CP Environmental Group -

Asbestos Inspection, Abatement Management and Demolition Oversight for Residences and Skating Rink

RAIL TRANSIT COMPANY

Indiana, pennsylvania

The CP Environmental Group (CPEG) team provided asbestos inspection, asbestos abatement management and demolition oversight services at various properties purchased by our client.  These properties included residential dwellings, a trailer, and a former skating rink. 

The CPEG team’s involvement in this site included the following tasks. 

• Performed an asbestos survey in accordance with the United States Environmental Protection Agency (U.S. EPA) National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAP) requirements of all the site buildings.  Prepared a summary report of the type and location of asbestos containing materials within the site buildings and provided a hazard assessment ranking.  The various types of asbestos containing materials sampled included transite siding, various types of floor coverings, duct insulation, seam sealant and roof tar. 
• Conducted project management and oversight during demolition activities to ensure/document that work was completed in accordance with the client’s demolition specification.

Total cost of project: $46,950

Indoor Air Quality Support Services (Asbestos, Mold, Lead-Based Paint, Silica) and Mold Abatement Management

ACTIVE school district CLASSROOM BUILDING

PITTSBURGH, Pennsylvania

A Pittsburgh Area School District contracted CP Environmental Group (CPEG) to respond to potential environmental issues caused by a lightning strike and storm that resulted in roof damage (chimney collapse) and subsequent water intrusion at one of their district buildings.  During the initial site visit, it was evident that multiple classrooms and hallways (8^th and 6^th floors) were affected.  Dust and debris from the structural damage and water staining were visible.  Duquesne School District requested that CPEG assist in evaluating relative Indoor Air Quality (IAQ), by sampling and interpreting analytical results and making recommendations for re‑occupying the affected areas.

Based on the observations made during the initial visit, CPEG developed a sampling plan for the affected areas.  Because the chimney materials broke through the roof and through the 8^th and 6^th floors, it was decided to sample for asbestos, both airborne and dust, similar to work conducted under the Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act (AHERA) standard following abatement in schools.  CPEG also sampled both airborne and dust for lead and silica, due to potential lead-based paint and silica from the brick dust.  Additionally, because of the water intrusion, sampling for mold growth was included.  Airborne spore trap, viable aerosol, wall cavity spore trap, and swab samples were collected.

CPEG’s sampling activities were coordinated with Heating Ventilation Air Conditioning (HVAC) repairs, roof repairs and clean-up contractors.  Initial analytical results indicated that it was safe for the contractors working at the site.  Additional sampling and analyses indicated that asbestos, lead and silica were not present at harmful levels.  However, as repairs were completed, the data began to indicate that mold spore counts were increasing.  The affected areas were kept isolated, and more investigation/sampling for mold was conducted.  The data directed us to look in specific areas for moisture and subsequent mold growth.  Several areas of moisture and mold growth were identified.  Materials in these areas were either removed and replaced or chemically cleaned/treated and dried out.  Subsequent sampling and analysis indicated a decreasing trend in mold spore counts to below levels of concern.

Total cost of project: $73,500

CPEG Business Solutions… Yield Advantages   

CPEG responded the same day to the school district’s request for assistance.  A sampling plan for asbestos, lead, mold and silica was developed and implemented within 3 days.  CPEG evaluated the initial results to determine safety for contractors, enabling them to make repairs concurrently with additional testing and evaluation.  This project was completed on a fast track to determine if the air quality in the undamaged areas could be cleared for the impending start of the school year, resulting in a school year start delay of only 3 days, with only 3 classrooms and part of one hallway closed to access, mostly due to structural damage/repairs.Through appropriate sampling and data evaluation, CPEG was able to identify hidden mold growth areas, provide removal/cleanup and reduce the mold spore count to acceptable levels for re-occupying the space with a potential savings of up to $100,000 in repair costs.

CPEG was sensitive the to district’s need to get the school opened/ready for the school year balanced with the need to ensure the safety of the site repair crews and, ultimately, the students attending the school.  Teamwork involving CPEG personnel working closely with the facilities manager, District Superintendent, insurance carrier, and repair/clean up contractors enabled project success.  Due to CPEG’s quick and appropriate actions, no student, parent, worker and teacher complaints were lodged regarding IAQ during or after the assessment and clean up activities.

Asbestos Inspection and Asbestos Abatement Management

ACTIVE REFINERY SITE

WARREN, Pennsylvania

The CPEG team provided asbestos inspection and asbestos abatement management services at an operating refinery owned by United Refining located in Warren, Pennsylvania.  This work was performed as a subcontractor to the demolition contractor, Francis J. Palo.  Before beginning site work, all personnel successfully completed the United Refining training/safety orientation.

CPEG performed asbestos surveys in accordance with the United States Environmental Protection Agency (U.S. EPA) National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAP) requirements of the buildings and process equipment (i.e. piping, tanks, etc.) designated for demolition at the United Refining plant.  This work was performed during normal business hours (while the refinery was operating). 

CPEG prepared summaries of materials sampled for asbestos content including the locations of confirmed asbestos containing materials within the refinery.  Field sketches of areas designated for abatement were prepared and asbestos containing material quantities were calculated.  CPEG then assisted United Refining in defining the abatement scope of work.

Project management and oversight was performed by CPEG during the removal of various types of asbestos containing materials including approximately 13,000 linear feet of various size diameter pipe insulation, approximately 5,000 square feet of transite siding, two 60 foot towers and piping associated with the PDA unit, and approximately 14,400 square feet of galbestos siding, along with steam line gaskets, floor tile, roof tar and window caulking.  CPEG also performed air monitoring of workers during abatement activities, including background, personal, perimeter and clearance sampling.

Total cost of project:  $280,000

CPEG Business Solutions… Yield Advantages   

“Downtime” during abatement activities (i.e., building containments, waiting for air samples, etc.) was converted to productive time for the CPEG environmental technician at the site.  This time was filled by performing value-added activities such as collecting additional bulk samples, identifying other areas within the plant that were in need of repair or ground clean-up, and/or completed hand sketches of ACM locations to be used for future bidding purposes.  In addition, although contracted on a time and materials, not-to-exceed basis, CPEG completed all task orders under budget.

Asbestos Abatement and Bird Dropping Remediation

Occupied Retail facility and Restaurant

WILMINGTON, Deleware

CPEG was contracted to determine the requirements for removing bird droppings intermixed with asbestos containing materials in the upstairs of a building that houses an active pharmacy and restaurant on the first floor.  The CPEG project manager researched the requirements, became knowledgeable of the health effects and remediation methods to avoid hystoplasmosis contact/infection during bird dropping removal, coordinated/discussed remedial procedures with the local Health Department and contracted/managed the asbestos abatement and bird dropping remediation concurrently.  Work plans were submitted to the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC), Delaware Public Health, and the City of Wilmington Licensing and Inspection Office before beginning each phase of the project for their review and approval. 

The areas abated/remediated during this project included: asbestos abatement and bird dropping remediation in the second floor and penthouse; asbestos abatement of floor tile in the basement; asbestos abatement of floor tile within the restaurant; asbestos abatement of pipe insulation in the boiler room; and above-ceiling vacuuming activities on the first floor.  Approximately 6,100 square feet of floor tile and associated mastic, 500 square feet of transite wallboard, and 485 linear feet of pipe insulation were abated at the site.  Approximately 400 square feet of the floor tile, 500 square feet of the transite wallboard and 430 feet of the pipe insulation abated were also associated with bird dropping removal.

Portions of the site work were conducted at night to avoid disruption of the restaurant and pharmacy during normal business hours.  Successful coordination/interaction with the restaurant owner (who leased space from our client) was a key element in the successful completion of this project.  The air quality reports and abatement/remediation documentation were provided in a letter report to the client.  The night work portion of the abatement was completed two days ahead of schedule, saving the client additional costs for hired security on those nights.

Total cost of project:  $60,000

CPEG Business Solutions… Yield Advantages   

Successful completion of the project required CPEG coordination with the location manager and restaurant owner in addition to the client, subcontractors and regulatory agencies involved.  CPEG not only completed this project ahead of schedule for night-shift work, but also saved the client approximately 10% overall project costs as compared to competing bids for the work. Additional areas of the site were identified for asbestos abatement and awarded to CPEG based on our performance on the first phase of the project.