Part 169

The reliance placed upon the strength of the up-draught to open the valve is based:--First--On the extraordinary aspirating power of this form of cowl. Most ventilators only expose one side at a time to the wind’s action, but this one allows its entire area (more than equal to the area of the tube) to be acted upon at the same moment. Secondly--Upon the fact that beneath the valve is a column of warmed air. The loss in ascending energy caused by cold flues may be put down, as an average, at 40 per cent., but the adoption of this new “exit valve” system conserves the power of the current to almost its fullest extent. With the continuous up-draught ventilator the great ventilating agents--the aspiration of the wind and the movements of air at different tensions--are utilised in a very great degree, and experiments prove the justification in claiming for it results never before attained.

Some of its advantages are as follows:--(1) It is noiseless in its action and is weatherproof. No water can by any means get down the ventilating tube. (2) It extracts powerfully when the least current of air impinges upon it. The whole surface of the ventilator comes into action immediately, and a continuous up-draught is produced at all times. (3) It is fitted with a new patent automatic float valve, which is exceedingly simple in action, and cannot get out of order. It opens with an up-current and shuts when this current ceases. Thus, down-draught is impossible. Not only those down-draughts caused by wind movements, but also those induced by the specific gravity of the cold air in the ventilating tubes, hitherto incurable, are completely prevented. (4) It is well and strongly made, is complete in itself, cannot get out of order, and will last for years. It is made in sizes from 2 to 18 in., and is made in zinc, galvanized iron or polished copper. It is also made in special ornamental forms for large buildings, prices of which will be given on receiving size of air shaft and pitch of roof. (5) It is specially adapted for use with sun burners, gas fires, &c. The heat of horizontal tubes, particularly when lined with asbestos according to Sugg’s plan, contributes to its extracting energy, while the valve effectually prevents any of those down-draughts so often associated with this mode of ventilation. (6) This system of ventilation and lighting works without attention. It can be put in operation at a moment’s notice. By its use can be guaranteed not only the most effective lighting, but also a controllable and absolutely reliable induction and eduction of air from any building. It is shown in Fig. 221, and is made by William Sugg & Co., Ld., Grand Hotel Buildings, Charing Cross, London, under Sugg and Simmance’s patents.

WARMING: by Open Fire. Continued from p. 69.

“The Eagle Convertible Open and Close Fire-grate,” Fig. 37 (makers, Eagle Range and Foundry Co., 176, Regent Street, London), is one of the latest improvements, and is to be commended as possessing all the details advocated by Dr. Teale and others, viz. the grated bottom and economiser, to which in this case is attached an ashes pan for convenience and cleanliness, and the fire-brick sides and back, the latter projecting to deflect the heat, &c.; the front bars are somewhat flat in section, and incline up outwards at an angle of about 20 degrees, which effectually prevents cinders and fuel falling from the fire, and having the further advantage of making the front of the fire visible to any one standing near. The chief novelty of this grate is its possessing 3 pairs of doors, which when open fold back out of sight behind the tiled side panels, and can be closed, to partly or wholly cover any portion of the fireplace. Fig. 37 shows the stove with the two upper pairs of doors closed. When first lighting the fire, or when the fire has become very low, and is heavily fed, with the doors closed thus, a rapid draught is carried through the fire, which burns very rapidly, and is established in a few minutes, after which the upper doors are opened. By closing the two lower doors only, it can be left quite safe at night, and as there is no means of the air passing through the fire, the combustion is very slow, in fact it only smoulders, yet keeps up a warmth in the apartment, and it can be relied upon that it will not be out in the morning; this is of especial convenience in invalids’ rooms. This stove is, in the majority of cases, a sure cure for smoky chimneys, and has several other advantages that would occupy too much space here.

“The Parson’s Grate,” Fig. 38 (Barnards, Bishop and Barnards, Queen Victoria Street, London), is a very well-known and good form of slow-combustion grate, and has the advantage of being changed to a fast-combustion grate at will, by means of a sliding blower, when first igniting the fire or at any time that it is desired to make it burn briskly; the bottom, back and sides of the fire-basket are of solid fire-brick, and it will be seen from the illustration that the blower can be drawn down to any point and so regulate the draught and speed of combustion to a nicety; this is of especial convenience when the chimney has a tendency to smoke.

WARMING: by Gas. Continued from p. 79.

_Sugg’s Gas Fires._--During a greater part of the year in this country, the variations in the temperature are so great and sudden, that those persons who have weak throats, or are subject to bronchitis--especially children who have a tendency to croup--find the cold, air of the early mornings a source of great discomfort and even danger. Although by the use of coal fires, with constant attention, the temperature of a bedroom or sick room can be maintained as required during the day, yet at night it is next to impossible to do so. The fire, if properly made up, gets too hot in the first part of the night, and goes out in the early morning, so that the room gets cold. If it has to be made up, the noise of putting on coals, or poking the fire, is most disturbing in all cases, and positively unbearable to a sick person. The object of the gas fire is to obviate these inconveniences, and to maintain an equal temperature throughout the entire day and night if required. The construction of this stove differs from every other stove hitherto introduced. The burners act independently, each being regulated by its own governor, and each is provided with a separate tap. The arrangement of the fire by which the flames from the burners play freely into a space left between the solid bottom of the grate and the asbestos lumps, permits of the perfect combustion of the gas, and the attainment of the highest point of incandescence. The consumption of London gas is 7 cub. ft. per hour for each burner. The quantity of gas being regulated to its proper rate by the governors (the taps always being turned full on), it necessarily follows that the admixture of gas and air is always in the right proportion to develop the greatest radiant heat. This gas fire is always ready, and can easily be lighted without explosion by the most timid person, and in a few minutes it will be glowing. After the room is warmed to the required degree, one or more of the burners can be turned off, and the consumption reduced by 7 ft. for each burner so turned off, without affecting these left on, which still continue to develop their full heating power.

This latter is a great advantage, because in ordinary stoves, where the burners are all controlled by one tap, the reduction of gas at once produces more or less imperfect mixture of gas and air, with an imperfect combustion, accompanied with a disagreeable odour, and a very imperfect development of heat. From this cause, together with ungoverned burners, the consumer is frequently disappointed in the working of gas fires, and lays the blame on the principle of heating by gas, when the discomfort and waste of gas arise solely from the imperfect construction of the stove he is using. The cost of gas for Sugg’s Patent Charing Cross Bedroom Stove at full power is less than 1_d._ per hour. But as on a very cold night, a bedroom 20 ft. by 15 ft. by 10 ft. high, after being once warmed to 60° F., can be kept at a temperature of 58°-60° F. through the night by two of these burners left burning, the cost per hour for maintaining this temperature will be actually less than ½_d._ It will be readily seen that to keep a room warm by gas, at the price above mentioned, is cheaper than by using coal; and that if the readiness, saving in trouble, and the absence of all noise and dirt are taken into consideration, the advantages of gas over coal are simply incalculable. This stove is constructed with a chamber around the sides and back, which keeps up a circulation of warm air in the room; and if desired a fresh air flue may be connected to this chamber, thus supplying the room with warm fresh air. The asbestos material is carefully made at Sugg’s own factory; it is very durable, and gives out a good heat. The stove, when fixed in front of an ordinary chimney, is provided with a flue pipe, which is made to go up through the register to carry off the products of combustion. In most cases of smoky chimneys, where it is found impossible to use a coal fire, a small wind guard can be fitted to the chimney, which will prevent down-draught, and make the use of the gas fire successful. The fire is very bright and cheerful, and having been carefully tried for upwards of 3 years in all kinds of weather, its successful working can be guaranteed. Directions for measuring grates, to enable a “Charing Cross” gas fire to be sent complete, and ready for fixing by an intelligent gasfitter, in any part of the kingdom, are furnished by the makers, William Sugg & Co., Limited, Grand Hotel Buildings, Charing Cross, London, whose illustrated catalogues show innumerable patterns of stove, adapted for halls, bedrooms, libraries, nurseries, &c., at various prices.

_Cadogan Gas Fires._--A specially prepared indestructible fire clay lump is fitted into the grate and covered with small pieces of asbestos fuel, which should be carefully packed, so as to allow the gas flames a free action without any loss. The fire clay lump has apertures through which the gas flames pass from a swing bar, fitted in front of and underneath the grate, the gas supply being connected up with the bar either at the back or front of the hearth. The bar has an air-chamber fitted to it, so that the gas is consumed on the atmospheric principle, being, for heating purposes, the most economical, and one preventing the formation of soot, thus keeping the fire always clear and the grate clean.

A regulating valve can be fitted in a convenient position, either in front or at side of hearth, so that the gas may be controlled as easily as an ordinary gas burner.

To burn the gas economically, the flames should not be allowed to show much above the top of the fuel.

These fires are eminently suitable for all modern grates, but they can be fitted into most grates of old-fashioned pattern. Messrs. Strode & Co., 48, Osnaburgh Street, London, N.W., will advise as to their applicability on receipt of templet of grate, which can be made by cutting a piece of paper to the size of bottom of grate, and pencilling the openings.

WARMING: by Hot-water. Continued from p. 82.

S. Deards’s coil adapted to open grates ensures healthy heating and perfect ventilation. The coil pipes are so adapted as to form the bars of an ordinary grate, and yet so arranged as to contain water, which, as soon as the fire is lighted, will put into circulation the water contained therein, and the coil grate being attached to other similar pipes, so arranged in any convenient position around the walls of the room or any adjacent room, hall, landing, or passage, will at once transmit that heat to those rooms, &c., without extra cost or expense of fuel. It is apparent and well known to all practical persons that the heat given out from the sides and back of an ordinary fire grate is actually lost in the brickwork surrounding it, yet by the application of S. Deards’s coil grates, that otherwise lost heat is retained and made use of, and it is by this heat that the other rooms are warmed for nothing.

The heating of schoolrooms by means of hot-water is often objected to by scientific men, doctors, and architects, as by doing away with the open cheerful fire, and the chimney shaft, the cheerfulness of the room is destroyed; and the “lungs of the schoolroom” being the ventilation by the chimney shaft is also absolutely lost. But by the adoption of the above-named coil grate the cheerful open fire is retained, the chimney still acts as the ventilator to carry off all foul air, and the furthermost parts of the schoolroom are as equally warmed by the circulation of hot-water as in the immediate vicinity of the fire.

The Princess Louise coil grate was awarded the First Prize at the Smoke Abatement Exhibition, in 1882, for giving the greatest amount of heat per lb. of coal consumed. It is now improved so as to burn 18 to 20 hours without attention; hence it is possible to heat a greenhouse or conservatory from one’s own fireside, and in fact to obtain all the hot-water for the baths, &c., of a household for no extra expense. It is shown in front view in Fig. 222, and can be seen in action at S. Deards’s show rooms, 11, North Buildings, Eldon Street, Liverpool Street, London, and at Harlow, Essex.

The “Acme” small bore pipe apparatus (The Acme Ventilating and Heating Co., 35, Tarleton Street, Liverpool) is one of the most economical, rapid, and perfect systems of heating. This system consists of strong wrought-iron tubes of best quality procurable, of 1-5/16 in. external diameter and ⅞ in. bore, the ends of which are provided with right and left hand threaded screws. They are connected together right and left hand, which, when screwed up, brings the coned end of one tube into the flattened end of the other, thus making a perfectly sound hydraulic joint--in fact, such joint is actually stronger than the tube itself, the threaded screws are not intended to make any joint excepting by the power applied in forcing the conical end to the opposite flat end of tube, which generally makes an indentation of about 1/16 in.: this forms the joint, the cone making its own seat, and when once fitted, water has no access to the screw in the socket, which, therefore, cannot rust, and may be unscrewed at any time without trouble. This joint is not affected by expansion and contraction, which is a constant source of annoyance and expense where the ordinary form of joint is used, as with the large cast-iron hot water pipes used in the low pressure systems. The “Acme” system offers the further advantage of readily allowing any tube to be disconnected and removed without disturbing the rest.

A large portion of the said tubes form the boiler or furnace, which, being fixed at the lowest level, forms one of the most rapid and economical furnaces known. Smaller furnaces, with wrought or cast-iron casings, with coils of pipes built in fire-bricks, are used for small buildings, halls, corridors, or offices.

An ordinary fire-grate may be utilised by a few feet of piping being coiled and placed in same, forming the fire-bars and back of grate, which constitutes a boiler in itself, and is connected with other piping connecting with adjacent apartments. As many as three or four bedrooms, or a suite of offices, may be comfortably heated from the one fire.

The apparatus consists of an endless circuit of strong wrought-iron tubes (all of the same diameter), filled with water. It is thoroughly tested under a hydraulic pressure of about 3000 lb. per sq. in., so as to ensure that the joints, and all parts of the apparatus, are perfectly safe and sound. The fire being lighted, the water circulation commences, as the water in the furnace-coil becomes heated, it ascends to the top of the apparatus, whilst the cold water, being heavier, descends, to supply the place of the ascending heated water, and thus a continuous circulation of hot water is kept up, which rapidly increases in velocity, through the pipes, as the heat in the furnace becomes greater. The tubes are kept absolutely full without the possibility of a higher pressure than that at which the expansion valve is set, and this setting corresponds with the temperature the pipes are intended to give off. As will be seen, a very large margin of safety is provided for in every case, much beyond the maximum pressure by heat that can possibly be obtained. Formation of steam is impossible, as is also the stoppage of the circulation through air locking.

The superior quality and small diameter of the tubes, and the ready manner in which they can be bent, makes it the most complete system extant. The “Acme” apparatus is equally well adapted to old or new buildings, as it may be introduced without disturbance of existing arrangements, and does not necessarily require the construction of trenches or channels, an inconvenience in other systems which often prevents their adoption. The preliminary expenses in introducing the “Acme” system are very trifling, and as the circulation does not depend upon the tubes being laid at an incline, the apparatus is not unsightly or in the way.

All the difficulties arising from condensation, air stoppage, and the consequent necessity for attention to valves and air-cocks (as in other systems) are avoided--so simple, indeed, is the apparatus that it may safely be left to the care of any ordinary house-servant. Fixed close to the expansion (or safety) tube is another tube for supplying the apparatus with water. Beyond the necessity of attending to the furnace, it is only requisite to see that the tube is supplied with a proper quantity of water about once a week (when in constant operation), this, in an ordinary sized apparatus, is about ½ pint. If this arrangement is not convenient, a small cistern of sufficient capacity to hold the expanded water can be fixed, inside of which is placed an expansion and in-take valve. The expansion tube and the water supply pipe are so arranged that when the water is level with the top of the filling pipe it is only up to the bottom of the expansion tube, leaving the whole of the tube empty. It is, therefore, impossible to fill the tube by pouring water into it, the expansion tube being always empty when the apparatus is cold. Before the fire is lit, the apparatus is filled with water, and the two screw-plugs seal them; as the water rises in the tube, when the furnace becomes heated, it compresses the air that is left in it, and so automatically regulates the pressure that no undue strain is put upon the apparatus.

Instances are known where Acme apparatus have been in use for over 20 years without entailing the least expense for repairs. When erected, they are tested by hydraulic means to a pressure of 150 atmospheres, and the valve is regulated to blow off at six atmospheres--it is manifest that, with proper care, leaks or accidents are of very rare occurrence. The material throughout being of best wrought iron, breakage is impossible, even with the roughest usage; hence the cost of maintenance, often such a heavy item incidental to other systems, is avoided. With the “Acme” system repairs are practically nil; further there is no trouble and no sulphurous smells. Where trouble and expense have been experienced with small pipes, they have invariably been the result of bad workmanship, or of neglect by the attendant of the simple instructions given.

The heating surfaces can be regulated to the utmost nicety, and may be raised to very high temperatures without the formation of steam. The system is, therefore, specially applicable for drying-closets and stoves for manufacturing purposes, where great heat is required, and where systems of hot-air flues are not expedient on account of danger from fire or damage by noxious vapours. Any degree of temperature up to 500° F. may be obtained.

In the “Acme” system the ordinary boiler is replaced by a series of specially constructed tubes, bent in tiers one over the other. The fire and heat are induced to travel over the whole surface of the tubes. The temperature of the tubes steadily increases throughout their entire length; hence great economy of fuel is secured. It is manifest that the temperature of the smoke, as it passes into the flue, need only be slightly in excess of the temperature of the return pipes, say about 190° F., whereas in the ordinary boiler, where perfectly free circulation is possible, and the temperature of the water is practically the same throughout, the heat of the flow-pipes governs that of the chimney. As the practical result, it may be said that about 90 per cent. of the calorific power of the fuel consumed is actually taken up and distributed by the heating surfaces of the “Acme” apparatus. This, as against 40 to 70 per cent. in the case of hot water, and steam boilers, or of cast-iron hot water apparatus (low pressure large bore-pipes), is a source of economy. Another notable source of economy is the remarkably small amount of fuel necessary to the effective working of the “Acme” system. The comparison between the two stands as 8 to 1, in consequence of the difference in the weight of the materials used in each system to obtain like results.

Buildings warmed by the “Acme” system are more thoroughly under control than where large pipes are used; the tubes being so small, contain but little water, consequently are more quickly heated, causing much greater rapidity of circulation. The temperature can be easily raised or lowered--automatically if desired--and the heat maintained for any length of time at pleasure. This is an obvious advantage in warming conservatories, as the temperature can be quickly raised when frost suddenly sets in, or lowered without opening the windows when a thaw commences. The heat of the house may be maintained at the requisite temperature without attention during the night, it simply being necessary to make the fire-place large enough to contain sufficient quantity of fuel, as the damper regulates the combustion. Where a moist heat is desired, such can readily be obtained at any given point by placing trays of water upon the pipes, or on a coil of pipes, thus giving the moisture so essential to the health of plants.

It has been supposed that the sediment from the water would soon choke the tubes, but as they are hermetically sealed there is no evaporation, and the same water being heated over and over again there is no deposit, and the remote possibility of incrustation is entirely overcome by using a small quantity of the patent anti-corrosion and non-freezing liquid.

There are no red lead or luting or perishable rubber joints used in connecting the pipes, but a perfectly solid metallic contact is made.

In applying the “Acme” apparatus to dwellings the warming pipes can be placed in any desired position along the skirting, under windows, coiled and covered by ornamental coil cases of various sizes and patterns, or pipes sunk beneath the floor in a channel. In the best rooms the pipes may be covered by iron gratings, of any design, to suit the other decorations of the building, while in servants’ rooms they may be placed in front of the skirting boards on suitable iron stands or brackets.

Fresh air is admitted into each compartment by an opening in the external wall through an iron box fitted with a valve to regulate the supply, and warmed by a surrounding coil of pipe. This can be placed beneath the windows, or when that is not convenient, in any other desired position, and if desired, may be covered with an ornamental iron coil case.

Warm water for bath and bedrooms may be drawn as required by having a cistern attached to the apparatus.

LIGHTING: Gas. Continued from p. 93.