THE NATIONAL STANDARD PUMP.
This pump is merely a pump of the well-known “duplex” type, built in a very substantial manner, and with certain improvements suggested by the experience of inspectors with Fire Pumps.
The principal points of difference between the National Standard Pump and the ordinary commercial pump are:
1st. Its steam ports and water passages and airchamber are made much larger than in common trade pumps, so that a larger volume of water can be delivered in an emergency without water hammer.2nd. It is “rust proofed” that it may start instantlyafter disuse, by making its piston rods and valve rods of Tobin Bronze, instead of steel; its water pistons, stuffing boxes and rock-shaft bearings of brass, instead of cast iron. Its valve levers are made of steel or wrought-iron forgings, or of steel castings.3d. The following necessary attachmentsare all included in the price of the “National Standard Pump,” viz.:—a vacuum chamber, two pressure gauges, a relief valve, a set of brass priming pipes, 2 to 6 hose valves, a stroke gauge, a capacity plate, an oil pump, a sight feed lubricator and a cast-iron relief-valve discharge-cone.By reason of the larger ports, passageways and pipes, its larger number of valves, and the added attachments, and general superior construction a “National Standard” pump costs more than a common trade fire pump, but the cost per gallon which these pumps candeliver in an emergencyby reason of their large passageways, etc., is no greater than for the old style of fire pump and is well worth this extra cost.Finally it should be remembered that these specificationscover only the outlines of the design, and that all pumps built under them are not of equal merit, for certain of the pump factories possess a broader experience and better shop facilities than others, and that the responsibility for first-class workmanship and strength of materials rests on the pump manufacturers, and not on the insurance companies.
1st. Its steam ports and water passages and airchamber are made much larger than in common trade pumps, so that a larger volume of water can be delivered in an emergency without water hammer.
2nd. It is “rust proofed” that it may start instantlyafter disuse, by making its piston rods and valve rods of Tobin Bronze, instead of steel; its water pistons, stuffing boxes and rock-shaft bearings of brass, instead of cast iron. Its valve levers are made of steel or wrought-iron forgings, or of steel castings.
3d. The following necessary attachmentsare all included in the price of the “National Standard Pump,” viz.:—a vacuum chamber, two pressure gauges, a relief valve, a set of brass priming pipes, 2 to 6 hose valves, a stroke gauge, a capacity plate, an oil pump, a sight feed lubricator and a cast-iron relief-valve discharge-cone.
By reason of the larger ports, passageways and pipes, its larger number of valves, and the added attachments, and general superior construction a “National Standard” pump costs more than a common trade fire pump, but the cost per gallon which these pumps candeliver in an emergencyby reason of their large passageways, etc., is no greater than for the old style of fire pump and is well worth this extra cost.
Finally it should be remembered that these specificationscover only the outlines of the design, and that all pumps built under them are not of equal merit, for certain of the pump factories possess a broader experience and better shop facilities than others, and that the responsibility for first-class workmanship and strength of materials rests on the pump manufacturers, and not on the insurance companies.
We advise that all contracts call for strict conformity to the National Standard Steam Fire Pump specifications of the National Board of Fire Underwriters.
We advise that all contracts call for strict conformity to the National Standard Steam Fire Pump specifications of the National Board of Fire Underwriters.