19. Towards the end of the year, additional space amounting to 18,000 sq. ft. was acquired in the ex Naval Dockyard on Hong Kong Island. Despite their age, the old buildings on the site have proved invaluable as temporary workshops.
20. During the year under review, it was decided to equip major fire appliances with sirens. 37 appliances have so far been fitted with these units.
21. To ensure the safety of other road users, 10 fire appliances were fitted with revolving beacon ray lights. These, which are normally placed on the cabin of the vehicles, give a flashing signal easily visible when an appliance is responding to a call at night.
22. All appliances received during the year were inspected by the Division before they went into operation.
FIRE BOATS
23. The Department has a fleet of three fire boats and one fire launch, the largest of which is the 'Alexander Grantham'. With these it is possible to cope with fires that occur on board vessels in the harbour. The fire boats are also used for relaying water for fire fighting operations on land when difficulty arises from water restrictions. Maintenance of these craft is carried out by the Marine Department.
24. Fire boat No. 1, a fast personnel and fire fighting launch, was commissioned on 23rd March, 1961. This launch constructed by Messrs. Thorneycroft in their Singapore yard is 45 ft. in length. It is powered by a Thorneycroft diesel engine of 145 b.h.p. which drives twin screws to give a speed of 19.966 knots. Fire fighting appliances on board are powered by two Rover gas turbine pumps of 60 b.h.p. each. The power pump capacity is 500 g.p.m. at 100 lbs. p.s.i. at 3,600 r.p.m. over 10 ft. static lift.
25.
HYDRANTS AND WATER SUPPLY
Fire hydrants, both pedestal and ground, were inspected quarterly and all defects reported to the Water Authority for repair.
26. At the end of the year, new installations and replacements had brought the total number of pedestal and ground hydrants to 956 and 1,413 respectively.
27. Water hydrants proved to be extremely valuable in checking fires during periods when water supplies were restricted. These hydrants are inspected quarterly and maintained in good working order.
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