Verizon Hawaii is seeking an exemption for its Bishop Street headquarters from a new city ordinance requiring sprinklers in commercial high-rises, citing the potential for damaging its extensive and critical switching equipment in the lower levels of the structure. Verizon seeks
fire-sprinkler exemptionBy Gordon Y.K. Pang
gpang@starbulletin.comThe City Council's Parks and Public Safety Committee yesterday voted to approve a bill allowing the exemption, although several committee members say they want to see the issue discussed further before a decision is made.
Honolulu Fire Department Battalion Chief Kenneth Silva objected to the bill, reminding committee members that the sprinkler ordinance was put in place to prevent a recurrence of the Interstate Building fire in April 2000. The blaze destroyed an upper floor of the building and injured 11 firefighters.
Joel Matsunaga, Verizon vice president of external affairs, said Verizon intends to install a number of additional fire safety enhancements that do not require sprinklers, including automatic pressurization of all exit stairwells for smoke control when an alarm is activated; the installation of smoke seals on all exit stairwell doors and door frames; and the installation of smoke detectors in all offices and other occupied spaces.
He said the company is worried about frequent discharges of water from false alarms.
Matsunaga also said Verizon anticipates it would need to hike rates if it has to spend an estimated $19 million to comply with the ordinance for all its buildings, including $17.2 million for the Bishop Street building.
City & County of Honolulu
