N-Building Air Quality

February 3, 2012
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Update on N-Building Air Quality

Update on N-Building Air Quality Situation                                                                         February 3, 2012

Following a meeting with officials from Public Health, the monitoring regime in the N Building is being changed from the current air sampling testing to one where the goal of testing will be to identify the actual species of mould present and  to provide a comprehensive snapshot of the conditions existing throughout the N Building. This latter result will serve as a bench mark as permanent  solutions to the mould growth problem are implemented.  Such testing is now underway and should take a couple of weeks. Once Public Health officials review this data, they may make recommendations for specific short term and long term actions.

Preparations are now on-going for the specifications and critical path for the removal and replacement of ducts and the installation of associated ventilation pathways, ceiling tiles and mechanical equipment. The object is to go to public tender as soon as possible to permit work during the Summer.

Students, teachers and staff with offices or activities in the N-Building should begin to plan now for the temporary evacuation of the building before May 9, 2012, and until mid-August, 2012. The N-Building will become an access-restricted construction site and there will be NO access by students, teachers or staff to the building during this time. If you are planning meetings or activities after May 8, 2012, these must be scheduled outside of the N Building. Note as well, that once the building construction is completed, the entire building must be cleaned and tested according to Public Health standards before the building can return to normal use.

Feel free to ask any questions through our contact button or post a comment if you would prefer this way of asking questions.

Gilbert Héroux

Director General

January 13, 2012
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Student Requests for Relocation from N-Building

Student Requests for Relocation from N-Building

In order to accommodate air quality medical requirements  of  individual Vanier students regarding the N Building labs or classrooms, the student must:

  1. Provide a written recommendation from his or her physician with respect to his or her health situation and the mould conditions in the N building. (See reports linked to this website of the air quality monitoring results.)

 

  1. Submit the relocation request along with the physician’s recommendation to the Registrars Office, H-100 (or registrars@vaniercollege.qc.ca, fax 514 744-7111).

 

The Registrar  will ensure reasonable accommodations are made as quickly as possible and notification will be issued via Omnivox to the student.

Students should not hesitate to contact the nurse in Health Services (C203 or atkinsj@vaniercollege.qc.ca )  for any mould-related health question or concern.”

January 5, 2012
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Request for Relocation from N-Building

In order to arrange office or classroom relocation from the N-building:

1. Provide a written recommendation from your physician with respect to your health situation and the conditions in the N building
2. Forward this to Human Resources
3. Human Resources will make the appropriate arrangements.  Accommodations will be made as quickly as possible.
4. Follow up notification will be issued by Human Resources or their delegate.

December 13, 2011
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N-Building Air Quality Information December 13, 2011

Following recent inspections by Health and Safety professionals, the presence of mould was noted in some of the main ducts in the N Building.  Further investigative work by engineers and industrial hygienists  is being conducted on an on-going basis to determine the extent of the problem but results so far show that the presence of mould is confined to the lining of the central ducting system and is not found in the conduits that feed most office and classroom areas.

Quebec Public Health officials have also been notified. They advise that mould in public buildings is not uncommon but needs to be closely monitored for any potential impact on people. In schools and colleges,  classes can and do continue without risk to staff and students provided regular inspections are carried out to monitor any change in the size of the areas contaminated and  the quality of the ambient air. Regular air quality tests indicate that, at this time, the quality of the air is not compromised.  The air quality testing will continue for as long as it is necessary.  This consists of regular (two to three times a week) air sampling and measurement; and analysis by an independent laboratory. Should the results of the on-going tests point to a change in conditions, the  community will be advised and appropriate actions will be taken.

Those who suffer from asthma, allergies, compromised immune systems, and other health concerns, may wish to consult their physician and advise us of any recommendation for accommodation.   Students are also being notified of the situation and the need to speak with their physician if they have an existing health condition.  Members of the community may also contact our nurse for general information on mould and health – (Health Resource Centre, Room C203 or e-mail atkinsj@vaniercollege.qc.ca.)

Mechanical engineers are working to determine the cause of this growth and to perform any immediate remedial measures that are necessary to maintain good air quality in the N Building during the Winter Semester.  The community will be kept up to date of their actions and notified in advance of any potential health risks associated with temporary changes in air quality during certain phases of the remedial work.   Any major renovation would be conducted after the end of the Winter Semester.

This  webpage will  provide you with current information about the situation and to give you a direct line for comments, questions and opinions.   We encourage you to make your concerns known to the College so that we can be comprehensive in dealing with this situation. Please click on Contact (upper right hand corner) to submit your question.

We will also  continue to issue bulletins and updates on the current situation on this page.

Gilbert Héroux, Director General.