WATER MAIN PRESSURE MAINTAINED

Press, Volume LXXXIV, Issue 25446, 18 March 1948, Page 6

WATER MAIN PRESSURE MAINTAINED

Although a suggestion was made that evidence of a complaint against the water pressure would be given, a waterworks engineer gave evidence that a head of water sufficient to maintain pressure was maintained throughout the intense period of the fire.. The witness was George Blakeway Head, a shift engineer at the main pumping station in Colombo street, who said that on November 18 he arrived at the station at 3.50 p.m., when a call was received from the Fire Brigade which informed him that a fire ad broken out in Ballantyne’s cellar. His duty was to ensure that adequate water was available in the Cashmere Hills reservoir to deal with the fire. He started the pump at 4 p.m. Going outside, he saw smoke and realised it was a major fire. Another pump was started at 4.10 p.m. The Fire Brigade usually reported calls to fires. To Mr C. S. Thomas (for the accident underwriters interested in the risk): The charts showed that at 3.30 P-m. ? he wate r in the reservoir was 20ft 6m: at 4 p.m., 20ft lin; and at 5 p.m.,. 19ft sin. Suction tanks and artesian wells were located in various parts of the town. The Fire Brigade rang before 4.30 p m. to report that the

pressure was good that afternoon. Any fluctuations in the leads at the fire might be due to starting up another motor. If pressure tanks were used, higher pressure would be obtained on the mains.

The chairman (Sir Harold Johnston): What is this question of pressure? Mr Thomas: A witness will be called to say there was a complaint about the pressure.

Mr G. G. G. Watson (for the Crown): This is the first I have heard of any complaint about pressure. “A level of 19ft sin at the reservoir would provide a good, pressure,” said Mr Read to Mr B. A. B’arrer (for three unions).

To Mr J. D. Hutchison (for the Fire Board): Any slight fluctuation by a new lead from the large bore main would be quickly taken up again. Mr W. R. Lascelles (for the City Council): Is there any need to resort to storage tanks for water supply if the high pressure water supply is kept at a good head?—No. • Was the head maintained during the intense period of the fire adequate to supply the water necessary?—Definitely. yes.