STANDARD FIRE HOSE It seems to be a pretty general practice on the railroads of the country to use a 21⁄2" hose, and most of the roads use double jacket cotton hose, rubber lined, for outdoor purposes. This would seem to answer all requirements for outdoor use, as well as interior rooms which are not heated. Where rooms are artificially heated, rubber hose is not satisfactory, and unlined linen hose should be used. At points where there is only one man on duty at night, such as freight houses, shops, etc., and where the water pressure is high, it is desirable to have a small hose which can be handled by one man and for these points 11⁄2′′ unlined linen hose is generally used. NOZZLES No particular type of nozzle seems to be common in the various parts of the country. It seems unwise to adopt one standard, as these nozzles are oftentimes made by local manufacturing concerns and of slightly varying dimensions and design. The National Board of Fire Underwriters have a specification for nozzles as follows: "(a) All 21⁄2-inch fire hose should be provided with approved play pipes having a nozzle with 1-inch discharge orifice. The play pipe should be attached to the hose and ready for use. "(b) All 1 and 11⁄2-inch fire hose should be provided with approved play pipes having a discharge orifice not less than 1⁄2-inch nor more than 3/4-inch in diameter. Play pipes to be at least 8 inches in length, tapered, finished smooth on the interior and provided with a heavy outside bead at the discharge tip. They should be attached and ready for use." If each railroad would adopt a standard for use, in general conforming to the Underwriters' specifications, to be made of brass for inside of office buildings, stations, etc., or of cast iron for outdoor use, such as freight houses, shops, and other exposed points, it would seem to be a satisfactory solution. HOSE THREADS The National standard thread for 21⁄2" hose is 31/16" outside diameter male thread, 71⁄2 threads to the inch. This standard is being adopted by many cities all over the country, and is also used by the majority of railroads, and the Committee feels that this will soon be a standard for all purposes. The old threads, which are not standard, can be either re-cut or replaced as soon as convenient, and where the local fire department has a different standard, the hydrant may be equipped with adapters; male thread to fit the local City standard, female thread to fit the National standard on the hydrant. For 111⁄2" hose there is no authorized standard at the present time, although the National Board of Fire Underwriters is working for a standard. Various authorities are arguing between a standard of 111⁄2 threads to the inch and one of 8 threads to the inch. Until something definite is decided, the Committee believes that no definite recommendation should be made for a thread for 11⁄2" hose. FIRE HYDRANTS It is the understanding of the Committee that we are only to consider hydrants suitable for railroad yard purposes and not hydrants for use on streets adjacent to railroad yards, as the latter are usually furnished by the city in accordance with their local standards. The National Board of Fire Underwriters have made up certain recommendations for fire hydrants and a copy of their revised specifications are attached. Fire hydrants are generally made up by some local manufacturing firm in the vicinity of the railroad which uses them; the result is that while they may conform to a specification there are many minor variations in design. A hydrant for miscellaneous yards is usually equipped with two 21⁄2" hose connections for National standard thread, one 4" steamer connection with thread to fit local city standard. Water supply connection to be at least 6". In location where there is no call for steamer connection it can, of course, be omitted. The Committee recognizes the fact that in large cities, particularly at docks and large freight terminals, it may be desirable to install larger size hydrants. Each special case of this kind should be treated on its merits, and we believe in general hydrant installed should be one to fit local city standard, as these special points are usually under the jurisdiction of City Department and only city fire hose likely to be used. For hydrant located inside of buildings, general practice is to use a standpipe composed of standard 3" extra heavy galvanized iron pipe with a 21⁄2" connection-National standard thread controlled by proper gate valve. Where conditions of water supply, pressure, etc., warrant it, smaller standpipe, say 2" equipped with 11⁄2" hose connections are desirable. Your Committee on Wood Preservation respectfully submits its report on the following subjects: (1) Revision of the Manual Proposed changes or additions to the Manual are indicated by underscored lines in the appendices. In Appendices A, F and G the Committee submits changes and additions covering the following items and recommends their adoption under the heading of "Conclusions." (a) Revised specification for Preservative Treatment of Wood with Creosote Oil (Empty Cell Process with Final Vacuum). (b) (c) New specification covering Preservative Treatment to be used on Piles and Timbers in Land Construction. New specifications covering Methods for Storing Lumber and Piling for Air-seasoning Preliminary to Preservative Treatment. (2) Service Records In Appendix B the Committee submits tables indicating the life of ties treated with zinc, zinc creosote and creosote, taking as a basis the service life of ties of the different kinds of woods in various sections of the country. Also, the Committee makes definite recommendations covering the selection, installation and record of test sections. (3) Preservative Treatment for Douglas Fir In Appendix C the Committee submits as information the results received to date covering the experimental treatment of Douglas Fir after perforating, and as a result of these experiments the Sub-Committee in charge strongly recommends at this time that ties to be treated with zinc chloride be perforated previous to treatment. (4) Treatment of Piles and Timbers for Marine Structures In Appendix D the Committee on Pacific Coast Marine Piling gives the history of the protection that has been used in that territory, and also submits information concerning the biological phases of our problem together with records of some structures that have given excellent service in that district. In Appendix E the Committee on Research covering Marine Piling gives a full report of the investigations that have been carried out in this country and abroad considering a problem that has come to the attention of Engineers the world wide. 899 (5) Preservative Treatment for Piles and Timbers in Land Construction In Appendix F the Committee submits for adoption definite additions to the General Requirements, and which are recommended for adoption as Recommended Practice under the heading of "Conclusions." (6) Methods for Storing Lumber and Piling In Appendix G the Committee submits additions to the General Requirements and recommends them for adoption as Recommended Practice under the heading of "Conclusions." CONCLUSIONS Your Committee makes the following recommendations to the Association: For adoption and publication in the Manual: Subject (1) (a) Revise specifications for the Preservative Treatment of Wood with Creosote Oil (Empty Cell Process with Final Vacuum). (b) New specification for Preservative Treatment to be used on Piles and Timbers in Land Construction. (c) New specification covering Methods for Storing Lumber and Piling for Air-seasoning Preliminary to Preservative Treatment. Accept as information: Subject (2) Subject (3) Subject (4) Report on Service Test Records. Report on Preservative Treatment for Douglas Fir. Preservative Treatment of Piles and Timbers in Marine Construction. Recommendations for Future Work The Committee recommends for future work continuation of Subjects Nos. (1), (2), (3), (4), and as new subjects: (1) Present a report with reference to the Preservative Treatment of Groups UA and UB Ties. (2) Prepare a map showing region where zinc chloride can be (3) Prepare a report covering the proper preparation of timber (6) Develop a proper indicator for determining the penetration of (7) Recommend preservative treatment for wood pipe staves. (8) Recommend preservative treatment for signal trunking and capping. Respectfully submitted, THE COMMITTEE ON WOOD PRESERVATION, C. M. TAYLOR, Chairman |