After students smelled gas fumes in the Parker Building, the Writing Center was temporarily relocated to Room 209 in the Don Taft University Center while NSU staff investigated the situation and rid the building of the odor.
The fumes were detected the morning of Sept. 28. The fumes were alleviated by mid-afternoon.
Writing Center and Writing Across Curriculum Coordinator Kevin Dvorak said that the odor was detected throughout most of the first floor of Parker and that the Writing Center was allowed to resume functions in their normal location by the end of the day.
According to Jessica Brumley, interim vice president for Facilities Management, the fumes stemmed from a construction project meant to waterproof the building. She said that part of the project included roof repairs and that workers were using leaf blowers to rid the roof of debris. While the leaf blowers were in use, the outside air intakes for the building were running, causing the fumes from the equipment to enter the ventilation system of the first floor.
Once students smelled the fumes, Dvorak said they called him directly.
“The fellows were really good about adjusting to the situation,” he said. “We didn’t want to stop operations. We wanted to continue working with people.”
Facilities Management and Public Safety declared the odor to be non-toxic after a representative assessed the air quality. Air scrubbers and fans were placed throughout the building to clear the odor and improve circulation.
Brumley assured that if safety was a concern, Facilities Management would have evacuated the building immediately. To determine whether the air is toxic, she explained that representatives use knowledge of materials and areas and experience to make an initial assessment. If they are unsure about the toxicity of the air, they conduct an indoor air quality test.
“Anytime a situation like this happens, Facilities is immediately notified, and a representative from our Environmental Safety department is sent out to assess the situation and determine the next steps,” Brumley said.
She explained that the situation occurred due to poor coordination between the design and construction team and the general contractor for the project. Brumley also said that improving communication amongst team members and groups involved in projects will prevent situations as this in the future.
Brumley said she sincerely apologizes to those involved in the situation.
“We would never put students’ health in jeopardy,” she said.
Dvorak said the situation was handled well by students, faculty and staff.
“It was handled efficiently and professionally,” he said. “People worked together really well to make sure there wasn’t a bigger issue.”
If there is ever a concern about safety, Brumley encouraged students to contact Public Safety at 954-262-8999 so officers can assess the situation immediately.
