The air conditioner for the library at Southern Utah University suffered a refrigerant leak, leading to the evacuation of the building yesterday morning. The leak occurred as a result of a faulty pressure gauge. No reports of building occupants being affected by the refrigerate gas were received.
At approximately 9:30 a.m. the air conditioner at the library developed a refrigerant leak. An undetermined amount of refrigerant gas escaped and was released into the basement mechanical room in which the air conditioner is housed. Automatic refrigerant release alarms were activated by the leak. Mechanical equipment eventually ventilated the refrigerant from the room. The two workers in the area evacuated and notified their supervisor. One worker was unaffected by the leak, the other was checked on the scene by paramedics and was released to return to work.
Precautionary measures were immediately taken. The fire alarm in the building was activated by SUU Facilities Management personnel as a means to notify occupants to evacuate the building as a precaution. The fire department responded to the fire alarm. Additionally, as a precaution, the air handlers in the building were shut down and electrical power was cut off to the building.
The fire department helped to stabilize the leak on the chiller equipment. SUU Facilities Management personnel used electronic equipment to check the entire building for the presence of refrigerant, none of which was found outside the area of the basement mechanical space.
Electrical power was restored to the building and occupants were allowed to reenter the building about 11:30 a.m. The air conditioner remains out of service until the faulty issue can be resolved.
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