The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has granted a significant sum aimed at beefing up fire safety at the Daniel K. Inouye International Airport (HNL) in Honolulu. The Hawai‘i Department of Transportation (HDOT) has received two grants, which total a noteworthy $17 million, according to a statement released by the HDOT. The first of the two, an award of $7.3 million, is earmarked for a comprehensive overhaul of the fire alarm system within Terminal 2, while the remaining $9.7 million will revamp the terminal's fire sprinkler system.
The airport's International Arrivals Building in Terminal 2 will witness replacement and enhancement of its fire safety measures. A critical element of the funded improvements is the fire alarm control panels' replacement. It will be accompanied by the upgrade of the central fire alarm annunciator display system, enabling a live feed of fire detection status, "as well as replacing and adding fire alarm devices," Ed Sniffen from HDOT told in the HDOT announcement. The project's bidding process is scheduled to commence in Spring 2025.
Terminal 2's fire sprinkler system is set to undergo extensive upgrades as part of HNL's safety enhancements. The allocated funds will facilitate the installation of new fire sprinkler mains, the removal of the outdated deluge system, and the integration of the two systems – ensuring efficient operation of the fire safeguards in place. These improvements are a piece of a larger initiative, funded through the Biden Administration's Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, intended to bolster infrastructure across a spectrum of airports countrywide.
The benefits of such federal support are not exclusive to the capital's airport but are also extended to other territories. "We are grateful for the ongoing support of the Biden Administration, the FAA and our congressional delegation, as we continue to invest in upgrades to our fire detection and suppression systems at airports statewide," Ed Sniffen stated in the HDOT release. This initiative encompasses fire safety system upgrades at other Hawaiian airports, including the Kahului Airport, Hilo International Airport, and Ellison Onizuka International Airport at Keāhole.
