Broward County to install carbon monoxide detectors in over 230 schools after reported gas leaks

Florida –

“Despite the absence of legal requirements, the Broward School Board held a special meeting Tuesday to address the issue, during which they unanimously passed a measure to procure carbon monoxide detectors for all district schools.
A carbon monoxide leak at Cypress Bay High School in Weston hospitalized four staff members and a first responder, leading to an early dismissal of students and staff on Aug. 23.
A few days later, a propane leak at Oriole Elementary School in Lauderdale Lakes sent another person to the hospital and prompted a school-wide evacuation.”

Broward County to install carbon monoxide detectors in over 230 schools after reported gas leaks (local10.com)

 

Recent carbon monoxide, propane leaks prompt safety overhaul in Broward County Public Schools

“Florida law requires buildings constructed after July 1, 2008, to have at least one approved carbon monoxide alarm.
However, (Superintendent) Hepburn told Local 10 News that there are currently no codes or laws mandating these detectors in Broward schools.
‘We’re going to go above and beyond to make sure we have that extra layer of safety in our facilities so we can detect those gases sooner rather than later,’ he added.”
Recent carbon monoxide, propane leaks prompt safety overhaul in Broward County Public Schools (local10.com)

5 poisoned after carbon monoxide leak detected in cafeteria at Cypress Bay High School

WESTON, FLA. (WSVN) – – Five people were transported to the hospital after a hazmat incident happened at a high school in Weston.

Broward Sheriff Fire Rescue and several other fire departments arrived at Cypress Bay High School, located at 18600 Vista Park Blvd, Friday morning.

7Skyforce hovered over the scene, where crews with masks entered the building and assisted people outside.

Once crews were inside the school, they detected high levels of carbon monoxide coming from the cafeteria.

According to officials, several school workers in the cafeteria reported that they were feeling lightheaded and nauseous. They are expected to be OK after receiving treatment.

“Once again they were consistent with carbon monoxide exposure: weakness, dizziness, headache,” said BSFR Chief Michael Kane.

Four cafeteria workers and one firefighter who responded to the school were treated at the scene and transported to the Cleveland Clinic with minor symptoms.

No students were affected by the incident.

“Firefighters made contact, they were able to determine there was a carbon dioxide leak occurring inside the cafeteria in the school. There were no students inside the cafeteria at the time,” said Kane. “Hazardous materials teams were requesting to respond, and they did. They determined that there was carbon monoxide leak occurring in or near the cafeteria. In an abundance of caution, the entire network of gas piping to the school was shut off.”

The cafeteria was evacuated, and all gas to the building was shut off.

Students were dismissed at noon.

“This was my concern. Now I can’t – now I’m calling him, and he doesn’t answer,” said a parent. “Hopefully they’re OK.”

Although students weren’t harmed due to the gas leak, some told 7News they could smell the gas.

“I walked in there like my eyes start tearing up like the gas leak was everywhere. I couldn’t see anything,” said a student.

“I was in my classroom, and I smelled gas through the air vents,” said Nicolas Karageorgos, a student.

We were all panicking in class figuring out how we gonna leave,” said another student.

“I was scared ’cause that’s, like, a really serious thing, and when I heard people were sent to the hospital, it was stressing me out,” said Isabella Santa Cruz. “I’m glad they worked it out and everything is good.”

As far as leaving school early on a Friday, we heard no complaints.

“Did you feel anything,” said 7news reporter Brandon Beyer.

“Only joy, got to leave school early because I had a quiz in my last period, and I got to skip it today,” said a student.

Students were sent home while crews ventilated the building.

“So we can assess, fix and also test over the weekend, so we can be back to normal operations on Monday,” said Broward County Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Howard Hepburn. “Just to make sure we find, pinpoint where this leak is. So out of an abundance of caution, we want to make sure everybody is off campus.”

The cause of the leak is now under investigation.

5 stable after carbon monoxide leak detected in cafeteria at Cypress Bay High School – WSVN 7News | Miami News, Weather, Sports | Fort Lauderdale

“In total, five people were treated at the scene — including four school employees and one firefighter…Further investigation revealed that there were elevated levels of carbon monoxide in the school’s cafeteria…the hazardous materials teams secured the propane gas system that supplies the school.”

Five hospitalized after carbon monoxide leak at high school in South Florida (cbs12.com)

 

 

Take Your Breath Away: Tom and Richard Lueders’ story

Story #3 in our CO Experience Project series

Richard (left) was 53 and his son, Tom, was 26, when they took a Christmas holiday trip to Florida… “Tom and I arrived in Key West, checked into our room, and went out, toured around town, had dinner, and we had a great time. The next morning, I was getting into the shower and Tom was on the bed reading a book. That was my last vision of him.”  (photo courtesy of Richard Lueders)

Read the Lueders’ story here

Carbon monoxide poisons 7 people at Ocala business

Florida –
“Firefighters determined a faulty propane-powered floor cleaner was the source of the gas. When turned on, the machine emitted carbon monoxide levels at 1400 parts per million. The U.S. National Ambient Air Quality Standards for outdoor air is 9 parts per million. Average homes are between 0.5 and 5 parts per million.”

Carbon monoxide poisons 7 people at Ocala business (wcjb.com)

 

Staff, prisoners evacuated after carbon monoxide leak at USP Coleman

No information on source of CO or if CO detection is installed.

Sumter County, FL –

“Over 500 people, including staff members and prisoners were evacuated at USP Coleman due to a carbon monoxide leak Sunday morning, Sumter County emergency officials said.

According to Sumter County’s emergency management director, 13 people had to seek treatment and 6 went to the hospital…”

Staff evacuated after USP Coleman carbon monoxide leak (mynews13.com)

 

2 hospitalized for carbon monoxide poisoning at Tampa apartments

Tampa, Florida –

“Tampa Fire Rescue said crews were sent to the Oaks at Riverview Apartments on North Florida Avenue after a man in his 50s was found unconscious in his unit…Captain Henry Williams with Tampa Fire Rescue says the generators were brought in the day prior, after a small fire broke out in one of the units…Water damage from the sprinklers forced management at the complex to get a 3rd party restoration company to bring in generators. Those generators were left on.”

2 hospitalized for carbon monoxide poisoning at Tampa apartments | WFLA

4 children among 8 hospitalized due to carbon monoxide at Lakeland hotel, Sleep Inn & Suites

“The cause of it was (that) one of the water heaters for the business had a mechanical failure and it was venting into the mechanical room itself which was then getting into the rooms of the residents”

4 children among 8 hospitalized due to carbon monoxide at Lakeland hotel, officials say (clickorlando.com)

More on this hotel CO incident in Lakeland, Florida. According to the video portion of this story, hotel was not required to have CO detection installed due to its age.

Carbon monoxide at Lakeland hotel sends 8, including children, to hospital (fox13news.com)

Detainees Hospitalized for Carbon Monoxide Poisoning at Glades Detention Center

“Before lunch could be served, four ICE detainees and one kitchen staffer had fainted and were rushed to the hospital for carbon monoxide inhalation. Two of the victims were later airlifted elsewhere…one of the exhaust fans on a piece of kitchen equipment was not activated…”

#COinCommercialBuildings

Glades County Detention Center Detainees Hospitalized With Carbon Monoxide Poisoning | Miami New Times

 

NFPA Journal: General Negligence

“A new Fire Protection Research Foundation report highlights the nation’s enduring CO problem”

https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nfpa/journal_2021spring/index.php?startid=20#/p/20

CO Detection: What It Is and Why We Need It