Buildings had wooden or metal plaques in the form of an Insurance Brigades coat of arms or Firemark affixed to their exteriors denoting which insurance company had the building under its care. When the fire alarm was given many companies would rush to the scene, the mark would be inspected, and only the Brigade that owned the mark would fight the fire while the other companies would do their best to hinder the operation. Source: "Life Under The Bells" by Sally Wilde (ISBN 0 582 87023 2) published by Longman Cheshire in 1991 on the occasion of the centennial of the Board, (MFB).1 Gold lettering and shield border .2 Raised image of fireman with hose and building .3 Supplementary information about fire marks by the donor .4 SQUARE PLAQUE WITHRAISED BLUE BACKGROUND, THREE GOLD TIGER HEADS, 5. LARGE SQUAERE WITH CIRCLE RAISED, PICTURE WITH FIREMAN IN FROM OF CART, HOLDING AXE..1 Colonial .2 Protector .3 Nil 4. SALOP 5. BIRMIN GHAMfiremark, insurance, colonial, protector

Developed in England from 1667 after the Fire of London. Originally made of lead. Up to 1708 had the policy number on each plaque..1 Black plaque, raised circle, gold border and lettering "British" in bottom, lion with paw on wheel depicting British Flag .2 Black plaque, gold "sun"with face, number at bottom .3 Black plaque, thistle in circle, "Caledonia" on banner .4 Black plaque, Crown at top, clasped hand centre, number a base .5 Black plaque, oval raised with fire inside, ribbon banner at top, number at bottom.1 British .2 Sun .3 Caledonian .4 Hand in Hand .5 Salamander and Western firemark, plaque, fire office

.1 Black plaque, raised teardrop with building, crown on top, red background with number .2 Black plaque, raised oval, showing castle and lion .3 Black plaque, rectangular, gold sun with face on blue, lion, a circular raised section with name below .4 Black rectangular plaque, spearhead shape raised, gold border, crown on top. Building depicted in spear head .5 Black plaque, circle shape raised, gold with lion and unicorn, sheild with lute/harp on top in centre.1 Royal Exchange .2 Norwich .3 Bath Sun .4 Royal Exchange .5 ABERDEEN ASSURANCE COMPANY, SCOTLAND 1825firemark, fire office, plaque