Date: Fri 07-Feb-1997

Publication: Bee

Author: LIBRAR

Quick Words:

Library-Booth-asbestos

Full Text:

Library Asbestos Eats Up Money And Time

BY ANDREA ZIMMERMANN

The library asbestos clean-up, which is about 90 percent complete, has taken

much longer and cost more than expected due to a combination of things - newly

discovered areas of exposed asbestos, the weather, and the "sensitivity" of

the general contractor and his subcontractors, according to Director of Public

Works Fred Hurley.

Two change orders were added to the original $42,000 contract with Petco

Insulation Company, Inc, the abatement contractor hired by the town to address

the asbestos problem as mandated by the state health department. One change

order was for $18,823.80, to cover 274 hours of additional abatement work.

"When a lot of enclosed chases [openings that run through the building to

[accommodate] pipes, wires and communications lines] were opened, they found

asbestos that had to be abated. And that added a huge amount of extra costs.

None of that work was in the original contract," explained Mr Hurley.

Other causes of delay are directly tied to Building Technologies Inc (BTI),

the general contractor for the expansion project, he said.

"When OSHA came on site and fined the general contractor and subcontractors,

that created a sensitivity on their part," said Mr Hurley. "We do not think

it's coincidental that [the general and subcontractors] became much more

conscientious in making sure items were identified [for potential asbestos

disturbance] after OSHA had fined them."

Not only did that widen the original scope of the work, but it has been

difficult to get BTI to coordinate the subcontractors who have to identify

areas for penetration where there is potential for asbestos exposure. Subs

have come at different times, which means tests have been run at different

times.

"You test constantly and that added to the costs. Every time an area was

cleaned, you had to test again. We tested some areas three or four times -

that's coordination," said Mr Hurley.

The other problem that required additional major expenses and another change

order was heat and a related firewatch. The new heating system is not yet

operational, so temporary propane heaters were set up to prevent moisture from

destroying the walls and ceilings of the building while abatement work was

done.

"Moist [fresh] air was being pumped into the building to do abatement work,"

said Mr Hurley. "Also, water is a major part of the cleaning because

everything has to be scrubbed down and the people doing the work have to take

showers as part of the decontamination process. At this time of year

everything is freezing."

The cost for the heating and "firewatch" was originally submitted at $48,983.

Because propane heat was used, someone needed to be on-site 24 hours a day

seven days a week to guard against fire, and out of necessity it had to be a

licensed abatement worker because no one else was authorized to remain in the

building while it was being decontaminated, according to Mr Hurley.

During the regular work day, the designated "firewatch" person joined the

abatement team and performed regular tasks; during off-hours, he did what

abatement work an individual could do, added Mr Hurley.

"It was not a case of someone just sitting and reading a book 24 hours a day,"

he said.

That change order was renegotiated on a time and materials basis. And rather

than charging the usual rate for abatement contractor ($68 per hour), Petco

dropped the off-hours figure to $38 per hour. This resulted in a reduction of

that portion of the costs by approximately $5,000, said Mr Hurley.

The total expense incurred for Petco to complete abatement should run about

$140/150,000. Additionally, about $15,000 will be paid to Hygenix, the company

hired to create an abatement plan and run tests on asbestos levels; much of

the amount covers tests, said Mr Hurley.

"Under The Microscope"

During Monday night's Board of Selectman meeting, town representatives

involved in the library project discussed delays and added expenses incurred.

"The town is under the microscope of the Department of Health," said First

Selectman Bob Cascella. "You can't really gripe about the asbestos, but you

can gripe about the time-line," he said referring to the overall construction

delays.

Roofing of the addition is still not complete despite fairly good weather, and

water has leaked down the sides and into the building, damaging some of the

external sheetrock and interior ductwork insulation, according to Frank

Krasnickas, chairman of the Public Building and Site Commission. In order to

get things properly sealed up, "It just takes manpower," he said. For

instance, the day after the meeting four roofers were on the job instead of

the usual two.

Subcontractors are "wary" about working in an area that contains asbestos,

says Mr Krasnickas, who has twice scheduled a presentation for the workers.

The hygienist came Monday and Tuesday of this week to calm some fears, but not

enough subcontractors showed up to proceed with the informational session.

With accurate information, crews might realize there is no health hazard in a

location where the hygienist has run tests and determined it to be

"air-cleared, safe enough for children to go into," said Mr Krasnickas. When a

ceiling was removed and crews saw asbestos insulation around exposed pipes,

they refused to work in the area, even though the insulation was not going to

be disturbed and the air was tested "clear."

"What we're all looking for is cooperation, coordination, not to point fingers

at anyone," said Mr Krasnickas. "We just want to get the job done and to have

the library open on time."

Although the contractor maintains the project will be finished June 1 - on

schedule - some at the meeting expressed doubt.

"Do you believe him based on the previous promises he's made?" asked Selectman

Jim Mooney. "What he tells us and what actually happens are two different

things."

Architect Bruce Tuthill, who was not at the meeting, recently stated that if

the contractor puts the effort into it, the project can be finished on time.

In accordance with a state statute, before beginning the expansion project,

the contractor provided the town with a payment bond for $3.1 million dollars.

This guarantees that subcontractors and suppliers receive payment. The town

also has a performance bond for the same amount, which ensures the contractor

will complete the work in accordance with the contract.

(Steve Bigham contributed to this story.)