New bill would retrofit
buildings for fire safety

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By Nelson Daranciang
ndaranciang@starbulletin.com

Honolulu fire officials estimate fewer than 30 high-rise buildings, primarily in downtown Honolulu, would need to be retrofitted with automatic sprinkler systems under a City Council bill.

Council members scheduled a public hearing for the measure on Sept. 26.

"The estimated cost so far is about $5 a square foot," said Attilio Leonardi, Honolulu fire chief, yesterday before the Council's Planning and Public Safety Committee.

The proposed ordinance would apply to business or commercial buildings with seven or more floors. It would not apply to residential high-rise buildings.

The proposed ordinance also would require retrofitting smoke detectors and fire alarms.

Honolulu's older high-rises would also need to meet emergency exit standards required of new buildings.

City Council Chairman Jon Yoshimura introduced the proposal after the April 1, 2000, fire at the 16-story Interstate Building at 1314 S. King St.

The fire caused $10 million damage to the building, $3 million to its contents and cost occupants millions of dollars in lost business.

One-fourth of all Honolulu fire crews on duty at the time were involved in fighting the blaze which injured 11 firefighters.