Fire Sprinkler Systems
From 1852 to 1885, perforated pipe systems were used in textile mills
throughout New England as a means of fire protection. However, they
were not automatic systems, they did not turn on by themselves. Inventors
first began experimenting with automatic sprinklers around 1860. The
first automatic sprinkler system was patented by Philip W. Pratt of
Abington, MA, in 1872. Henry
S. Parmalee of New Haven, Connecticut is considered the inventor of
the first practical automatic sprinkler head. Parmalee improved upon
the Pratt patent and created a better sprinkler system. In 1874, he
installed his fire sprinkler system into the piano factory that he
owned. Until
the 1940s, sprinklers were installed almost exclusively for the protection
of commercial buildings, whose owners were generally able to recoup
their expenses with savings in insurance costs. Over the years, fire
sprinklers have become mandatory safety equipment, and are required
by building codes to be placed in hospitals, schools, hotels and other
public buildings.
Fire
Fighting Equipment
- On
February 10, 1863, the fire extinguisher was patented by Alanson
Crane.
- On
Jan. 1, 1853, the first practical fire engine was tested in Cincinnati,
Ohio.
- On
April 21, 1878, the nation's first firehouse pole was installed
in New York City.
- On
May 30, 1821, the first rubber-lined cotton web fire hose was
patented by J. Boyd of Boston.
- On
May 7, 1878, the fire escape ladder was patented by Joseph Winters.
- On
November 11, 1890, Daniel McCree of Chicago invented a portable
fire escape ladder
(U.S. Patent #440,322)
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