RMS Titanic - Fire Detection

Titanic had a unique fire detection system, a 1912 version of a smoke detector. Near the bridge was the ship's master fire station. A fireman was stationed there 24 hours a day and was never more that 6 feet away from his post. Positioned on the bulkhead of this station was an airtight glass case. Little tubes entered this case from secondary fire stations positioned throughout the ship. A suction system drew air from the stations back into the glass case. A filament of foil was in the case to let the observer know that the suction was activated by vibrating back and forth from the air flow. If smoke were present in a room that contained a secondary fire station inlet tube, it would eventually be sucked up into the glass case and form a little ball of smoke that resembled a ball of wool. The lead fireman would then telephone deckhands at the secondary stations and order them to check for smoke or fire. Hydrants and fire hose were strategically placed throughout the ship