Residents at the John M. Parrott Centre (JMPC) long-term care home won't have to endure the summer heat any longer in the further reaches of the building.
A new project proposed by Angela Malcolm, director of Long Term Care Services at Lennox and Addington, will see six new HVAC units installed at the centre. Lennox and Addington County council decided to proceed with the new project and defer interior lighting replacement and call-bell enhancements until 2024.
Originally, $75,000 was budgeted for the interior LED lighting upgrade, and $40,000 was budgeted for a call-bell enhancement for a total of $115,000. Most of this will be re-allocated, with the purchase and installation of the six new HVAC units quoted at $112,000.
As of April 11, changes to the Fixing Long-Term Care Act (FLTCA) introduced a new $25,000 administrative monetary penalty for failing to ensure that air conditioning is installed, and in good working order each year. Homes are required to maintain temperatures at a minimum of 22 degrees Celsius. Temperatures are measured by the environmental services team in specific areas and documented at least once every morning, afternoon and night.
Currently, the JMPC has 10 HVAC units, two air exchange units, and one makeup air unit that supplies cooling to all common areas, resident rooms, corridors, and service areas. At the end of each hallway are large picture windows that allow significant heat from UV rays into this area. Resident rooms at the end of the hallways are more challenging to keep cool in the summer.
The units to be installed at the end of each hallway are for secondary air conditioning. These units would supply cooling without the need for an air exchange and reduce the demand on current building systems. Adding six new units will also enhance energy efficiency during the summer months and provide emergency backup in the event of an equipment malfunction or power failure.
Angela Malcolm, director of Long Term Care Services, explained how these new units would've been helpful during the time our area was filled with smoke from the wildfires.
"This system would've been able to have been maintained and continue running, so it would've provided a designated cooling area for our residents as well," said Malcom.
When heat alerts are issued by Environment Canada, JMPC has an "Extreme Heat Response Plan" that outlines tasks for all departments to follow to reduce the risk of heat-related stress. Windows and curtains are closed to reduce external thermal loads on the building, activities are moved inside, and residents are monitored for signs of heat-related illnesses.
A exact timeline for the installation has not been confirmed.
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