On the morning of April 13, 2010, an ammonia leak was discovered at Conte Forum, the Sports Center associated with Boston College. US EPA Region 1 was notified by the Boston Fire Department (BFD) and On-Scene Coordinator Tom Condon was dispatched at approximately 6:15 AM.
The BFD Hazmat Team was on-site and conducting level A entries to the building in an effort to shut off the valving, stopping the release of ammonia. After a number of entries, the four valves leading to the compressor for the ice making system were closed. Venting of the building then began and additional fans were ordered to facilitate that operation. A final level A entry was made with the College's refrigeration contractor to identify the cause of the initial release which turned out to be a failure of a seal in the compressor pump.
The refigeration contractor is replacing or repairing the faulty seal.
