20879_BirdExcrement.pdf

SIDNEY YATES BUILDING

EXTERIOR REPAIR WORK AND MASONRY REPOINTING 29 AUGUST 2012

SECTION 020879 – BIRD EXCREMENT REMOVAL FROM MASONRY BUILDINGS

PART 1---GENERAL

1.1 SUMMARY

A. This procedure includes guidance on removing small quantities of bird excrement from masonry.

CAUTION: EXPOSURE TO ACCUMULATIONS OF PIGEON EXCREMENT CAN LEAD TO

POTENTIALLY FATAL DISEASES OF THE LUNGS AND CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM

SUCH AS HISTOPLASMOSIS AND CRYPTOCOCCOSIS. IT IS IMPORTANT TO FOLLOW

THE SAFETY PRECAUTIONS OUTLINED IN SECTION 1.02 B. BELOW WHEN DOING

THIS TYPE OF WORK.

B. Main areas of bird excrement are on the turret and tower of Phase 1.

C. Safety Precautions:

1. All personnel must wear a National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) approved full face respirator with a high efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter for screening particles of 0.3 micron size. Dust and particle masks are not appropriate.

2. Respirators must be used in accordance with OSHA regulation, 29 CFR 1910.134 and GSA policy, PBS P 5900.2C, Chapter 3, section 8. This includes fit-testing of respirators, maintenance, training, and storage requirements.

3. All personnel must wear protective coveralls, gloves, boots, and hats.

4. Prior to removal, all excrement must be saturated with water under low pressure to prevent debris from becoming airborne.

5. On historic structures, only non-metallic tools (such as plastic spatulas and brushes with natural fiber or nylon bristles, or their equivalent) must be used to remove the excrement.

6. Removed excrement must be collected in plastic bags, sealed, and disposed at a sanitary landfill.

7. All work must be performed from the outside of the building. Building occupants and the general public must be kept clear of the work site during all operations. It is the cleaning personnel's responsibility to provide all barricades, signage, etc. necessary for public protection.

D. See Section 015950 “Safety and Health” for further guidelines. These guidelines should be reviewed prior to performing this procedure and should be followed, when applicable, along with recommendations from the Regional Historic Preservation Office (RHPO).

PROPERTY OF THE UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT – FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY

Do not remove this notice – Properly destroy documents when no longer needed !

BIRD EXCREMENT REMOVAL FROM MASONRY BUILDINGS

020879 - 1

SIDNEY YATES BUILDING

EXTERIOR REPAIR WORK AND MASONRY REPOINTING 29 AUGUST 2012

PART 2---PRODUCTS

2.1 MATERIALS

A. Chlorine-free water (use in-line charcoal filtration on hose).

B. Disodium Octaborate Tetrahydrate (CAS No. 12280-03-4). Approved product is Nisus Boracare. Note: Water must be warm for proper dilution of borate.

2.2 EQUIPMENT

A. Stiff bristle brush (non-metallic)

B. Wooden or plastic scraper

C. Garden hose. No high-pressure washing will be allowed.

PART 3---EXECUTION

3.1 ERECTION, INSTALLATION, APPLICATION

CAUTION: DO NOT USE BLEACH TO REMOVE BIRD EXCREMENT. BIRD DROPPINGS

CONTAIN AMMONIA AND IF MIXED WITH BLEACH CAN FORM TOXIC GASES.

A. Begin by removing heavy crusts and main build-up of excrement first with wooden or plastic scrapers, followed by rinsing the affected area with cold water from a garden hose and brushing with a stiff bristle, non-metallic brush.

B. For remaining residue and to disinfect the surface, use properly-diluted borate and a stiff bristle (non-metallic) brush to scrub the surface, along with a vacuum to help lift debris out of surface.

C. Allow the properly-diluted borate to stand on the surface for approximately 1 hour or as recommended by manufacturer.

D. Ensure the entire area, including areas below, are adequately rinsed. (Vacuuming of the area to lift debris away, such as using a Dumond Recyclean system, is strongly recommended.)

END OF SECTION 020879

PROPERTY OF THE UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT – FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY

Do not remove this notice – Properly destroy documents when no longer needed !

BIRD EXCREMENT REMOVAL FROM MASONRY BUILDINGS

020879 - 1