School Board Approves Air Quality Firm For HVAC Renovations

By Larissa Lytwyn

The Board of Education hired Occupational Risk Control Services, Inc (ORCS) of New Britain at its November 16 meeting to oversee the maintenance of acceptable indoor air quality during the upcoming Head O’ Meadow HVAC project.

Using a special “handheld device” that measures the number of foreign particles in a given area, ORCS representative Susan Ecker said she would ensure that “there is no dust or debris outside of the construction area.”

In addition, ORCS will ensure that ducts are properly cleaned and sealed against bacteria-breeding dirt or water entry.

Board member Tom Gissen asked Ms Ecker if ORCS would be responsible for checking mold or other potential hazards.

“If there is a presence of mold, it will be dealt with through the contractors,” Ms Ecker explained. “They have their own separate protocol for handling such an issue.”

Ms Ecker also explained how conducting random “air samples” were not necessary because they only provide a brief “snapshot” in time.

“There are a lot of different variables, such as outside pollen levels, that influence how an air sample would turn out,” Ms Ecker explained. “For example, if we took a sample in this room, it could look very different from a second sample we could take just a few hours later.”

The total expense of ORCS’ services will be an estimated $10,300.

Tomlinson Hawley Patterson, a Trumbull based contractor, will be heading the three-phase, $3,385,000 HVAC renovation project, which is set to begin during December’s holiday vacation and conclude by the end of August.

Consulting Engineering Services’ (CES) project manager Brian Wetzel will be ensuring that the project is conducted in accordance with the Tomlinson Hawley Patterson contract.

In recent weeks, Mr Wetzel has met numerous times with Head O’ Meadow PTA representatives, as well as faculty and parents, to address safety concerns regarding the upcoming project.

During the November 16 school board meeting, Mr Wetzel again assured that all site workers would be carrying photo identification at all times during their shifts.

“Any worker not wearing [his or her] photo ID will immediately be removed from the site,” he said.

In accordance with the contract, construction workers will also undergo comprehensive background checks. Registered sex offenders will not be permitted on the site.

“We understand how important the safety of the children is to everyone involved in this project,” Mr Wetzel said.