This section is from the book "Plumbing Problems", by The Sanitary Engineer. Also available from Amazon: Plumbing Problems, or Questions, Answers and Descriptions Relating to House Drainage and Plumbing.
Q. What precautions can be taken against the collapse of kitchen-boilers, when water is drawn off in the street-mains?
A. Put out the fire in the range and close the stop-cock in the service-pipes, so as to prevent the water running backward into the empty mains, and draw no water in the house until the street-mains are full again. It is better to supply the boiler from a tank or supply-cistern instead of from the mains direct, and have an open pipe carried from the top of the boiler to above the level to which the water can possibly rise.
 
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