FLORENCE, SC (WBTW) – Florence School District One tested West Florence High School for Carbon Monoxide on Friday, after parents said they were concerned.
The district said it ordered an immediate and professional test of the area of the school they believed the carbon monoxide was in. The district said it received an official report stating the results were clear.
City of Florence Fire Marshal, Chris Johnson said the state fire marshal does not require carbon monoxide detectors in South Carolina classrooms. Johnson said the decision of installing the detectors in classrooms is up to each school board.
“It’s not recommended in schools,” he said. “It is recommended in living areas such as homes and motels and things like that, somebody that sleeps overnight.”
Johnson said there are multiple effects of carbon monoxide poisoning.
“Nausea, dizziness, being disoriented, right down to making you sleepy,” said Johnson.
He said carbon monoxide is so dangerous it can lead to death, especially because it can be difficult to notice without detectors.
“They detect the gases from the home, or wherever it’s coming from, and it’s kind of hardwired into the plug with a battery backup, but then it does its own little test to make sure it’s calibrating and detecting gases,” the Fire Marshal explained.
He said the best way to get rid of carbon monoxide is through ventilation by opening doors and windows, but to always call the local gas company if you think there’s a problem.
“They will come out, test it, make sure the levels aren’t too high or whatever the levels may be,” he said.
ABS Environmental, Incorporated went to Florence High School on Feb. 2 and on Monday to measure carbon monoxide levels in the school, according to a statement from ABS. ABS measured 10 classrooms, the mall and cafeteria for the gas. ABS says they did not observe a significant amount of carbon monoxide in any of the areas they tested.
