• About Us
  • Advertise
  • Contact Us
  • Privacy Policy
  • Pickem Terms and Conditions
Monday, May 16, 2022
The Platte County Landmark Newspaper
  • Home
  • Local News
  • Opinion
  • Landmark Pickem!
    • Login / Sign-up
    • Results by Week
    • Pickem Rules and Help
  • Landmark Live!
  • Looking Backward
  • es_MXSpanish
  • Home
  • Local News
  • Opinion
  • Landmark Pickem!
    • Login / Sign-up
    • Results by Week
    • Pickem Rules and Help
  • Landmark Live!
  • Looking Backward
  • es_MXSpanish
No Result
View All Result
The Platte County Landmark Newspaper
No Result
View All Result

Insulation, ducts could be courthouse problem

Ivan Foley by Ivan Foley
December 10, 2020
in Featured
Platte County Courthouse

Platte County Courthouse. Ivan Foley/Landmark photo

10
SHARES
250
VIEWS
Share on FacebookShare on TwitterShare via Email

‘Traces of fiberglass’ detected in air

When it comes to solving an air quality situation that is believed by some to be causing health problems among employees on the third floor of the Platte County Courthouse, “we think we are on the right path,” says Daniel Erickson, director of facilities management for Platte County.

The third floor houses the Platte County Prosecutor’s Office, and employees of that office have reported health problems that they attributed to the office space.

RelatedNews

‘I’m proud of making a difference’

‘Largest single development in city’s history’

Kellerman: Aldermen ‘did what they needed to do’

Recently the prosecutor’s office was moved to the former county commission space in the Platte County Administration Building, and commission meetings were as a result moved to the Platte County Resource Center.

Erickson said during a meeting of the county commission on Monday that as part of the study done by an air quality expert “we are seeing small traces of fiberglass in the air.”

The “right path” referred to by Erickson will consist of the county seeking bids for the removal and disposal of existing insulation within the attic space of the courthouse, and installing new spray foam insulation in that space.

The existing insulation is a combination of blown-in insulation and fiberglass batt insulation, Erickson said.

In addition, the duct work in the prosecutor’s office will be removed and replaced. Removal and replacement of all internally lined insulated duct with new duct that is externally insulated, Erickson said.

“We think this is the solution,” Erickson remarked on Monday.

In a later email exchange with The Landmark, Erickson said: “Surface tape samples taken by our air quality consultant have been tested and revealed trace amounts of fiberglass particles present in the air. There are two sources of fiberglass that could be impacting that space. The first is the courthouse attic, which is located directly above the third floor office space. The second is some of the duct work that services the third floor office. This duct work is internally lined with insulation. Some of the seams and junctions of the liner have degraded and exposed fiberglass insulation to the air flow within the duct work.”

Sealed bids on both the projects will be accepted until Dec. 16.

The attic air space size is approximately 11,000 square feet. The selected contractor will have the opportunity to perform measurements and adjust price accordingly.

According to the call for bids, prior to installation the contractor shall provide all chemical data sheets associated with the products to be used on both projects.

In October when it was announced the prosecutor’s office would be vacating the space, Erickson told The Landmark: “Per the advice of our insurance provider, we have hired an air quality expert to study the issue. The air quality expert has been studying the issue since January. To date we have not definitively identified an air quality issue source but the study continues.”

Erickson said in October that having the prosecutor’s office vacate the space would allow the air quality expert and facility staff better access to the mechanical equipment, which would be difficult to access while the space is occupied.

Erickson said there is no odor or clear sign of moisture/mold present.

The first two levels of the courthouse, which apparently are not dealing with the issue, are home to judicial clerk offices and circuit courtrooms.

Health concerns at Platte County Courthouse

Tags: platte county
Ivan Foley

Ivan Foley

Ivan Foley, owner/publisher of the Platte County Landmark, has been on the news beat in Kansas City's Northland for 40 years. He provides weekly observations in his Between the Lines column and serves as host of Landmark Live, a light-hearted videocast featuring newsmakers in the Northland.

Related Posts

45 Years Ago–May 13, 1977

by Ivan Foley
May 13, 2022
0

Dr. Carl Myers purchase the Platte Medical Clinic in Platte City this week and plans to open his office here in the near future. Dr. Nourbaksh will continue to be located in the Platte Medical Clinic. Mr. and Mrs. Louis...

30 Years Ago–May 15, 1992

by Ivan Foley
May 13, 2022
0

Bob Foster, vice principal of Fort Osage Junior High in northeast Independence, has been hired as principal at West Platte High School in Weston. Two girls tied with the same grade point average have been declared valedictorians of the class...

15 Years Ago–May 9, 2007

by Ivan Foley
May 13, 2022
0

It has been a hectic week for Platte County residents and business owners with property in low-lying areas, as heavy rains across the region have forced rivers and streams out of their banks. Areas in and around Parkville, Riverside, Tracy...

The 80's

Kim Carnes and never buy gas on Tuesdays

by Ivan Foley
May 13, 2022
0

Gonna hit you with some pop culture stuff this week. Just because I want to. Season four of Ozark on Netflix. Have you finished it yet? Let's get through this without spoiling it for those who haven't made it all...

Next Post
Platte County Sheriff's Department

Helping hands

Popular News

  • Large logistics park planned east of I-29

    Large logistics park planned east of I-29

    198 shares
    Share 79 Tweet 50
  • Area distillery releases first new bourbon in 30 years

    20 shares
    Share 8 Tweet 5
  • Memorial Day Weekend Celebration planned

    7 shares
    Share 3 Tweet 2
  • City extends lease on temporary police station

    6 shares
    Share 2 Tweet 2
  • The Landmark enters 158th year of publication

    6 shares
    Share 2 Tweet 2
  • About Us
  • Advertise
  • Contact Us
  • Privacy Policy
  • Pickem Terms and Conditions
Call us at 816-858-0363

Copyright © 2019-2020 The Platte County Landmark Newspaper - All Rights Reserved

No Result
View All Result
  • Subscribe Online
  • Home
  • Local News
  • Opinion
  • Landmark Pickem
    • Results by Week
    • Pickem Rules and Help
  • Landmark Live!
  • Looking Backward
  • es_MXSpanish

Copyright © 2019-2020 The Platte County Landmark Newspaper - All Rights Reserved

Are you sure want to unlock this post?
Unlock left : 0
Are you sure want to cancel subscription?