Gamewell fire alarm system

An alarm equipment must give immediate automatic indication of the locality of the fire without requiring a high degree of skill or intelligence in sending the signal. It must be so designed that it can remain idle for months and yet not fail when required. The two main classes are the open and closed circuit systems. The Gamewell system is based on the closed circuit principle. The street boxes are arranged on a single-wire electrical circuit in series with the fire station signalling apparatus. A continuous current of 100 milliampers is maintained from a battery in the circuit, and any interruption causes the fire station apparatus to operate immediately. In case two street boxes should be operated at once, non-interfering and succession devices are introduced. The movements are operated electromechanically. Ample provision is made against the most severe weather conditions. Details of the apparatus and working are given, and the paper is copiously illustrated.