City-Wide Inspection Finds Most Schools' Boilers Are Safe, But Need Work
By Mike DeNardo
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- The city and the school district have completed an inspection of all of the boilers in Philadelphia schools, following a January explosion that critically injured a school worker.
Most of the boilers in Philadelphia schools have passed inspection but still need repairs, according to a report released by the city and the district.
After the explosion at Edmonds Elementary, the city and the district checked out nearly 600 boilers throughout the district.
Fifty-eight-percent passed, but required repairs. Eleven units were taken offline until repairs could be made.
Mayor Kenney says the inspections should help to reassure students and school staff.
"All of those boilers have been inspected. Those that needed immediate attention were dealt with, there's ongoing repair work to them."
A forensic investigation of the Edmonds accident is expected to take another six to eight weeks.
In the meantime, Kenney says adequate state funding would help the district maintain its infrastructure.