The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1905-10-13

The following is the report of the
committee of the Chamber of Commerce
to that body regarding the storage Of
fuel oil at Iwilei, and the danger OF
fire therefrom:
T. j. Lowrey, Esq,
President Chamber of Commerce,
Honolulu, T. II.
Dear Sir:-The Committee on Legis-
lation and Public improvements, to
whom was referred the matter of
menace to shipping from the storage
of oil in the tanks at Iwilei," beg to
report as follows
1t has been difficult to arrive at posi-
tive and thoroughly satisfactory con-
illusions, from the lack of any expert
knowledge as to the conditions under
which oil. such as is contained in the
Iwilei tanks will ignite, and as to the
results of a conflagration. The opin-
ions of the Fire Underwriters and the
oil people, on these points, are decided
" contradictory, and involve technical
considerations.
Your Committee first placed the mat
ter before the Board of Fire Under
writer's and the Agents of the two oil
companies concerned, viz: The Union
Oil Co., and the Pacific Oil Transporta-
ton Co., requesting their views and
recommendations.
A valuable and comprehensive reply
was received from the Board of Fire
Underwriters Herewith appended),
which has furnished a basis for our in
vestigation. Mr.. A. r. Gurrey, the Sec
rotary of the Board, courteously plac-
ing his services at the disposal of your
Committee for any further information.
We give below, in detail, the results of
our investigation, wharves and proper
ty having been considered, as we'll as
shipping.
DANGER TO ADJACENT PROPERTY
The Fertilizer Works are the only ad-
iacent improved property. The oil
reservation is IS feet distant at the
that side of their property; in the alb
sence of any complaint it is to be sup
posed that the situation is satisfactory
to the Fertilizer people.
RETAINING WALLS.
\ concrete wall feet high extends
around the upper and westerly side Of
the Union Co.'S premises. which would
serve to divert flow of oil in thas
direction and conduct it to the flats be-
low. A tank abuts against this wall
and a ditch should be dug .on the outer
side of the wall in case of overflow.
We consider it advisable for the Pa
cifc Oil Co. to erect some description
of wall or embankment on their mauka
street line and to either build a wall
or dig a ditch of suitable capacity on
their easterly line from the road to
the flats.
TANKS.
The tanks are of standard boiler plate
5-16 inches thick at the bottom and
correspond to those used on the Coast.
One has iron cover, the others, covers
of tar composition, covered with ising-
lass. The tanks are painted white to
reflect heat of the sun. They have ven
tilation through the roof and when
empty can be ventilated through a man
hole at the bottom. We quote from Of
fetal report of Asst. Supt. of Public
Works, Honolulu, dated January 9th,
1903:
Il have made the following temper
allure tests of oils in the tanks at Iwi-
lei. These tests were made on January
18th, 1903. Depth of oil in tank Is feet:
Time. Degree in tank. Atmos-
phere.
1000 am. 10 surf"r" of oil II
1915 am. IS IT, below surface 77o
1920 am. 10 10 #. below surface 79o
1915 am. 76' bottom of tank 76'
The reason for taking these temper
allure tests was on the proposition that
oil stored in iron tanks would absorb
heat especially i'm this climate. The
tests bears out the hypothesis that the
absorption of heat in tank is equal to
atmospheric pressure, and being stored
in iron tanks, would, under higher at
mospheric temperature raise the tenn
perature of oil in tanks to the point
when light gasses would be given of;
that, however would not respond to
flash test, but being i'm confined space
would become dangerous. 1t is an es-
tabllshed fact that gasses will generate
with greater rapdity i'm an empty tank
after the same has been used for stor-
ing oil, than i'm a full one The uues-
ton of ventilation of tanks is also a
very important one The tanks when
full have a fair ventilation through
roof; when empty the manhole i'm bot
tom of tank should be open to admit of
a draft Of air passing through the tank.
inasmuch as many of the gasses given
Off i'm empty tanks are heavy and sink
to the bottom"
NUMBER l. CAPACITY OF TANKS.
There are seven tanks in all. with
combined capacity Of 9,S7O,OOO gallons
but, according to statement of oil com
pany's representatives We're never fill
ed at their full capacity. We were in
formed that there is no intention of
constructing more tanks. In fact,
there does not appear to be room for
more on present site.
DANGER OF FIRE
On this point We found great differ
enCa of Opiniou Tho TTndaru.rit e,,,s