Idaho university examines safety updates after explosion

Officials with the University of Idaho say they have identified 14 recommendations to improve safety and emergency response policies as part of a review of an explosion in a school parking lot that injured four students.

In April, an explosion occurred when students had gathered to test a fuel system for an experimental rocket. The device exploded after the fuel was ignited at the lot outside the northern Idaho university’s steam plant.

According to the report released Thursday, the university will revise the role of club advisors that includes implementing mandatory risk training. The university will also develop a “fail safe” methodology to ensure emergency alerts are issued quickly across the university.

A faculty adviser to the Northwest Organization of Rocket Engineers club was with the students at the time of the explosion.