“The MBTA is looking into what may have caused this morning’s problem,” said Joe Pesaturo, a T spokesperson, in an e-mail. The standards require pressure tests of dry standpipes like the ones at Charles/MGH Station every five years. Standards set by the National Fire Protection Association call for standpipes to be inspected annually, taking into account the condition of the hose connections and piping.
The T initially said the most recent inspection was in 2019, but later said that date represented the last time the standpipes underwent pressure testing for leaks and durability. The Globe asked the MBTA when standpipes at the station were last inspected and is awaiting the agency’s response. The standpipe that failed is a dry system, meaning firefighters were drawing water from a hydrant and trying to feed into the pipe system, Alkins said.įirefighters are trying to determine why the standpipe didn’t work properly, Alkins said.
