Stoddard County commissioners discuss report on Justice Center mold problem

BLOOMFIELD, Mo. -- Stoddard County commissioners asked for a service contract for maintaining the heating and air conditioning systems in the Justice Center after discussing a report on problems found that led to surface and air mold in the building.

The cost of the mold clean-up and remediation was almost $300,000. The commissioners are trying to determine what led to the problem and had a report on the HVAC systems from Langford Mechanical and Sheet Metal Inc. of Jackson and a report on testing and balancing of the systems in the Justice Center from Systems Testing and Analysis of Creve Coeur, Mo.

Architect Dale Rogers said the primary problem was in the automated control system, which was "non-responsive." He said many other problems were found including clogged intake louvers, dirty coils and filters, clogged outdoor intakes and bad belts

The main points cited by Langford Mechanical as to what caused the mold were:

* The building's automated system was running wild. With no ability to check or change set points, the building was very susceptible to becoming out of balance.

* The boiler was not running. The boiler is on the lower level. Without the boiler running, the HVAC equipment the boiler serves cannot take out humidity. Not having a major component of the overall HVAC system in operation will cause the entire building to become vulnerable.

* The lower level outdoor intake vents were 100 percent plugged with dirt and debris. When these intake vents become stopped up or plugged, the air handling units cannot bring outdoor air into the building. This scenario allows air to enter the building through doors, and by other means, in unconditioned or natural state.

Rogers also said the failure of the automated control system was a big factor. This system should have detected the problems and called for corrections to be made. He said a new automated control system was installed which was much more "user friendly."

Pertinent address:

Bloomfield, MO