WAR TOPICS

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 3, Issue 292, 7 April 1941, Page 3

WAR TOPICS

AIR RAID FIRES PRECAUTIONARY MEASURES INSTRUCTIONS TO HOUSEHOLDERS The United Fire Brigades' Association of New Zealand has issued the following instructions for the benefit of householders, and the public is asked to clip these and place them in the home. Although the Authorities are taking measures to deal with tires arising from air raids the first and most important action is in the .hands of the householder or occupier of the building, who can deal with the fire in its incipient stages. The following information prcr. pared by a sub-committee set up at the recent Fire Brigades' Conference at the guidance of hou and occupiers of busines., premises. The instructions should be read carefully and afterwards cut out and pasted on a piece of cardboard and hung up in a convenient position so as to be available for reference when official warning is issued to prepare lor possible attack from the air. The air-raid warning will be given !>y means of sirens and whistles opcrating with n series of ten-:>ccond blasts over a period of two jninutes. A continuous blast of two minutes following this signal will be used to indicate "Ali Clear."

When an air-raid warning signal is given, the following arrangements should be made :—

(1) Cut off the gas at the meter and extinguish or safeguard domcs-

tic fires.

(2) See that youi emergency firefighting equipment (water spray and sand—see below) is in order. (3) Keep under covers Even n wooden building offers some protection. Incendiary Bombs. What is known as the incendiary bomb is really a fire stick, and will not explode unless water is thrown on it. These bombs are used extensively in air-raids to cause fires. The bomb is a small electron metal case filled with thermite and weighing- about 2 1 / 41bs. The thermite burns at enormous heat and' eauscs the casing to catch alight. The bomb is not normally explosive, but water thrown on the bomb will cause it to explode and splutter, and the burning pieces of the casing will cause more fires. Two alternative methods of dealing with incendiary bombs arc recommended by the British Authorities as a result of air-raid experience. (1) A Water Spray : As indicated above it is dangerous to throAV water or a burning bomb or to apply a dircct jet of water. Water applied in the form of a spray, however, bas been found the most effective method of dealing Avith these bombs, particularly if applied at once. The water spray not only tends to cool down the heat of the bomb but lessens the danger of ignition of inflammable material in the vicinity. ! An ordinary %in garden hose will provide a spray quite satisfactory for the purpose. If the hose is not fitted with a spray nozzle, pinch the end of the hose or hold the tliumb over the nozzle so as to form a spray ( A bucket puinp or garden spray pump may be used in place of a lengtli of hose or in emergency, even an ordinary acid-soda extinguisher, but only if operated, as a spray.- It cannot be too strongly emphasised that it is dangerous to use water on the any form except fine spray. jl (2) Sandi: A bucket of dry sand should, be kept on the premises as nn alternative or secondary equipment. When using sand on ;m :.n----cendiarv bomb throw the sand ove; and around the Jjomb as quickly as possible after it falls. This will not JHil the bomb out hut Avii'"** prevent' the spread of fire away from the bomb. After covering the bomb with .sand remove it to the open where 5t can burn itself out. using a metai shovel with an inch of sard on it or a wooden shovel, scraping the bomb on to the sliov..] by means of

by The Beacon Watchman

a rake or similar arrangement. When using tlic sand method, have a supply oC wa ler handy to put out fires caused bv the incendiary bomb. A sufficient supply for this purpose will usually be available from the domestic hot water system, biit i r will be necessary to put out the heating fire to avoid danger of a steam explosion in the event of the ordinary water supply failing.

Method of Attack : An incendiary bomb will cause intense heat and glare, and in addition some heavy smoke is likely to be caused by Avood work, etc.. which may be ignited in the vicinity of the bomb., Tn attempting to extinguish the bomb approach.in a stooped position or. if necessary, crawl on the floor—the air is always better near the floor.

Notification of Incendiary Bomb Fires: Fire patrol systems have been arranged for emergency operation in every room. Householders and persons responsible for the fire protection of other buildings should make themselves acquainted with the 'system which is being adopted. This can be ascertained either from the air-raid warden or from the Fire Brigade Officers.

While an inccndiary bomb is being attacked as recommended above, the nearest patrol should at the same time be notified.

Giving a Fire Alarm: It is probable that under emergency conditions the ordinary lire alarm system will not function satisfactorily, either because it is disrupted as a result of the enemy attack or because of the large number of calf* received simultaneous]}'. It is therefore recommended that all alarms of fire under emergency conditions should be made to members of the patrol system Avho will have full instructions for dealing with any

situation which may arise