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Environmental Assessment

PHASE I SITE ASSESSMENTS

Building Consultants, Inc. can provide the following Phase I Environmental Site Assessment services in accordance with ASTM E1527-00 guidelines:

An investigation of the facility including:

  • A site visit to the site and/or building(s) making arrangements with the borrower or property manager for access to secure areas to identify recognized environmental conditions that may be present at the site.
  • Conduct interviews to obtain relevant information from people knowledgeable about the site and surrounding area (property owners, site managers, tenants or other occupants of the property).
  • A review of specified standard environmental sources for Federal and State environmental regulatory data related to the presence of hazardous materials in the vicinity of the site. The ASTM standard stipulates minimum search distances for the various environmental records.
  • A historical review of other published and readily available resources dating back to the property’s obvious first developed use or back to 1940, whichever is earlier. These documents typically include aerial photographs, topographic maps, fire insurance maps, real estate atlases or city directories, property tax files, land title or deed records, building department records and permits, and zoning and/or land use records. Additional research required for a Phase II Environmental Site Assessment is not included.
  • A review of Physical Setting sources is to obtain information about the geologic, hydrogeologic, hydrologic, and topographic characteristics of a site.

Additional information to be provided to assist in the performance of our services, if available:

  • A plat showing site boundaries and existing and previous topography. Setting of property corner stakes may be necessary in certain instances, and
  • Chain of title for the subject property back to at least 1940 or such a date as required.
  • Available aerial photographs, old maps, and information concerning prior site usage, or usage of adjacent and abutting sites,
  • The location, type, and approximate size or quantity of known hazardous substances, and/or underground tanks on the subject site,
  • Any other data that would assist in our services, including but not limited to, geotechnical and environmental reports, toxic spill reports, water quality data from on-site or adjacent ponds, streams, rivers, or wells, and similar data,
  • Right of entry and access to adjacent and abutting properties where obtainable, and
  • Drafts of letters and/or statements that may be required by lender(s).

Unless specifically stated, surveying for line and grade, cost and quantity estimates, chemical laboratory testing, review of design and contract documents, or professional services not specifically noted are not included in this contract.

Provide an initial verbal report to you summarizing the overall impressions of the facility within 24 hours of the site visit and provide a written report.

Phase I Site Assessments Update

Building Consultants, Inc. can provide the following Phase I Environmental Site Assessment Update services in accordance with ASTM E1527-00 guidelines:

When a property that has previously been the subject of a Phase I assessment is involved in a new financial transaction, the parties involved in the transaction may agree to update the findings report instead of having a complete Phase I ESA performed again.

If the original assessment is less than 90 days old and the update report is to be performed in accordance with the same standards as the original, then the only elements that need to be addressed are the site reconnaissance and a review of the regulatory records.

If older than 90 days, a review of the various historical records should be performed.

An investigation of the facility including:

  • A site visit to the site and/or building(s) making arrangements with the borrower or property manager for access to secure areas to identify recognized environmental conditions that may be present at the site.
  • Conduct interviews to obtain relevant information from people knowledgeable about the site and surrounding area (property owners, site managers, tenants or other occupants of the property).
  • A review of specified standard environmental sources for Federal and State environmental regulatory data related to the presence of hazardous materials in the vicinity of the site. The ASTM standard stipulates minimum search distances for the various environmental records.

Additional information to be provided to assist in the performance of our services, if available:

  • A plat showing site boundaries and existing and previous topography. Setting of property corner stakes may be necessary in certain instances, and
  • The location, type, and approximate size or quantity of known hazardous substances, and/or underground tanks on the subject site,
  • Any other data that would assist in our services, including but not limited to, geotechnical and environmental reports, toxic spill reports, water quality data from on-site or adjacent ponds, streams, rivers, or wells, and similar data,
  • Right of entry and access to adjacent and abutting properties where obtainable, and
  • Drafts of letters and/or statements that may be required by lender(s).

Transaction Screens

ASTM E1528
Standard Practice for Transaction Screen Process

Objective:  Intended for use on a voluntary basis by parties who wish to assess the environmental condition of commercial real estate.

A Transaction Screen Process typically takes 10 business days to complete and consists of four basic elements:

  1. Interview

In-depth interview with property owner and occupants, and completion of ASTM E1528 Transaction Screen Questionnaire.

  1. Historical and Regulatory Review
  • A review of Federal and State regulatory records:
  • National Priorities List and the State equivalent list,
  • CERCLIS and the State equivalent list,
  • RCRA CORRACTS,
  • RCRA non-CORRACTS TSD facilities list,
  • Leaking Underground Storage Tank list,
  • Solid Waste/Landfill facilities, and
  • fire insurance maps.
  1. Site Reconnaissance

Physical and visual examination of the property, including any structures, as well as a cursory survey for abutting and/or adjacent properties within ½-mile of the site.

  1. Findings Report

A written report is prepared to document the findings and present any evidence of recognized environmental conditions at the site.

Additional Phase II Services

Phase II Asbestos Survey

Building Consultants, Inc. (BCI) can provide the following Phase II Asbestos Survey services:

We will perform a survey of accessible interior portions of the existing structure to confirm the presence of asbestos containing materials (ACMs) and to estimate the quantity of ACMs that will require abatement.

We will collect bulk samples of suspected material to satisfy the requirements established under the Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act (AHERA) 40 CFR, Part 763, Subpart E and the National Emission Standard for Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAP) 40 CFR Part 61, Subpart M. The samples may be obtained in a manner that would involve the destruction of walls, building elements, physical barriers, or the structural integrity of the item being sampled. No patching or repair of walls, floors or building elements will be included in this survey.

We will prepare a written findings report to summarize the number of bulk asbestos samples collected, to document the sampling locations and laboratory test results, and estimate the quantity of ACMs to be abated.

Phase II Lead-Based Paint/Lead-In-Soil

Building Consultants, Inc. (BCI) can provide the following Phase II Lead-based Paint Inspection services:

We can perform a surface by surface destructive investigation (paint chip sampling) or non-destructive investigation of painted surfaces using a portable X-Ray Fluorescence (XRF*) analyzer to determine the presence of lead-based paint on the interior and exterior of the building according to U.S. Housing and Development (HUD) “Guidelines for the Evaluation and Control of Lead-Based Hazards in Housing,” Chapter 7 of 1997 and state guidelines. According to Code of Maryland Regulations 26.16.01.02, a lead-containing substance means any paint, plaster, or other surface encapsulation material containing more than 0.50 percent lead by weight calculated as lead metal in the dried solid, or more than 0.7 milligram per square centimeter (mg/cm2). According to State of Virginia Statute Title 54.1, Chapter 5 guidelines, lead-based paint is defined as any coating, paint, plaster, or surface encapsulation material containing more than 0.5% lead by weight of dry film or more than one milligram of lead per square centimeter of dry film by XRF. According to District of Columbia Law 11-221 “Lead-Based Paint Abatement and Control Act of 1996”, lead-based paint means any paint or other surface coating containing lead or lead in its compounds in any quantity exceeding 0.5% of the total weight of the material or more than one mg/cm2 or in any quantity sufficient to constitute a health or environmental hazard.

We will prepare a written findings report to summarize the number of samples collected, the sampling locations, the XRF* readings or paint chip sample results of the concentration of lead in the painted surfaces, and the paint condition.

*BCI subcontracts all XRF services to certified and licensed consultants.

BCI can provide the following Phase II Lead-in-Soil services:

Bare soil and building dripline samples can be taken and evaluated for lead contamination levels. Soil sampling should be conducted before any renovation work on the residential building begins and after completion of the work. The number of samples and their location must meet statistical requirements imposed by HUD regulations. The samples would be sent to a pre-approved laboratory for determination of the lead content. The results would then be interpreted in an analysis report.

Phase II Lead – Toxic Characteristic Leaching Procedure

Building Consultants, Inc. (BCI) can provide the following Phase II – Lead TCLP services:

We will identify the different exterior and interior lead-containing components that will require abatement (e.g. foundation, framing, siding, roof, drywall, plaster, trim, windows, doors, insulation, etc.).

We will collect aliquots or sub-samples of each component which will result in a composite sample which is representative of the component.  The sub-samples will be mixed in proportion to their percent by weight in the total quantity of debris being removed and the total composite sample will equal or exceed the laboratory minimum 100-gram sample weight.  The sub-samples may be obtained in a manner that would involve the destruction of walls, building elements, physical barriers, or the structural integrity of the item being sampled.  No patching or repair of walls, floors or building elements will be included in this survey.

We will prepare a written findings report to summarize the components sampled, the laboratory test results.

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