13 August 2018
Two weeks ago, Fort Regent closed several areas as a precautionary measure, after a technical staff member found material suspected of containing asbestos in an electrical cupboard, which contained an air handling unit.
Staff and asbestos consultants immediately carried out air tests, which found that the fibre count was below 0.01 fibres/ml – the safety standard.
They also carried out further air tests and sent the sample to the UK for detailed analysis.
These tests found very low fibre levels, and confirmed that they are below or equal to the acceptable limit. The tests also confirmed that no asbestos fibres were identified in the sample from the air handling unit area.
This confirms the initial view that neither the public nor staff have been exposed to an asbestos risk at Fort Regent as a result of this incident.
However, as a further precaution, Fort Regent is to remove the debris found in the cupboard, and the asbestos-containing material present within the coating of the rooms.
This means that the changing areas will need to remain closed until the work is completed and the air handling system can be reinstated.
Staff are examining historical data from the period when coatings were applied, to assess the level of risk should the wall coating become damaged, and whether the material used is licensed or unlicensed.
Consultants concluded wide-scale surveying and analysis of the Fort on Thursday 9 August, and we expect to receive the results of these samples towards the end of this week. These results will determine the priority for any further removals and closures.
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