ACTUALITÉ / NEWS
Home showing its age:
New $46 million residence in the works
Richard.mahoney@eap.on.ca
The electrical room in the basement is
“The major retrofit or renovation of the
designed in the 1970s when “the residents
separated by a chain linked fence, which
H AWKESBURY
existing facility would inevitably bring
were in an autonomous state of being and
is open onto the reception and storage
about enormous unforeseen conditions.
where the number of employees was not as
areas. The fire rating integrity is deficient
Construction
complications
and
necessary as today’s standards or situation.
The united counties of Prescott-
in this entire area.
administrative logistics for the users would
Gradually, over time, the admission of
Russell are considering spending $46.7
Throughout the building (especially
be very difficult to deal with and overcome.
residents or patients saw their health or
milliontoreplacethe34-year-oldcounty
in the basement) there are several areas
Residents would also have to be relocated
autonomy diminish significantly. Today,
homefortheagedwhichnolongermeets
where the wall and floor assemblies have
elsewhere for several months, if not one
80% of the residents need assistance for
provincial standards and may in fact
no fire resistance rating. This implies that
year. Even when renovated, this building
most of their activities (i.e. eating, bathing
pose safety hazards.
during a fire, flame can spread easily from
would never be according to today’s
and simply moving around).”
The condition of the Prescott-Russell
onespacetoanother,henceburningdown
standards and present day code
“It should be of concern that when the
Residence in Hawkesbury, confirmed in
areas much faster than code restrictions
requirements,” the report says.
Prescott & Russell Residence was built, it
a “life cycle analysis,” has prompted the
indicate. This condition isfound deficient
“In light of all of the above, it would be
wasintendedforaverydifferenttypeofuse.
counties to begin the process of planning
and non-conforming for doors and frame
strongly recommended to build a new
Today, all codes, designs manuals and
for a new facility.
ratings, fire dampers in ventilation ducts,
facility which would incorporate all
safety requirements have changed since
County council ratified Tuesday a
holes in walls and floors, wall
necessary functional aspects and which
then.Anewfacilityforlong-termcarewould
recommendation from the residence
compositions, openings throughout and
would bring about safe and secure living
be planned and designed very differently
committee to hire an Ottawa consulting
other building components (such as
conditions for all residents and employees.
today. The building in general is not in poor
firmtoinitiateabusinessplanthatwould
missing wire mesh glass in windows.)
Efficiency would be greatly improved and
shape except that it does not meet several
include a new residence. The plan will
Flammable materials (paint, thinner,
better care would hence be given to
important legal requirements and mostly,
also contain short-term corrective
Varsol, cleaning agents) are stored in an
residents.”
functional aspects of concern to such a
measures to reduce risks, such as the
open area in the basement, with no
Among the deficiencies found were:
facility,” the document says.
installation of a sprinkler system at
separation or no fire rating with adjacent
Exterior sidewalks and pathways are
“It has been obvious for several years
strategic places.
areas. This presents a serious fire hazard
uneven, creating tripping hazards.
now, that the premises needmajor upgrade.
The absence of sprinklers was one of
that should be dealt with at once. Paint is
Main gas feed piping for the building is
Some work has been accomplished, but
the many flaws identified at the 146-bed
peeling off the galvanized ventilation
unprotected and can cause accidents when
mostly related to needs of the moment. To
home for the aged built at a time when
ducts in the basement. This is the original
vehicles are backing up at the garage area
bring the premises up to standards means
building and safety laws were less
paint and could contain lead. A
at the rear. In the laundry room, there is a
having to bring major renovations, repairs
stringent, andwhen residents were more
designated substance survey should be
lack of electrical outlets, which forces the
or replacement. This implies that the
independent.
performed at once.
staff to use power bar receptacles to plug in
residents would have to vacate the entire
A new residence would cost
Residents’quarterscannotbearranged
several electrical appliances. This presents
premises. Construction and renovations in
$46,740,000 to build while the counties
in “home-like” units; rooms are not
a fire hazard. In the basement, several fire
such a facility requires contractors to have
may have to pay as much as $20 million
barrier-freeandaretoosmall.Washrooms,
rated doors are left open during normal
access to all areas at all times, due to the
between now and 2026 on repairs to the
dining areas do not conform to standards;
operations and should be equipped with
important quantity of sub-trades and
existing structure, according to a facility
nurseworkspacesaretoosmallandpoorly
door closures to insure fire rating integrity.
workers, and not only to one specific space
assessment report prepared by Levac
organized; bathing facilities are
Fire extinguishers are found throughout
at a time. This is a major disruption which
Robichaud Leclerc Associates.
inadequate. Elevators are clearly
but may be insufficient due to the absence
would require extreme management
The report notes that the buildingwas
insufficient;thelaundryroomistoosmall.
of sprinklers in the building.
strategy and re-organization.”
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