th February Mr. Luks writes to Superintendent Hughes as follows :—" Some time ago you drew my attention to certain information you had received about an apparatus by moans of which firemen might ascertain and approach the seat of fire at a conflagration. I believed you stated that you obtained the information from one of the engineers of a German man-o'-war then hero in port. At your suggestion I took the matter in hand, ascertained the name of the patentee and manufacturer, and now beg to lay the result before you. I think the matter is of the utmost importance for you to take it up, and draw the attention of tho City Council and the different insurance companies to the same. Should the City Council or any other body wish to obtain an apparatus, I shall be most willing to enter into negotiations on behalf of the patentees and manufacturers. Trusting you will give this matter your earliest and serious consideration.-—I am, etc., R. F. Luks." The description of the smoke helmet, which was accompanied by a photograph showing its application, is as follows : — The Imperial German Government, some time, patented an apparatus by means of which a fireman may approach on tho occasion of a conflagration either in a building or on board of a ship, the seat of fire with the greatest impunity. The helmet is constructed of light wicker-work covered with a composition, making it perfectly air and watertight. In the front part of this helmet is a glass window, closing hermetically, which may be opened and closed by the wearer of the helmet, as may be required. Connected with the helmet is a jacket and hose or trousers made of waterproof double material. The trousers are worn with leather suspenders over the shoulders. The jacket falls over the trousers at the waist, and is here fastened by a belt. The sleeves of the jacket are connected with waterproof gloves. Connected with the helmet is a tube by means of which air is conveyed to the wearer by a pair of bellows. The tub© connected with the helmet at the back distributes the air by means of smaller tube throughout the helmet, so that the wearer's head is constantly surrounded by fresh air. The current of air thus, conveyed into the helmet further serves to prevent the glass window from being clouded and unserviceable, and the wearer is thus enabled to breathe quite freely, and at the same time to make observations as to the seat* of fire. The fireman thus encased in helmet, jacket, and trousers, is further provided with a water tube, by means of which he first of all is enabled to send a spray of water over himself, thus protecting himself against fire and heat; by means of a small tube which he can insert into a valve in the waist-belt, he can further convey water into the helmet, sending thus a spray of water over his head like' a douche. Thus protected against smoke and fire, the fireman can approach a fire with the utmost safety ; he is enabled to see where the seat of fire really is, and by means of the water tube in many instances extinguish it. The apparatus is now used by. all the fire brigades in Berlin and other continental cities, and every vessel in the German navy is also supplied with the same. The president of the Berlin Police Department has signified his willingness to certify to the thorough efficiency of the apparatus, and is also prepared to tender advice as to the best means of utilising the same. The cost of the apparatus, including air bellows, about 45 feet of tubo for ah" supply, and everything complete, inclusive of packing free on board at Hamburg is net £52 cash. *