Water problems empty Superior Heights briefly (updated at 2:30 p.m.)
Tuesday, January 22, 2013 by: SooToday.com Staff
Shivering Superior Heights students got an unexpected taste of cold winter weather today.
A sprinkler system pipe broke near an entrance and the school was briefly evacuated as a precaution when the fire alarm sounded.
Some students were temporarily relocated to a nearby elementary school.
A short while later, all students were allowed to return to Superior Heights.
Algoma District School Board and Sault Ste. Marie Fire Services officials have confirmed there were no fire or gas problems today at the school.
Fire Services personnel were present for a while to offer their help - if needed - in dealing with the water leak.
ADSB has issued the following news release:
*************************
Broken sprinkler line causes temporary disruption
Superior Heights students back in class
(Tuesday, January 22, 2013) - At approximately 12:40 p.m., Superior Heights C. & V.S. was evacuated as per Algoma District School Board emergency procedures.
Students were moved to Kiwedin Public School while the Fire Department and the School Board assessed the situation.
It has been reported that a broken sprinkler line in the ceiling at the main entrance at Superior Heights C. & V.S. initiated the fire alarm.
This has caused minimal flooding in two classrooms on the main floor and the main entrance.
Clean-up was quickly underway and students were back in classes by 1:00 p.m.
The main entrance has been blocked off and is expected to be repaired by tomorrow.
Parents picking up their students are advised to use the intermediate entrance.
Any further information will be available on the Algoma District School Board website.
*************************
Note: Comments that appear on the site are not the opinion of SooToday.com. Keep discussions civil and on topic. Refrain from obscenity and don't post anything that your grandmother would be ashamed to read. Those who do not abide by these guidelines will have their membership revoked without notice. If you see an abusive post, please click the link beside the post to report it.
cashcab 1/22/2013 2:44:55 PM ReportUnder warranty I would hope. Lol.
Right of Centre 1/22/2013 3:42:59 PM ReportWould have been nice to allow the kids to have gotten their jackets.
Tom_Bom 1/22/2013 4:49:42 PM ReportI've been saying this from the start. It's the sprinklers man. They're far left leaning hippies against education. They're just fightin the power whenever they can :P
caring one 1/23/2013 8:28:11 AM ReportYes, allowing the kids to get jackets as they were in the cold for over 20 minutes before they were moved. What do the staff think is a reasonable amount of time, even 5 min in that cold with bare arms is too much. How about instructing them to quickly get their coats, or have the paid tweachers collect them. unreal... especially when they found out it was not a fire!
Shortz 1/23/2013 9:35:37 AM ReportRight of Centre said:
Would have been nice to allow the kids to have gotten their jackets.
***********
caring one says:
Yes, allowing the kids to get jackets as they were in the cold for over 20 minutes before they were moved. What do the staff think is a reasonable amount of time, even 5 min in that cold with bare arms is too much. How about instructing them to quickly get their coats, or have the paid tweachers collect them. unreal... especially when they found out it was not a fire!
*********
When the fire alarm goes off, you get out of the building. Do not pass go, do not collect $200. Fire drills throughout schools, from Kindergarten to th end of high school teach you to go out the nearest exit immediately.
The kids were back in classes after 20 minutes (according to the times posted in the article).
caring one 1/23/2013 9:49:06 AM ReportYes, I totally agree, however if it was your child out there for over 20 minutes in the -28 weather, you can't tell me you would not be upset. According to several students some of the teachers did not go out. Common sense was they found it was not a fire, but water, they could have sent a few people in to collect clothing, this is a form of abuse, my child was out in a tshirt and leggings for over 20 min. in that weather, if we as adults do not want to spend time in it fully dressed, then to expect children to do the same unprepared is not right. Why did it take over 20 minutes to have them moved to shelter???????????????????????
Lovethenorth 1/23/2013 10:00:11 AM ReportMy kid was out there for over 20 minutes. He thought it was funny! He and I both understand that when a fire alarm goes off YOU GO OUTSIDE. Allowing kids to get their coats would mean DEAD KIDS if there was a real fire. There is not a jurisdiction anywhere that would let kids get their coats when a fire alarm goes off. Imagine 1100 kids all trying to get to their lockers at opposite ends of the school at the same time. It would be pandemonium!
caring one 1/23/2013 10:15:07 AM Reportyes, I agree, but what I am saying is there was 10 minutes into it, they discovered it was NOT a fire but water issues, so they are responsible for a young child and their well being, it was not good to have kids out there in tshirts in -28 weather, if your child found it funny, sorry BUT I don't.
Where is the emergency measure, if it had been a fire, how much longer were they going to keep them exposed to the elements???
caring one 1/23/2013 1:55:20 PM ReportFROSTBITE AND HYPOTHERMIA CAN OCCUR WITHIN MINUTES IF ADEQUATE PRECAUTIONS ARE NOT TAKEN WHEN OUTDOORS.
Staement right from environment Canada, so next time, use better judgement and have a better plan, over 20 minutes was ridiculous to have children outside in -28 and colder with windchill. Better emergency planning is needed!
Lovethenorth 1/23/2013 2:42:10 PM ReportThere was a plan in place. They walked to the elementary school across the street. No one was harmed!
Note: Comments that appear on the site are not the opinion of SooToday.com. Keep discussions civil and on topic. Refrain from obscenity and don't post anything that your grandmother would be ashamed to read. Those who do not abide by these guidelines will have their membership revoked without notice. If you see an abusive post, please click the link beside the post to report it.
