FEBRUARY 21, 2015
We continue to see a significant number of burst sprinkler
pipes. The reason is that these pipes
are located in non-heated areas or at least in areas that are not properly
heated. We have seen even 4-inch
sprinkler pipes burst or the joints or couplings failing due to frozen
water. When the water gushes out of
these burst sprinkler systems, then a significant amount of damage is caused
due to the volume of water released.
STONINGTON, R.I.
The damage caused when an attic sprinkler pipe burst at West
Broad Street School on Monday will cost the school system at least $10,000 in
repairs.
Superintendent Van Riley reported Friday that the extent of
the damage was still being assessed, but that the incident would cost the
$10,000 insurance deductible at minimum. More exact calculations will not be
completed until next week, Riley said.
In addition to the sprinkler system itself, which was repaired
by the time the school opened on Wednesday, ceiling tiles, carpeting, books and
computers in three rooms were damaged.
Activities in all three rooms — Meghan Breen’s third-grade
classroom, a math intervention room and the library — have been relocated
temporarily until repairs are made.
The third-grade classroom will reopen on Monday, according
to an email sent by Principal Alicia Dawe, while the other two rooms will
remain closed until further notice. Riley, who visited the school on Friday
morning, characterized the second floor math-intervention room as in “pretty
good” shape, but noted that the assessment remains ongoing.
“We need to make repairs, and we need to do it properly,
whatever the cost may be,” he said.
As part of the assessment, school officials have contacted
their insurance company regarding the warranty and deductible. The sprinkler
system at West Broad was last repaired three to four years ago, according to
Riley.
Regardless of the total costs, Riley said he planned to
request reimbursement for the expenses from the Board of Finance.
“There is absolutely zero money we can move around,” he
explained.
The school was unoccupied at the time of the incident as
part of the Presidents Day break on Monday and Tuesday, but reopened as
scheduled on Wednesday.
Crews from the Pawcatuck Fire Department, Building Inspector
Wayne Greene and Mystic Air Quality responded to the call for the burst pipe on
Monday.
