Jan. 09--RICHMOND -- The Madison Hall of Justice, which houses district court, was evacuated Wednesday morning after the Richmond Fire Department detected carbon monoxide in the West Main Street building.
The fire department was called at 8:30 a.m. by district court personnel who said there was an odd smell in the building.
Firefighters found a faulty heating coil in the building, but ambient air tests detected carbon monoxide in the building's elevator lobbies (10 parts per million) and upper corridors (8 PMM), said RFD Capt. Daniel Clark.
In the basement around the building's gas furnace, the CO reading was 200 PMM.
The furnace was shut off, and the building was evacuated, Clark said.
Firefighters deployed emergency fans to ventilate the building, and Richmond Utilities, the gas provider, and Total Comfort -- a heating, ventilation and air conditioning vendor -- were called.
District court personnel were tested for carbon monoxide inhalation, but no one needed treatment, Clark said.
After the furnace was shut off and emergency ventilators deployed, detectors show the CO had been removed, allowing HVAC personnel to work.
District court normally conducts preliminary hearings and Wednesday, which fills the main courtroom with defendants, law enforcement personnel, attorneys and clerks.
Copyright 2013 - Richmond Register, Ky.
