Kennall Vale

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The incorporating mills had the inside walls plastered covered with dry gunpowder possibly to prevent wet powder getting into the cracks of the walls. This is a good safety feature because it was easy to clean and they wouldn’t miss any excess gunpowder that could set off a chain reaction. However, they were built in two’s which meant a chain reaction could easily take place and it did on the 18th May 1838.

Another good safety feature is the flat roofs, in some cases gabled; they were probably made of timber but had a thin layer of slate over the top to protect the wood from rain. The mills may have had flat roofs to prevent any damage to the machinery that lay beneath it. The fact roofs where made from light materials meant that any debris that was blown away could travel vast distances and possibly ignite other mil. As well as the flat roofs the incorporating mills had large windows that faced the river. This is a good design feature as it gave the workers a lot of natural light to work by; it was also a safety feature because the force of the explosions would have an escape route and therefore cause less damage.

The incorporating mills were made out of granite this is important because in Cornwall it is in abundance and cheap but at the same time immensely strong and resistant to explosions and the weather whereas, the Irish gunpowder Ballincollig was made from timber this meant that if there was an explosion the pressure would be released easily and the mills would be quick, cheap and easy to repair.

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The packinghouse had, like all of the building, large high windows to allow lots of natural light in, for people to work by; this is a good safety feature because it meant that the men didn’t need to use flames near the finished gunpowder. It also had 2 doors are for powder in to be packed into barrels and one for the barrels to exit through. This is a good design feature because it meant there would be no confusion and no collisions. Along with the large windows and 2 doors it is also located close to the road ...

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