Advertising

The Seattle Times Company

NWjobs | NWautos | NWhomes | NWsource | Free Classifieds | seattletimes.com

The Seattle Times

Local News


Our network sites seattletimes.com | Advanced

Originally published June 14, 2007 at 12:00 AM | Page modified June 26, 2007 at 2:32 PM

E-mail article     Print view

City tells workers: Pop corn cautiously — or else

Microwave popcorn, that ubiquitous workplace snack, could go the way of the typewriter at Seattle City Hall. Gone. It seems burned popcorn...

Seattle Times staff reporter

Microwave popcorn, that ubiquitous workplace snack, could go the way of the typewriter at Seattle City Hall.

Gone.

It seems burned popcorn has caused several evacuations at City Hall and other city buildings, prompting the city's Fleets and Facilities Department to warn of a possible ban -- if behavior doesn't improve.

"We continue to see a high number of instances of employees burning microwave popcorn and triggering the building smoke alarms," the agency said in a memo to employees in three downtown buildings where the evacuations have occurred. "This is a serious issue which requires Fire Department emergency response, building evacuation and resetting of building systems."

There have been popcorn-related evacuations at City Hall and the Seattle Municipal Tower. And last month, the 11-story Justice Center was evacuated because of burned popcorn -- the eighth time in less than three years that 400 people have been ushered out of the building.

Each evacuation lasts at least a half-hour, said Pedro Vasquez, facilities operations director with Fleets and Facilities. Marty McOmber, spokesman for Mayor Greg Nickels, said the city isn't ready for a ban quite yet.

"We've had some issues," he said. "If this continues, we'll have to look at that. It's been pretty disruptive."

Vasquez said the memo is considered more as education than admonishment.

"We're so far away from a physical ban," he said. "But this is an issue that is causing a real impact to us. It's definitely an option down the road if things don't improve."

In the memo, Fleets and Facilities advises employees: "Please read and follow package instructions. Stay by the microwave and listen to the pop, to know when to stop."

Susan Gilmore: 206-464-2054 or sgilmore@seattletimes.com

Copyright © 2007 The Seattle Times Company

More Local News headlines...

E-mail article Print view      Share:    Digg     Newsvine

advertising

Arson suspect has long history of setting fires

Band of advocates, activists now McGinn's likely insiders

Light rail to airport to begin Dec. 19

Kirkland annex 'yes' could be slipping away

Licata looks at boosting traffic-ticket revenue

Advertising

Video

Opening day at Crystal Mountain
Skiers crowded the slopes at Crystal Mountain for one of the resort's earliest openings.

Video shows violent arrest by SPD
Fort Lewis Memorial
Highlights: Ken Auletta talks about "Googled"
Seattle International Cabaret Festival
Ken Auletta talks about "Googled"
Medal of Honor
Pelosi answers questions at Swedish Medical Center
Pelosi speaks at Swedish Medical Center
"Pistol" Pete Ryan

Marketplace

nwautos

2009's most fuel-efficient sedansnew
Choosing a new sedan? Weigh the impact of your choice on your wallet and on the planet.
Post a comment

Open Houses

Find this weekend's open house listings.
Or search by location:

 
Most read
Most commented
Most e-mailed
 
 
Advertising