MEPA confirms gases at Hexagon House were 'dangerous'
Hexagon House
The pungent smell that led to the evacuation of Hexagon House on Monday was the result of high levels of hydrogen sulfide (H2S), the Malta Environment and Planning Authority said in a statement.
It confirmed that H2S seeped back into the drainage system of the building in Marsa from the main sewage system of the Drainage Department.
MEPA said that a series of inspections carried out yesterday and today by independent experts from Malta Shipyards and the Drainage Department certified that the levels of H2S, hydrocarbons, thiols (mercaptans) and carbon monoxide within the Hexagon building and the sewage connection located at the main gate were below detection limits at the time of the inspection.
The level of oxygen was also verified as normal. The Occupational Health and Safety Authority has declared itself satisfied with the tests.
MEPA said that as a precautionary measure, over these two days, it carried out engineering works on its drainage system by adding a number of interceptors to its underground galley. It was also looking into purchasing monitoring equipment to check the levels of chemical agents in the air.
In the meantime, it was doing its utmost to ensure that staff were equipped with teleworking facilities to continue carrying on with their duties.
The authority ruled out any possibility of foul play by third parties.
Meanwhile the UHM in a statement, said that contrary to what was claimed by MEPA yesterday, at least one employees was still in hospital this morning as a result of what had happened at Hexagon House.
The union criticised MEPA for having tried to imply that what had happened could have been sabotage.
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Marlene Vella
Mar 25th 2009, 21:02
MEPA employees and others affected by all this deserve an unreserved apology. Where have the basic manners gone?... let alone H&S !!!!
M Cuschieri
Mar 25th 2009, 19:18
Trid tkun il-UHM biex isir xi haga.
Nistaqsi: zewg passi boghod hemm il-head office tal-ex Telemalta, li huma membri fil-GWU.
Allura dawn qatt ma xammew xejn? Jew il-GWU ma ghamlet xejn?
Darren Buttigieg
Mar 25th 2009, 18:38
Interceptors or U-Bends or traps only work to trap fluids, ie the backflow of drainage. To remove the gases, or methane as we call it here, the system needs a return air supply so that air flows after the drain. It consists of a pipe running from each drain and going vertial then upwards and connecting if need be together as they make their way to the 'stack' which is a chimney of sorts that exists the building on the roof and is then angled downwards to prevent rain water from entering. Its a no brainer of an issue, and even a hanyman can fix it.
Paul Galea
Mar 25th 2009, 17:04
way back when Hexagon house was owned by a bank I had an appointment there . The pungent smell was there even then and I remarked about it .
Paul Barrett
Mar 25th 2009, 16:56
By "interceptors" I presume that they mean "U Bends" which would explain why the smell is not constant; a lack of a proper working or damaged water trap would allow the drainage smell to come into the building depending on the wind strength and direction.
Salv Camilleri
Mar 25th 2009, 16:55
Why not give the employees a gas mask each?,and lest you think thats a ridiculous or laughable suggestion,it's no more so than suggestiing sabotage by third parties.
Anthony Magri
Mar 25th 2009, 16:23
Was it sabotage or inefficiency?