The Department of Campus Safety (DCS) ordered the evacuation of Nelson Hall early Wednesday morning after a trace amount of carbon monoxide was detectd within the building, setting off alarms.

Students at Nelson Hall filed out of the building and waited nearby at around 4:30 a.m. while the Denver Fire Department (DFD) tested carbon monoxide levels in the air to determine if it was safe for students to re-enter the building.

“In the case of a carbon monoxide alarm, life safety is our primary concern, so we clear the building,” said Sgt. Stephen Banet of DCS.

DFD allowed students to return to their rooms around 4:45 a.m. No students reported any injuries or sickness related to the incident.

“It seemed like a dream … more like a nightmare,” said sophomore Reilly Moore a resident of Nelson Hall. “I thought it was a drill the whole time. I wasn’t really worried.”

According to Pam Carnahan, director of the DU Facilities Management Department, DU Environmental Health and Safety director Chris Short took further measurements the next morning.

“There were some low levels,” said Carnahan, adding that Short’s measurements indicated levels of 12 parts per million (ppm).

The Colorado Department of Public Health states humans can breathe up to 50 ppm every eight hours before exposure becomes dangerous. Carbon monoxide is a tasteless, odorless and colorless gas.

Prolonged exposure to carbon monoxide levels above 50 ppm can lead to serious health concerns, including dizziness, headaches, confusion, vertigo, nausea, damage to the central nervous system and even death.

Carnahan said Facilities thinks that high winds blew into the exhaust intake from the boiler flue, which is used to heat the building.

“The air intake that supplies outside air might have sucked in some carbon monoxide,” said Carnahan.
Carnahan said Short shut the air handler off and the levels dropped even lower.

“You don’t want high levels of carbon monoxide where it could make people sick,” said Carnahan. “We consistently replace batteries and make sure the detectors are working properly.”

All rooms on campus dormitories are equipped with carbon monoxide detectors.

Moore also said she feels  Facilities did a good job of keeping them safe.