UPDATE:  Earlier this afternoon, People’s Gas identified and repaired two separate gas leaks found underneath the sidewalk just before the Hamburg Hall entrance.  Staff from EH&S surveyed seven buildings and the surrounding area, conducting 55 gas odor tests.  No detectible odors of combustible gas were found in or around Cyert, Warner, Morewood, Tepper, Hamburg, the CIC, and the Greek Quads.

As a result, Cyert Hall will be open for business as usual tomorrow morning.  Gas monitoring equipment has been staged in Cyert Hall to perform ongoing testing 24×7 for the foreseeable future.

However, during EH&S’s survey this afternoon, we clearly detected natural gas odors at the intersection of Forbes and Morewood Avenues.  These odors were not combustible in nature, but were very strong.  University Police was contacted to notify People’s Gas of this occurrence. 

We will continue to perform weekly testing of these areas, and coordinate with leadership to address any findings and/or concerns.  In the meantime, should you experience any odor of natural gas please contact University Police at 412-268-2323.

Update:  People’s gas responded to additional reports of a natural gas odor in Cyert Hall last evening.  People’s Gas identified the suspected source under the sidewalk along Forbes Avenue near Hamburg Hall and will be working on repairs. 

Air quality testing in Cyert Hall this morning has not detected any gas. However, out of an abundance of caution, Cyert Hall will remain closed for Sunday.

The sidewalk between Cyert Hall and Hamburg Hall is closed to pedestrian traffic to allow People’s Gas to repair the gas line.  

An update will be provided after 6:00 p.m. this evening with information on the gas leak repairs, and accessibility of Cyert Hall for Monday morning.”

UPDATE:  The entry point in Cyert Hall where the natural gas was coming from has been blocked.  Further testing has validated that there are no detectible levels of gas in Cyert Hall. As a result, Cyert Hall will open at 5:00 p.m. and security guards will be relieved of command duty.  We will remain in close contact with People’s Gas as they continue to work on the gas leak under Forbes Avenue.

At any point over the weekend, if there are any questions or concerns, staff will be on-call 24×7 at 412-268-8182 for assistance and support.

Division of Operations

Facilities Management and Campus Services

TO:  Shutdown Group, Cyert Hall, Facility Coordinators

FROM:  Service Response Center

DATE:  July 27, 2018

SUBJECT: Cyert Hall Gas Leak Detected – Building Evacuated

A gas leak has been detected in the A-Level of Cyert Hall.  Environmental Health & Safety, along with University Police and Columbia Gas are all onsite and assessing the situation. 

Cyert Hall occupants have been relocated and the building will remain closed until further notice.  No one is permitted in the building without University Police escort.

An update will be sent as soon as more information is available from Columbia Gas.

Network maintenance that was scheduled for tomorrow, 7/28, has been cancelled.

Please contact EH&S for any questions or concerns by calling 412-268-8182.