All have drying towers, which were required for the cloth-covered rubber hoses of the era in which they were built, but which also serve as visual landmarks and decorative elements.
12.
His design lacked the then-typical hose drying tower, opting instead for drying facilities ( eventually supplemented by a heating system to speed the process ) in the basement . ( Modern fire hoses no longer need to be dried after use .)
13.
The City commissioned W . A . Snow & Company of Boston to create the new fire station s weathervane for the sum of $ 75 . ( Known primarily as a foundry, Snow & Company also forged the iron door hinges used throughout the building . ) Perched atop the station s tall drying tower used to hang wet fire hoses, the showpiece was impressive in both size and artistry.
14.
The Redcliffe Fire Station's interior layout demonstrates the principal characteristics of a fire station of the period, which include : accommodation on the first floor for the Chief Officer; a central appliance garage on the ground floor, flanked by a dormitory, recreation room, watch room, showers, toilet, laundry and kitchen; a hose drying tower; an outdoor rear area for vehicle maintenance and cleaning; and close access to a main street.
