2. Richard Nellis - Qualifications
• Over 25 years of engineering experience and
service to the insurance and legal professions
• Vice President and Manager of Forensic and
Environmental Services
• Completed over 250 environmental site
assessments in Canada and the United States
• Completed over 400 fall accident
assessments since 2000, and over 350 fire
investigations
• CFEI - Fire & Explosion Investigator
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3. Charlyne Elep - Qualifications
• Professional engineer with background in building
restoration, specifically rehabilitation of deteriorated
concrete structures
• Project Manager, Forensic and Environmental Services
• Investigates design, construction, and maintenance
failures, slip/trip-and-fall occurrences, and performs fire
investigations
• Phase I and Phase II Environmental Site Assessments
• CFEI – Certified Fire & Explosion Investigator
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4. Company Profile
• Established 1961
– 50 years of Engineering Services
• Consulting Engineering Services for:
– Building Owners
– Property Managers
– Land Developers
– Insurers
• Qualified Staff
– P.Engs, CETs, CFEIs
• Wide Variety of Specialties:
– Building Science
– Project Management
– Structural Engineering
– Mechanical/Electrical Engineering
– Environmental Engineering
– Forensic Engineering & Litigation Support
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5. Environmental Consulting Services
• Phase I, II, and III Environmental Site Assessments (ESAs)
• Hazardous Material Survey and Assessment
• Environmental Pre-Purchase Due Diligence
• Site-Specific Risk Assessment (SSRA)
• Asbestos Audits
• Soil Testing
• Groundwater Investigations Site Decommissioning
• Risk Management
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6. Presentation Topics
• Phase I ESA
• Phase II ESA
• Site Remediation
• Site Specific Risk Assessment (SSRA)
• Asbestos
• Mould
• Case Studies
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8. Phase I ESA
• To identify actual or potential areas of
environmental impact
• Reduces potential environmental liabilities
• Uses:
– Make informed decisions about property transactions
– Identify certain baseline environmental conditions
– Assist in meeting regulatory requirements
– Initial step in site remediation
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9. Phase I ESA
• Ontario Regulation 153/04 [Schedule D], as
amended by O. Reg. 511/09 with reference to
Canadian Standards Association Publication Z768-
01 (“Phase I Environmental Site Assessment”)
– Historical Records Review
– Interviews with regulatory officials and personnel
– Site Reconnaissance
– Evaluation
– Recommendations for further action (Phase II ESA)
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11. Phase II ESA
• Quantifies the potential environmental impact
identified in the Phase I ESA with soil and
groundwater testing
• May be undertaken to establish a quantitative
baseline for environmental conditions at a site
• Undertaken prior to any remedial action
(Phase III ESA).
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12. Phase II ESA
• Ontario Regulation 153/04 [Schedule E], as
amended by O. Reg. 511/09 with reference to
Canadian Standards Association (CSA),
publication Z769-00 (“Phase II Environmental Site
Assessment”)
• Intended as a follow-up to Phase I ESA and
consists of the following:
– Developing a sampling plan
– Collection of samples, and analysis of test results
– Interpreting and reporting information gathered
– Recommendations for further action, if required
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13. Phase III ESA
• The remediation phase of existing
environmental impact at a property.
• Based on conclusions drawn in the Phase II ESA
• Can include the following:
– Additional soil and/or groundwater characterization
– Removal and disposal of old UGSTs
– Removal and disposal of impacted material
– Managing contaminants on-site (SSRA)
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15. Phase III ESA - Site Specific Risk
Assessment (SSRA)
• Environmental Protection Act
– O.Reg. 153/04 and subsequent amendments
• Leave impacted materials in place and
develop site-specific contaminant criteria
• May result in increased restrictions for future
site uses, and significant additional cost
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17. Asbestos
• Until the 1980s, commonly found in construction
materials for office buildings, public buildings,
and schools such as:
– Sprayed fireproofing, thermal insulation, decorative
“stipple” finishes
– Mechanical pipe insulation
– Vinyl floor tile, vinyl sheet flooring
– Ceiling tiles
– Drywall joint compound
• Continues to be used in some non-friable
materials (textile products, Transite pipe)
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18. Asbestos
• Potential for asbestos presence is identified in
Phase I ESA
• Ontario Regulation 278/05, “Designated
Substance - Asbestos on Construction Projects
and in Buildings and Repair Operations,”
– Property owners are required to record the location
and condition of all asbestos-containing materials
– Records updated at least once a year
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20. Mould
The goals of a mould investigation are to:
• Establish the cause, nature and extent of
fungal contamination
• Assess the risk of adverse effects on the
health of building occupants
• Manage the microbial problem
• Return the building to a satisfactory level of
performance
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38. Other Areas of Service
• Restoration of existing buildings and
structures following fire damage,
deterioration, etc.
• Structures include
– Single-family residential
– Multi-unit residential
– Commercial
– Other (retaining walls, parking garages, etc.)
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