Tag: Fire Protection

Inflammatory Language

Scientific language is a fickle beast. If you’ve been around for a few decades (and have been exposed to changing language) your experience can be a liability. Take, for instance, the word flammable. It pretends to be an uncomplicated word. In fact, the OED… Continue Reading “Inflammatory Language”

Fire Hydrants of Virginia

Here is another episode in my occasional series about pretty fire hydrants (or prettily situated fire hydrants). This time, we will admire fire hydrants in the State of Virginia. First, we visit the City of Alexandria on the banks of the ridiculously wide Potomac… Continue Reading “Fire Hydrants of Virginia”

Fireboat! Ahoy!

Serendipity! I spent a dinner hour staring out at a fireboat. This naturally led to speculation about the unfamiliar piece of equipment. Where are the water intakes? How is the water pressurized? What’s its range? How often is it deployed? How fast can it… Continue Reading “Fireboat! Ahoy!”

Fire Hydrants of North America

Since I have praised the aesthetics of Irish fire hydrants, it seems appropriate to present some pretty pictures of American fire hydrants – or at least those I have stumbled across in the western US. (Not literally – my eyesight is still somewhat functional.)… Continue Reading “Fire Hydrants of North America”

Fire Hydrants of Ireland

They are ubiquitous, innocuous, and sometimes picturesque. They may be ignored but they are always important. Let me present a visual tour of the Fire Hydrants of Ireland. Hydrant signs are often found in the landscaping: The black H with the yellow background is… Continue Reading “Fire Hydrants of Ireland”

If Cinderella was a firefighter…

American volunteer fire departments’ wealth (i.e. their patron’s wealth) was once demonstrated by their possession of hose and hose carts. In the early 1800’s fire hose was produced from riveted leather with brass fittings and was notably expensive. Ownership of such a product denoted… Continue Reading “If Cinderella was a firefighter…”