The Saugeen Times

Up to $50,000 put toward clearing mould out of Tiverton fire hall
By Liz Dadson

Kincardine council

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Kincardine council has given pre-budget approval for up to $50,000 to clear black mould from affected rooms in the Tiverton fire hall.

In committee-of-the-whole last night (March 3), fire chief Jamie MacKinnon said the mould was found Feb. 11 inside a wall at the fire station. JFM Environmental, an air-quality-testing firm from London, was contacted, and came in the next day to perform air testing.

The room of origin was closed to staff access, said MacKinnon. Five days later, test results confirmed a large amount of airborne mould in the air within specific areas of the fire hall.

Aggressive ventilation of the building took place and further investigation revealed mould growth in other rooms at the station, said MacKinnon. The source of the mould has been identified as surface water on the truck bay floors and high humidity levels allowed to accumulate within the building over its 20-year life.

The area of concern includes most of the administrative side of the building - the offices, kitchen, and meeting room, said MacKinnon. Still accessible are the truck bay areas, the radio room, front foyer and chief's office, he said, allowing normal fire service operations to continue.

MacKinnon said JFM Environmental has been requested to create a "scope of work" which will help ensure the safest, most efficient and cost-effective remediation work in cleaning up the mould. That document should be ready by next week, he said.

Then quotations will be requested in order to get the work done as quickly and safely as possible with no disruption to fire protection services, while ensuring the health and safety of staff now and in the future, he said, noting the work could be completed by mid-April.

Meanwhile, fire practice will be moved to the fire truck bay area, the Tiverton Lions Hall or the meeting room at the Tiverton Sports Centre, as required, said MacKinnon.

He said there is $25,000 in the fire department budget to cover the cost of the clean-up.

Deputy mayor Laura Haight suggested council approve a motion at the meeting to pre-approve up to $50,000 for the work. "It has to be done," she said. "We should do what we can to expedite the process."

MacKinnon said the work will involve removing the bottom four feet of drywall in the affected areas, and replacing it with moisture-resistant drywall, and killing off the mould.

Councillor Marsha Leggett, chairperson of the emergency services committee, said it appears the fire hall is sitting in a pool, and the moisture is moving up the foundation to the inside wall. There is also a problem with drainage, she said.

Councillor Randy Roppel asked if there has been any investigation into the health hazards brought on with respect to the firefighters working in the Tiverton fire hall.

MacKinnon said he has contacted the Workplace Safety Insurance Board and the Ontario Ministry of Labour. While mould is not directly controlled through the Health and Safety Act, he has documented all actions and will continue to monitor staff health.

Councillor Gordon Campbell asked if the fire hall was even built properly.

MacKinnon said he has photos of when the building was constructed, and the cement slab was built on a clay base, with no gravel underneath. There is no exterior drainage and no drainage under the building, he said.

Council granted pre-budget approval for up to $50,000 for this remedial work.

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Wednesday, March 03, 2010