The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1910-12-23


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into account and pay more attention
to those points of building construc-
ton that make a difference in the
building risk A little forethought,
and consultation with the underwrit-
ers, would often make a great differ
ence at very slight expense.
In this matter, the interests of the
underwriters and the interests of the
insured are one. The underwriters
are glad to have the premiums lower
ed by reductions in the hazard-they
regard that as the best business they
can promote. There is no antagonism
of interest here between insurer and
insured and any effort of the insured
to lower his premium by lowering his
risk is likely to be gladly assisted by
the insurers Credits will be given
for all approved protective devices,
such as fire-alarm signal boxes, or sig
nal service for night watchmen; and
for co-insurance.
If the builders would study the UNI
derwriters' system of charges and Gre
dts, they could save money for them
| selves and tenants, and thus make
their buildings more valuable and
their rents more sure.
Reduced City Risk.
The Joint Committees procedure
! took the form of a claim for reduction
= in the list of city deficiencies where
f ever the items of these charges seem
ed too high and wherever the condi
lions had been improved in San Fran
cisco since the time of the last pre-
vious ratings. These claims were the
result of the closest possible study
during many weeks, of all factors of
the fire risk in San Francisco, and it
was submitted by the Joint Commit
tee to the Board of Fire Underwriters
of the Pacific in the form of a detail
ed and technical report; the Joint
Committee urging all points which it
had made in favor OF reductions. The
Board of Fire Underwriters of the Pa
cific, after receiving the report of the
Joint Committee and hearing its argu-
ment, took the matter under advise
ment Subsequently, the National
Board of Fire Underwriters sent its
Expert Committee or Fire Prevention
to make a thorough analysis of the
risks of the city and the development
of factors of safety. This committee
on Fire Prevention made a complete
and comprehensive report on condi-
tions as they found them.
The Board of Fire Underwriters Of
the Pacific then notified the Joint
| Committee to meet them again, and
at this meeting, reported a revision
of the city deficiency charges to such
an extent as to make a reduction in
the key rate on Glass A buildings in
| the said district from AZ cents to So
cents, and on Glass c buildings from
81 cents to Sc cents; approximately a
Is per cent reduction within the con-
gested value district, with the excep-
ton of that portion within four blocks
of the water front, where a reduction
had already been made on account of
the completion of the fire boats.
Other Reductions to Come.
When the high pressure system from
the saltwater pumping stations is
completed, it is understood there will
be granted a further reduction in the
key rate for Glass A buildings from 80
to 81 cents, and for Glass c buildings
, from 81 to 81 cents. After the storage
reservoir and distributing system is
brought into operation, it is under
stood that there will be a further re
! duction to 2S cents on Glass A build
/ ings, and it may reasonably be eX
pected to involve corresponding di
/ intuition in the key rate for Glass C;
+ and it is also understood that cores
| ponding reductions will then be made
applying to any district, either coming
4. directly within the fire protection o.
3 the improved services mentioned Of
Z indirectly benefited by the general eli
3 mination Of the connagration hazard
D In these reductions the merchan
3 will share, on the principle and to thu
I extent outlined above; and the cit
s win be benefited by the saving of thou