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ASBESTOS RELATED SERVICES
Asbestos Surveys
Air Monitoring
Exposure Assessments
Corrective Action Procedures
Specifications and Requirements
Design Plans
Training Programs
Design of Operations and Management Control Guidance
Program
ACM & Environmental Services, Inc. (ACM&ESI), provides
comprehensive asbestos-related consulting services designed to
encompass both an efficient and cost-effective methods in
accomplishing successful project resolutions. Monitoring and
maintenance costs associated with abatement and remediation
procedure represent a substantial portion of project costs. By
reducing the project life, substantial savings can be achieved.
ACM & Environmental's asbestos-related services include:
BUILDING SURVEYS
Asbestos surveys may be performed to different levels of
confidence using different levels of effort. A typical survey
includes a review of pertinent available building plans and
specifications to determine the type of construction and materials
specified. A walk-through of the facility and sampling of building
materials suspected of containing asbestiform minerals are
performed. The sampled materials are analyzed for the presence
of asbestiform minerals utilizing Polarized Light Microscopy (PLM)
techniques. The intent of this survey is not to locate all
asbestos-containing materials, or define their extent, but to
determine if these materials are present. Further sampling and
survey work may be required if asbestos-containing materials are
found in the building. A hazardous risk assessment and
quantification is made of each asbestos-containing material to
prioritize the materials for immediate abatement, as well as future
removal of all asbestos-containing materials. The results of this
survey can be used as the basis for abatement decisions, taking
into account building occupancy and use, as well as planned
renovations.
SPECIFICATIONS
Specifications generally refer to documents that are generated for
the purpose of performing the asbestos abatement work. The
technical specifications generally address summary of work,
project meetings, submittals, laboratory testing services, and
asbestos removal.
PROJECT MANUAL
A Project Manual consists of a complete set of documents that
can be used in obtaining bids for the work and a basis for
administering the project. The Project Manual generally includes
Bid Documents, a list of pre-qualified contractors experienced in
similar asbestos abatement work, the general and supplementary
conditions, contractual forms, and the technical specifications
which address removal and disposal of asbestos and associated
mechanical, electrical and other works.
ABATEMENT PROJECTS
The abatement services may include contract administration,
abatement and air monitoring. All are geared toward helping
achieve a level of abatement commensurate with the financial
constraints of the building owner while minimizing the exposure of
people in the facility to asbestos-containing materials.
ABATEMENT AND AIR MONITORING
Abatement and air monitoring services include daily work
observation of the contractor's activities to determine if the
specifications to State and Federal Regulations are being complied with
and to obtain air samples to establish if the airborne fiber concentration
are within acceptable limits. Reports are prepared daily during this
part of the job and monitoring personnel interface with the contractor and
the project administration personnel to aid in resolving potential problems
before they become major problems. The analysis of the air samples are
generally performed on site.
OPERATIONS AND MAINTENANCE PROGRAM
An Operations and Maintenance Program is a method to minimize
exposure to the building occupants from asbestos-containing
materials while minimizing liability to the owner. Generally this type
of program is set up to take care of situations when some of the
asbestos-containing materials are not scheduled for immediate
removal. This consists of developing a procedural manual, to be
used by employees, which outlines emergency procedures,
training, inspections, testing and recordkeeping. This allows the
building to operate in the interim period between problem
recognition and eventual removal of the asbestos-containing
materials.
EMPLOYEE TRAINING PROGRAM
The employee training program is developed to present a general
introduction to asbestos to building management, maintenance
and engineering staff. Its primary purpose is to protect staff
personnel and tenants who might come in contact with
asbestos-containing materials during maintenance activities. The
training program is divided into three phases:
Asbestos Awareness Program
Personal Protection Program
Hands-On Training
As a part of the program an employee training manual is prepared
that is tailored to the unique conditions of the facility. This training
manual and training can also form a part of the Operations and
Maintenance Program.
AHERA BULK SAMPLE SURVEYS
ACM&ESI's Licenced IDEM asbestos inspectors conduct
thorough AHERA style surveys for clients when their projects
become applicable under EPA 40 CFR 763 Appendix C to
Subpart E Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act of 1986
(AHERA). In Indiana, IDEM, Office of Air Management receives
management plans for review and conducts some inspections for
the EPA. AHERA style surveys also encompass the requirements
of the OSHA Construction Industry Asbestos Standard 29 CFR
1926.1101.
A hazardous risk assessment using the AHERA definition of
(significantly damaged, damaged, or good condition),
determination of friability class, and defining the homogeneous
areas is made of each asbestos-containing material to prioritize
the materials for immediate abatement, as well as future removal
of the asbestos-containing materials. Asbestos containing
material quantities are obtained for each asbestos containing
material at the time of the asbestos survey or inspection. The
results of this survey can be used as the basis for abatement
removal plans for planned renovations and demolitions.
NESHAP BULK SAMPLE RENOVATION OR DEMOLITION SURVEYS
ACM&ESI's Licenced asbestos inspectors conduct thorough
NESHAP surveys for clients when their projects become
applicable under EPA 40 CFR Subpart M, National Emission
Standard for a Hazardous Air Pollutant and enforced in Indiana by
the Department of Environmental Management (IDEM), Office of
Air Management.
ACM&ESI's asbestos inspectors conducting the NESHAP surveys
review pertinent available facility and building plans and
specifications to determine the type of construction and materials
specified. A walk-through of the facility or building is first
conducted in order to assess the project site. A sampling strategy
is then devised by the asbestos inspector, only the affected areas
are inspected. Sampling of materials suspected of containing
asbestiform minerals is then performed and logged into the chain
of custody sheet. The sampled materials are analyzed for the
presence of asbestiform minerals in accordance with the "Interim
Method for the Determination of Asbestos in Bulk Samples" found
in Appendix E to Subpart E in 40 CFR Part 763. utilizing Polarized
Light Microscopy (PLM) techniques by an approved NVLAP
laboratories. ACM&ESI will obtain quality assurance/quality control
samples and analyzed by one of our other approved
subcontractor laboratories.
LIMITED ASBESTOS BULK SAMPLE INSPECTIONS
ACM&ESI's Licenced IDEM asbestos inspectors conduct
thorough limited style asbestos bulk sample inspections for clients
when their projects become applicable under the requirements of
the OSHA Construction Industry Asbestos Standard 29 CFR
1926.1101.
ACM&ESI's asbestos inspectors conducting the limited asbestos
inspections review pertinent available facility and building plans
and specifications to determine the type of construction and
materials specified. A walk-through of the facility or building is first
conducted in order to assess the project site. A sampling strategy
following the OSHA Construction Industry Asbestos Standard 29
CFR 1926.1101 paragraph (k) Communication of hazards (5) (i)
criteria to rebut the designation of installed material as Presumed
Asbestos Containing Material (PACM) is then devised by the
asbestos inspector. Sampling of surfacing materials, thermal
system insulation, miscellaneous material and suspect non-friable
materials that have not been assumed to be asbestos containing
minerals is then performed and logged into the chain of custody
sheet. The sampled materials are analyzed for the presence of
asbestiform minerals utilizing PLM techniques by one of our
approved NVLAP laboratories in accordance with the "Interim
Method for the Determination of Asbestos in Bulk Samples" found
in Appendix E to Subpart E in 40 CFR Part 763. Quality
assurance/quality control samples will be obtained and analyzed
following the same guidelines by one of our approved
subcontractor laboratories.