Asbestos
Asbestos Overview
R2M Engineering provides hazardous material compliance support and intervention for clients both in Texas and the southwest region of the United States. With over 10 years of experience in environmental consulting, R2M strives to provide our clients with innovative and cost-effective solutions that enhances safety and the health of our stakeholders. R2M’s certified and licensed staff is committed to exceed the expectations of our clients from day one to successful completion. Our full range of services include:
Asbestos
Asbestos Facility Inspections
Senate Bill 509 requires municipalities to verify that an asbestos survey has been conducted prior to issuing renovation or demolition permits for public or commercial facilities. Performing limited and/or comprehensive asbestos surveys identifies the potential risk of exposure to human health.
A Limited Asbestos Survey quickly and accurately provides the building owner a detailed report of building materials to be disturbed during renovations with little damage to the property. By sampling building material for potential asbestos within all areas that may be disturbed during the project, R2M Engineering produces a detailed report containing the condition, location, and estimated quantities of any asbestos-containing materials to be disturbed. A benefit of this type of survey is that it allows the property owner and/or project manager to estimate any costs that may be incurred during the project from the abatement and disposal of asbestos-containing materials.
A Comprehensive Asbestos Survey sometimes calls for reviewing available building records pertaining to the possible presence of asbestos-containing materials (ACM) (e.g., previous ACM inspections, building plans and/or specifications, as-built drawings), performing visual and physical inspections of subject buildings in their entirety, positively identifying the location and evaluating the condition of suspect materials, sampling and analysis of suspect building materials to prepare reports summarizing the results of each homogeneous material during the asbestos assessment.
An Operations and Maintenance Survey usually entails targeted sampling of suspect ACM, such as areas with damaged and potentially friable suspect ACM. Information gathered during this type of assessment is best used for creating and maintaining Asbestos Management Plans. R2M technical staff works closely with responsible parties to develop, administer, and train employees and building occupants of your specific O&M Plan for your facility. R2M’s asbestos Inspectors are fully qualified to assess material conditions and recommend appropriate corrective action.
Asbestos Services Details
Asbestos Operations and Maintenance (O&M) Plans
The Asbestos Management Planner will evaluate and interpret survey results, conduct hazard assessments, evaluate and develop applicable selection of control options, and assembling and submitting management plans. Many steps are needed in order to have a successful asbestos management program. Our trained professionals are here to help you every step of the way to insure the elimination of unwanted risk and liability.
R2M reviews past inspections and documents and introduces updates for current standards to develop and prepare reliable and informative Operations and Maintenance (O&M) Plans that explain how to protect a building’s maintenance and housekeeping personnel, tenants, and other occupants from exposure. The O&M Plan also helps maintain asbestos materials in good condition while additionally providing the basis for making informed decisions regarding potential long-term economic liabilities associated with asbestos.
Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act (AHERA) School Management Plans
All elementary and secondary schools are responsible for ensuring compliance with the EPA’s AHERA rule. We carry out our mission efficiently, effectively, and professionally, working closely with your school’s Designated Person (DP) to:
- Perform an original inspection to determine whether asbestos-containing materials are present and then re-inspect asbestos-containing material in each school every 3 years.
- Develop, maintain, and update an Asbestos Management Plan (AMP) and keep a copy at the school. R2M successfully implements and maintains AHERA Inspections and Programs for school districts across the state of Texas in a timely and efficient manner with complete guaranteed satisfaction.
- Provide assistance with yearly notifications to parent, teacher, and employee organizations on the availability of the school’s asbestos management plan and any asbestos-related actions taken or planned in the school.
- Designate a contact person to ensure the responsibilities of the public school district or the non-profit school are properly implemented.
- Perform periodic surveillance of known or suspected asbestos-containing building material. R2M provides 6-month surveillance checks as a service to ensure compliance is maintained throughout the year.
- Ensure that trained and licensed professionals perform inspections and take response actions.
- Provide custodial staff with asbestos-awareness training. R2M is a Certified OSHA Outreach Training provider made up of experienced qualified training staff bringing the highest quality safety training across all industries to employers and employees throughout the Texas panhandle and surrounding areas.
R2M is here to help guide our clients and Local Education Agencies (LEA’s) with developing their own easy approach to AHERA’s management plans required for schools and some public/commercial buildings. The LEA and R2M staff work closely together to ensure that each school district is in compliance with federal, state, and local asbestos regulations and that there are no uncontrolled releases of asbestos fibers in the school which could pose a health threat to children and school workers.
Asbestos Abatement Design and Consulting
R2M Engineering develops detailed specifications for projects involving the removal of any or all asbestos-containing material with the latest computer-aided design and drafting software and qualified technicians capable of any project demands. Our professionals have extensive experience in preparing project design and specifications for remedial actions such as partial or complete removal of ACM.
R2M manages projects, assists with the preparation of bid specifications, and will provide valuable input for qualifying and selecting abatement contractors. R2M prepares detailed site-specific project design and technical specifications and administers on-site project management. The design provides the locations of asbestos material and project conditions and scope of work, and the specifications detail the general methods required for removal and disposal of asbestos.
Asbestos Abatement Project Management and Air Monitoring
The Clean Air Act specifies work practices for asbestos to be followed during demolitions and renovations of all facilities, including, but not limited to, structures, installations, and buildings (excluding residential buildings that have four or fewer dwelling units). The regulations require the owner or the operator of the renovation or demolition operation to notify the appropriate delegated entity (often a state agency) before any demolition or before any renovations of buildings. Ambient air monitoring and testing is an integral part of an effective abatement project. Air monitoring or air testing is also provided for other reasons, such as providing risk mitigation of exposure during project activities.