By
Graham Davis
Work is about to begin to repair faulty plumbing, which since
July 2004 has sent a sickening odour sporadically into parts of
the historic Building 89 90 on Garden Island in Sydney, forcing
the evacuation of workers on at least three occasions.
On December 22, five workers took ill with three receiving oxygen
therapy treatment. On Friday February 25, two workers complained
of headaches and were treated by base first aiders.
The odour was detected on Monday February 21 and the multi-storey
building evacuated. No casualties were reported. Since the first
complaints of the odour in July 2004, the Commanding Officer of
HMAS Kuttabul, senior regional staff of CSIG and DMM have gone
to great lengths to identify the problem.
Gas detection devices were installed, non-toxic smoke sent through
the system and closed circuit television cameras sent along pipes.
These checks have now revealed a cracked sewer pipe and a crack
in a nearby wall.
As a result, when a pump removing effluent from a pit encounters
a build-up of pressure in the fluid it is trying to move, gas
is compressed through the crack in the pipe, up through the cracked
wall and into the air conditioning system.
“Now that we have found the problem we are going to fix it,” the
Base Commander, CMDR Brett Chandler said. “A contract has been
let and work should commence on March 7.”
He said the fumes are regarded as non-toxic. CMDR Chandler said
the tenants had been given the opportunity to temporarily vacate
the building.
None had taken up the offer.
“We have kept all tenants of the building in the picture,” he
said.
The three evacuations involved the NSW Fire Brigades.
The December 22 incident resulted in a news item on ABC radio.
