Lead Abatement
Goodwin House
Project Name: Goodwin House
Location: Raleigh, NC
Owner: NC Democratic Party
Consultant/GC: F&R / Gould & Associates
Approx. Value: $300,000
To date, this project remains one of the most difficult undertaken by EHG. The project consisted of the remediation of lead based paint throughout the property. This included exterior and interior removal. The 100+ year old structure is listed as a historic treasure and was watched closely by the affected preservation groups.
Technical difficulties were encountered while addressing the best methodology for lead paint removal. We made use of a chemical stripping agent, which allowed for the release of lead paint from the substrate utilizing hydrogen peroxide as the active ingredient. The chemical did not ?burn? or raise the grain of the sensitive wood substrate. Additionally, chemical and extensive handwork was used on the delicate terracotta capitals surrounding the front entrance to the building.
The exterior work posed the greatest challenge. A scaffold system was erected around the entirety of the property. Due to an active school less than 10 feet from our containment area, we had to become innovative in our removal methodologies. The stripper utilized provided a very low odor. The containment system, which in some locations reached almost 40-foot high, was placed under reduced pressure. Work was performed after hours, as a final precaution to protect the occupants next door.
All work was performed around the total renovation of the structure. There were multiple mobilizations and vast changes to the scope of work as we proceeded. All of this work, along with select demolition and asbestos abatement was performed on schedule and under budget.
Wachovia Main
Project Name: Wachovia Main
Location: Charlotte, NC
Owner: Wachovia National Bank
Consultant/GC: EI, Inc./Batson Cooke
Approx. Value: $1,260,000
The fourteen story structure, placed in the center of downtown Charlotte, posed a tremendous opportunity for EHG to demonstrate a breadth of capabilities. We were charged with the environmental remediation of the 300,000 square foot structure. Initially the project called for the removal of over 100,000 square feet of asbestos containing flooring and 10,000 linear feet of thermal insulation among other asbestos containing materials. Within a few weeks of the start of our work, the discovery of 40,000 square feet of mastic wedged between the brick curtain walls posed a strategic challenge.
Working at heights up to 140 feet, we began abating the material using modified containment systems to fully enclose sections of the wall as we proceeded with the removal of roofing mastic/waterproofing material. Work had to be coordinated into varying shifts to allow for other trades to work adjacent to our activities. To complicate matters we had to protect a glass enclose atrium which was filled with daily patrons. Working day and night, we completed the task on schedule, even amidst differing odds.
The project also allowed us to show how we can provide the owner with value added services. For example, to allow for the installation of fireproofing to the concrete deck, a foam coating and underlying paint had to be removed. EHG utilized its industrial coating capabilities to quickly and efficiently prove a smooth and clean surface to adhere the new fireproofing.
In all we worked over 30,000 man-hours without a lost work day incident. Coordinated varying complexities around other trades activities and conquered every deadline requested.
North Carolina Central University
Project Name: N.C. Central Univ. (NCCU) ? Various Projects
Location: Durham, NC
Owner: North Carolina Central University
Consultant/GC: EI, Inc. & Carolina Env.
Approx. Value: $820,000
EHG has performed several large remediation projects on the NCCU campus. We began remediation of the 40,000 square foot Willis Hall building where we removed contaminated sheetrock, ceiling tile and other components. The project had complications due to avian excretion contamination, which had been discovered throughout the attic area. EHG also performed select demolition throughout the buildings mechanical, electrical and plumbing systems.
In March of 2003, with only 24-hours notice, EHG responded with approximately thirty personnel to address severe moisture problems in the Lee Biology Building on the same campus. Our personnel, working hand and hand with the consulting agency, prepared detailed working documents of existing contamination, providing a direction on how to efficiently remedy the occupied building. The work impacted over 35,000 square feet which involved not only mold abatement, but addressed duct cleaning activities, asbestos abatement, select demolition and dropping the relative humidity level from 80+% to within ASHRAE standards.
Later in August, 2003, our management team was requested to assist with identifying potential issues within the 70,000 Square Foot ?New Residence Halls.? With the assistance of the consulting company, EHG began remediation of seven of the ten floors in less than 24-hours notice. Within that time frame, we assembled over 60 personnel working night and day to remediate the areas. The project received extensive media coverage throughout the duration of the project.
Project Name: Victory Lane Mills
Location: Mooresville, NC
Owner: Cherokee Mooresville
Consultant/GC: Bradford Env / S&ME
Approx. Value: $2,600,000
This project provides a classic example of EHG handling all of your environmental remediation needs. Throughout this 18 month project in a 100 year old former textile mill, we provided total turnkey abatement of the environmental hazards posed to the owner. The work included remediation and disposal of hazardous waste, soils, asbestos containing materials, lead paint, the decommissioning of vessels and pipes as well as select demolition of keys areas of the plant.
Our work specifically included:
- Remediation of over 150,000 square feet of thermal system insulation, surfacing materials, roofing materials, flooring and adhesives which contained asbestos.
- Removal of over 75,000 square feet of lead paint from brick surfaces, including the soft demolition of select areas of the interior of the mill.
- Classification and disposal of 100?s of drums and containers of miscellaneous chemicals left over by the owner.
- The cleanup of soils contaminated with PCB?s as well as the disposal of transformers which also contained PCB?s.
- The remediation of over 25,000 square feet of concrete floors which were contaminated with a highly acidic solution.
- The cleaning and draining of former process piping which contained dyes and other chemicals.
Another key contributing aspect of EHG, was that we worked with the owners, consultants and the general contractor for the project to identify a cost saving strategy to dispose of thousands of cubic feet of inert debris. Instead of hauling the debris to a landfill and pay tipping fees, the owner wanted to reuse the debris on site to fill in the basement of a large structure, which had been demolished. The State of North Carolina insisted that the debris be free of lead paint. Serving as both a consultant and service provider, EHG identified a tremendous savings by performing our state-of-the-art wet abrasive blasting of the interior wall surfaces, which contained lead paint. Again, this work demonstrates our capabilities to handle all of your complex needs.
North Hills Mall
Project Name: North Hills Mall
Location: Raleigh, NC
Owner: NHMOO, LLC
Consultant/GC: Matrix / Bovis Lend Lease
Approx. Value: $1,100,000
North Hills Mall claims to be the first enclosed mall built between Atlanta and Washington, DC. EHG was selected to perform total site demolition, asbestos abatement and hazardous material abatement. The hazardous material abatement included the removal of PCB laden oils from elevator and escalator pits, refrigerants from air conditioning units, old solvents and miscellaneous chemicals as well as PCB ballasts and mercury light bulbs. The work also included removal of several thousand square feet of asbestos containing fireproofing, floor tile, roofing and cementitous asbestos containing materials. The 450,000 square foot structure and 110,000 square foot parking deck was dismantled utilizing conventional methods and still adhering to a demanding schedule.
The most difficult part of the project, involved the hand separation of the mall structure from the occupied department store. Working from boom lifts, our personnel manually separated the story structure from the store without incident.
EHG personnel completed the dangerous project without a single recordable or lost time accident. Due to the successful completion of the base project, we were awarded two other facilities to dismantle as well as the parking deck structure.
We executed a vigorous salvage effort during demolition. First, the owner auctioned off the majority of potential loose salvageable items from within the structure. Once demolition began, we separated all salvageable materials and fully recycled them. The majority of concrete was either crushed to be used as base fill for construction or for clean-fill in other areas in the surrounding community. Approximately 70% of the total debris, based on tonnage, was recycled during this project.
Caraleigh Mills
Project Name: Caraleigh Mills
Location: Raleigh, NC
Owner: King Construction
Consultant/GC: King Construction
Approx. Value: $220,000
This 1890?s former textile mill was undergoing an extensive conversion into residential apartments. The new owners planned to remove the painted brick interior back to its natural brick facing. Knowing the potential cost associated with a chemical peeling of the paint, the owner?s acquired the services of EHG to perform wet abrasive blasting to over 125,000 square feet of surface area.
The work was extremely delicate in nature and had to meet the strict guidelines of the National Park Service. Seeing that there were millions invested in potential tax credits, the owner could not risk the accidental damage of brick interior surfaces to an untried and unknown technology. Additionally, due to the lead content of the paint, they were facing a potentially costly disposal issue.
EHG first prepared the surface of the walls by applying Pretox. This chemical allows for the lead paint to be bound in a matrix which reduces the leachability of metals in paints. Then we utilized the low pressure wet abrasive blasting technique to the interior wall surfaces to remove the paint to the original substrate. Since the blaster only utilizes a small quantity of water mixed with the abrasive, there is little concern for water damage. Additionally, using our experience and expertise in containment construction, we were able to protect the delicate heart of pine floor to prevent damage.
