WROUGHT-IRON SAFES. •

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and front; and in large safes, or those with doubledoors, there should be bolts allround—top, bottom,and at each side.

Fifth—The case at the back of the door con-taining the lock and fire-proof composition, shouldfit the interior of the safe as tightly as the openingand closing of the door will allow, so as not onlyto keep out the external heat, when in a fire, butalso to prevent the escape of that moisture evolvedby the vaporizing material, by means of which thecontents are to be preserved.

Sixth—The inside case forming the chambers forthe fire-resisting material should fit the inside ofthe outer body quite tight, so as to prevent theundue escape of the vapour when in a fire, andshould be so secured to the outer frame, that noviolence exerted upon the door should force theremoval of such lining.*

Seventh—The non-conducting and steam-gene-rating composition placed in the chambers or in-side casings, and at the back of the lock-chamber,should be prevented from having any injurious effectupon the iron; that when subjected to the actionof fire, whilst the vapour would preserve the con-tents from combustion or damage of that kind, itshould not injure plate or specie, or affect thewriting upon, or substance of, papers and books.The thickness or quantity of the composition

* On no account should solder he used in the manufacture of fire-proofsafes, as it melts at a comparatively low temperature, and thereby allowsthe escape of the steam.