Gymnasiums within Otto-Hahn schools maintain PCB level compliance, yet ceiling renovations are still necessary
The Otto Hahn School in [location] has closed four of its gymnasiums on June 10, 2025, following the discovery of PCB contamination in the ceiling lights during a routine inspection. The school administration and the local education authority are currently working to determine if other hazardous materials were used in the fire protection ceilings.
Investigations are underway to ascertain if a partial operation of the halls is possible without the suspended ceilings. The affected components were immediately removed, and the dismantling of the fire protection ceilings will be carried out by specialized companies in calendar weeks 31 to 35.
The existing fire protection ceilings no longer meet the requirements due to age and need to be completely renewed. The PCB contamination was found in the ceiling lights of the school gymnasiums. Air quality measurements have shown that the measured PCB values are below the precautionary values of the PCB directive NRW, indicating that the levels are below those considered unsafe.
Despite the safe air quality, the operation of the halls remains suspended as a precautionary measure due to the discovery of PCB in capacitors of the installed ceiling lights. The department 4 is in close contact with the school management and affected sports clubs to work out compensation measures.
The installation of the new lighting is scheduled for calendar weeks 40/41. The first, smaller hall is planned for dismantling in calendar weeks 36 to 39, with other halls processed successively after the first hall. A fire protection statement on partial operation is currently being prepared.
It is important to note that the PCB directive NRW is a precautionary value for PCB levels. The discovery was made during a routine inspection of the hall lighting. For accurate and up-to-date details on the Otto Hahn School gymnasium closure, we recommend consulting official communications from the school administration or the local education authority.
- During the planned renovation of the Otto Hahn School, a focus will be on the replacement of the old ceiling lights, as PCB contamination was found in those used for health-and-wellness activities in the gymnasiums.
- Alongside the renewal of the fire protection ceilings, the fitness-and-exercise halls will also receive fresh therapies-and-treatments, as their operation is suspended until the completion of renovations, following the discovery of PCB in the old equipment.
