The Hidden Hazard: Gas Cylinders Inside Schools

Recent incidents of Gas Leakage in Schools

1.?? Chennai, Tamil Nadu (October-November 2024): A series of suspected gas leak incidents occurred at Victory Matriculation Higher Secondary School in Tiruvottiyur

On October 25, over 30 students were hospitalized after experiencing symptoms such as breathlessness, dizziness, and nausea.

The school was closed for 10 days following this incident. On November 4, just after reopening, another suspected gas leak affected 10 more students, leading to indefinite closure of the school. The source of the leak remains unidentified, causing concern among parents and authorities.

2.?? Hosur, Tamil Nadu (October 2024): Approximately 100 students at a Corporation Middle School became critically ill due to a suspected gas leak from a septic tank on the school premises.

3.?? Mumbai, Maharashtra (2022): An LPG cylinder explosion caused a fire on the second floor of an English Medium School. Three people were injured, several vehicles were damaged, and part of the roof collapsed.

Hindustan Times

Schools can consciously take steps to avoid these risks by adopting strict safety measures around the handling of gas cylinders. Following are some critical recommendations:

Dedicated Storage Facilities:?Gas cylinders should, if at all possible, be stored in a separate building or an isolated area, away from classrooms, cafeterias, and other places where students and staff could be present. In this way, accidental exposure will be reduced in case of a leak.

Regular Inspections and Maintenance:?Schools should institute periodic checks into all gas cylinders and equipment associated with them. Cylinders should be routinely inspected by a knowledgeable technician for leaks, rust, and other types of damage.

Safety Training for Staff and Students:?The most crucial step in educational establishments is training the staff, particularly those workers who will be using gas cylinders. This training should at least include general gas safety, leak detection methods, and emergency procedures. It is also helpful to teach students basic safety and evacuation procedures in case something goes awry.

Early Warning against Gas Leakage:?Installation of gas detectors at site where the cylinders are being kept or used will lead to early warning against gas leakage. Such systems are invaluable assets from the point of view of prevention from health crises and accidents that could have been avoided.

Emergency Evacuation Plans:?Schools should have clear evacuation plans in case of gas leakage with regular drills to make sure all students and staff know what do in an emergency.

At Campus Fortify Private Limited, we would liaison with schools in the identification and mitigation of such risks through safety audits and providing specialized training programs to ensure the best safety practice. This will involve making gas safety the focus of the school environment with proactive steps taken towards safeguarding the lives and health of the school community. Safety should not be compromised in a place where children go to learn and grow.