‘Questionable’ setup to heat Pittsburgh Police and Fire Training Academy removed

PITTSBURGH — 11 Investigates has an update on the heat being out at the City of Pittsburgh Police and Fire Training Academy.

There is a picture of a torpedo heater powered by a propane tank inside the fire and police training academy set up to keep fire and police instructors and recruits warm.

But fire safety inspectors tell 11 investigates that set up should not be used indoors.

>> 11 Investigates: Pittsburgh police & fire training academy has been without heat for months

We asked public works director Chris Hornstein, whose department is overseeing repairs to the heating system in that facility, about that set up.

Chief Investigative Reporter Rick Earle asked Hornstein if he saw the propane tank they were using on that torpedo heater inside the facility.

“I didn’t lay eyes on that but I’ve certainly seen the photograph,” Hornstein said.

Earle: You are aware of that? I understand they’ve taken that out and put it in the garage now.

Hornstein: That’s correct.

Earle: Because the indoor use was questionable.

Hornstein: Yes.

After our report earlier this week, that propane tank was moved into the garage where there’s better ventilation.

The heat in the training academy has been out since before November when the boiler went down.

Fire and police instructors also set up electric space heaters to keep warm.

Hornstein says crews have been working on getting the boiler back up and running, but there’s been some delays in getting the right parts.

The boiler has been out since before November and it’s unclear when the city started working on it.

Earlier this week, they said it would likely take two to three more weeks, but today they would not commit to a timeline.

Earle was also told the fire instructors did have carbon monoxide detectors set up near that propane powered space heater, but again after our report, and for safety reasons, it has now be moved out of the building and into the garage.

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