Fire Escapes

Contrivances for facilitating escape in case of fire. They consist principally of iron steps and balconies outside buildings. In some cases windows are fitted with ropes with sliding gear. The movable escape used by firemen consists of a ladder on wheels fitted with a trough of wire-netting in which people may slide safely to the ground. Fire-Extinguisher. Gla or metallic ve el containing chemical compounds that give off gases that will not support combustion. Carbonic acid is most commonly used as an extinguisher. The common form is a cylinder containing bicarbonate of soda and water, with a bottle of sulphuric acid suspended at the top. When this is broken by a mechanical contrivance within the cylinder, carbonic acid is generated which is absorbed by the water and also forces the liquid from the attached hose, with a pre ure of 70 to 120 lbs. and to a distance of 50 feet. Chemical fire-engines are similarly charged.