Fire-Brigade Matters.
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The Egliam Urban District Council, towards the end of last month, received quotations from three selected firms for the supply of a motor fireengine with a delivery capacity of 300 gallons of water a minute.
The Dennis turbine fire-engine, for the Rowley Regis Brigade, the delivery of which was reported and illustrated in our issue of last week, is, with a single exception, similar to the one supplied to the Bradford brigade. The engine, which caused such an unusual degree of interest at Old Hill last week, is fitted with a 36 ft. telescopic ladder, and this is arranged on brackets above the heads of the firemen when seated.
Nuremberg's Testimony.
Our Berlin correspondent writes:— " On the occasion of the Fire-Brigade Congress at Nuremberg, nearly a hundred firms turning out fireextinguishing plant and vehicles exhibited in the spacious machine hall of the Luitpold HaM. Whether any British experts seized the opportunity to run over and examine the exhibits, I do not know ; but, if they did, they were able to inspect the productions of Continental firms who specialize on up
to-date lines. I have written " Continental," because, in addition to such automobile firms as the N.A.G., the South German Motor Works, and Siemens and Schuckert, the ubiquitous Saurer was present, represented by a set of petrol-driven vehicles."
Firs Chiefs Discuss Machines.
The possibility of installing motor fire-engines throughout New Jersey to take the place of the present horsedrawn apparatus was the principal topic of discussion at a recent semiannual meeting of the fire chiefs of New Jersey held in Newark. The chiefs agreed that the future type of fire-fighting machine will be motor driven and will be built so that the power of the engine can be transferred to rotary pumps developing a pumping capacity of 700 gallons a minute with a 70 h.p. motor. Regarding the expense of maintaining the motor fire-engine, Chief Stagg, of Paterson, said that in Paterson the self-propelled machine would do away with the expense of keeping five head of horses. It was also pointed out that seven men would be all that would be required to man the machine, as the engineer could drive the car and also operate the pumps, and that other incidental expenses could be saved. It was asserted that in Springfield, Mass., the cost of maintaining motor apparatus for one year was less than £115 for fuel and repairs.-" The Commercial Vehicle," New York.
Pembroke U.D.C. Wants Tenders.
To-day (Thursday) is the latest date for the reception of tenders, for the supply of a petrol motor fire-pump with accessories, for the Pembroke Urban District Council (Co. Dublin). The pump must have a delivery capacity of 400 gallons per minute, at 120 lb. pressure on the square inch, and be capable of lifting water from 24 feet below the pump casing. Mr. J. C. Manly, Clerk to the Council, is dealing with the tenders, of which various trade supporters of this journal were advised by us six days ago.
Bright Parts on Motor fireengines.
The liking of the average fireman for bright metal parts is probably only equalled by that of his small-boy admirers. We are seriously inclined, therefore, to question the wisdom of the makers who paint their pipes, pump casings and other connections. Firemen want both occupation and exercise during the day, and the opportunity to apply their " elbow grease " to the bright metal parts of an engine is a pleasing variation from sliding down the pole and other gymnastic feats which come their way. It may be that there are good reasons for a maker's refusal to fit gun-metal or brass everywhere, but we believe the chances of his doing business with a Fire Brigade Committee are likely to be much enhanced if the tout ensemble of a motor fire-engine is capable of being made unusually resplendent by means of metal polish. Quality, of course, must be present, but it should not be overlooked that the instincts and predilections of the Navy are retained in fire-brigade circles.