INDOOR AIR QUALITY UPDATE
Silver Spring Metro Center

SSMC Update - May 2002 

Variable Air Volume Box Calibrations Complete

Foulger Pratt recently completed the calibration of all variable air volume (vav) boxes in Silver Spring Metro Center (SSMC) II and III.  SSMC IV was completed in April 2001. Foulger Pratt Management, Inc., began calibrating the vav boxes in order to regulate the amount of cooled or heated air provided to particular areas. Foulger Pratt will now begin to calibrate the thermostats on an annual basis.  The completion of this work indicates that the Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning system is now operating per lease specifications.

 

Carpet Replacement and Cyclical Painting

 

After several meetings with National Weather Service (NWS), the Facilities Office will proceed to initiate cyclical painting and carpet replacement in SSMC II.  The carpet will be upgraded from broadloom carpet to carpet tile.  The project will span 37 weeks and begin in late Summer. A definitive start date is being finalized in negotiations with Foulger Pratt.  Cyclical painting and carpet replacement are scheduled for SSMC III and IV in 2003.

 

Reasonable Accommodation for Employees 

Employees alleging health problems related to our building environment should notify their supervisor and contact the Facility Acquisition and Management Division on 713-2222 to document their concern with Wendy Pulliam. The supervisors should encourage these employees to see the doctor in the NOAA Health Unit and/or their personal physician. Please be advised that the information supplied to Facilities and the doctor in the Health Unit is voluntary and is recommended in order to assist NOAAˆ‚s investigative and data collection initiatives only. 

Facilities may suggest that an employee be moved out of his/her workstation temporarily for thorough cleaning. In some cases, this action alleviates reported problems. However, if an employee believes that his/her work space or work environment is causing symptoms or a medical condition related to IAQ, his/her supervisor should take the following steps: (1) contact the servicing employee relations specialist for advice, including guidance on request of medical
documentation and response to any subsequent request for accommodation; (2) if the employee has not already seen the NOAA doctor, recommend the employee visit the NOAA Health Unit in order to make the reported problem a matter of record (again, note this is voluntary) ; and (3) ensure the employee is aware of his/her right to file a Worker's Compensation Claim. Forms are available in the NOAA Health Unit, and specific information about Worker's Compensation can be obtained by contacting Susette Barnhill at the Department of Commerce on 482-0372. 


 

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