High heat causes school closure in Iqaluit

Nakasuk Elementary School in Iqaluit closed Monday afternoon because temperatures in parts of the building spiked to as high as 30 C.

Officials posted an announcement on social media about the closure at around 1 p.m.

“Upon investigation by facility management, the cause was identified, and repair was completed of a failure in the pneumatic heating control system,” said Greg Belanger, communications officer with policy and planning in the Department of Transportation and Infrastructure, in an email.

Pneumatic heating uses compressed air to control HVAC systems.

A few sections of the school showed temperatures of 30 C, while other spaces were around 27 C, said Heather Grant, a spokesperson for the Department of Transportation and Infrastructure.

The decision to close the school was made in consultation with the Iqaluit District Education Authority.

Classes resumed Tuesday with a maintenance crew on site to monitor the situation.