Asbestos Consulting 

EHC Associates has been providing consulting services in the asbestos industry for over 25 years. We offer a complete solution from asbestos surveys, sampling, abatement design, management plans, AHERA 3-year reinspections, air monitoring, contract administration, and other services. Below you will find detailed information about the different services we offer...

Asbestos Survey 

An inspection of accessible materials throughout the building or facility is made by an accredited and certified inspector to identify those which are suspect of containing asbestos. The survey includes inspection of finish materials, materials above or behind suspended ceilings or other non-permanent objects or construction, vents, duct systems, mechanical equipment insulation, etc., in order to ensure that no suspect accessible materials go undetected. A written report including survey logs, listing of suspect asbestos-containing materials, and budget cost estimates for removal is prepared. If desired, sampling and analysis will be performed to determine if any suspect materials actually contain asbestos. 

Asbestos Sampling 

Bulk samples are taken of suspect materials in accordance with EPA Protocol and are analyzed by an independent laboratory to identify the presence or absence of asbestos. Samples are analyzed using the Polarized Light Microscopy (PLM) method in accordance with Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) guidelines except when, because of sample composition or material manufacturing processes, the use of Point Counting or the Transmission Electron Microscopy method is required to positively rule out the presence of asbestos. A written report including independent laboratory analysis reports and a listing of confirmed asbestos-containing materials is prepared. 

Air sampling is also performed by EHC Associates to monitor routine conditions in a facility, to monitor asbestos abatement, or as clearance testing of an abatement work area prior to occupancy. The Phase Contrast Microscopy method is utilized by EHC at its home office laboratory or at mobile field offices established at abatement sites to determine the extent of fibers in the air. If required by regulations or requested by the Client, samples are analyzed by Transmission Electron Microscopy or Phase Contrast Microscopy at an independent laboratory. A written report including sample logs and laboratory analysis reports is prepared. 

Risk Assessment 

Assessments are performed of assumed and confirmed asbestos-containing materials in accordance with the following criteria. Standard assessment forms are completed as part of the field evaluation to ensure consistency and thoroughness of the evaluation and are included in the written report as reference standards for future re-inspection. 

Each material is classified in accordance with the following:

Existing Condition

• No Damage
• Damaged
• Significantly Damaged

Prioritized, recommended response actions, based on the material assessments, are proposed as the least burdensome method in regard to short-term costs to protect human health and the environment. The recommended response actions are based on the continued current use of the facility and follow, in general, the guidelines included in Section 763.90 of 40 CFR Part 763 Subpart E, AHERA Regulations. These recommended response actions should be considered by the facility owner/manager along with concerns for local circumstances, occupancy and use patterns, renovation/demolition plans, and long-term costs, prior to determining an appropriate course of action. 

Response actions should be determined that are at least equal to the recommended response actions in regard to their adequacy to protect health and the environment. Abatement or adequate preventative measures to reduce disturbance of the asbestos materials should be implemented. Priorities for performance of the recommended response actions are defined as follows: 

IMMEDIATE - the hazard is such in terms of both damage and exposure potential to warrant isolation of the area until abatement can be performed. 

HIGH - due to damage and a significant potential for exposure, abatement should be performed as soon as possible. 

MEDIUM - due to limited damage or a low frequency of use of these areas by a limited number of personnel, the hazard is such that abatement can take place as part of the normal maintenance and repair cycle of the facility. An operations and maintenance program, including periodic monitoring, should be maintained. 

LOW - these areas have minimal damage potential during normal activities. In many cases the material is non-friable, relatively inaccessible, or otherwise protected so that fiber release is unlikely. Periodic monitoring of these areas should be performed to ensure that no change in the condition of the ACM takes place. An operations and maintenance program should be maintained. 

Management Program 

The facility owner/manager must initiate an operations and maintenance program containing responses, procedures, and controls to minimize health risk of occupants and workers to asbestos exposure. This program must remain in place until such time as all asbestos materials have been removed. The management program provides assurance that all possible steps are being taken to protect facility occupants and workers and it serves as a legal document by providing detailed evidence of awareness of the problem and steps taken to comply with regulatory requirements and minimize risk. 

Each management program must be designed to suit the individual facility conditions and owner/manager operational needs. After a thorough review of the survey and assessment documentation, EHC Associates, in conjunction with the facility owner/manager, develop a concise and detailed written plan which includes the following:

• purpose and approach
• initial decontamination and abatement
• long-term abatement program
• techniques for minimizing exposure
• operational procedures
• maintenance procedures
• fiber release episodes
• training
• labeling and notification
• periodic surveillance / re-inspection
• record keeping

The management program should be updated periodically after a re-inspection and assessment of the asbestos materials. 

Periodic Surveillance and Re-inspection 

Periodic surveillance of the asbestos materials should be performed a minimum of every six months. During the inspection the material condition is compared to prior inspection records and any changes in condition or in facility utilization are noted. Response actions or updates to the operations and maintenance program should be conducted as required. 

At three- to five-year intervals the asbestos materials should be re-inspected and assessed by a certified inspector and management planner and the management program should be updated. The updated program should reflect any response actions and/or operations and maintenance procedures required by changes in the condition of the asbestos materials or building utilization, and to accommodate any re-direction of the facility owner's or manager's asbestos control program. 


Asbestos Abatement Design 

Asbestos-containing materials abatement design services have three components: 

Design Development Phase
This phase includes conferences with the Client and the Client's architect and construction manager if applicable, after which the Consultant analyzes the project requirements. The site and building are carefully studied along with any renovation documents, project phasing and completion schedule, specific operational requirements of the Client, and regulations having jurisdiction over the project. From this information, preliminary design consisting of drawings and other documents which illustrate the project's extent, procedures, phasing, testing, safety precautions, monitoring, and documentation are prepared by an accredited and certified abatement designer.. 

Abatement Documents Phase 
The abatement documents phase includes the preparation of drawings and specifications, based on the approved preliminary design, which describe in technical detail the documentation, abatement, monitoring and testing procedures, and other contract work required. Bidding documents are prepared, including proposal, bonding, insurance and contract forms. A cost estimate is submitted for the abatement work. 

Bidding Phase 
The bidding phase includes the reproduction of bidding documents for distribution to bidders and assisting the Client in qualifying prospective bidders, obtaining and evaluating bids, and awarding abatement contracts. Administration of the bidding, including issuance of addenda, attendance at a pre-bid conference, and preparation and issuance of minutes are part of this phase. 

Abatement Administration 

Abatement Phase
This phase involves the administration of the abatement contract and generally includes:

• attendance at a pre-abatement conference, and preparation and issuance of minutes
• review and approval of the contractor's cost breakdown, proposed subcontractors, proposed abatement and safety procedures, progress schedule, material samples, shop drawings, bonds, and other required submissions
• inspection trips to the site to review the progress of the work and its quality in order to determine if the work is proceeding in accordance with the contract documents. Formal job conferences will be held as required and will be followed by the issuance of job meeting minutes
• review of the contractor's applications for payment, determination and verification of the amounts owed to the contractor and issuance of certificates of payment for such amounts
• preparation of all supplemental drawings and sketches that may be required for the abatement sequence and issuance of any supplemental instructions or change orders covering authorized revisions in the work. The Client is informed of, and his approval obtained, for any changes in the work
• complete documentation of the abatement work, including daily logs, monitoring/testing results, narrative description, disposal documents, photographs, etc., is forwarded to the Client upon completion of the contract work. Copies of all contract related correspondence are forwarded to the Client upon initiation

Inspections of the work area preparation and containment are performed prior to the actual start of abatement work, and periodically thereafter, to look for any breaches in the containment or conditions that do not meet regulations or the requirements of the abatement contract documents. In addition to the air testing hereinbefore described, visual inspections are conducted of all surfaces during and after work area cleaning operations. 

A narrative log is maintained on a work shift basis, that documents all notable events that occur each day and provides a comprehensive picture of conditions, problems, and progress in and around the job site during the course of the asbestos abatement work. An air monitoring log that records all air monitoring tests performed is maintained on a daily basis.