From bfd@world.std.comFri Feb 9 17:22:27 1996 Date: Thu, 08 Feb 96 13:04:26 -0500 From: Joe Brooks To: "scan-mass-east@nomad.n-reading.ma.us" Subject: Fire Alarm Telegraph System (Boston's) -- [ From: Joe Brooks * EMC.Ver #2.5.03 ] -- The fire box circuits are powered by 4 large marine grade batteries in the Fire Alarm Office. The original system required hundreds of batteries and took up the entire basement of the office. (back-up generators have eliminated the need for so many batteries) "Pulling" a fire alarm box has gotten much simpler over the years as you can see from the following instructions. How to give an alarm of fire in 1852 ? Before giving an alarm be sure that a fire has occurred within your district ; being reasonably certain of that, turn the crank within the box, say ten times, not too fast and wait. If the signal is perfect, you have now registered at the central office the number of your district, as well as the number of your box. If the alarm is heard at the central office, the operator there will indicate the fact to you as soon as you have ceased, by striking the number of your district with the small magnet in your box, twice at least. Should you not hear this, turn the crank again more slowly. Should you not hear the response, go to another box, and if equally unsuccessful, then carry the alarm yourself to the central office. It may happen that you will open your box at the same time when some other person is communicating an alarm to the office. You will instantly detect this by tapping or clicking of the magnet in your box, the fact being perceptible both to the eye and ear. So long as this ticking or motion continues, refrain from operating, yourself. Listen to the alarm on the bells. Should you not hear it soon, communicate the alarm in your vicinity , from your own box. Should you hear the alarm from the bells, if it comes from your district, of course, you need not signalize at all. The alarm is communicated. Should the fire not be in your own district, do not signalize from your box until you know there is a fire actually within your district, in which case signalize again. How to give an alarm of fire in 1996 ? PULL THE HOOK Joe Brooks BFD/Operations