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Health and Safety
·
Exposure Monitoring and Assessment
· Industrial Hygiene and Indoor Air Quality Studies
· Mold Testing and Assessment Services
· Radon Testing
· OSHA Compliance Audits
· Training
PHASE
I ENVIRONMENTAL SITE ASSESSMENTS
The objective of a Phase I Environmental Site Assessment (ESA) is to assess
the presence of or potential for environmental concerns associated with
current and past Property use as well as potential impact to the Property
from off-site environmental concerns. The Phase I ESA consists of several
components, including the following: visual inspection, historical records
review, regulatory records database review, limited hazardous materials
assessment and specific, detailed recommendations for addressing or correcting
any identified concerns. With the aid of a Phase I ESA, property owners,
prospective buyers and lenders can fully understand the potential for
environmental impact to the site and evaluate the liability associated
with past or present site use and operations.
The
American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) Designation: E 1527-00,
Standard Practice for Environmental Site Assessments: Phase I Environmental
Site Assessment (Phase I ESA) standard evolved from the innocent landowner
defense. The standard defines good commercial and customary practice for
conducting environmental site assessments, and minimizes liability associated
with property acquisition. The ASTM scope of work consists of a thorough
visual inspection of the real estate and surrounding areas to observe
all physical features and establish the natural setting, including the
collection of any evidence of past and present environmental contamination.
It is in strict accordance with this standard, at minimum, that GUIDEWIRE
prepares each Phase I ESA.
To
meet the needs of buyers and sellers of real property, and to help protect
the interests of lenders by determining a site's condition in the context
of potential legal responsibilities and costs, GUIDEWIRE performs environmental
site assessments and property transfer audits of both vacant and improved
properties. The Phase I ESA is the most thorough assessment for ensuring
that you are obtaining commercial real estate without environmental worries.
To meet these demands, GUIDEWIRE developed a unique protocol to standardize
field data collection using handheld computers. Field data is electronically
transferred to our secure web-based central data resource and an automated
draft report is immediately obtainable. GUIDEWIRE's Senior Staff Members
then compile and review all final reports at our Technical Service Center.
To simplify the process of selecting a consultant and ordering due diligence
services, GUIDEWIRE created esaQuote.com, an internet site providing instant
online quotes for a variety of due diligence services, as well as allowing
you to order and contract for these services.
Sample
Report
TRANSACTION
SCREENS
The Transaction Screen assessment is a cursory review of the property
to identify potential for environmental impairment and consists of a site
visit, interviews and review of state and federal regulatory database
information. When used appropriately, this practice can provide beneficial
property information without the expense of conducting a complete Phase
I Environmental Site Assessment. Closely related to the Phase I ESA, the
purpose of completing a Transaction Screen is also to provide some basis
for the innocent landowner defense and to minimize liability associated
with property ownership. This practice is especially beneficial for lenders,
individuals considering properties for purchases, property trust managers,
and individuals conducting business transactions without the involvement
of a financial institution. The Transaction Screen quickly and affordably
provides all involved parties with general property information to mitigate
concerns regarding potential environmental impairment. In the event potential
for recognized environmental conditions is identified, a significant portion
of a Phase I ESA has been completed and a full Phase I can be prepared
at a substantially lower cost.
Sample Report
ENVIRONMENTAL
SCAN
When you have adequate knowledge of current and historical property use,
but want to ensure that your property or nearby properties are not listed
with state or federal regulatory agencies, and subsequently subject to
potential environmental impairment or regulation, an Environmental Scan
is recommended. The environmental scan is a detailed review of state and
federally listed facilities located within an approximate 1.0-mile radius
of the subject Property. An environmental professional experienced in
interpreting the state and federally accumulated data will map the coordinates
of your property and obtain a compilation report for that area. This report
includes a summary of all listed sites within the 1.0-mile radius and
also provides general geological information, such as soil type, groundwater
availability and radon potential. Upon analyzing the data provided, a
letter report summarizing the findings and any potential concerns identified
will be provided. The environmental scan offers our clients the same level
of regulatory review provided in a Phase I ESA, without the historical
research and site reconnaissance.
Sample
Report
PHASE
II ENVIRONMENTAL SITE ASSESSMENTS
Often Phase I ESAs identify environmental concerns related to historical
property use or activities on nearby properties that require additional
investigation before a determination can be made regarding the environmental
condition of a property. In these instances, a Phase II ESA is recommended.
The environmental concerns addressed may include asbestos, lead-based
paint, radon or other indoor air quality issues. However, most Phase II
ESAs are performed because of potential subsurface impact to the Property
from the use or storage of chemicals and petroleum products and involve
the installation of soil borings using a hydraulic probe or rotary drill
rig and the collection of soil and groundwater samples. Soil samples are
examined for evidence of contamination and may be screened in the field
using handheld instruments or test kits. Based on the field examination,
selected soil samples are submitted to accredited laboratories for contaminant
analysis. Depending on site conditions, groundwater samples may also be
collected and analyzed. Any identified contaminant concentrations are
compared to applicable and relevant standards and the requirements or
necessity of additional investigation are evaluated. At the request of
the client and depending on the scope of the investigation, general cost
estimates for the abatement or remediation may also be provided.
CONTAMINATION
ASSESSMENTS
Advanced contamination assessments are performed on properties that have
identified contamination. These assessments are usually defined by state
regulatory agencies and are performed in accordance with state-specific
assessment standards. The assessments often involve extensive interaction
with regulators charged with oversight and approval of site assessment
work. These assessments generally include numerous soil borings and the
installation of groundwater monitoring wells to define the lateral and
vertical extent of contamination. Soil and groundwater aquifer properties
are also evaluated through physical testing. The contamination assessment
results are used to evaluate the necessity and advisability of remediation
and provide estimated costs of any proposed remedial project.
RISK
ASSESSMENTS
In many instances a Risk Assessment is performed instead of traditional
advanced contamination assessments. The scope of the Risk Assessment is
often defined by state regulatory agencies but generally involves the
collection of data on the extent of contamination, the nature of near
surface soil and groundwater, and an evaluation of area development. GuideWire
is familiar with local, state and federal requirements for site assessments
including Risk Assessments in accordance with ASTM Standard E 1739. The
Risk Assessment considers the physical and chemical characteristics of
the contaminant and projects the contaminant migration based on size and
location of the source and the location and composition of potential migratory
pathways. The final evaluation takes into account the proximity of potential
contaminant receptors and evaluates the risk or threat posed to those
receptors by the defined contamination.
ASBESTOS
& LEAD ASSESSMENTS
Asbestos is a general term applied to a wide variety of naturally occurring
fibrous minerals. Because asbestos is strong, incombustible and corrosion-resistant,
it was widely used in buildings constructed prior to 1975. Unfortunately
the unique physical characteristics of asbestos that make it a good building
material are the same characteristics that make it harmful. When inhaled,
asbestos fibers can cause serious health problems. Although many substances
are listed as suspected carcinogens, asbestos is one of the few substances
that are a proven carcinogen. For these reasons, federal, state and local
governments now regulate the use and removal of ACM.
Lead
contamination occurs from its historical use in paint and residual presence
in dust and soil. Lead dust is especially dangerous to children and women
who are (or wish to become) pregnant. Many buildings built before 1978
contain some lead-based paint. Lead-based paint is not hazardous if properly
maintained; but, when lead-based paint deteriorates, chalks or is disturbed
during renovation, remodeling, or routine maintenance, it creates an invisible,
tasteless, and odorless toxic lead dust. Most cases of lead poisoning
are caused by exposure to this dust.
Consequently,
one of the most universal environmental problems facing property owners
today is the potential presence of asbestos and lead in building materials
and other media. Because asbestos and lead are highly regulated by federal,
state and local government agencies, it is extremely important to know
that all suspect materials are being addressed in accordance with all
applicable regulations. For this very reason, in addition to safety and
health issues, certified and licensed industry professionals should perform
all asbestos and lead projects.
GUIDEWIRE
specializes in performing surveys, project design and abatement project
management for asbestos and lead projects. Our staff has been trained
by US EPA and HUD accredited training providers, and has been providing
clients with accurate, cost-effective solutions to asbestos and lead-based
paint needs over the past two decades. With nearly 50 years of combined
project experience, our team of professionals has performed hazardous
materials assessments on more than 100 million square feet of commercial,
industrial and educational property, and has designed and managed asbestos
and lead paint abatement activities for more than 3,500 projects.
The
use of our Project Management Staff and National Affiliates allows us
to provide a timely response to all project needs located throughout the
country. These personnel maintain all required personnel and corporate
certifications to successfully complete every aspect of lead and asbestos
projects in accordance with all applicable federal, state and local laws
and regulations. Our experience and industry and regulatory knowledge
make us the logical choice in assessing and handling all aspects of asbestos
and lead-based paint projects.
DESIGN
AND REMEDIATION
Once the extent of contamination has been defined and the necessity of
remediation is determined, a remedial design is developed that incorporates
the best available technology for contaminant remediation while considering
the physical properties and development of the site. The remedial design
and implementation are often performed in conjunction with state-funded
or voluntary cleanup programs and those programs generally dictate the
final form of the remediation.
The
technology involved in the cleanup of contaminated property is ever evolving.
GuideWire's senior staff stays current with changes in the industry to
insure that our client's remedial needs are being addressed utilizing
the best available technology. We are also cognizant of the fact that
the design of these advanced engineering projects often requires review,
certification and approval by state-licensed individuals. We are constantly
evaluating our affiliate needs to insure that we are able to provide all
necessary licensure and certification across the country.
STORAGE
TANK CONSULTING
Underground storage tanks (UST) have historically contributed to a substantial
number of contaminated sites. It has been estimated that one-quarter to
one-third of all UST systems have leaked. During the 1990s, federal and
state regulations dictated the upgrade, replacement or removal of many
UST systems and these system modifications will continue as long as USTs
are utilized for the storage of chemicals and petroleum products.
System
replacement may involve new USTs or an aboveground storage tank (AST)
installation. Remaining UST systems periodically require modification
and testing to evaluate their integrity and, as systems age, tank removal
is eventually required. Tank removal involves excavating the tank and
evaluating potential leakage. This evaluation may be purely visual or
may involve the use of handheld instruments and field test kits. Regulated
UST removals are performed in accordance with strict state-specific standards
that usually require the collection and analysis of samples and the preparation
of a UST Closure Report. Where environmental contamination is identified,
a remedial evaluation is performed to determine whether immediate cleanup
is possible or if a more extensive assessment, design and remediation
project is required. Whenever contaminant levels are identified that exceed
state-specific action levels, reporting to applicable regulatory agencies
is mandated. GuideWire continually works with the client to insure that
all appropriate notifications are made, both prior to any UST removal
or modification project and subsequent to the identification of reportable
contamination.
GuideWire's
staff has removed, upgraded and replaced USTs in more than 20 states.
We have worked extensively with state-funded cleanup programs to provide
clients with reimbursement for UST work, whenever possible. Most importantly,
we work with our clients to provide practical, cost effective solutions
to UST and remedial concerns.
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