Honolulu Rail Cars Fail Fire Test, But Officials Question Its Validity

Honolulu’s rail passenger cars recently failed a fire-resistance test, signaling another potential defect that could result in delays — but project officials say the test was not run properly and needs further evaluation.

The trains’ manufacturer, Hitachi-owned Ansaldo Honolulu JV, had samples of the vehicles’ floor and roofing materials tested in February to make sure they complied with federal standards, according to Robert Good, a senior project officer for the rail project.

Those roofs and floors should be able to withstand fire for at least 20 minutes in order for passengers to evacuate, Good told the Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation board Friday. Instead, flames started to enter the sample passenger compartment at 14 minutes and 30 seconds — a clear failure.

However, data shows that too much heat was fired onto those train floor and roof materials too early, raising the temperature too quickly and potentially affecting the outcome of the test, Good said, adding the procedure was done manually using a furnace in a laboratory in San Antonio, Texas.

Read more: https://www.civilbeat.org/2019/03/honolulu-rail-cars-fail-fire-test-but-officials-question-its-validity/