AROUND 250 people were evacuated from Yawa aquatic centre in Rosebud on Thursday (20 June) afternoon after alarms were triggered by a false reading of toxic fumes.
The Carbons dioxide (CO2) alarms were triggered at the pool at around 4.45pm, with the management team then setting off the main emergency evacuation alarms. The centre and pool were immediately evacuated and patrons ‐ some still in swim wear ‐ waited outside wrapped in thermal blankets as emergency services checked the alarm system. No CO2 was detected by the firefighter team, but the centre remained closed for the night.
A joint statement from Belgravia Leisure and the Mornington Peninsula Shire said BOC Gas had serviced the CO2 tanks earlier that day, which led to the sensors being invertedly triggered in the afternoon. “As the safety of members and staff is paramount, the decision was made to close the centre until BOC had attended to confirm the cause of the alarm, however at no point was there any risk to the public,” the statement read.
The CO2 sensors were recalibrated later that night and Yawa opened at 6am on Friday morning with operations as normal.” “The closure was communicated through the Yawa website, social media posts, SMS alerts, updated phone messages and signs around the centre. All staff acted quickly and we thank them for all of their efforts and for communicating with patrons, making them feel safe.”
CO2 is commonly used in pool maintenance to help stabilize PH levels.
First published in the Mornington News – 25th June 2024
