IMPROVED SYSTEM OF VENTILATION.

New Zealand Times, Volume LXXII, Issue 4822, 27 November 1902, Page 7

IMPROVED SYSTEM OF VENTILATION.

A WEI/HING'I'OX IXVJONTION. Kwradays, when regard for tho laws of sanitation occupies the mauls ot gov<.f,iin«- bodies, the aeloqtmlo vontilation of pidtlic lmi!diii«s and places where kirn, numbers oi people cuu't.reuato tot any penml of time is a question of primary im [lortance. To .supply item, .sweetened air, and drive ont accumulatin'' vitiated air exercise - the skill of architects and engineers. many methods make provision for tho sanitary ventilation of huge buildings ami meet-ing-houscs, but none so far appear to .satisfactorily meet ail requirements, inasmuch as limy fail to effect an oven distribution of fresli air over Urn n hole hren. JJraugids of external air aro contlucted into a crowded arena amt the required quantity per bead may bo mathematically accurate; but those methods absolutely tad short in S lvl, 'n the ntc-js-arv supply to each individual; therefore, tho greater proportion of an audiencu will remain m a condition of discomfort with unhealthy siirronmilugs. , , . Thoso difiicultios and sliorlcoinii.es, however, have been .surmounted m an imrenions and as perfect a maimer as it is po.-.u.b10 to conceive by a cllingtou linn of young engineers. Alossrs Ivelly, X'ishi i- ami Wix. . This firm, after several months of study, experiments amt working out the pnncip.e ot tlie idea, liavo succeeded in completing an admirable system of air-supply and vontilat ion m hick furnisiies tin; deficiencies referred to. Tho inventors hava sa s-uHr■ licit Sir F. Fv. Dix with tlio va no and perfect suitability of their p.an that that popular and enterprising caterer of public amusements has had nil extensive plant installed at great expense at the Theatre Koyal, winch was .successfully inaugurated last night in ilio presence o£ a full audience, including a number of our leading citizens, who expressed themselves deeply interested in the unique arrangements. A brief account of -Messrs Kelly, Fisher and AVix’s system will bo gratifying to onr readers, but, before describin'’' tho main features of their Patent Ventilator, Air Distributor and Fumigator, it maiy bo hero said thav actual vontilation does not limit the scope of its uses; nor are they confined to halls and theatres. Tho system can also bo adapted for tho ventilation of ships. It can be applied to schools, hospitals, asylums, churches, houses of parliament,'hotels, public offices e.nd institutions, council chambers, factories, mills and private dwellings. Ivot only wiU it afford regular ventilation, but it will also alternately fumigate, sterilise vitiated ahiio.-pbero and destroy microbes and distribute perfumed air through an entire audience. In summer, cool air cun bo supplier!, and hot air m winter, in each case of any needed temperature. Thus a whole house, or any separate room can ho made comfortable in cold weather without tho trouble vf li'diting tiros, or the' oppression cf sumnier can bo counterbalanced without opening doors and windows, inviting,tho iudustrioujs burglar or admitting tho vexatious dust. Finally, amongst other useful purposes tho system will act as an effectual fire extinguisher by means of cither water or carbonic acid. Ono great merit of tho invention is its simplicity of control and facility of air-distribution. In tho first place atmospheric stock is drawn from external sources at a high elevation, thereby ensuring pure quality of air, tho bead of tho induction shaft being covered with a cap protected by a fine meshed gauze, which prevents tho introduction of fnremu matter, like dust, soot, etc. Ino indrawn air passes into cylindrical pumps driven by electric power and is forced into a receiving tank or aerometer, from which it issues into the main, either in a virgin state or scented with any perfume, or as a iiimigating a "‘out, according to requirement. From” tho main the air passes into a network cf distributing pipes laid on to all parts of tho theatre. These pipes aro carried to and fixed to tho back or arm of each chair in tho stalls and dress circle. AVitii'in reach of .every scat-holder is a movable exit nozzle, by turning which -ofreshing air can bo obtained and diverted to the face, body or logs, as may bo desired, and os often as needed. A separate system is extended to the pit, wlioro conducting pipes aro laid beneath the rows of scats from whoso open exits issues a constant flow of fresh nir to purify the atmosphere. The application of air through tho exit-nozzles is soft and pleasant to each individual as •■veil as to tho whole house. _ It will bo seen that wo liavo hero a decided improvement on existing methods, and its great sanitary value should be at onco recognised. Tho building is not only thoroughly ventilated throughout tho whole of its interior, but ctjch ono present can receive at will the benefit of an independent supply of cool, rofresliing air. There is no stagnation in any portion ot tho house, all impuritie's being negatived and driven upwards to find egress at tho dome ventilators. Most of tho plant has been manufactured and erected by M-cssrs.. Kelly, Fisher and Wix themselves. Messrs. Andrews and Manthol, electrical and genera! engineers, manufactured, with much credit and skill, tho pump specially designed by them for tho inventors after much careful thought and planning, their expert knowledge being of great assistance to Messrs. Kelly, Fisher and AVix in their enterprise. Mr John AVelsby, of Marion street, acted in the capacity of consulting engineer to the firm, and from him wo have gathered tho foregoing,particulars, together with Ids opinion that the now system has a great future before it in all parts of tho world where it has been patented. 1 - 12