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Asset Management Reports


 
 
Note 1: Asbestos Reporting
 
Asbestos was commonly used in building construction up until the mid 1980’s as a sound and temperature insulator, and it may be found in many other common building materials. More information may be found at the Health Canada website. If asbestos is properly encapsulated or sealed, it is considered safe and therefore not dangerous to the individual unless damaged or otherwise released into the air.

Many of the buildings owned and managed by Asset Management (AM), Manitoba Finance were constructed before 1980 and therefore contain asbestos in one form or another. The Workplace Safety and Health Division of the Province of Manitoba’s regulations include requirements for buildings with asbestos to have inventories or asbestos containing materials and have control plans for each facility. Accordingly, AM maintains an up to date inventory of the asbestos in our facilities. This inventory is maintained constantly through the process of regular testing and inspections. The inventory is also regularly updated to reflect which facilities/spaces have already been completely remediated due to ongoing remediation work and other projects.

AM follows all existing Provincial guidelines, regulations and policies for repair and remediation methods of asbestos containing materials. AM has implemented ongoing programs to provide for the repair or removal of asbestos materials whenever they may present a risk through deterioration, damage, or when otherwise practical. Such considerations are embedded into every repair, maintenance and renovation or demolition project undertaken by AM. The asbestos found in AM facilities is maintained in good and safe condition.

For additional information:
 
Note 2: Radon Gas
 

Radon is naturally occurring, colourless, odourless radioactive gas. It comes from uranium as it breaks down in soil and rocks and can enter a building through cracks or gaps in the walls and foundation. Radon levels are generally highest in basements and crawl spaces because these areas are nearest to the source.
For more detailed data on Radon please see Health Canada’s radon FAQ document and Manitoba Health, Seniors and Active Living Radon FAQ. The Health Canada guideline of 200 Becquerel’s (Bq/m3) for indoor radon refers to the average level found over a year of monitoring.

AM monitors radon gas in the owned and managed portfolio in accordance with Health Canada standards. AM currently has another round of monitoring underway throughout the portfolio. To date, all facilities within the AM portfolio have been tested for radon gas, or are in the process of being tested for radon gas.
Testing and evaluation is done in accordance with Health Canada’s Guide for Radon Measurement in Public Buildings and the Government of Canada’s Radon Guideline.

AM is using the radon gas level test data to develop an up-to-date inventory of facilities exhibiting radon gas over a full year of testing in accordance with Health Canada recommendations. The inventory is regularly updated every month, again, with almost all to date noted as being well below Health Canada limits.
Those few areas that show elevated readings have either already been remediated or are in the process of remediation well within the Health Canada guidelines for remedial time frames.

Generally mitigation of elevated levels of radon gas is accomplished with simple and inexpensive ventilation modifications to the affected space. AM follows all existing Provincial and Federal Guidelines, regulations and policies for remediation methods for elevated radon gas and also informs building tenants of the test results. The issue of ground sourced gases, such as radon gas, is also addressed in the Manitoba Building Code to which AM adheres.
Additionally, the health risk from elevated radon gas exposure is accumulated over many decades of continual exposure, and there is little if any risk to tenants or visitors to AM facilities.

Testing and Evaluation Guidelines:

 
 
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