Water Damages J.C.L. Stock

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 638, 15 April 1929, Page 11

Water Damages J.C.L. Stock

SPRINKLER PIPE BURSTS

£SOO WORTH SPOILED When a pipe belonging to the fire-extinguisher sprinkler system on the ceiling of the fourth floor of John Courts. Limited, burst about 10.30 this morning, damage amounting to £SOO was done in less than 15 minutes. npHB fourth floor contains the ladies’ underwear department, and when the pipe burst two streams of watershot out from each section, soaking piles of expensive silk garments and penetrating show cases full of underclothing. The water ran for about 10 minutes and finally penetrated through the flooring on to the third floor, where considerable damage was also done. Some even leaked further, right down ■to the basement, but so slowly that there was time to clear goods out of the way, anil little damage was done below the third floor. Finally the flow was stopped by emptying the cistern on the roof which supplies the sprinkler system. By then (he water had been, running at high pressure for 10 minutes and the damage had been done. Sueh accidents carry a special insurance cover, and this one was completely covered by Lloyd's.