are subject to rules and regulations which are quite as rigidly applied as are the rules and regulations published under the National Code. Four answers evade the question. (6) Would the publication of quarterly reports on fires starting from the most prolific sources be of benefit in educating the people in general to the relative fire hazard of various agents and the best means of preventing same? Sixteen answers: Yes. The underwriters find that the public prefers convenience to safety, unless its preference is detrimental to its pocketbook. Reliable reports would be advantageous, not only from an insurance point of view, but also in the matter of educating the public to a proper realization of the various hazards with which they are concerned. The cost of comprehensive and carefully prepared fire records would be enormous and beyond the scope of the underwriters. One of the most important features connected with our business is the ascertainment of the causes of fires. Unfortunately, in many cases the causes can only be conjectured, the destruction being so great that only deductions can be reached to account for the event. But it is believed that in every case the conclusion generally reached is borne out by the evidence remaining after the fire and the conditions as they were known to exist immediately preceding. One answer: No. The small number of property owners that such reports would reach and the lack of interest generally manifested by the insuring public in such matters, would hardly justify such publication. Electrical reports as sent out serve to educate contractors and are especially valuable on this account, but the possible dangers from other sources of lighting are more apparent, and it is not the contractors we need to educate but the consumers. (7) What, if any, comprehensive reports on the fire-hazard situation regularly come to your attention? Some of the insurance people answering this question receive some of the following publications, and some receive others: Reports of the National Fire Protection Association Various technical journals Reports of the Mutual System Quarterly fire reports of the National Board of Fire Yearly reports of municipal inspection departments Fire patrol reports Laboratory reports Chronicle Fire Tables Insurance companies' reports Local reports from inspectors Insurance patrols in important cities Fire department annual reports Insurance journals Trade journals Bureau reports In addition to the above the following are published by the National Board of Fire Underwriters: National Electrical Code-Rules and Requirements Rules and Requirements for the Construction and Suggestions for Organizing Private Fire Depart ments Rules and Requirements for the Manufacture of Rules and Requirements for the Construction, Specifications for the Manufacture of Steam Fire Pumps Rules and Requirements for the Construction and Installation of Electric Fire-Pumps Rules and Requirements for the Construction and Installation of Rotary Fire-Pumps List of Dry Pipe Valves for Use in Connection with Automatic Sprinkler Equipments Rules and Requirements for the Construction of Waste-Cans, Ash-Cans, Refuse-Barrels, Fire-Pails and Safety-Cans for Benzene and Gasolene Rules and Requirements for the Construction and Installation of Systems for Storing 250 Gallons or Less of Fluids Which, at Ordinary Temperatures, Give Off Inflammable Vapors Rules and Requirements for Regulating the Hazard of the Storage and Use of Fuel Oil Rules and Requirements for the Construction, Installation and Use of Coal-Gas Producers. Rules and Requirements for Sprinkler Equipments Rules and Requirements for the Construction and Installation of Gas and Gasolene Engines Rules and Requirements for the Construction, Installation and Use of Signaling Systems Rules and Requirements for the Manufacture of Private Department Fire-Hose for Mill-Yard Use Report of the Committee on Field Practice Rules and Requirements for the Construction and Installation of Fire-Doors and Shutters Rules and Requirements for the Construction of Hydrants for Mill-Yard Use Supplement to Rules and Requirements for the Construction, Installation and Use of Acetylene-Gas Machines, and for the Storage of Calcium Carbide Rules and Requirements for the Construction and Installation of Gasolene Stoves Rules and Requirements for the Construction, Installation and Use of Acetylene-Gas Machines, and for the Storage of Calcium Carbide Uniform Requirements Recommended for Use of Rules and Requirements for the Manufacture of Supplement to Rules and Requirements for the Rules and Requirements for the Manufacture of List of Manufacturers of Carbonic Acid Gas Hand Rules and Requirements for the Construction and The following answer is of particular interest: "Comprehensive reports on all sorts of fire hazards intended for circulation among the underwriters, published for their benefit and at their expense. The underwriters who bear the expense of these publications should be allowed to exercise their judgment as to the circulation of these reports, so that the benefit which the underwriters receive shall warrant the expense incurred." (8) What suggestions can you make as to points which may be taken up and reported on by the Committee on the Fire Hazard of Electricity which would be of benefit to the members of the National Electric Light Association? Endeavor to keep the National Electrical Code up to time and to secure strict compliance with its rules and regulations, perhaps by ordinances. Municipal electrical inspection and licensing of contractors are considered important questions. Co-operation of the National Electric Light Association with underwriters, inspectors, and so forth, as to safety of devices supplied with current in buildings. Safe separation of signal and electric light wires, both inside and outside of buildings. Carpenters, gas and steam fitters, plumbers, and so forth, are very prone to disregard electric wiring when doing their work in buildings. Employees of electric companies installing conduit systems in fireproof buildings do considerable damage to fireproofing. Determine to what extent remote control of motors is advisable, if ever permissible. Determine how best to safeguard life and property from high-tension wires, such as are used for feeders on interurban trolley lines. Determine how long after being installed according to standards, electrical installations are safe. Investigation of electrolysis. Publish comparative figures showing the relative positions of electricity, gas, and so forth, as responsible agents for fires and accidents, and distribute the same quarterly. In order to accomplish this, members of the said association should have some person in their employ who would be competent to investigate thoroughly and impartially all supposed electrical fires. This would result in the members of the Electric Light Association being more familiar with the actual hazards involved, and would give them a better appreciation of the necessity of the many requirements now considered onerous. The committee should arrange with members of the National Electric Light Association for a rigid inspection of their power plants and distribution systems. Insurance companies are greatly worried over complaints of defective wiring and appliances which electric-lighting companies or contractors install, particularly as much of the work is hidden and its defects are not discovered until a fire has occurred. Recommend publicity of electrical-fire reports and also more publicity to fire reports from other causes. The greatest benefit to the members of the National Electric Light Association would arise from their familiarity with our Code, and in our methods of doing business, especially by their presence personally or by representative at our annual meeting, and by frank and full discussion of any questions which might then arise. |
