Mold

[generation 2]

Has anyone had mold in thier fire house, if so how did your dept handle it?

[FireNerd]

We had mold in several bunk rooms. First we notified the chief and PWC. When PWC kept telling us to wait, we told them we would file a UWP. That finally got them moving to clean it up.

[Feuerwehr!]

We have an extremely bad problem in our station, which is just about 6 years old. Originally, the building that was to have been constructed was deemed too big and too expensive, so the plans were downsized. In typical government fashion, the HVAC plans were not revised, therefore, we have an HVAC system on a building designed for an HVAC system 1/3rd the size of the current one! In the summer, when the A/C kicks on, the building cools extremely rapidly, and the HVAC system does not, and can not remove the humidity (and probably the contaminates) in the air. So, we have extremely cool, wet air. On a real sloppy humid August afternoon, you can mop the floors at 0900. At 1115, they are still damp. You can make your rack up at 1600, and at 1930, your sheets are moist to the touch. Mold is everywhere!

We (our union) began (3-4 years ago) by notifying on-post safety. They came out and took measurements of the temperatures, relative humidity, etc. in several different areas of the station. However, we were told that the measurements were all "within acceptable standards." When we inquired as to what the "acceptable standards" were, we were basically stonewalled. Base Safety therefore, was deemed useless in our fight.

After two more summers of our guys dealing with respiratory illnesses (sinus infections, Colds, Sore & Strep throats) we complained some more. We determined that it was futile. So we went out & hired our own Industrial Hygienist. He came out, and took his own readings: Temps, Humidity’s, particulate matter levels, took mold samples & had them analyzed, etc. His readings all EXCEEDED acceptable ASHRAE (American Society of Heating and Refrigerating Engineers) and OSHA standards. Also, though there were no dangerous matters in the molds or particulates, it was determined that the environment could and would support the growth of dangerous matter.

It was also determined that DPW was not changing the filters annually as required by OSHA. Additionally, the design of our roof (flat) supported the growth of matter in pooled water. The pooled water also trapped materials such as pollen and spores. When the water evaporated, the spores & pollen were sucked into the intakes of the HVAC system. One other interesting, fun fact that the IH picked up on: The intakes for the HVAC system were right next to the sewer exhausts for the men’s room toilets & showers! NICE!

His report was not favorable for the garrison. He determined that we were dangerously close to being labeled a "sick building" where, out in the real world, would have been shut down by OSHA (however, since this is “inside the fence”, we all know what happens when one Gov’t organization does when confronted by another) He came up with 4 or 5 recommendations as to how to fix the problem, ranging from several thousands to several hundred thousands to fix.

Using the report written by our IH, we sat down with the garrison: DPW, Safety, and some others. After much review, it was determined that the building (which at that time, was maybe a little more than 3-4 years old) was still "owned" by US Army Corps of Engineers. Apparently they retain "ownership" of all new buildings for 3 years in order to ascertain that all bugs are worked out of a new buildings problem punch list. Well, the CoE never signed off our building! So, when contacted about the HVAC problem, CoE played dumb. Mysteriously, several weeks later, the building was signed off to the garrison.

So, here we are, late summer 2004. I will not, for obvious reasons, discuss what we as a union are doing next. Figured I would show you what a nightmare you may be facing. GOOD LUCK and BE SAFE.

[generation 2]

I Can Say That We Have Been Kicked Out Of Our Station By Osha, Someone Called And We Do Not Know Who But They Came In And Said To Vacate The Building Asap, So Now We Are Waiting To See What The Army Wants To Do Renovate Or Build New, P.s. Call Osha They Will Come And Give Out Fines They Love Money And It Does Not Matter Who's.