WATER - TOWERS arc pipes mounted on trucks, which can he elevated when in proximity to IL 'aiming building so as to throw powerful streams of water from their upper ends directly upon the root' or into the windows.
The Hales IV filer- Tenme, in Pig. ;t, consists of a strong ()ilk framework mounted on wheels and carrying an iron frame with an extending telescopic tube, through which passes the hose conducting the water from the supply to and through the pipe at the top end. The motive or lifting power is furnished by a chemical tank.
The tower proper is hung on and supported by a steel shaft, which rests on two wrought iron frames. It is constructed of angle steel, with sheet-steel sides, riveted together with hot rivets, and is 22 ft. long, 2 ft. 6 in. by 15 in. at the bottom, and about 8 in. square at the top. It is raised by the quadrants and guy-rods. hi the tower, and telescoping it, is a steel 6-in. tube 28 ft. long, strengthened by four steel T-ribs which may be extended by means of a phosphor-bronze cable attached to two spools and a gear at the base of the tower, passing over brass sheaves at the top and running down into the tower around the bottom of the tube. On the end of the tube is a small turn-table revolved by gearing. Attached to this are two wrought-iron arms, supporting the pipe, with the three sizes of nozzles—lf in.,
2 in., and 2+ in. The turn-table is operated by a cast-steel rod running to the base of the tower, turned by a small wheel, and this directs the stream in any direction desired. The tower rests on an iron saddle or framework. The raising of the tower is controlled by a wire cable and snubbing-block in connection with the power used by the tank. On both sides, if desired, arc two 3-way Siamese connections, receiving the water and conducting it into a 60 ft. length of 31 hose, passing up through the tube into and through the pipe. There are four sizes of towers made-30, 45, 55, and 60 ft. high from the ground to the top of the pipe when extended.
The benefits claimed for the tower are as follows A building being heavily charged with smoke, it is impossible for firemen to gain an entrance to the bottom or upper stories. By placing the tower in the street opposite the building, one sweep of the 2-in. stream is suffi cient to break all the glass from the windows, and give the building such ventilation as will enable the firemen to enter and quickly locate, and often extinguish, the fire in its incipiency. It is also very useful in lumber-yard fires, or in frame districts, and will wet an area of 400 ft. in diameter at one setting. It requires but two men to operate it.