A report detailing problems at the Hooksett Safety Center proposes between $500,000 and $3.5 million in repairs.

The building housing the police and fire stations has been plagued with problems since it was built in 1996, with leaks and other issues. The report notes these problems can result in “sick building syndrome,” a term used to describe situations in which building occupants can experience acute health effects that are linked to time spent in a building.

“Right now we are reviewing the report and will be coming back to the (Town) Council with further recommendations for next steps,” said Town Administrator Carol Granfield.

“The costs in the report are broad estimates and we really need to hire a construction manager to work with the architect to review and fine tune what is needed and cost estimates.”

Granfield said she is also pursuing energy grants to assist in paying for the fixes.

On March 5, with the Building Forensic Team, the H.L. Turner Group Inc. conducted a complete evaluation of the building’s overall condition and systems. In their report, the professional engineering and architectural group identified the primary cause of the building’s flaws a product of poor building construction detailing practices and no provision for air sealing at the structure’s perimeter envelope. The company predicts even more building failures if the structure’s current needs aren’t addressed.

In its report, the building forensic team addressed concerns about three areas – the safety center’s offices, stair tower and apparatus bays.

The report said the major point of concern surrounding the center’s offices are related to the environment’s air quality and pertinent life/safety of the occupants. The proposal estimated the lowest cost option for office repairs to be around $500,000; the accelerated cost option would reach $1 million.

Among the many changes proposed to ensure the office’s safe air quality are work on the building’s insulation and storm drainage system.

Amendments to the building’s stair tower were also proposed in the report. The changes, carrying a lowest cost option of $250,000 and an accelerated cost option of $500,000 would address problems with air ventilation and drainage issues.

The proposal’s final and most expensive alterations were linked to the building’s apparatus bays. Estimated costs were between $750,000 and $1.5 million. The major change proposed to the facility’s apparatus bays are to its roofing assembly. Where a new roofing system isn’t required, the report recommended that all the structure’s lap sealants should receive new sealant coverings, as they show signs of fatigue. This process would ensure the full 20-year useful life of the roof system.