In a case of curious irony, a surplus of water in Paly’s fire alert system triggered the alarm which disrupted first period class Tuesday morning.

In what seemed like cruel and unusual punishment, Paly students and faculty were forced to evacuate and congregate on the football field for the majority of the class period as the rain poured down.

The sopping wet evacuees were finally dismissed from the field after being told that it was only a false alarm and there was no real danger.

According to administrator Jerry Berkson, the alarm was tripped when water got into the system and set the alarm off in the 1700 building, which houses the science classes. The heavy rain and a leaky roof were the reason behind water getting into the system, Berkson said.

"Mr. [Chuck] Merritt went over and checked the building," Berkson said. "There was no fire or chemical spills."

An Operator Interface Panel in the office pinpoints which building tripped the alarm — allowing the fastest possible response.

Some wonder why students were sent to the field in the rain after it became obvious that there was no danger in 1700 building.

"Once the procedure starts you got to keep going and check all the buildings in case there is a malfunction in the system [that shows where the alarm was tripped]," Berkson said.