asbestos roof shingles
Asbestos Consulting

 

The 1989 United States EPA ban on the use of asbestos for new construction significantly increased public awareness regarding the dangers of asbestos and other contaminants. BEC is dedicated to working with property owners to ensure the safe and timely removal of asbestos hazards and other contaminants that are a threat to human health and property values.

Renovations to residential, commercial, medical and industrial properties trigger asbestos inspections, particularly when they are not included as part of the initial Phase I Assessment. If the property in question was built prior to 1980, then it is highly likely the asbestos was used in some form during its original construction.

In addition to educating property owners and developers as to the dangers of asbestos and how to identify it on their properties, BEC also works directly with ownership to coordinate remediation plans for its safe and thorough removal.

BEC, as environmental building consultants, offer a range of services that specifically address the issue of asbestos management including but not limited to:

  • ACP 5 / ACP 7 Investigations & Filings
  • Material Sampling & Laboratory Analysis
  • Hazard Assessment & Management Planning
  • Design & Third Party Monitoring of Abatement Projects
  • Air Sampling & Testing
  • Project & Exposure Monitoring
  • Post-Clearance Testing
  • Operations & Maintenance Plan
mold and air testing

 

Indoor Air Quality

Effective October 13, 2009 the Department of Buildings and the Department of Environmental Protection require that all building owners enlist the services of an outside air monitoring firm to perform all sampling and analysis relating to Asbestos projects.  

 

Department of Environmental Protection Promulgation of Chapter 1 of Title 15 of the Rules of the City of New York: Governing the Asbestos Control Program   "Sampling and analysis shall be performed by a third party who is contracted by the building owner, holds a current NYSDOL asbestos handling license, and is completely independent of all parties involved in the asbestos project. The third party who conducts air sampling on an asbestos project shall not be a subcontractor of the abatement contractor, and shall not have any business, personal, or other relationship with the abatement contractor. The building owner shall select and hire the air monitoring firm without recommendation or reference from the abatement contractor." Visit the DOB site to read the full regulation.

Indoor Air Quality Assessments:

  • Testing of Pollutants
  • Assessment of Ventilation System
  • Evaluation of Heating and Cooling Systems
  • Sampling of Mold Spores and Bacteria
 

mold		 Mold
 

You may be familiar with terms "Sick Building Syndrome" (SBS) and "Building Related" Illness (BRI). These terms are used to describe buildings in which its residents or office workers experience acute and reoccurring health issue linked to possible airborne building contaminants such as mold.


"The Key to Mold Control is Moisture Control!" - U.S. Environmental Protection Agency


As long as oxygen and moisture are present, you will find mold. Mold is a natural organism that is present everywhere and survives practically undetected - unless tested. For the most part, it is benign; however problems may arise when mold takes root in a home or the workplace. Spores and chemicals released by mold in in-door environments can cause allergic or asthmatic reactions in some people, especially those with compromised immune systems as they are at higher risk for complications and infections.


Moisture can build up in a building as a result of water damage from weather conditions, fire or faulty plumbing. It can provide a prime breeding ground for mold and bacterial growth and can be a major contributing factor in a building's deteriorating air quality, as too much moisture can lead to an increase in mold and thus an increase in respiratory illness and infection.

Responsible property owners concerned about mold or those who would like to test their current levels should call BEC. Our licensed professionals will schedule and perform an inspection of your property and meet with you to discuss results and safe best-practiced solutions.

Mold Investigations:

  • Resident Questionnaire
  • Visual Inspections
  • Bulk, Swab and Air Sampling
  • Decontamination
  • Ambient Air Monitoring
  • Remediation Oversight
  • Post Remediation Testing
  • Moisture Control Plans
lead paint Lead Services
If the property they own was constructed or substantially renovated prior to 1978, there is a high probability that lead-based paint was used on many of the walls and surfaces. Whether it's an early 19th century town house, building, or an inner-city apartment complex, the likelihood of lead-based products having been used is fairly high.

The 'Residential Lead-Based Paint Hazard Reduction Act of 1992', often referred to as Title X, emphasizes the serious risks of lead to human health, while outlining new Federal requirements to help eliminate those risks

Using the latest in field and laboratory technologies, BEC's goal is to work diligently and professionally with property owners to both educate them as to potential sources, limit exposure to lead, and access other potential hazardous materials.

  • Annual Monitoring and Maintenance (O&M) Programs
  • Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy (AASD) Analysis
  • Lead Based Paint Inspections & Risk Assessments
  • Lead Clearance Testing
  • Local Law 1 Compliance
  • OSHA Lead-Safe Work Practices & Respiratory Protection Programs
  • Project Design & Remediation Planning
  • Surface Dust Wipe Sampling
  • X-Ray Fluorescence (XRF) Inspections & Exception
 

blue prints

 

Project Monitoring

BEC offers extensive project monitoring services pertaining to all Asbestos abatement projects. Our project monitoring services guarantee swift assessment and resolution of all problems that may arise throughout the course of your abatement projects. Our expertise in this area aims to successfully prevent any effect these problems may have on project safety and productivity. Our goal is to ensure that projects progress in agreement with all applicable specifications and laws attributed to Asbestos abatement projects.

site assessment

Environmental Site Assessment


An Environmental Site Assessment (ESA) is a three phase process issued in order to address and ultimately remediate any potential environmental adversities posed by a given construction site. The main purpose of the ESA is to inform you of the true value of the property in questions, detailing any potential hazards that could lead to health and liability issues.

Phase I Environmental Site Assessment

A Phase I ESA is performed in order to evaluate whether there is potential for any adverse environmental issues for a given property and should be performed any time you purchase a commercial or industrial property. The goal of the Phase I ESA is to make sure the property owner is aware of any soil or groundwater contamination caused by previous use or neighboring sites. It culminates in a comprehensive report following the ASTM E1527-05 including assessment of:

 
  • Inspection of the subject property
  • Review of significant records for evidence of present and historical use of the subject and adjacent properties
  • Interviews with current owners and occupants and local government officials
  • Produce a report analyzing findings

If the Phase I ESA suggests that environmental pollution is likely and sampling for soil or groundwater contamination should be pursued, the Environmental Site Assessment will progress to Phase II.

Phase II Environmental Site Assessment

In a Phase II ESA, the actual presence or absence of adverse environmental impact is determined through sample collection and chemical analysis. While Phase I ESAs should be performed for all newly purchased properties, Phase II ESAs are only performed when the Phase I assessment indicates that there is significant potential for the presence of environmental liabilities to affect the value of the property as well as generate health concerns.

The Phase II ESA is an initial analysis of soil and groundwater in order to determine if there is contamination and, if there is, the extent to which it has spread. If contamination is found to be particularly saturated, exceeding federal, state of local cleanup or heath risk standards, an additional site assessment is required in order to determine the size of the contamination plume. This assessment is performed to determine if contamination has spread off site as civil liabilities could arise.

Upon determination of the extent of the contamination, remediation is pursued in a Phase III ESA.

Phase II Environmental Site Assessment

Finally, a Phase III ESA evaluates the extent of the environmental impact and determines what course of action must be taken in order to perform site remediation.
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