692

THEORY OF
ARCHITECTURE.
Book II.
paleing, i.e., the soldering on of embossed figures. Lead cisterns arc still in use, Lnt tlvy
are cased with -wood, and placed were most wanted for the supply. No cistern should be
put where the sun can act upon it, as vegetation in the water sometimes ensues. (1785a).
2223^1. A cistern is usually made of
\\
or 2 inch memel fir, lined with 6 lb. lead. A
cover should always be provided. Tliis metal lining is now much superseded by one of
zinc, on account of the deleterious effects arising by the action of pure water on the lead
;
but zinc can only be trusted as a temporary resource. Slate is a better material for all
collections of water or other liquids in general use. Care must be taken that a porous
quality be not supplied
;
and it should not be placed where mild damp air will meet it
and condense_ on irs_ cold surface, and so run down in drops. As it is very unyielding
to the expansion of ice, its position in the house in that respect is an important consider-
ation,_ and in case the joints become leaky from that or any other cause. Cisterns are
supplied with water by a main service or feed pipe sufficiently large to allow of its filling
during the time the water is turned on. The flow of water is regulated by a hull cock.
The water supply to each bath, water closet, &c., is suggested to be controlled by a stop-
cock of a bore equal
to the pipe. Ball cocks to be supplied with a stop cock to each, m
case of repair. The cistern to have a proper standing waste for cleansing purposes onlv,
as well as the ordinary half or three-quarter
warning pipe, which must be provided,
according to some water companies' rules. The,
Jig. Qlbk. shows a system of water supply,
where c is the cistern in the roof
Z, which is often placed over, but quite separated
from, the water closet A. m, water pipe,
cased
; y,
slop sink, having a tap from the main n.
X, flushing tank; the cistern c, in B, also supplies the syphon flushing cistern in the
servants' water closet d. The dotted line o shows the line of water pipe from the cistern
c in the garden, supplying the kitchen boiler.
2223c. The cistern to supply a water closet should properly be distirct from that for
domestic purposes; and when the former is placed in a confined spot, necessitating small-
uess of dimensions, one of an upright form is essential
to provide the head of water for flushing the b^sin,
Fig. 80"/. shows an apparatus fitted to a load cistern
for supplying water
to the pan. A, the
Fig. see/.
ball valve pulled down by the wire B, and thus lifting, by the wire C. the valve D,
which admits the water into the lead service-box E, soldered into the bottom, F,
of the cistern. The air-pipe G lets out the air from the box forced into it by the
pressure of the water rushing through the down pipe 11. A waste pipe for emptying
the cistern, or for carrying off the surplus water when being over filled, must always
be provided. When a cistern supplies tlie house, a service pipe is required fiom
it, the outlet having a rose. For a slate cittern, a brass flange
{_fig. 807-).
fitted with
screws and nuts, is soldered to the lead service-box, and then secured to tlie slate.
A
"
round closet valve with union, fly-nut," and air-pipe
(fig.
807.)
is occasionally used in
lieu of the above contrivances ; or a spindle valve with union, fly-nut and air-pipe.
2223('/. Iron tanks and cisterns made of plate iron riveted, plain or galvanized, are
formed to any shape or size
;
as also of a small size in stoneware. A question lias
arisen as to zinc and zinc-coated iron fur cisterns. Soft water, such as rain water, dis-
solves zinc more easily than hard water. Water containing carbonic acid is specially able
to dissolve it. The French Government have prohibited the use of galvanized iron tanks
on board men-of-war. Professor Ileaton analysed spring water, with a further analysis
after it had passed through half a mile of galvanized iron pipe, and found it had taken up
6 41 grains of zine carbonate per gallon. Br. Venable states that where spring water
passed through 200 yards of such pipes it took up
4-29
grains of zinc carbonate per gallon
(John Smeaton). To stop leaks in iron cisterus, mix litharge and red lead; if to dry
quickly, gold size mixed with boiled linseed oil. Extra hard carriage varnish is useful
for inside purposes only, well rubbed into the crack.
2223e. With the constant supply system, now being generally introduced, service cis-
terns are said to be unnecessiry ; but it will be advisable to have one, and especially near