Geo. E. Hibbard withdrew from the Niagara Fire Ex-
tinguisher Co. (See Niagara.)
Rating: Satisfactory.
NIAGARA
Manufactured by Niagara Fire Ex-
tinguisher Co., Akron, Ohio, and
after 1912 by the Ohio Sprinkler Co.,
Young stown, Ohio.
B-IQI2. Practically the same head
as Niagara-Hibbard B. Approved by
the Underwriters' Laboratories.
Rating: Standard.
NIAGARA - B
420 AUTOMATIC SPRINKLER PROTECTION
PARMELEE
Henry S. Parmelee, New Haven, Conn. Made by J. R.
Brown & W. A. Foskett, New Haven, Conn.
Installed by Foskett & Bishop, New Haven, by the Prov-
idence Steam & Gas Pipe Co. and others.
First patent, 1874, showed a valve sprinkler held
to its seat by fusible solder. Perforated distributor.
Sprinkler fed by small pipe until an auxiliary valve was
opened by the reduction in pressure.
Never used so far as known. See page 17.
1-1874 (about). Upright, valve sprinkler. Interior
valve held in place by hinged lever the end of which was
fastened to an arm by means of a heavy spring and
fusible link. Perforated distributor.
Used in Mr. Parmelee's piano factory (probably the
first automatic sprinkler equipment ever installed).
See page 17.
2-1874 (about). Upright, valve sprinkler. Interior
valve held in place by a wooden strut the upper end of
which had a bearing against a fusible washer. Perfo-
rated distributor. This head was also used to a limited
extent in Mr. Parmelee's piano factory. See page 18.
3-1875. Upright, sealed sprinkler. Brass cap sol-
dered over a perforated distributor. Threaded on in-
side. See page 18.
4-1878. Upright, sealed sprinkler.
Brass cap soldered over a rotating turbine
distributor. Threaded on inside. See
page 19.
5-1878. Upright, sealed sprinkler.
Similar to No. 4 but redesigned by Mr.
Grinnell. The head was made more
sensitive by recessing under the solder
joint so that the heated air could circulate on each side
of this joint. Threaded on the outside for a half inch
fitting. Slow in action and easily damaged.
APPENDIX I
421
PHELPS 2.
Field experience very satisfactory for some years. See
page 19.
All types now obsolete.
Present rating: All types unreliable.
PHELPS
Fred A. Phelps, Laconia, N. H.
1-1904. Upright valve sprinkler. Metal :
valve cap held in place by a seven-piece
strut in the form of a double rectangle.
Soldered surfaces corrugated.
2-1907. Sample similar to above tested
by Underwriters' Laboratories, 1907, criti-
cized as follows:
1. Deflector. 2. Markings. 3. Soldering. 4.
Strength.
3-1910. Experimental sample submitted to Under-
writers' Laboratories criticized as follows:
1. Features of design and construction. 2. Hard and extra
hard degree solders. 3. Effects of loading and corrosion.
None of the types ever used so far as known.
PHENIX
Albert Blauvelt, Chicago, III.
1917. Upright valve sprinkler.
Valve cap a held in place by an S-
shaped strut b bearing on a curved lever
c. Upper end of lever fitted into a slot
in curved connection strip d above the
deflector e. This curved strip held
in place by a capsule / containing a
plunger resting on fusible solder in
granular form h. Where heated the PHENIX.
solder melts and allows the piston to (Section.)
fall, thus releasing the curved connector strip and the
lever attached to it. Fusible solder contains some
mercury.
422 AUTOMATIC SPRINKLER PROTECTION
Criticized by Underwriters' Laboratories, 1917, as
follows :
1. Difficulty in packing and shipping without injury. 2. Dur-
ability. 3. Certain parts not strong enough to withstand ordinary
external strains. 4. Not entirely reliable in operation.
Used to some extent in the Middle West.
Rating: Not standard.
PHCENIX
Patented by Jarvis Hunt, Chicago.
Assigned to Phoenix Fire Extinguisher Co.
1-1904. Upright valve sprinkler with diaphragm.
Metal valve cap covered a raised orifice in diaphragm
and was held by three-piece strut with a projection at
an angle of about 45 degrees.
Never used so far as known.
A-ipos. Upright valve sprinkler similar to No. 1
except in shape of strut. Similar in appearance to Grin-
nell glass disc sprinkler except strut and diaphragm.
Approved by the Underwriters' Laboratories, 1905.
Withdrawn from approval, 1909. Manufacture dis-
continued.
Field experience limited but generally satisfactory ex-
cept in the matter of leakage and premature opening.
PHOENIX-A BBKHI
Out of 171 recently tested by the Underwriters' Lab-
oratories 2 per cent failed from adhesion at the seat.
Present rating: Fairly satisfactory.
Note: The Phoenix Fire Extinguisher Co. was backed by the
late Paul Morton, his brother and others. The company went out
of business in 1909.
APPENDIX I 423
PIERCE
Octavius Pierce, Chicago, III.
Assigned to Underwriters' Fire Sprinkler Co.
1894. Upright valve sprinkler. Valve held in place
by four-piece strut of triangular shape. Fixed toothed
deflector. Used to some extent in the Central West.
Subject to crawling and leaking. See page 60.
Present rating: Unreliable.
PRENTISS
See Draper.
ROCKWOOD
Geo. I. Rockwood, Worcester, Mass.
Manufactured and installed by Worcester Fire Extin-
guisher Co. Later by Rockwood Sprinkler Co.
1905. Patents taken out on upright valve sprinkler
with single deck deflector,
RCLCKWOQP-A
A-i9o6. Upright valve sprinkler. Metal valve cap
with pure silver washer held in place by four-piece strut
of triangular shape. Double deck deflector, part being
over and part under the frame.
Approved in 1907 by the Underwriters' Laboratories.
Field experience not satisfactory in the matter of leak-
age and premature opening. Have been practically all
removed. See page 60.
Present rating: Unsatisfactory.
424 AUTOMATIC SPRINKLER PROTECTION
Later this head was slightly changed by installing a
lump of solder at one end of the soldered lever to give
additional strength.
B-igo6. Slight modification of A. Key placed in
top of soldered lever of strut to give additional strength.
Not approved by Stock Companies. Used in risks
insured in Mutual Companies.
Present rating: Satisfactory.
C-IQIO. Similar to A except solder joint strength-
ened by installing a reinforcing wire.
ROCKWOOD-L
ROCKWOOD - D
Approved by the Underwriters' Laboratories. Many
in use.
Present rating: Satisfactory.
D-IQII. Similar to C but with single deck deflector.
Approved by Underwriters' Laboratories and the
Mutual Companies. Many in use. See page 60.
Present rating: Standard.
RUNDLE SPENCE
Made by Bundle Spence Automatic Sprinkler Co., Mil-
waukee, Wis.
I-IQII. Upright valve sprinkler. Almott identical
with Neracher Improved 1902 sprinkler. No distin-
guishing marking except that rating and year of manu-
facture were stamped on link.
A few were installed in the Middle West.
Rating: Questionable.
APPENDIX I
425
2-1912. Similar to 1911 type except that the letters
R. S. were cast at an angle on the upper edge of the
frame and notches were provided in levers to prevent
link from coming in contact with top frame.
Underwriters' Laboratories report, March, 1913, makes
following criticisms:
1. Effects of loading and corrosion. 2. Adhesion of valve cap
and disc to seat. 3. Inaccuracies in high test solder. 4. Factors
of safety in link, frame and cap. 5. Lack of uniformity of manu-
facture. 6. Construction details.
Rating: Questionable.
A-IQI3. Similar to 1912 type but letters
R. S. in a vertical position and further from
link. Rating and date stamped on link.
Approved Sept., 1913, by the Under-
writers' Laboratories. Withdrawn, 1915.
Manufacture discontinued.
Rating: Satisfactory.
RUNDLE
SPENCE.
RUTHENBURG
Marcus Ruthenburg, Cincinnati, Ohio.
1885. Pendent valve sprinkler.
Rubber valve disc of spherical form held in place by
long thin lever. Lever held to arm by cylindrical link
of solid solder.
Fixed saucer-shaped deflector.
Used to a limited extent in the Middle West. Crude
and subject to crawling. See page 37.
RUTHENBURG
Obsolete.
Present rating: Very unreliable.
426
AUTOMATIC SPRINKLER PROTECTION
'^*^
SHAW
SHAW
C. B. ShaWj Kirkwood, Mo. Made by
Shaw Manufacturing C&., St. Louis,
Mo.
1-1897. Upright valve sprinkler with
keyed strut. Key released by expansion
of alcohol or ether in a closed vessel with
corrugated sides. Slightly modified in
1899. Subject to corrosion. Unreliable
principle of release. A few equipments were installed
in the neighborhood of St. Louis, Mo. See page 45.
Out of 14 recently tested 50 per cent failed.
Present rating: Very unreliable.
SIMMONS
J. Simmons Co., New York.
Upright valve sprinkler. Practically a
duplicate of the Stantial.
. Never used so far as known.
SIMPLEX
Made by Crowder Bros., St. Louis, Mo.
1902. Upright valve sprinkler. Por-
celain valve cap held by toggle-joint levers
and link. Criticized by Underwriters'
Laboratories as follows :
1. Releasing device. 2. Effects of loading and
corrosion. 3. Leaking point. 4. Cap. 5. Disc.
6. Deflector. 7. Marking. 8. Structural weak-
ness. 9. Construction details.
Never on market so far as known.
SMITH
Darius B. Smith, Pine Meadow, Conn.
1885. Pendent valve sprinkler of drop
deflector type. Valve stem threaded
SIMPLEX;
SMITH.
APPENDIX I 427
into two parallel vertical levers. Levers held together
by two-piece link. Conical-shaped deflector. A few
hundred made. Used only in Mr. Smith's own factory.
Gave trouble from leakage due to turning of threaded
stem from vibration.
Obsolete.
Present rating: Very unreliable.
STANDARD
Made by the National Fire Extinguisher Co., Kansas
City, Mo.
1902. Upright valve sprinkler. Valve cap held by
levers of toggle-joint type and fusible link. Quite simi-
lar to Hibbard sprinkler. Criticized by the Underwriters'
Laboratories in 1903 as follows:
1. Fusing point. 2. Releasing device. 3. Effects of corrosion
and loading. 4. Structural weakness. 5. Solder in high degree
pattern. 6. Marking. 7. Workmanship.
Out of 77 recently tested by the Underwriters' Labora-
tories 8 per cent failed from adhesion at the seat.
No longer made.
Rating : Unreliable.
I STANT1AL i
STANTIAL
Oti's T. Stantial, Chicago, III. Made by Independent Fire
Sprinkler Co., Chicago, III.
. 1895. Upright valve sprinkler. Valve cap held in
place by strut with curved projecting member. Report
of Underwriters' Laboratories, 1903, criticized:
428 AUTOMATIC SPRINKLER PROTECTION
1. Fusing point. 2. Releasing device. 3. Effects of corrosion
and loading. 4. Cap. 5. Solder in high degree pattern 6.
Marking. 7. Distribution.
Out of 160 recently tested by the Underwriters' Lab-
oratories 6 per cent failed.
Used to a limited extent.
Present rating: Unreliable.
STAR
Wm. T. Montgomery of Wakefield, Mass. Assigned to
Star Manufacturing Co. of Boston.
1886. Pendent valve sprink-
ler. Metal. valve with stem held
in place by lever, one end being
hooked to casting and the other
attached to a projection by a
solder pin. Large star-shaped de-
flector. Installed to a consider-
able extent in New England by the
Star Manufacturing Co. Sold out L
to Providence Steam & Gas Pipe Co. Field experience
satisfactory for a number of years.
Obsolete.
Present rating: Unreliable.
STECK
Ernst F, Steck, Chicago, III. Assigned to Fire Extin-
guisher Manufacturing Co.
1896. Upright valve sprinkler with valve cap held
in place by triangular-shaped strut.
Never used so far as known.
STRATTON
W. H. Stratton, New Haven, Conn., and latelof Provi-
dence, R. I., and Hartford, Conn.
1-1885. Pendent valve sprinkler of drop deflector
type. Valve held in place by two levers hooked to
frame and soldered together at lower side of head.
Never used so far as known.
APPENDIX I 429
2-1893. Pendent valve sprinkler. Valve held in
place by spindle passing through deflector and resting
on a thimble soldered to frame. All working parts of
sprinkler protected against corrosion by a papier mache
protecting cover.
Never used so far as known.
3-1896. Upright valve sprinkler. Valve seated on
a hole in flexible diaphragm. Valve consisted of a
frangible stopper adapted to contain a bursting charge.
Stopper was clamped in place and when heated it was
broken into small pieces.
Whole head enamelled to prevent corrosion.
Slightly modified in 1902.
Never used so far as known.
SWAN
Phineas W. Swan, Winchester, Mass.
1-1892. Pendent valve sprinkler.
Valve cap held in place by levers of toggle-
joint type curved and pointing upwards.
Levers held by two-piece fusible link.
Fixed toothed deflector.
Never used so far as known. L__. jWAN..,,
2-1895. Upright valve sprinkler similar to No. 1
but with slotted revolving deflector. But little used, if
at all.
Present rating: Unreliable.
TALCOTT
Charles W. Talcott, Woonsocket, R. I.
Installed to some extent by inventor who afterwards
installed other makes of sprinklers.
1-1882. Pendent valve sprinkler. Interior valve
held in place by hinged cap, the latter being held by
fusible pin. Hose distributor.
Obsolete.
430 AUTOMATIC SPRINKLER PROTECTION
2-1882. Pendent valve sprinkler.
Valve of soft metal held in place by two
hinged levers bearing directly on the valve
cap. Levers were curved and extended
around bottom of sprinkler where they
were soldered together. Rose distributor.
Obsolete.
Present rating: Very unreliable.
TALCOn
TESSIER
Made by Joseph Tessier, New Bedford, Mass.
Submitted to Underwriters' Laboratories, 1901. Un-
developed device.
Practically all features criticized.
Never used so far as known.
TITAN
George Mills & Co., Ltd., Manchester, England.
i. Pendent valve ^sprinkler of drop deflector type;
valve held by lever and rivet-shaped fusible link.
TITAN TITANJ
2. Upright valve sprinkler. Valve disc held in place
by strut the parts of which are held together by a rivet-
shaped fusible piece similar to that used in No. 1. Ap-
parently easily clogged by dirt and corrosion.
Installed in England and many other parts of the
world. Not used in America so far as known.
APPENDIX I
431
TURNER AND GARDINER
1895. Valve sprinkler with perforated distributor.
Valve spindle held in place by long lever hinged at one
end and attached to piping or to ceiling by a spring and
cotton cord.
Never used so far as known.
UNITED STATES
United States Automatic Sprinkler Co., New York City.
A-iQiy. Upright valve sprinkler.
Similar to the International Sprinkler.
Valve held in place by toggle-joint
levers held by link. Link composed of
two plates soldered together, there being
slight projections and indentations in
each fitting into each other.
Now being tested by the Under-
writers' Laboratories.
UNITED STATES.
UNIVERSAL
Universal Automatic Sprinkler Co., Philadelphia, Pa.
John Kane, General Manager. Later reorganized
as the International Sprinkler Co. This company
previously installed the J. Kane sprinklers No. 1
and No. 2.
UNIVERSAL - !
UNIVERSAL - 2
1-1896. Upright valve sprinkler. Valve held in place
by straight strut. Perforated and toothed deflector.
Not used so far as known.
432 AUTOMATIC SPRINKLER PROTECTION
2-1899. Upright valve sprinkler. Similar to No. 1
except valve cap held by levers of the toggle-joint type
with link.
Present rating: Unreliable.
Note: There was also a sprinkler similar to No. 1, but with
an irregular-shaped three-piece strut, invented by Robert Wood.
Never used so far as known.
UP-TO-DATE
Made by U. T. D. ( Up-to-date) Sprinkler & Supply Co.,
Chicago, III.
1899. Upright valve sprinkler. Valve cap held in
place by strut. Small smooth deflector.
Criticized by Underwriters' Laboratories, 1905, as
follows :
1. Crude workmanship. 2. Subject to crawling and leakage..
3. Distribution faulty.
Out of 165 recently tested by the Underwriters' Lab-
oratories 21 per cent failed.
Present rating: Unreliable.
ILACONIA j
OK VOGE,
VOGEL
Made by H. G. Vogel Co., New York.
1904. Upright valve sprinkler. Valve cap held in
place by double strut. Fixed toothed deflector. Two
horizontal projections on casting just above threaded
portion. Experimental sample criticized by Under-
writers' Laboratories in 1904 as follows:
APPENDIX I 433
1. Structural weakness. 2. Soldered struts. 3. Spring. 4.
Distribution. 5. Markings. 6. Construction details.
Never used so far as known in America.
Approved in England under the name Laconia, but
not used there to any extent.
WALWORTH
Patents by C. C. Walworth and 0. B. Hall of Boston.
Made and installed by Walworth Manufacturing
Co., Boston. Patents were taken out in Feb., 1883,
and July, 1883, by C. C. Walworth on experimental
samples that were never used to any extent.
WALWORTH-1J
1-1883 (October). Soldered arm type. Patented by
C. C. Walworth and O. B. Hall. Pendent valve sprink-
ler. Valve held by stem resting against a rocker arm
lever. Long arm of lever soldered to frame. Not a
sensitive head.
Obsolete.
Present rating: Very unreliable.
2-1883. Solder link type. Similar to No. 1 except
that whole deflector dropped when head opened. Long
arm of lever held to a projection on frame by an all-
solder link. This link caused leakage by stretching and
later a two-piece metal link was used. See page 36.
Obsolete.
Present rating: Unreliable.
434 AUTOMATIC SPRINKLER PROTECTION
2 A-i883. Drop deflector type. Similar to No. 2 but
with link composed of two U-shaped pieces of brass
soldered together.
Rating : Unreliable.
WALWORTH-3 WALWORTH-4 WALW
3-1885. Soldered deflector type. Pendent valve
sprinkler similar to No. 2 except that deflector was large
and stationary. Valve disc passed through hole in
center of deflector. There were several slight modificar
tions of this sprinkler and in later types a link was used
in which the two parts were placed side by side instead
of one being entirely within the other. See page 36.
Present rating: Unreliable. *
4-1888. Ordinary type. Pendent valve sprinkler.
Similar to No. 3 but with a smaller and smoother deflec-
tor. Hexagonal casting for wrench just below threaded
portion. See page 61.
Present rating: Unreliable.
5-1888. Upright, spring type. Similar to No. 4 but
arranged to be placed upright. Steel spring tended to
force valve open when link melted. Practically obsolete.
Present rating: Unreliable.
6-1892. Smooth deflector type. Upright valve
sprinkler. Valve cap attached to a hinged lever, the
upper end of which was held to a projection on the cast-
APPENDIX I
435
ing by a fusible link. Small smooth deflector. Poor
distribution. Nearly obsolete. See page 61.
Present rating: Unreliable.
WALWORTH-6
WALWORTH-7.
7-1894. Ordinary upright type. Similar to No. 6
but with perforated deflector.
Present rating: Unreliable.
8-1898. Improved pendent type. Similar to No. 6
but with improved toothed deflector, more clearance
of levers, etc.
Present rating: Unreliable.
WAL
JVALWORTH-9
9-1899. Improved upright type. Similar to No. 7 but
with toothed deflector and more clearance of moving
parts.
Present rating: Unreliable.
Note: There are several other minor variations of the above
types. Most of the Walworth heads made after 1892 had double
links as a safeguard against crawling of solder in the single link.
These were generally wired together so that the outer one would
436 AUTOMATIC SPRINKLER PROTECTION
not slip off. A few were wired at the side instead of at the end, thus
binding the moving parts of the link together and causing failure
to operate.
Melting points of many of the high test patterns were irregular.
Walworth heads had a satisfactory field experience up to 1912, when
tests showed them to be unreliable.
Out of about 1500 tested by the Underwriters' Bureau of New
England between 1911 and 1914, 30 per cent failed.
They are now mostly replaced.
WESTON
A. L. Weston, Adams, Mass.
1899. Upright valve sprinkler. Valve
cap held by rectangular strut composed
of several pieces soldered together and
with a concealed spring.
Report of Underwriters' Laboratories,
1902, criticized:
1. Fusing point. 2. Structural weakness. 3.
Releasing device. 4. Cap. 5. Solder in high de-
gree patterns.
Never used so far as known.
WHITING
Francis Whiting, Chelsea, Mass.
1881. Pendent, water-joint type. Perforated dis-
tributor, fan shape in cross section. Cap soldered to
flanged edge. Used to some extent about 1884. Sold
out to Burritt Hardware Co. of Waterbury, Conn.
Obsolete. Not a sensitive type. See page 28.
Present rating: Unreliable.
WILBER
Wilber & Son, Bolton, England.
1889. Pendent sprinkler. Valve disc held in place
by levers soldered together. Water distributed from a
circle of holes discharging onto a loose toothed ring.
Not used in this country so far as known.
APPENDIX I 437
WILSON
W. A. Wilson.
1882. A large thimble-shaped cap fitted over an ori-
fice 'and was held in place by a strap of thin metal con-
taining a fusible joint.
Never used so far as known.
WITTER
Witter & Son, Bolton, England.
i. Pendent valve sprinkler. Valve held in place by
lever hooked to frame at each end and with adjusting
screw passing through the center. Fusible joint con-
sisted Of two flat angular parts pivoted at top and sol-
dered together at lower end. Spring under valve disc.
IWITTERJ
E-igo6. Upright or pendent valve sprinkler. Valve
disc held in place by strut. Spring under valve disc.
Not used in America so far as known.
Used extensively in England and other countries.
WOOD
Robert Wood, Philadelphia, Pa.
1896. Mr. Wood while with the Universal Sprinkler
Co. of Philadelphia invented several sprinklers. The
frame of the Universal sprinkler was used but the valve
discs and releasing devices were of several patterns, most
of which resembled those used in other sprinklers.
None of these were ever used so far as known.
438 AUTOMATIC SPRINKLER PROTECTION
Summary of Tests
Made on 6277 clean sprinklers from the field during the last few years by the
Underwriters' Laboratories, Underwriters' Bureau of New England, Underwriters'
Bureau of Middle and Southern States and the St. Louis Fire Prevention Association.
Corrected to April, 1918.
Type.
H
!!
02
I- 3
Failure.
Per cent
Failure.
!>
Babcock
Cataract A
4
6
2
1
6
1
25
25
100
Clapp No 1
68
45
2
10
11
16 2
31
Clapp No. 2
Esty 5 (1896)
13
51
13
44
4
i
2
3.9
5.9
30
3
27
3
1
2
6.6
6.6
Garrett A
6
6
Grinnell, 1
5
5
A
44
20
6
4
14
31.8
40 9
B
C
30
68
14
39
2
30
3
6
11
3
36.7
4.4
46.7
13.2
D
213
84
52
29
48
22.5
36 1
glass disc (1890-03)
Hibbard 1
514
16
414
16
87
9
4
0.8
2.5
2
3
97
193
50
63
9
23
26
100
2
7
2.1
3.6
29
55.4
3-A
599
386
23
159
31
5.2
31 7
4 (1901)
294
13
190
13
5
35
64
21.8
33.7
Hill
184
120
27
3
34
18.4
20 1
International, 1 (1900)
A (1902)
34
105
32
84
2
20
i
J. Kane, 1 (Universal)
" " 2
6
139
4
96
'21
2
9
'13'
9.4
33.3
15.8
3 (1900)
12
7
5
|| || 4
W. Kane, 3 (Bulb Root) . '.'.'.'.'.'.'.'.'..'..
" 4 (Perfection)
Kersteter
Lapham, A (1910)
74
6
57
28
28
33
53
6
55
23
15
32
17
' i'
3
7
3
1
1
1
1
"i
5 "
1.4
3.6
17.9
5.4
1.8
7.2
21.4
3
Mackay, 1892 (Mfgr. 1)
Manufacturers, 2
14
30
3
19
2
4
3
5
6
2
42.8
6.7
64.2
23.3
3
12
4
3
5
41.6
66 7
4
7
6
1
14.3
14.3
(Long Lever)
25
9
6
1
9
36
40
A
B
555
225
335
185
69
27
85
5
66
8
11.9
3.6
27.2
5.8
Neracher, 2
3
5
48
5
39
i
"T
' i'
2.1
16 7
3J
232
52
208
43
18
3
3
3
6
1.3
9.6
2.6
9 6
Newton
24
13
1
10
41.6
45.9
New York & New Haven
Niagara Hibbard, A (1902)
A (1903)
14
91
55
5
89
54
9
1
' i
' i
1.1
1.1
1.8
B
Phanix, A
42
171
42
140
'27'
1
0.6
23
Rockwood, A
Rundle Spence
Shaw
10
173
14
5
170
6
5
1
1
....
i
"r
6
0.6
42.8
1.2
50
Standard
77
71