Attachment- 36 01 Environmental Narrative.pdf

Environmental 1

Project Overview and Background

Riverfront Safety & Health, LC (Riverfront), a Service-Disabled Veteran Owned Small Business, has provided the required limited asbestos & lead identification field surveys and historical records review in support of the 100% Bid Documents phase of the OEHRM Facilities Project proposed at 12 buildings (VA Project 548A4-21-700) located at the VA North Texas Health Care System in Bonham, TX (The Project). The 12 buildings included in the scope of this project are Buildings 1, 2, 3, 4, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 24, 29 and 34. The principal contact for this project was Andrew Stevens of Spur-Design. Currently, RSH understands the scope of work may impact the following related systems and materials as project needs will vary at each building:

HVAC within/to TR rooms

Telecom -Fiber optic, intra and inter building links and 6A wall jack installations.

Upgraded power, grounding, and UPS systems where applicable.

Fire Alarm and Suppression at TR rooms.

Materials within TR Rooms and corridor pathways with emphasis of wall, ceiling, and floor materials and general workspace condition where asbestos pipe insulation may be present.

The following generalized analysis is provided for your review and future design considerations related to potential asbestos, lead, and mold issues associated with The Project:

Mold on materials is not likely a project issue. The known project work locations are not generally the types of locations where this issue presents, a history of moisture sources such as roof or pipe system leaks are not known. Areas will be visually inspected for suspect mold growths on building materials located within or near the projected pathways of work.

Extensive renovations have been performed on levels 1 through 5 of Building 1, removing most asbestos TSI throughout those levels. Multiple areas of damaged or significantly damaged exist at the Basement level; this damaged TSI is very likely to be disturbed by work related to The Project. Abatement is highly suggested in these areas of damaged or significantly damaged TSI.

As a general course of action, reuse of existing wall penetrations and pathways for cabling are recommended. Areas within chases and exterior wall voids are normally suspected of covering asbestos containing materials. Where plaster or drywall ceilings are present, it is generally assumed, asbestos pipe insulation and/or mudded fittings associated with domestic water, chilled water, or perimeter heat systems will also be present above them.

Specifically, it appears that no renovation has taken place in areas with historic plaster present. All historical plaster is presumed to cover asbestos TSI or other asbestos-containing materials.

This project has widely dispersed locations of material impact as the grounding system, VA PROJECT NUMBER

PROJECT NAME

549A-21-700 EHRM Infrastructure Upgrades

– Bonham, TX 100% Bid Documents

SUBJECT Environmental Design Narrative

PROJECT NAME

549A-21-700 EHRM Infrastructure Upgrades

– Bonham, TX

Environmental 2 possible inter and intrabuilding fibers line installations, and wall installation of Cat6A data ports will travel significant distances. It was important to develop &/or define pathways of associated work to allow for a targeted material inspection. The exact extent of demolition is currently unknown in relation to fiber cables, Cat 6A, and pull/patch but has been extrapolated to include environmental hazards. Methods or design initiatives to minimize disturbance of paints on walls and other lead containing materials were implemented considered.

It is assumed that a vertical pathway will be used to interconnect the TR Rooms as they are generally vertically stacked at common location within buildings. Asbestos flooring materials and associated flooring mastics/adhesives may be present within TR Rooms scheduled to receive new vertical penetrations (if any). The presence of these materials required assessment for potential abatement and was necessary for penetration of all flooring systems.

Attachments to ceiling, where not otherwise suspended from existing trays or bundles, required knowledge of lead content of paint where present. Previous lead inspection records indicated a targeted approach, leaving several suspect building surfaces in need of further evaluation to accommodate the needs of The Project. These surfaces and materials were assessed as necessary and implemented into the design.

The potential for damaged asbestos TSI and associated fittings exists above acoustical ceiling grids or plaster ceilings throughout the buildings and will present issues related to long distance routing of the communication system through corridors. Historic plaster ceilings are present throughout the majority of Buildings at the Bonham campus. Asbestos TSI and other asbestos-containing materials are presumed to exist above and behind all historic plaster ceilings and walls. Any work likely to impact historic plaster must be performed by a licensed abatement contractor. Design initiatives to avoid these areas have been incorporated.

Asbestos containing stucco and lead based paint are frequently present on the exterior of buildings. Asbestos mastic and lead based paint are commonly discovered on the interior foundation walls as well. Any exterior stucco and associated caulks were considered suspect asbestos containing materials. These areas were of particular importance to survey during the onsite inspection to ascertain what building materials will be impacted where new building penetrations are necessary for interbuilding fiber lines.

Asbestos Inspection Summary

RSH performed limited asbestos and lead surveys on 01/11/2023 – 01/13/2023 and 03/08/2023

– 03/09/2023, to identify the presence, location, quantity, and condition of all asbestos containing materials and lead bearing building components present within the pathways of The Project which may be impacted during the execution of work. The initial site survey was completed by Justin Rhyneer (CIH), who carries all necessary Texas State licensing and certifications required by law and/or by The Contract Documents and was accompanied by Eric Colombo on the March 08 and 09 site visit. Eric Colombo is an EPA certified lead risk assessor and asbestos building inspector.

The surveys were performed in accordance with all applicable local, State and Federal regulations pertaining to asbestos and lead building inspections.

Based on the age of the facility and potential methodology of contract work, anticipated suspect

549A-21-700

Environmental 3 materials included caulks, duct seam sealants, asbestos fire doors, asbestos pipe insulation, asbestos floor tiles, asbestos black tile mastic, asbestos roofing, structural caulks, asbestos window elements, and transite panels.

A total of one-hundred and twenty-three (123) samples were collected within Buildings One and Two, with a total of four (4) samples containing greater than 1% asbestos. These materials were a white TSI pipe insulation with blue jacketing and a beige 12”x12” floor tile with tan adhesive. Other materials tested during the initial RSH field visit include ceiling tiles, various floor tiles, ceramic tile grout, cove base and cove base adhesive, drywall joint compound, black waterproofing, various penetration caulks, terrazzo, acoustical wall tile, ceramic floor tiles, paper insulation, and other miscellaneous materials not sampled during the previous historic survey. An additional forty (40) samples were collected during the second visit within Buildings 24, 29 and 34, roads near Buildings 11 and 29, as well as sidewalks near Buildings 24 and 29. Materials sampled included ceiling tile, wall insulation, cove bases, mastics, roadbed, road sealants, road caulks, and sidewalk caulk. Analysis results for all forty samples were None Detected for asbestos, meaning no asbestos was detected within the limits of the method. Zero samples were collected from the other buildings within The Project scope of work as historical records provided the asbestos information needed for design evolution.

Lead Paint Inspection

A survey seeking potential lead-based paint (LBP) on structural concrete, plaster walls, original structural steel components, stairwell systems, and lead glazing on ceramic tiles, blocks, and water fixtures was performed to supplement the historical lead records. Lead paint testing was performed using standard XRF direct reading instruments. Ninety-one (91) XRF readings were obtained during the first visit in Buildings 1 and 2. Of these, 23 readings were at or above the 1.0 mg/cm2 threshold. Materials showing elevated levels were plaster and masonry beneath wallpapers, beige doorframes, cream ceramic wall block, metal ladder, and ceramic cove and wall tiles. One hundred thirty-three (133) readings were obtained from the other buildings during the second visit. Seventeen exhibited elevated levels. Materials at or above the threshold were ceramic quarry tile and cove, glazed ceramic block walls, tan door frames, metal ladders, sprinkler line, ceramic wall tile, toilet, sink, tub, and a handrail. Buildings 24 and 29 weren’t sampled as they were constructed well past the 1978 lead regulations and historical records were adequate for design needs.

Please see the included Table 1 for a breakdown of historical asbestos containing materials and lead sampling data found throughout buildings indicated in the scope of work. Please see the included Table 2 for the full RSH asbestos bulk sampling and XRF lead testing data. Laboratory analytical reports, sample chains of custody, and certifications are contained in Appendices A and B.

549A-21-700

Environmental 4

Riverfront appreciates the opportunity to assist with this project. It is our intent that this information will assist with project development at this phase. Please feel free to contact us with any questions or concerns.

Sincerely, July 07, 2023 Justin R. Rhyneer, CIH Date Principal

Table 1: Historical Hazardous Material Tables Table 2: RSH Field Sampling Summary Table Appendix A: Asbestos Laboratory Results Appendix B: Professional Certifications