Elevated carbon monoxide levels at MacArthur Elementary due to faulty exhaust pipe

Elevated carbon monoxide levels detected at MacArthur Elementary School on Monday morning were found to be due to a faulty exhaust pipe attached to a hot water heater.

On May 11 at 8:16 a.m., the Waltham Fire Department responded to MacArthur Elementary School after a carbon monoxide detector activation. The crew checked the entire building with gas meters and found that the highest readings were coming from around a hot water heater that was powered by natural gas. Students and staff were evacuated from that area of the building, and the hot water heater was shut down.

Upon inspection by facilities staff, the exhaust pipe on the hot water heater was found to be faulty. That was promptly repaired. The fire department ventilated the school building with the help of four fans, and took readings after the repair was completed that confirmed that the fix solved the gas leak. There were no injuries as a result of the leak.