Fumes from a faulty generator exhaust pipe seeped into two lecture rooms at Stellenbosch University’s (SU) Arts and Social Sciences (BA) building last month. This was confirmed by Martin Viljoen, spokesperson for SU.
A faulty generator exhaust pipe led to a gas leak in Stellenbosch University’s (SU) Arts and Social Sciences building last month, according to Martin Viljoen, spokesperson for SU. The cracked pipe has since been replaced, said Viljoen. PHOTO: Jodi-Mari Adams
“Fumes from the generator seeped into the building via a construction joint between the concrete beam and the brickwork,” on 15 April, said Viljoen via email correspondence with SMF News. “Th[e] existing sealant melted from the heat,” he stated.
Building evacuated
Students and staff were asked to evacuate the two affected lecture rooms on the day of the event, according to Viljoen.
The building was still in use, however the affected rooms remained locked until the resealing had been completed, said Viljoen.
The faulty pipe was resealed with heat resistant sealant on both the inside and the outside, he said.
The university has safety measures in place in all its buildings should an incident, such as this, occur again, said Viljoen. These “[include] alarms [and] smoke detectors”, said Viljoen.
A cracked generator exhaust pipe (not pictured here) in Stellenbosch University’s (SU) Arts and Social Sciences building overheated causing the fumes from the pipe to seep into the building. This was according to Martin Viljoen, spokesperson for SU. (Photo for illustration purposes only.) PHOTO: Jodi-Mari Adams
Students experienced mild to moderate symptoms after being exposed to the fumes, claimed Kayla Marnitz, a humanities student who regularly attends class in the building.
“I personally suffered from headaches, dizziness and general confusion after spending a prolonged period of time in the BA building,” said Marnitz. Many other students suffered from similar symptoms after attending classes in the building, she claimed.
Symptoms and safety measures
Mild, short-term carbon monoxide poisoning symptoms include headaches, dizziness and shortness of breath on exertion, according to Dr Jaco Slabbert, emergency medicine specialist at Mediclinic Stellenbosch. Moderate short-term symptoms can range between worse headaches, fatigue, decreased vision, nausea and vomiting, heart palpitations, and tinnitus, said Slabbert.
“Long-term effects can include memory disorder, speech abnormality and muscle rigidity,” explained Slabbert. Being exposed to a high concentration of carbon monoxide can kill a person in less than five minutes, stated Slabbert.
Should one be exposed to the gas, it is important to move away from the source and into fresh air, encourage normal breathing, and seek emergency medical treatment where you will receive 100% oxygen via a face mask, said Slabbert.
Students at Stellenbosch University have experienced mild to moderate symptoms after being exposed to the fumes that seeped into the university’s Arts and Social Sciences building, said Kayla Marnitz, a humanities student who regularly attends class in the building. PHOTO: Jodi-Mari Adams