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Remodeling dust clears Headquarters building

ITD employees evacuated the main building at Headquarters Wednesday morning after dust from remodeling project triggered the smoke detector/fire alarm.

Two engines from the Boise Fire Department, including a ladder truck, arrived on campus around 9:45 a.m. in response to the automatic alarm.

A search of the building indicated that drywall dust activated the alarm. Contractors are remodeling the former GARVEE Program offices (the old break room) off the building’s lobby and are converting part of the space into a conference room.

Normally smoke detectors are covered during building construction projects to prevent accidental activation, explains Greg Larsen of building services.

Employees filed out of the building in an orderly manner and assembled at designated locations until they were cleared to return about 10 minutes later.

Larsen said firefighters took advantage of the call to conduct impromptu training and to test the ladder truck for gaining access to locations to the roof.