Construction Business Owner, March 2008

There are a wide variety of environmental investigation techniques that may be desired or required for new construction and remodeling. Each type of assessment has a different purpose and an ideal time frame to help answer questions without stalling the project. Unfortunately, at present, there is no such thing as a “tri-corder,” a device used in the Star Trek television series that determined types of life forms, genetic structure, chemical makeup and a risk assessment when pointed at any area of interest.

Instead, environmental professionals have a dizzying array of devices and techniques that are used for the investigation. It is rarely a simple matter of collecting the test information. Assessment criterion and the equipment used are frequently complicated to the point that specialists may be needed for each of the different types of scans. There are several types of environmental investigations that can be performed and different tools and timing issues that generally apply to new construction or remodeling. Timing can be crucial. If you have the assessment performed at the wrong time, the results might be misleading or invalid. And if it is too early, then it may need to be repeated. If it is performed too late, delays or even deconstruction to affect repairs may be needed.

Planning Ahead

Long before the construction process begins, various site assessment activities can help guide the design or even hasten the project. A project can be stopped after groundbreaking if prior site assessments required to satisfy the Endangered Species Act, historic preservation or to identify hazardous wastes have not been performed. Other considerations may include geotechnical applications for earthquake faults, expansive clay soils and percolation tests for septic, drainage and water quality if a well is necessary. Existing buildings may need to be assessed for lead, asbestos, PCBs and a variety of hazardous materials depending on how the building has been used. The initial hazardous site assessment is usually called a Phase 1 inspection. It typically consists of a visual inspection, history and a records search to determine the necessity for more in-depth, focused environmental investigations and a sampling known as a Phase 2 assessment.

Construction documents should clearly indicate the environmental goals and requirements for a project. Environmental inclusions for construction projects should be included as a part of the design and planning process and can become major bottlenecks when added as an afterthought or after a realization that they have been neglected. Visual monitoring is frequently the least costly, most effective environmental evaluation technique but requires a well-trained keen observer (filling the roll of Captain Kirk’s “science officer” in Star Trek.) This observer may not know all the answers, but they know where and how to get those answers. The following are some of the environmental conditions and investigation techniques with which this specialist must be familiar. 

Asbestos and Lead Inspections

The problems of asbestos and lead are generally associated with remodeling projects, although toys aren’t the only types of imported materials that may be contaminated with lead, asbestos or other hazardous conditions. Contrary to popular belief, the use of asbestos was never formally banned. The exclusion of asbestos has been a voluntary agreement reached by manufacturers.

Even when the use of a hazard is banned, contaminated materials can still work their way into the supply stream. So even with new materials, an evaluation by a knowledgeable and qualified environmental consultant may be needed. Asbestos and lead regulations vary dramatically in different parts of the country and include a maze of federal, state and local requirements, which frequently involve the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), air quality boards and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). Certification for asbestos inspection and consultation is generally a must. Remodeling projects involving lead and asbestos may require involvement with a certified consultant throughout the project.

Electrical, Electronic and Thermal Evaluations

Environmental evaluations may also be necessary for a variety of performance requirements. A building that is used as a recording studio, medical facility or with sensitive electronic equipment or computers may need evaluations for electromagnetic interference. Pre-evaluation of the site is important. This will help facilitate identification of problems early so that they can be corrected with little interruption in construction progress is important. Evaluation should include the following:

• Appropriate design considerations
• Measurements of the electromagnetic field and radio frequency after the power system is able to be placed under load but prior to finishing work
• Safety covers

 

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