Carbon monoxide alarms sound at Lincoln School in Fergus Falls on Monday

Fergus Falls, MN (KBRF) – Carbon monoxide alarms sounded at Lincoln School in Fergus Falls on Monday, leading to cancelled classes and daycare services before first responders okayed the building to resume normal operations

On Dec. 4, at 11:56 am, emergency dispatchers received an alarm call from the school, which is located on the 2300 block of College Way. 

Fergus Falls Fire and Police were dispatched to the scene. 

Upon arrival, staff had indicated the carbon monoxide detectors had gone off and significant levels of CO were displayed on the detectors. 

School staff immediately opened doors to bring in fresh air. 

The fire department, then, used gas monitoring equipment and did find small readings, around 2ppm, of carbon monoxide in certain parts of the building.

According to the Minnesota Department of Health, normal indoor concentrations of carbon monoxide can typically range from .03 to 2.5 ppm averaged over an 8-hour period. 

Out of an abundance of caution, school officials decided to close the school as did Children’s Corner Daycare. 

Parents were notified of the situation and asked to come pick up their children early.

Construction had been occurring in the north half of the building where equipment with fuel combustion engines were being used to complete work. There is a floor to ceiling wall that separates the two spaces as well as a ventilation system and open doors with supplemental fans. 

The school district had added additional carbon monoxide detectors during the construction project to ensure the safety of the building’s occupants.

The Fire Department offered to test staff who were working closest to the source and found normal to slightly above normal readings in staff members.

According to the National Institute of Health a normal reading is between 1% to 4% in non-smoking adults and up to 8% in adult smokers. The highest reading for an individual at Lincoln School was 10%. 

Symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning include shortness of breath, headaches, or nausea. More severe symptoms can include disorientation, fatigue or confusion. 

Story by Dave Bishop / KBRF