Cookeville Gas Department personnel have identified the source of the gas odor at Cookeville High School. The odor was a result of a malfunctioning regulator which caused natural gas to be vented out of the roof at Cookeville High School. The odor was picked up by an air-handling unit located near the vent which caused the odor to be circulated back into some classroom areas located on the first floor at CHS.
Cookeville Gas Department officials have confirmed that CHS students and staff members are not, and have not been, in danger from the odor. The ventilation system worked properly when the regulator began malfunctioning. Students were temporarily moved from the affected areas of the building this morning, but they have now been returned and CHS is operating per normal routines.
Cookeville High School and Putnam County School officials would like to thank members of the Cookeville Gas Department for their quick response and assistance this morning in identifying the source of the odor. Putnam County School System maintenance personnel are replacing the malfunctioning part today.