TAMPA - Tampa's new $1.4-million firehouse is not only riddled with construction and engineering problems, it is also making some firefighters sick.

A faulty air conditioning system was installed and is causing widespread mold contamination. The environmental experts ABC Action News worked with recommend the city hire a forensic architect and extensively test the station to determine just how widespread the mold and bacteria contamination is.

Firehouse 13 is the city's second busiest, serving the Busch Gardens area. Firefighters complain that the mold contamination in the brand new firehouse has already made them sick.

"Certainly I think that we would deserve a bit more consideration than has been give to us," stated Capt. Joe Hobson of Firehouse 13.

There is visible contamination throughout Station 13: bacteria and mold multiplying in ceiling tiles, in the lights, and in the ventilation system.

"After we've come in here, I've had some respiratory problems. I'm on some allergy medications, some nasal sprays," Capt. Rigo Martinez added.

Environmental experts at Clearwater's Pure Air Control Services evaluated the building free of charge out of concern for the health of the firefighters.

"The red flags were a number of things. One is just the way the building was condensating inside, the above ceiling space condensation, the wet insulation on the duct work- not normal. It's just not normal," explained Al Wozniak, the president of Pure Air.

Pure Air took dozens of samples from various places throughout the fire station. In their lab, they grew cultures of the samples, examined them under their microscopes, and what they found are a variety of molds that should not be in a new building.

Microbiologists identified at least one form of mold that is known to cause health problems.

Samples taken from Firehouse 13 showed mold and other unhealthy particles.

"This is the aspergillis and the chances are very good of getting this fungi for this area," a lab worker explained.

Firefighters who have to live with this blame the Department of Public Works for allowing them to move into a station with such severe problems. Three months ago, amid growing health concerns and firefighter complaints, Public Works started replacing the station's mold-covered ceiling tiles.
Critics say this approach is equivalent to placing a band-aid over a gunshot wound.

"They change them every three days. Prior to about three or four weeks ago, they were green, so we knew there was mold growing and we were conscious of that and that's why we called and said the last thing we need is a sick building," Capt. Hobson continued.

Microbiologists at Pure Air produced a 50-page report charting some of the most disturbing aspects of what they found:

Fiberglass from constantly changing out the ceiling tiles has raised these levels five times above normal levels in certain areas. Fungus in the dining room and second floor hallway are eight times higher than recommended. Until it is expertly removed, the mold will continue to grow and spread throughout the station.

"You are going to have more people complaining about indoor air quality issues, you'll have people complaining about allergy symptoms, coughing, sneezing," Wozniak said. "I don't think we isolated any major concerns from a pathogen or a toxin, but the conditions are extremely ripe."

Public Works hired another firm to evaluate the problem and they recommended the same course of action as pure air, warning, "vacating portions or the entire facility while certain building materials are cleared, decontaminated, or removed may be prudent."

Mold is clearly visible on the ceilings and vents of Firehouse 13.

The firefighters are exposed to countless deadly hazards when they are fighting fires, dealing with disaster or cleaning hazardous spills. That is part of the job and they accept it. However, none of them believes they should have to accept contaminated living quarters, and they are not happy that the public works department has made no plans to clean it up.

"It is not really real to them, I don't think," Capt. Hobson theorized. "If they had to live here, if this were their house, it would have been changed long ago."

Who is responsible for the malfunctioning air system and all the problems it has caused?

According to an independent report, 30 percent of the blame lies with Colwill Engineering and 70 percent with the general contractor, Lechase Construction.

"We are just fireman, but in our view they are going to have to take the system out and put a system in here that works. If it was the engineer's fault, it doesn't really make any difference. We just want a simple system that works," Capt. Hobson said.

Finding the mold and decontaminating the building will not be cheap. Add that to all the other repairs the fire station needs, and the project has turned into a costly debacle: so far, taxpayers have picked up at least $25,000 for repairs on the brand new building.
 

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Pure Air Control Services
800-422-7873