Terry Browne is concerned about pilot lights being left on at night.

Gas leak sniffs out a problem with the plan

Evacuation may not be the whole of your emergency plan. OWEN HASLER reports on one school's experience.

A gas leak at Moonbi Public School has raised a number of issues relating to such incidents in small schools.

On August 25 principal Terry Browne identified a gas leak at his school about 7.40am.

Mr Browne became concerned when he smelt gas in the school's administration building and used the phone to contact emergency services. While doing so the smell of gas intensified and his initial concern heightened as he believed there was potential danger due to the possible ignition of the gas.

"After notifying the gas company I attempted to exclude students from the ground only to find this to be a difficult task as I was on my own at that time and there are two entrances to the school grounds on opposite sides of the school site," Mr Browne said.

"Our emergency plan, like that of other schools, plans for the evacuation of students from the ground rather than the exclusion of students in the case of emergency situations."

"Furthermore, access to the school's first aid kit was not possible due to the need to stay away from the building. We are reviewing the location of the kit."

After the gas company had arrived to identify a leak in one of the non-flued heating units, Mr Browne was taken by ambulance to hospital for observation purposes.

"The incident also raises the danger of having the heaters' pilot lights on at night when there is the potential of a gas leak," explained Mr Browne. "We will be taking particular care to monitor the situation during the remainder of the winter term."

Owen Hasler is a Country Organiser.

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