Paul McCartney isn’t the only one who needs to maintain his pipes.  Apparently building owners in the Western District of Pennsylvania do too.

In Greater New York v. Fire Fighter Sales & Service Co., A Holiday Inn in Braddock Hills, PA hired Fire Fighter Sales & Service Co. to install an automated sprinkler system into an already existing fire suppression system at the hotel. About two years later, a standing pipe that was installed in a stairwell froze and burst, causing $8.1 million in water damage. The Insurance Co. of Greater New York as the subrogee of Holiday sued Fire.

The plaintiff alleged that Fire installed a fire suppression system that could not withstand temperatures below freezing, which was a necessity for systems in the Greater Pittsburgh Area.  The plaintiff’s expert claimed that the freeze was due to faulty placement of the standing pipe, as it was too far from any heat source. The defense expert claimed the freeze was due to cold air infiltrating the stairwell, and that the hotel was responsible for heating the stairwell that housed the pipe, and that its failure to do so is what actually caused the burst.  The jury found in the favor of the defense.

When experts battle, someone’s pipe (dreams) will be burst.

Thanks to Rachel Freedman for her contribution to this post.

http://www.thelegalintelligencer.com/id=1202740568703/Defense-Verdict-in-Case-of-Burst-Pipes