INTERESTING TO FIREMEN.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XIII, Issue 93, 18 April 1878, Page 4

INTERESTING TO FIREMEN.

The Lyttelton Time's e'^s ; — 'Superintendent Harris, of tbe Christcb'a rc h Tolunteer Eire Brigade, hag recently received some novel appliances which, simple a* they may appear, will probacy play an important part in future tights with fires. The new patent controlling nozzle produces results which have never before been obtained* situ* ifc will throw a stream of water, rouud and solid, of any desired size, up to the full aperture. Centrally placed within the nozzle, and at some little distance trom the aperture, is a cone-shaped valve, which can, by a simple movement otthe hand, be adjusted as may be desired. The water, in passing tbis long cone, forms upon it into a solid round stream, and when this stream, by advancing tbe cone towards the aperture, is reduced into size, tbe water does not touch the sides of the orifice. Provision is made, by a series of perforations, for tbe admission of air within the nozzle, andjtbe diminished stream of water is thus made to pass through a compressed ring of air, since the force of ihe water in passing the perforations 'will always be drawing in sufficient air for this purpose. When a long line of hose is out and the water pressure is thereby reduced, all that the branchniau has to do is to partly close the nozzle, and fcbe stream of water being thus reduced can be thrown much further by the force concentrated upon it' As the water cannot be suddenly shut off, there is no danger of bursting the hose. There is also what is termed a spraying attachment. When this is in use, the fireman can in one moment throw a solid stream of water, and in the next, he can break- this into a spray, while at the same time a spray is directed backwards to protect him from smoke and heat when in close engagements. The other novelty which has been provided is the Denayrouze fireman's respirator. There is an indiarubber headpiece, which is made to fit over the eyes and nose, the nostrils being kept close by a spring. Glasses are fitted in for the eyes, and by a most ingenious arrangement the operator is enabled to wipe away any steam which may collect upon fche inner surface without removing the mask. The Indianrubber is double, and when the mask is required for use it is inflated with air, so that it may be quite close to the ekin, and accurately fit any face. A tube with suitable flange is placed in the mouth, and passing over the \shoulder is supported and secured by a waistbelt, there being a further length of 50ft of tubing so as to secure communication with cool air. .Between tbe mouthpiece and the supporting belt is an arrangement of valves, enabling the operator to expel the used air, and to continue breathing only the fresh supply. It is highly satisfactory to know that the Brigade has thus been furnished with some of the best appliances which modern ingenuity has devised.'