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 air_ chamber 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 instantly_ after 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 attachments_ are 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 can
_deliver in an emergency_ by 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 specifications_ cover
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._