A detailed inspection of the site to test for asbestos is due to begin on Monday after a member of Fort Regent’s technical staff found suspicious material in the cupboard, which contains an air-handling unit.
Following the discovery, the air-handling unit was shut down to prevent the possible spread of the material, and the changing rooms and toilets served by it were also closed. A States spokeswoman said yesterday that the Health and Safety Inspectorate had been notified after the material was discovered on Tuesday.
NAS Laboratories – the States asbestos consultants – have since carried out air-quality tests to check for airborne respirable fibre risk. All the air test results have been below the clearance indicator level of 0.01 fibres per millilitre.
Yesterday, NAS carried out further air sampling. These samples will be sent for electron microscopy analysis to determine whether or not they contain asbestos fibres.
The States spokeswoman said: ‘At this stage, there is no indication that any member of the public or Fort Regent staff has been exposed to asbestos due to this incident.’
Due to the discovery of the material the gym toilets and changing rooms were closed on Tuesday.
Some non-public rooms behind the free weights area have also been closed as a precautionary measure, and this weekend two free weights rooms are due to be cleared and sealed off to proactively remove asbestos material that may present a future concern.
The move follows an inspection by Fort Regent staff and technical experts, which raised concerns that bubbling paint in the area could degenerate and that asbestos beneath the paint might be exposed.
A number of other non-public areas, including storage areas along the north and west side of the building, have also been temporarily closed, and some tenants have been relocated.
On Monday, a three-day detailed asbestos re-inspection is due to begin.
‘The results of the detailed analysis of the materials should be available by the middle of next week, after which any further action will be confirmed,’ the spokeswoman said.
‘Fort Regent will keep customers updated about any impacts on services, facilities and classes through the fortregent.je website and its Facebook and Twitter accounts.’
