Hazardous Building Materials

White Pass School District, Randle, Washington

Fulcrum was retained by the White Pass School District following a Request for Qualifications process to assist the District with inspection of their former High School building for hazardous building materials, including asbestos containing materials, lead containing materials, and lighting and electrical components; and assessment of two underground storage tanks (USTs)  at the site. Fulcrum’s inspections confirmed the presence of hazardous building materials and a preliminary inspection confirmed absence of contamination associated with the two site USTs. Fulcrum prepared material specific specification for hazardous materials abatement and UST removal for inclusion in the project bidding package. Due to the phased construction necessitated by continued use of the facility, Fulcrum prepared two separate specifications sets. Phase I and Phase IIa site activities were completed following public bidding and Fulcrum’s AHERA-accredited Building Inspectors completed contractor oversight and post-abatement air sampling. Phase IIb and Phase III activities have been bid with the successful contractor scheduled to begin work in Summer 2010.

Lincoln County Courthouse, Davenport, Washington

The Lincoln County Courthouse sustained extensive damage during a midwinter fire. The severely damaged facility required rapid evaluation of hazardous materials that would affect renovation. Tight integration of remediation activities with general construction was necessary for timely reconstruction of the historic facility. Under severe time and accessibility limitations, Fulcrum completed a lead-based paint survey, waste characterization study, worker exposure assessment, asbestos abatement design and project management. The potential financial impact of lead and asbestos-containing fire debris threatened to dominate the reconstruction effort. Fulcrum gained control of waste disposal cost by detailed analyses of fire debris and segregating lead-containing waste into three categories: hazardous, "special,”, and demolition debris. Contractor work practices as a function of lead concentration were similarly categorized. This approach resulted in significant savings to the owner. Close contact between Fulcrum, abatement contractors, demolition contractors, and the client's project manager was critical to ensure timely renovation of the facility.

Central Valley School District, Spokane, Washington

Fulcrum has assisted Central Valley School District (CVSD) for asbestos consulting services continuously since 1991. Fulcrum provided initial AHERA asbestos surveys, reinspections, and support to CVSD through EPA audits of their Management Plans (without a single citation).

During the past 8 years we have provided construction-driven environmental consulting in virtually every elementary, junior high, and high school in the District. Working closely with CVSD personnel and project architects, our scope of services has adapted to meet the diverse objectives specific to each project including abatement in student-occupied buildings, off-hours abatement, short-duration work completed in a single afternoon, and large projects spanning several months. Extensive coordination between abatement and other contractors has been necessary on large renovation projects to accommodate aggressive schedules. Penalties for late completion and incentives for early completion of abatement have been part of abatement specifications. We have trained CVSD staff to perform basic abatement operations. We have also provided continuous contractor oversight during abatement over Christmas, Spring Break, and holidays to minimize disruption. We continue to provide professional services to CVSD on an as-needed basis under a term contract arrangement.

Granger High School, Grandview, Washington

As part of the Granger High School facility wide renovation project Fulcrum provided an inspection for hazardous materials including PCB containing light ballasts. The inspection identified the total quantity of ballasts present and the relative percentage of PCB to non-PCB containing ballasts. Fulcrum worked with the project architect to incorporate project-specific requirements for removal and disposal of the ballasts. Site inspections were conducted periodically to ensure the PCB containing ballasts were being handled and stored in a fashion consistent with project specifications and state and federal regulations. Following ballast removal, Granger School District received documentation from the contractor documenting transportation and disposal. This documentation, combined with Fulcrum’s onsite observations allowed the District to document that workers were not inadvertently exposed to a hazardous substance during construction and that the hazardous waste generated was disposed of according to applicable regulations.

Freeman School District, High School Facility Modernization, Freeman, Washington

In 2008, Fulcrum was selected by Freeman School District to complete Hazardous Building Material Survey and Design Services. Fulcrum’s initial project task was to complete an inspection for hazardous building materials, including asbestos containing materials, lead containing materials, and lighting and electrical components at Freeman High School. The inspection included the High School and the adjacent Vocational/Agricultural Building, Facilities Building, and Bus Garage.

Following completion of the inspections, Fulcrum prepared hazardous materials abatement plans for incorporation into ALSC Architect’s project specifications. As with most hazardous building materials, asbestos abatement and lighting and electrical components, were completed as a portion of the demolition activities. Fulcrum’s project tasks associated with Freeman High School have been largely completed.    

Concurrent with inspection of the buildings, Fulcrum also completed an assessment and remediation of an area of petroleum contaminated soil associated with a leaking underground storage tank and assessment of groundwater conditions associated with the presence of agricultural chemicals. 

Following the beginning of Freeman High School modernization activities, the District selected Fulcrum to assist with modernization of the Freeman Elementary School. The hazardous building materials inspection has been completed and the project is currently under design. 

Warden High School Gymnasium Modernization and Cafetorium Modernization, Warden, Washington

Fulcrum was selected by the Warden School District, working with ALSC Architects and Hill International, to assist with two District projects.

The first scheduled project is the modernization of the Warden High School Gymnasium. As with many communities, the gymnasium serves as the public image of the District and city. The 1960s era gymnasium building does not offer energy efficient lighting or heating and cooling systems. Additionally, the existing locker rooms have deteriorated and do not have sufficient space to accommodate the school’s high school teams let alone visiting teams.

Fulcrum’s scope of work for the District includes hazardous building material inspections, abatement specifications, and contractor oversight during abatement. Fulcrum’s hazardous building material inspections confirmed the presence of asbestos containing materials and lighting and electrical components requiring abatement prior to interior demolition. The project was bid in Fall 2010 and is scheduled to begin in March 2011.    

The second District project is the modernization of the Cafetorium/Administration Building. The Cafetorium, including the District kitchen, is similarly of a 1960s construction era. Concurrent with hazardous building material inspection of the High School Gymnasium, Fulcrum completed inspection of the Cafetorium. Fulcrum’s inspection confirmed the presence of asbestos containing materials and lighting and electrical components. The Cafetorium project is currently in the design phase and will be bid in Fall 2011 with an expected construction period in Summer 2012.