CO detectors scarce in public schools

VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (WAVY) - 10 On Your Side uncovered few cities in the Hampton Roads area have carbon monoxide detectors installed in schools.

The investigation came following growing national concerns after dozens of students were hospitalized when carbon monoxide was found at an Atlanta school. The school did not have carbon monoxide detectors.

WAVY.com contacted Virginia Beach, Suffolk, Portsmouth, Norfolk, Newport News and Hampton school officials regarding the detectors.

Only Virginia Beach and Portsmouth officials confirmed they had detectors, but not in all schools. Information from Norfolk was not received by Tuesday evening.

The districts are not breaking any rules because there is no state law requiring those detectors - only Maryland and Connecticut mandate detectors in schools. 

A Portsmouth Schools spokesperson told WAVY.com they do have detectors in boiler rooms with gas boilers and are currently training janitors to do weekly checks with new hand-held monitors while the district works on a plan to pay for permanent detectors.

Virginia Beach Schools have detectors in cafeterias and maintenance areas of some schools and have air quality detectors in newer buildings.

"I think the schools in Virginia beach are safe, although with the use of detectors it would make them much safer," Virginia Beach Fire Department's Tim Riley said.