2024-05-01T06:28:21-04:00 https://archinect.com/news/article/150168110/fire-system-pours-a-ton-of-water-from-philly-skyscraper-sunday-morning Sean Joyner 2019-11-04T11:28:00-05:00 >2019-11-04T15:05:26-05:00 <img src="https://archinect.gumlet.io/uploads/29/29c9fee6d1aa809ce22b68cde8f180f9.jpg?fit=crop&auto=compress%2Cformat&enlarge=true&w=1200" border="0" /><em><p>A huge stream of water visible from miles away gushed from the tiered west pyramid facade of One Liberty Place early Sunday morning, soaking the Center City Philadelphia sidewalk below. Identified later by city officials as part of an ill-prepared fire system test, the liquid continued pouring out for approximately five minutes before coming to an abrupt stop.</p></em><br /><br /><p>According to&nbsp;<em>Billy Penn,&nbsp;</em>the spill was due to testing of the building's fire protection systems, required annually for certification. A spokesperson with the Philadelphia Fire Department explained that "newer buildings are equipped with special drainage systems that pull off most of the water that is generated by such tests," but since Liberty 1 is older, it did not have the requirement, reports <em>Billy Penn</em>.&nbsp;</p> <p>Moreover, the stream, which poured for about five minutes, doused autos and pedestrians down on the street. In the future, the certification has been directed to obtain a street closure permit and police assistance.</p> <p></p>