Posted on: Monday, July 1, 2002

Fire-hose testing upgraded

By Brandon Masuoka
Advertiser Staff Writer

Following internal questions about the Honolulu Fire Department's capabilities of fighting high-rise fires, Fire Chief Attilio Leonardi said the department has begun testing its fire hoses at higher pressure levels that would be more than enough to supply water for the tallest high rise on O'ahu.

In addition, plans are under way for the department to conduct a high-rise fire drill in a 40-story Waikiki building next month, and the department is looking to buy upgraded fire-hose testing equipment for the department's five battalions, Leo-nardi said Wednesday.

Battalion Chief Jim Skell-ington raised concerns last month about the safety of high rises, saying that the Fire Department did not test its hoses at pressures needed to pump water to the 30th floor or higher. He said no one at the department knew whether water could be adequately pumped to those heights to put out a fire and protect people.

Leonardi called Skellington's comments a "misstatement" that could cause unwarranted concern, but changed some of the department's hose testing procedures after Skellington went public.

"We wanted to say, 'If it's going to bring the public's mind to ease, then we're going to do it,'" said Leonardi of the changes. "If it's a safety issue, we're going to address it."

Leonardi said the department plans to perform the high-rise test during the second week of July in a 40-story building off Kuhio Avenue, and that the new hose testers would cost no more than $2,000 each.

The Fire Department had annually tested its fire hoses at 250 pounds per square inch, which Skellington said would be enough water pressure to supply a firefighting operation in a 25-story building.

However, Leonardi said the Honolulu Fire Department's hoses are factory tested at higher pressures up to 800 pounds per square inch and are strong enough to pump water to high-rises 30 stories and taller. Leonardi said the department recently began testing its high-pressure hoses at 400 pounds per square inch, and have encountered no problems.

According to city records, 71 buildings on O'ahu are 30 stories or taller, with one topping out at 46 stories.

Skellington said he was pleased to learn about the changes in the hose testing procedures. Skellington said now that all the firefighters know that the department has tested the fire hose, "I've been getting phone calls thanking me for what I did."

"It's great," Skellington said. "It's good to see (the department) moving in the right direction."

Skellington said his outspokeness has led to some hard feelings in the department, but said "I only did what was right in my heart."