Firing of Steam Boilers

—This comprises three things: (1) The preparation, which includes the partial filling with water and the kindling of the fire, (2) the running, embracing the feeding, firing, and extinction or banking of the fire, (3) the cleaning out after it has been worked for some time. Before lighting the fire under a boiler the engineer or fireman should make a rapid yet diligent examination of various things, viz.: (1) He should make sure that the boiler has the right quantity of water in it; that it has not run out during the night or been tampered with by some outside party; very many boilers have been ruined by neglecting this first simple precaution. (2) He should see that the safety valve is in working order; this is done by lifting by rod or hand the valve which holds the weight upon the safety valve roa. (3) He should open the upper gauge cock to let out the aic from the boiler while the steam is forming. (4) He should examine the condition of the grate bars and ee that no clinkers are left from the previous ring.