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CBJ Environmental | Bellingham, Massachusetts

Hazmat Surveys

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What is a Hazmat Survey?

A Hazardous Materials Survey consists of an inspection and report on buildings and structures for materials likely to be hazardous to the health of workers, building occupants, or the environment.

Why is a Hazmat Survey Important?

Hazardous materials can pose a range of health risks: Asbestos is proven to be harmful and can cause lung disease and forms of cancer including mesothelioma; PCBs and lead can affect the nervous system; and SMF can irritate the skin and upper respiratory tract.

Hazardous materials surveys can include:

  • Asbestos Containing Material (ACM).

  • Lead.

  • Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs).

  • Synthetic Mineral Fibres (SMF).

  • Chlorofluorocarbons (CFC’s).

  • Ozone Depleting Substance (ODS).

  • Other materials (as requested).

A hazardous materials survey fulfills your obligations as a building manager or owner by:

  • Meeting your occupational health and safety legislative requirements to protect workers and building occupiers from hazardous materials.

  • Meeting legislative requirements for the register and management of asbestos in the workplace.

  • Complying with the hazardous materials auditing procedure.

  • Responding to workplace concerns

  • Meeting the needs of property owners, buyers, sellers, builders, and developers.

  • General due diligence

  • Meeting development approval

  • Environmental due diligence

  • Addressing health and safety requirements identified before major refurbishment and demolition

Hazardous Materials Survey

A Hazardous Materials Survey may identify the following:

  • Bonded Asbestos Containing Material (ACM) which includes corrugated fibre cement sheet found on roofs and in fencing. Flat asbestos-containing sheets which were used in the past for eaves and internal/external cladding in wet areas of homes, vinyl tiles and vinyl sheeting (linoleum)

  • Friable Asbestos asbestos-containing material (ACM) in pipe lagging, limpet insulation and fire retardant, ceiling insulation, gaskets and rope insulation.

  • Lead found in lead flashing, Damp Proof Course (DPC) and lead lighting

  • Lead in paint is usually found in high-wear areas in older buildings

  • Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs) are usually found in caulking materials, lighting capacitors, electrical transformers and within the soil where transformers are located

  • Synthetic Mineral Fibres (SMF) are usually found in heaters, anti-con, and roofing insulation

  • Ceramic-based fibres found in High-Temperature Insulation Wool (HTIW) products

  • Ozone Depleting Substances (ODS) are contained in refrigerant systems including air conditioners and cooling rooms

  • Fuel Storage Facilities include underground storage tanks which often contain remnant fuel or fuel derivatives.

  • Hydrocarbon stained soil

  • Heavy metals (including mercury) and hydrocarbons within pipe work and dilution pits

  • Radiation sources including smoke alarms, exit signs, radiation gauges, laboratory isotopes and laboratory hoods

  • Compressed gases and flammables

  • Pesticides under building footprints

  • Health and hygiene  hazards including sharps and pathogens

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