Fire Department

Firefighters were called twice to a residence on University Avenue for elevated carbon monoxide levels traced to carpet cleaning solution.

Engine Company 4 was first dispatched at 9:41 p.m. after alarms sounded in an apartment on the second floor of 2308 University Avenue. Firefighters’ air monitors showed carbon monoxide levels around 58 parts per million in the second-story unit. Levels varied on the other three floors, ranging from 20 ppm to 90 ppm.

A maintenance worker on site stated carpet cleaners were working in the building all day, and that their trucks were running outside. Engine 4 grabbed a high-power fan and ventilated the building until the CO dissipated.

Approximately two hours later, Engine Company 1 was called to the same address for the same issue, finding carbon monoxide levels back to 50 ppm in the same second-story apartment. With the cleaning crew’s vehicles long gone, firefighters believe the CO was caused by off-gassing of the carpet cleaning solution used in the apartments. Engine 1 ventilated the building again and left windows open overnight.

Property managers were advised to open other windows where carpet had been cleaned, and to have their alarm company ensure all carbon monoxide alarms are working properly as some remained silent during this time.

The apartments were being prepared for new tenants and were unoccupied at the time of these incidents.