Client: PanAsia Architects and Engineers -- Asbestos Management and Development of Operations and Management Plan at Marine Corps Base-Butler and Marine Corps Air Station, Futenma, Japan

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers contracted with PanAsia Architects and Engineers (PanAsia) to develop an asbestos operations and maintenance (O&M) plan as part of a base maintenance engineering support contract. In providing environmental support services, SCS previously subcontracted with PanAsia on projects in Japan and Okinawa, and prepared asbestos O&M documents for these Marine Corps facilities.

PanAsia's contract included updating base maintenance records. The asbestos O&M document was to incorporate PanAsia's data to allow updated information to be included so that safe base operations and facility maintenance activities involving asbestos-containing materials (ACMs) would be achieved.

SCS visited base locations to verify existing conditions. Facility structures included offices, warehouse operations, and support systems which are typical of a military installation whose primary purpose is logistical support. Staff support systems, including on-base housing and recreation facilities, were also investigated. ACMs included friable and nonfriable materials.

The O&M plan contained program elements recommended by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and incorporated ACM requirements of the U.S. Final Governing Standards for overseas operations. Information regarding the management of various types of ACMs, the hazards associated with asbestos, its use in building materials, maintenance checklists, and applicable regulations was included in the plan.

Client: Confidential - Asbestos and Lead-based Paint Surveys

SCS was retained to perform two projects at two industrial-chemical facilities. These facilities consisted of chemical processing plants classed under the process management standard because of hazardous chemicals used in the manufacture of resins. The facilities contained high-pressure steam systems, high-temperature transfer fluids, reaction vessels, and collection, transfer, and product storage tanks. SCS personnel identified asbestos-containing materials and lead-based paint systems, and returned to each site to label pipe and tank systems where asbestos had been found.

During the field survey, over 400 material (bulk) samples were collected from suspect building materials, and over 150 samples were gathered from representative paint systems. In particular, tank and pipe systems with deteriorating insulation, and paint systems with peeling or delaminating paint, were investigated. SCS conducted this work in areas characterized by conditions that exist at other chemical processing plants, including thermal hazards and dangerous chemicals such as methanol, acids, and ammonia gas.

Asbestos was detected in many areas of each facility; however, insulation was not homogenous due to earlier removal and reinsulation efforts. Asbestos insulation was also identified as having been comingled with nonasbestos insulating products in several storage areas. Lead-based paint was located in both facilities on many structures. After compiling data, SCS returned to each site to label the pipe and tank systems where asbestos-containing materials were identified for future removal, encapsulation, and management by the client.

Client: Falkenberg/Gilliam & Associates - Asbestos Management of Apartment Buildings Damaged During the Northridge, California, Earthquake on January 17, 1994

Falkenberg/Gilliam & Associates operates several 10- to 13-story residential apartment units for senior citizens, and many of these structures sustained damage from the Northridge earthquake. SCS inspected the structures for asbestos-containing building materials (ACBMs), collected samples, and documented the location and condition of ACBMs. Inspection reports estimated the costs of removing or encapsulating and managing the materials. In conjunction with the structural engineer/contractor who was working on the project, various abatement efforts were developed for each structure, based on the amount of retrofit required and funds available. Several of the structures qualified for governmental assistance related to seismic upgrade and asbestos abatement.

SCS developed removal/encapsulation specifications and conducted pre-bid walks with pre-qualified abatement firms. We then reviewed bids for completeness. Abatement efforts ranged from total removal of all ACBMs in some structures, to spot removal and encapsulation in others. Abatement efforts were overseen by SCS personnel, and were coordinated with building engineers managing tenant relocation efforts, painting contractors, carpet installers, and other trades associated with this project. Air sampling was performed throughout the project to detect potential emissions, and full abatement at each site was well documented. All abatement efforts were completed within budget and time-schedule goals over a 2-year period.

Client: A Major Corrugated Paper Manufacturer - Site Characterization, Remediation Plan, and Implementation

To accommodate the pending sale of property, SCS expedited the assessment report review and remediation plan approval process with local regulatory officials. Asbestos-containing building materials (ACBMs) were identified at the facility. One of the larger structures, which measured 120 x 300 x 60 feet high, was clad with ACBMs. SCS prepared abatement specifications and conducted a bid walk with pre-qualified asbestos removal contractors. Due to hazards associated with removing the asbestos at considerable height, the abatement contractor's Health and Safety and Fall Protection programs were reviewed prior to proceeding with the project. SCS managed the entire ACBM removal effort from all structures, monitored the site for airborne asbestos fibers, and documented project activities. The abatement project was completed on schedule and without a release or an injury.

SCS also characterized the vertical and lateral extent of contamination from an underground gasoline storage tank that had been removed. Contaminated soil was detected directly adjacent to a building, and extended from approximately 20 to 40 feet below the surface. Further downward migration was halted by an impermeable clay layer at about 40 feet deep.

Due to logistical constraints, a caisson/bucket auger was used to remove material through the use of a "cookie-cutter" technique developed by SCS, followed by backfilling with a cement/sand slurry. In this way, contaminated soil was cored out to a 40-foot depth, without the need for a shoring or trenching permit.

Disposal costs were minimized, since only the contaminated soil was removed from the site. Moreover, SCS verified that remediation and disposal goals were achieved. SCS has successfully employed these innovative techniques to solve other remediation and removal problems.

Client: City of South Gate, Department of Public Works - Asbestos Management for the City of South Gate

SCS inspected the municipal auditorium, police station, city jail, city hall, and industrial building for asbestos-containing building materials (ACBMs) in the City of South Gate. From each site, bulk samples of suspect building materials were collected. During site surveys, the location and condition of suspect building materials were documented. In cooperation with the City Engineering Department, abatement strategies were developed for each site. At the police station and city jail, these strategies were scheduled at night because of lower building occupancy and activities.

Reports of each investigation identified the types of asbestos-containing building materials that were present, their condition, location, and quantity, and options for their removal and management. Where appropriate, SCS prepared specifications to remove damaged friable ACBMs, conducted pre-bid site walks with abatement contractors, and assisted in contractor selection.

SCS conducted abatement oversight during the removal of friable ACBMs on hot water supply and return lines and ventilation ducting that were located in mechanical rooms (i.e., boiler rooms), plumbers alleys, and ceiling plenums within City facilities. Abatement of nonfriable ACBMs from large floor areas within the industrial building was also overseen. Air sampling performed by SCS throughout the project indicated that no episodes of fiber release occurred during abatement activities. The project was completed without complication and within the proposed time frame and budget.

Client: National Rifle Association, Fairfax, Virginia - Worker and Public Health Protection Program for Naturally Occurring Asbestos Earthwork Construction in Fairfax, Virginia

SCS was retained by the National Rifle Association (NRA) to develop a worker and public health protection program for naturally occurring asbestos that would be exposed when a portion of a parking garage was being remodeled into a firing range. The remodeling effort involved excavation beneath the garage and consequent exposure of the asbestos-bearing site soils. These soils contained asbestos, due to previous construction activities at the site (e.g., blasting of asbestos-containing rock, excavation, and other earthwork).

To aid the NRA, SCS helped to prepare construction specifications to address health concerns related to naturally occurring asbestos. For example, requirements were established for use of engineering controls (wetting soils), construction of plastic barriers to enclose garage areas subject to excavation, and creation of a temporary workers decontamination area. Requirements for worker training and conduct were also included.

Subsequently, SCS developed a comprehensive worker and public health protection program in accordance with applicable Fairfax County ambient air quality standards and OSHA requirements. General asbestos notification statements for people not involved in the construction activity, and hazard communication statements for construction workers outside the areas of excavation, were prepared and distributed. Construction workers who needed to enter excavated areas were trained and medically examined, and were fit-tested for respirator use. SCS provided an on-site coordinator to conduct the training, perform ambient air and worker breathing zone air sampling, document daily field conditions, and prepare a weekly monitoring report for submission to the County. Upon conclusion of the excavation, SCS provided oversight for related cleaning activities, and conducted clearance sampling to enable unrestricted access to the garage.