CENTRAL STEAM POWER PLANTS AND FIRE PROTECTION OF CITIES.
THE proper fire protection of large cities is so important a matter that no available means of preventing the spread of fire should be disregarded if feasible of application. Fire protection represents an instance where the availability of many methods acts as the best safeguard, and where sole and implicit reliance should not be placed in any one appliance or system. It is for this reason that we advocate, especially in large cities, the institution of a number of approved systems, even if they may in part overlap each other; but the large interests involved and the saving of money and human life which proper fire protection affords, makes an extra initial outlay seem a comparatively small consideration.
Whatever the merits or economy of steam power plants on a large scale may be—we refer to plants like those of the New York Steam Company, supplying large districts of the city with steam for heating and power purposes—from one common central source or station, it is certain that they offer an excellent means of extinguishing and preventing the spread of fire, and that where they exist appliances should be introduced to make them available for fire protection in case of necessity.
If you are a current subscriber,login hereto access this content.
If you would like to become a subscriber, please visit ushere.
