Les Terrasses de la Chaudière town halls: Questions and answers

February 26, 2020

Indoor air quality

Q1. What actions are you taking to address the concerns raised in regards to indoor air quality?

As part as an environmental consultant contract with WSP, a certified industrial hygienist developed a tailor-made monitoring strategy to measure indoor air quality on floors where we received complaints
Health Canada independently reviewed and validated the approach
Based on the final sampling results, the certified industrial hygienist will provide a final report in March 2020
The first phase of air quality sampling was carried out last fall. It specifically examined the impact of bats and mould in the complex, as well as infiltration of water
The tests indicated that the air was safe and below the level of human health concern for a regular indoor environment
We also hired a consultant to conduct methane levels testing in the complex. The results were below the level of human health concern
As first round of test showed all elements to be within industry standards, we currently conducting enhanced air quality tests for various other chemicals that could cause symptoms reported by employees. The results are expected in mid-March 2020
Finally, we are making investments in the heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system to improve the flow of clean air in the building

Q2. How did you decide which floors needed to be tested for air quality and why didn’t you test all floors?

Accommodation representatives and Occupation Health Safety (OHS) committee members from ISC/CIRNAC, PCH and WAGE were consulted on the selection of floors to be tested
They were also included in the overall methodology of the study
The results of the investigation was shared with them

Q3. What were the results of the first air samples investigation taken in the fall?

All carbon dioxide (CO2) levels met industry standard. However, some select locations recorded concentrations above the Health Canada Guideline level which is more stringent than the accepted industry standards
Temperature and relative humidity were also within industry standard, while some locations indicated levels slightly above PSPC’s recommended range which is more stringent than the accepted norms of industry
All other measured elements - such as carbon monoxide, particulate matter, total volatile organic compounds, formaldehyde and bioaerosol testing – met industry standards and are considered acceptable

Q4. What are you measuring in the enhanced air quality tests quality investigation?

The second phase sampling strategy began in November 2019 and is still ongoing
It consists of a thorough visual inspection of the HVAC system on target floors, followed by inspections behind dry walls to detect the presence or absence of mould
It also include a baseline indoor air quality testing targeting areas of concerns identified via occupant surveys

Q5. Was any presence of mould detected during the ongoing investigation?

The 5th floor of 15 Eddy was added to the scope of the study in early October. Two locations revealed higher than normal mould levels
The samples were both collected near a window which appeared to have leaked
The drywall was remediated and the source of the leak was addressed by October 26, 2019
Two additional locations were identified by WSP through visual inspection in December 2019. It was all remediated by January 18, 2020
More intrusive investigations are being conducted in February 2020

Water quality

Q7. What are you doing to address the concerns raised in regards to elevated lead levels in water sources?

We have a rigorous water testing program at LTDLC and the water is safe
In 2019-2020, 249 samples were collected throughout the complex and analysed bacteria, metal and lead
97% of consumption points met Health Canada guidelines. The consumption points that demonstrated a lead level exceeding the Health Canada guidelines were immediately closed
We are making the necessary changes to the plumbing system to ensure that any available water meet Health Canada standards
We will continue to monitor to ensure it remains safe for employees. If any test results show unacceptable levels, we will immediately close the consumption point, post signage and provide alternative sources of water
This year, PSPC will install water refill stations with filtration capabilities throughout the complex

Q8. How did you choose the water sample points?

Water samples were collected from all 249 drinking points throughout the complex
Water samples were also collected at the point of entry, as well as the location furthest from the point of entry

Q9. Where were the locations closed due to unacceptable lead levels?

97% (241 of 249 locations) of the points of consumption met the new Health Canada guidelines when sampled
There were the 8 locations that were closed:
- 1 promenade du Portage - 02 - plants room
- 15 Eddy, 14th floor kitchenette
- 15 Eddy, 8th floor kitchenette
- 15 Eddy, 2nd floor kitchenette
- 15 Eddy, 1st floor Physiolinea
- 25 Eddy, 15th floor kitchenette
- 10 Wellington, 21st floor kitchenette
- 10 Wellington, 1st floor Daycare sink C
7 of the 8 points of consumption (POC) which exceeded the guideline now meet it and were reinstated
1 POC is in an area under construction therefore the POC has been put out of service and will be tested once construction is completed

Legionella control

Q10. Was any Legionella bacteria found at LTDLC?

The presence of Legionella bacteria in cooling tower systems at low levels is not unusual
Low levels are generally present in water supply and only pose a significant risk if the bacteria amplifies in the 20-50 °C temperature range, and in presence of biofilms
PSPC has strong processes in place to prevent the presence of Legionella and shares test results with departments and agencies in the complex
Building occupants are not exposed to cooling towers located on the roof and way from all air intakes
Building water systems are independent from the cooling tower system

Q11. How do you control legionella levels in the cooling tower?

The current Legionella Action Plan for LTDLC includes weekly testing
LTDLC installed an automatic system in September 2019 that takes samples every 2 days and the results are emailed automatically
It is a pilot project under the Build in Canada Innovation Program
Disinfection and cleaning is done in a proactive way every time a test shows an orange level, as defined by our the PSPC Legionella Standard is detected
As a preventative measure, no more than three months is allowed to pass without a disinfection and cleaning event

Bats

Q12. What action did you take to ensure that bats are not posing a threat to occupants’ health?

PSPC consulted leading experts and scientists to assess the risks to human health
So far, all scientists indicated that bats within the building envelope posed no human health risk
An early hypothesis advanced that bats potentially could affect air quality due to a particular fungus bats may be disseminating
Air samples showed no concern in this regard and further test will be conducted in the summer, when bats are most active
To date, all captured bats have been healthy

Q13. What actions are you taking to prevent bats from entering the Complex?

PSPC recently started working with consulting firm Stantec to develop a bat management plan to keep bats out of the complex
Stantec will identify the bat species and determine why and when they use the complex. The work will be completed by fall 2020 and final report by March 2021
We also implemented various pest control measures, which mainly consists of daily inspections and an annual program to seal points of entry on the exterior surfaces
We also commissioned a series of studies from leading scientists in bat biology and ecology
We are working with a consultant to install bat habitat boxes before the summer to keep them away from the complex

Bedbugs

Q14. Was any bedbug found at LTDLC?

To date, no bedbug presence has been confirmed at LTDLC
As early reporting remains key to effective pest control, we encourage everyone to notify their manager or call the National Service Call Centre, so an investigation and treatment can take place
All calls remain anonymous

Exterior envelope

Q15. Has the work to modernize the exterior envelope started?

With third party experts, PSPC conducted a thorough evaluation of the proposed envelope design with respect to costs, risks and schedule
We are modifying the original planned exterior envelope design to use a more conventional envelope system to mitigate costs, risks and schedule impacts
The design of the new envelope will be completed next spring with construction anticipated to begin in summer 2021

Q16. How long will it take to complete the modernization of the exterior envelope and how will this affect occupants?

The construction is anticipated to start in the summer of 2021 and will take several years
We have a swing space strategy to relocate occupants in the immediate vicinity of the exterior walls (within 10 feet) over the duration of the project
This will create a construction corridor and barrier between the construction zone and occupied spaces.

Q17. Will there be any health risk posed by the exterior envelope modernization project?

Requirements regarding the management of designated substances will be adhered to ensure the safety of occupants
PSPC will follow its Asbestos Management Plan throughout the modernization

Asbestos

Q18. What is PSPC doing to manage Asbestos at the LTDLC?

A robust asbestos management program is in place in all PSPC owned buildings to ensure compliance with applicable legislation
Before any work can starts, an investigation is completed to identify all potentially hazardous materials in the work area
PSPC is proactively meeting with employees to explain the remedial work being done (HUDDLES)
The standard takes the most stringent requirements
Following the investigation, a report detailing the materials present and the precaution that needs to be used
Latest Asbestos Management Plan for the complex is dated from 2017, but we are reviewing to further refine the plan

Occupational health and safety inspection of the complex

Q19. What is the status of the floor by floor investigation that was conducted in 2018?

During the investigation, 788 deficiencies were identified
To date, 91% of these deficiencies have been fully addressed
The remaining deficiencies are all related to problematic windows
They will be replaced cyclically throughout fiscal years 2019/2020 and 2020/2021

GCworkplace: Interior modernization

Q20. What is the status of GCworkplace modernization?

Work is being done to modernize the office space at Les Terrasses
The approach is to to modernize workplaces so that they better leverage technology and support collaboration, innovation, and flexibility
Several fit-up projects to GCworkplace accommodation standards have already been completed, underway or in the planning stage
The timelines for the work are as follows:

GCworkplace timelines
Building	Floor(s)	Planning and approvals	Design	Construction
15 Eddy	2 and 5	Complete	Complete	Complete
25 Eddy	15	Complete	Complete	Jan. to June 2020
15/25 Eddy	6	Complete	Jan. 2020	Feb. to July 2020
15 Eddy	4	Jan. to May 2020	June to Dec. 2020	Dec. 2020 to Sept. 2021
15/25 Eddy	15, 17, 18 and 19	Feb. to Aug. 2020	Oct. 2020 to May 2021	May 2021 to March 2022
10 Wellington	19	Feb. to Aug. 2020	Oct. 2020 to May 2021	June 2021 to Jan. 2022
10 Wellington	17 and 18	March to Oct. 2020	Dec. 2020 to Sept. 2021	Oct. 2021 to July 2022

Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) infractions

Q21. What is the status of the ESDC Inspection/Investigation and items of voluntary compliance issued?

We received the Infraction report in September 2018
PSPC and ISC/CIRNAC worked to complete and address
Follow up action completed on 20 of the 21 items. Awaiting official closure with ESDC (via ISC/CIRNAC)
Remaining item (bat intrusion) will be addressed via major Envelope Replacement Project

Q22. What is the status of the Building Condition Report (BCR) and Building Capacity Assessment (BCA)?

Reports were completed and submitted to PSPC November 2019
Building is safe for occupants
PSPC is reviewing the reports in collaboration with BGIS. Further studies are currently underway
PSPC will organize an information session for LTDLC employees to present the findings and will publish the reports
LTDLC modernization project will contribute to the overall air flow of the buildings
In the meantime, we continue to implement measures to improve occupants comfort

Date modified:: 2020-02-26

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