Denver Public Schools closed Beach Court Elementary School on Tuesday and plans to do so again Wednesday, after a strong hailstorm broke nearly 100 windows and potentially released asbestos from the putty holding some of the aging windows in place.
The district said no students or staff are being allowed in areas where potential asbestos exposure could occur.
The issue was discovered as a facilities team was assessing damage from and noticed that in some rooms of Beach Court Elementary, glass had completely dislodged from the putty — or glazing — that holds the window in place. The glazing, which contains asbestos, was cracked by the movement of the glass.
DPS officials believe that the heavy rains that accompanied Monday’s storm minimized the chance for asbestos contamination of the air. Crews will set up containment areas around each window, and the broken glass will be removed and the glazing encapsulated.
Workers will then install a Plexiglas enclosure around the window frames and will sample the air to ensure all affected areas are clear of asbestos before students return. This summer, DPS will use insurance proceeds to replace every window on the west side of the school, which is located several blocks east of Federal Boulevard and just north of Interstate 70.
RJ Sangosti, The Denver Post
Priscila Cruz, 11, left, and her mother Kissy Cruz stand outside their car, that was damaged by hail, in the parking lot of the Colorado Mills Mall on May 8, 2017 in Lakewood.
Seth McConnell, The Denver Post
Golf ball and larger sized hail stones that fell in Edgewater, Colorado causing damage to cars, homes and businesses on May 8, 2017.
Helen H. Richardson, The Denver Post
Rachel Norton hangs onto a large box as she navigates piles of hail along Larimer street on the Metropolitan State University of Denver campus after a pounding hail storm ripped through the area on May 8, 2017 in Denver.
Ken Lyons, The Denver Post
Hail piles up on Colfax Ave. outside Civic Center Park in downtown Denver Monday afternoon, May 8, 2017.
Helen H. Richardson, The Denver Post
Kenny Anderson tries to keep his umbrella in his hands as the wind blows while trying to keep out of the pounding hail storm underneath the 20th street bridge on Wewatta street on May 8, 2017 in Denver.
Helen H. Richardson, The Denver Post
Kenny Anderson, left, and Amanda Cress, her husband Charles and her son Charles Jr. , right, try to get out of the pounding hail storm underneath the 20th street bridge on Wewatta street on May 8, 2017 in Denver.
Helen H. Richardson, The Denver Post
Workmen cover their heads as they run for cover to get out of the pounding hail storm that hit the metro area around 3:00 on May 8, 2017 in Denver.
Helen H. Richardson, The Denver Post
Hail looks like snow as cars and buses drive slowly down Wewatta street on May 8, 2017 in Denver.
Helen H. Richardson, The Denver Post
Amanda Cress holds on tightly to her son Charles, 9, as she and her husband Charles move quickly to get out of the pounding hail storm along Wewatta street on May 8, 2017 in Denver.
RJ Sangosti, The Denver Post
Chelsa Nava checks out the damage to her husband's car in the parking lot of the Colorado Mills Mall on May 8, 2017 in Lakewood. A hail storm moved through the area.
Helen H. Richardson, The Denver Post
People navigate piles of hail along Larimer street on the Metropolitan State University of Denver campus after a pounding hail storm ripped through the area on May 8, 2017 in Denver.
Helen H. Richardson, The Denver Post
People navigate piles of hail and standing water along Larimer street on the Metropolitan State University of Denver campus after a pounding hail storm ripped through the area on May 8, 2017 in Denver.
RJ Sangosti, The Denver Post
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Priscila Cruz, 11, left, and her mother Kissy Cruz stand outside their car, that was damaged by hail, in the parking lot of the Colorado Mills Mall on May 8, 2017 in Lakewood.
