Water Works Improvements and Fire Insurance Rates

The word " improvements " implies a condition in which perfection in the water works department has not been attained, and as each city has its own independent problems, we can only speak in generalities of desirable conditions. The classification of a city for the purpose of insurance rating is dependent upon the efficiency not only of the water works but also the fire department, condition of the streets, the general character and construction of buildings, and the enforcement of proper ordinances. With a very few exceptions, the towns and cities of Iowa were classified under the rules of the Western Union Schedule, which has been applied generally in the middle and western states. Recently the Standard Grading Schedule of the National Board of Fire Underwriters has been adopted, but as yet it has been applied in only a few instances. This schedule, which brings practically the same results as the former treatment, although more technical in its application, is more susceptible to easy analysis in many of the details. Further reference will be made to this schedule later on. The requirements for water works protection may be briefly outlined as follows : Source. To be unfailing. If unreliable, a storage basin should be provided. System. First, Gravity System. Supply from an unfailing source with impounding capacity of at least 30 days average domestic consumption. Second, Combined System. The combined capacity of a reservoir or standpipe and pumps to be 100 per cent greater than the total of the maximum daily consumption and the estimated fire flow. Third, Direct Pumping System. Pumping capacity to be 100 per cent greater than the total of the maximum daily domestic consumption and the estimated fire flow.