Superintendent Z. Woods's “Electric Fireman” - 1912

An ingenious automatic fire-alarm apparatus designed and installed at Grimsby Fire Station by Superintendent Z. Woods, chief engineer of the Grimsby Corporation Fire Brigade.

Reported in 1912, the “Electric Fireman” was designed to eliminate the need for a fireman to remain on night duty. When a fire-call was received, the apparatus automatically rang twenty-four alarm bells connected to the firemen’s homes, switched on the lights at the fire station, and unlocked and opened the station doors. The firemen could then make their way directly to the motor engines and leave for the fire.

The apparatus was controlled by a system of switches, electro-magnets and solenoids, with its most interesting component being an automatic switch known as the “Spider”. This operated six separate electrical circuits. A time switch subsequently returned the “Spider” to its normal position, while the circuits it had activated continued to perform their functions.

The apparatus was built throughout by Superintendent Woods and his staff. The contemporary account stated that, even with all the firemen asleep in their beds, the system made it possible for the brigade to turn out within two minutes.

Zacry Wilkinson Woods was recorded in the 1911 Census as a Fire Brigade Engineer, living at 14 Town Hall Street, Grimsby. (He was the writer’s great-great-uncle.)

Source: Contemporary newspaper report, 1912.

The 1912 article reads:

Fire Protection and Prevention.

An “Automatic Fireman.”

An ingenious piece of apparatus has just been designed and installed at the Grimsby Fire Station by Superintendent Z. Woods, the chief engineer of the Corporation Fire Brigade.

The machine, which is a clever combination of switches, electro-magnets, and solenoids, is intended to do away with the necessity for a fireman remaining upon night duty, as it undertakes all the duties which such an officer would have to perform.

As soon as a fire-call is received, the apparatus rings the twenty-four alarm bells connected with the homes of the firemen. It then switches on all the lights in the fire station, and unlocks and flings wide open the station doors. Thus the awakened firemen have but to rush into the station, mount the motor-engines, and dash off to the scene of the outbreak. Having accomplished this much, the machinery automatically sets itself again in readiness for the next call. It is so designed that it could thus turn out the brigade several times a night for three months without any human interference, and by its aid it is quite possible, even when all the members are asleep in bed, for a turnout to be accomplished within two minutes.

Photo of Superintendent Z. Woods's “Electric Fireman”

As our photograph shows, the apparatus is of solid construction and handsome design, and it has been built throughout by the superintendent and his staff. Its most interesting feature is the “Spider,” an automatic switch which instantly operates six different circuits as soon as an electric current started by the fire-call flows through it. When the circuits have been maintained for a regulated period, a time switch sends another current through the coils of a solenoid, which draws the “spider” into position again for the next call. The six circuits, however, continue to perform their functions. For instance, the lights in the station continue burning, though the pole of the “spider,” which switched them on, has gone back to its normal position.

Superintendent Woods does not claim any great inventiveness or ingenuity for the apparatus. According to him it is simply a combination of electrical devices adapted to the particular needs of the fire brigade, though he admits that the combination is probably unique.