Microscopic chlorine leak prompts evacuation

PENTICTON – Extremely tiny chlorine leaks at the Penticton Community Centre prompted two evacuations early Thursday morning.

Pool users were wrapped in blankets and escorted to the Memorial Arena after an alarm sounded just before 7:45 a.m. a building official said.

Maintenance staff were working on the chlorine system used to disinfect the pool when a sensitive sensor detected chlorine particles. No one was exposed to the substance and no injuries were reported.

Unfortunately, after the first alarm sounded a second alarm went off just before 9:52 a.m. The building official said the alarm detected trace amounts of chlorine still present in the air after some of the maintenance was completed.

Deputy fire chief Dave Spalding said tiny chlorine amounts, as small as one-part-per-million, can trip the alarm. Firefighters responded and waited near the pool as a safety measure only.

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