GROWTH OF FIRE FIGHTING

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLIII, Issue 20838, 21 September 1937, Page 4

GROWTH OF FIRE FIGHTING

MODERN METHODS ROTARY CLUB ADDRESSED Some historical aspects of the development of fire fighting were given to the Timaru Rotary Club yesterday by the Superintendent of the Timaru Fire Brigade (Mr E. W. McCann). Superintendent McCann traced the rapid evolution of fire fighting appliances and chemical extinguishers since the Great Fire of London in 1666 and at the conclusion of his talk demonstrated a modern self-contained breathing apparatus used at fires where gases are generated. Mr E. Darroch presided. “With the exception of war, uncontrolled fire is the most destructive element in modern life,” said Superintendent McCann. “In all ages man has recognised fire as one of his most potent enemies; he has often been amazed at its ravages and terrified at its fierceness. The destructive power of fire is appalling,” continued the Superintendent. “The average fire loss in New Zealand is about £1,250,000, while the latest returns available for Great Britain alone record 1608 deaths in one year. To this tragic loss of life must be added the large number of people Incapacitated, disfigured, or seriously injured. • “The average value of property destroyed by fire annually during the latest three year term for which returns are available is £9,444,733. These figures cover only property destroyed and to it must be added the loss of the contents of those buildings, the loss of stock, furniture, and fittings. The total annual fire loss in Great Britain is in the region of £50,000,000.” Early Day Laws From time immemorial measures had been enacted to reduce the frequency and disastrous effects of fire, and to ensure means of suppressing outbreaks, said Superintendent McCann. Many of these laws, especially those up to the time of the Great Fire of London, had ceased to operate as they were not applicable to modern conditions. However, they possessed one virtue which might well be perpetuated in later enactments in that they were characterised by a direct aim and purpose. Though these laws were no more than historic and picturesque examples of a by-gone age, they reflected the state of society of those old times, and through them it was possible to trace—though faintly—the changing characters of buildings. As early as the days of King Alfred, laws were passed to protect against fire, he said. At the sounding of the Curfew people were called upon to cover up their fires with specially devised metal coverings. In 1190, during the reign of Richard I, it was proclaimed that party walls in the city of London were to be built 16 feet in height and three feet in breadth. The walls were to be of stone. It was also compulsory for people living within the ward to have a ladder or two, ready, and be prepared to succour their neighbours in the event of fire. All people who occupied such houses were compelled to place a barrel of water before their doors during the summer. Houses possessing a fountain were exempted from this regulation. It was also on record that inhabitants were not permitted to fire guns up the chimney as a means of preventing fire, and the practice of sending small boys up a chimney was forbidden. Fire of London The Great Fire of London occurred on September 2, 1666, and raged for five days. Six people lost their lives and 13,200 houses, 400 streets, 89 churches, including St. Paul’s, the Royal Exchange and many other buildings were completely destroyed. The fire laid bare 436 acres of land and out of 26 wards, 15 were destroyed. The damage was estimated at £10,716,000. Up to the time of the Great Fire, siphons, or squirts were the best instruments available for combating fire. Prior to the fire the regulations demanded that “a barrelful of water for quenching fires should be placed before the doors of a building” and that the bellmen should ring their bells and call out “take care of your fire and candle, be charitable to the poor and pray for the dead.” “All writers on the subject of fire fighting agree that the Great Fire of London marks the separation of two important periods in the development of ’the fire service,” said Superintendent McCann. “The Fire of London was unexpected. It was both disastrous and beneficial. It is true that it almost completely destroyed London as a great city, but it wiped out diseaseridden areas, and acted as a potent cleansing • agent. It dislocated trade, and destroyed much wealth, but it urged men to discover better means of preventing the recurrence of such a catastrophe. It changed man’s outlook and gave a great impetus to inventive genius, which has not yet ceased to improve the means of firefighting.” While the Great Fire was the cause of the origin of the present day Tire brigade service, it was also a connecting link between the early inventions of fire apparatus and the modern equipment, he said. The first fire station was established in London in 1833 and from that date great strides had been made. The service had passed through several stages of development. There was the time when the most up-to-date method was the use of hook and ladders and bucket brigades. This was followed by the manual pump and later the engine pump, which pumped water from ponds. The modern fire engine made use of high pressure reticulation and was capable of delivering 400 gallons of water a minute if the mains were capable of supplying it. Efficient Modern Plant With its modern equipment, exes, hoses, nozzles, and chemical cylinders, the modern fire machine was a wonderful asset to the fire fighting service, said Superintendent McCann. In addition, electrical fire alarms played a big part in assisting the brigade to reach the fire at the earliest possible moment after its discovery. The methods of dealing with a fire were either to cool down the burning materials to a point below reignition point by the use of water, or by excluding or diluting the air, which supplied the oxygen to support combustion, by the smothering process. Fires were divided into three classi-

fications. There were those involving ordinary materials such as wood and fabric, which were dealt with by the use of quenching methods; second, there were fires involving highly inflammable liquids and fats, which were extinguished by smothering. This was usually done by using foam extinguishers and carbon dioxide and similar preparations. The third type was that in which electrical equipment was involved. This necessitated the use of a non-conducting extinguisher. To be successful it was necessary for an offiosr controlling a brigade to have a full knowledge of his district, the buildings and their contents so that on arrival at the scene he would know immediately how to set about extinguishing the fire in the minimum of time, said Superintendent McCann. On the motion of Mr D. Todd, the speaker was accorded a vote of thanks.