FIRE ALARMS.

Wairarapa Age, 2 March 1934, Page 4

FIRE ALARMS.

OVERHAUL OF MASTERTON SYSTEM. TELEPHONE IMPROVEMENTS. The chairman of the Masterton Fira Board (Mr. W. Candy) stated yesterday that instructions had been given that important changes should be made in the internal arrangement of the telephone installation at the Fire .Station. The Fire Brigade has two telephones, and of these No. I'7oo is to be reserved strictly henceforth for fire alarms and is to 'be used for nothing else. This telephone is to be fitted with a very loud ibell—an effective alarm in all parts of the Fire Station and its precincts. A bell of this type- was tried out yesterday and gave full satisfaction. There will be no question of its not being heard. All persons having business with the brigade other than that of giving- an alarm of fire will be required to ring telephone 1.701. The two telephones will be entirely independent, all cross switches being eli-' minated. Telephone 1700, as stated, will be reserved strictly and solely for fire alarms.

The local executive of the board, Mr. Candy also stated, was going into the question of the condition of the alarm apparatus, and would obtain expert advice on the subject. He considered that the apparatus as it stood was in good working order and could be depended on as well as at any time in the past. With any apparatus there was some risk of failure at times in exceptional circumstances. The whole question of the condition of the alarm equipment in Masterton would be gone into thoroughly. It seemed quite possible that there might be no need to replace the present apparatus.