Environmental Management and Consulting

Asbestos Surveys, Air Monitoring, Bid Negotiations, Asbestos Abatement Design Specifications and Computer-Aided Designs (CAD)

Many buildings still have significant amounts of asbestos containing building materials that are either in poor condition or that will be impacted by renovation or demolition plans, requiring removal. Prudent real estate managers and lending institutions typically require that a comprehensive asbestos survey be conducted prior to purchase. EMTEQUE has performed thousands of these surveys since its inception and sends its trained investigators and inspectors for additional periodic training to keep them at the peak of their capability.

EMTEQUEís trained professional staff can also develop asbestos abatement design specifications, adding CAD drawings that will enable your firm to conduct a bidding process with multiple contractors in an effort to get the best possible pricing. EMTEQUE is available to manage the site walk-through and bidding process, offering a complete start-to-finish turnkey project management package, or unbundled as select individual asbestos management services. Once the asbestos abatement process has started, EMTEQUE will supply qualified environmental technicians to perform the mandated third party air monitoring services on-site, protecting your interests and ensuring that the abatement contractors follow all pertinent rules and safety regulations, minimizing any potential fines and risk exposure. EMTEQUE Corporationís specialists are licensed and certified by EPA, State and Local authorities with extensive experience in managing hazardous material, safety and health issues. EMTEQUE Corporationís expertise and experience will ensure a rapid, cost effective and professional solution of all asbestos-related problems.

 

 

 

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ACP-5 and ACP-7 Asbestos Inspections

The NYCDEP requires that an ACP-5 be conducted prior to any renovation or demolition work, to ensure that no asbestos will be disturbed during the construction process. EMTEQUE's trained New York City Asbestos Investigators have performed thousands of these required ACP-5 inspections and will do so in a professional and timely manner that will keep your project plans on schedule. In the event that asbestos is uncovered during an ACP-5 or ACP-7 survey, EMTEQUE personnel can compile the data and work with an asbestos abatement contractor in the preparation of the ACP-7 notification to the various regulatory agencies. We will also assist the contractor in establishing work practices that will reduce the time and effort required on the project, which usually translates to a lower overall cost for our clients.

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Lead-Based Paint Surveys, Negative Exposure Assessments and Lead Management

Recent NYC Local Law 38 legislation requires that landlords owning residential properties check the condition of those apartments that are inhabited by children under 6-years old containing lead-based paint on an annual basis. Commercial property owners and developers who are looking to renovate or demolish their sites must be concerned about OSHA safety laws and CFR-1926.62 "Lead in Construction" standards for their workers, if lead based paint is present on their sites. EMTEQUE's trained and EPA-certified professional staff employ computerized state-of-the-art XRF (x-ray fluorescent) atomic absorption hardware, which has the ability to map out the percentage of lead based paint content on most surfaces in less than a minute, providing a cost-effective solution when large areas require inspection. This digital information is then downloaded into a comprehensive report format for accurate abatement management.

EMTEQUE Corporation also provides services for lead sampling in soil, air and drinking water. Confirmatory sampling can be performed with the collection of paint chip samples for atomic absorption analysis. The lead assessment is followed by the design of safe and responsible procedures for the removal of lead paint, and to control lead dust and contaminated debris. EMTEQUE Corporation provides programs for worker health and safety plans for lead removal activities and provides construction monitoring of lead projects to prevent workers and third party exposure to lead dust on abatement of industrial/commercial/residential facilities, steel structures, bridges, historical properties, etc. EMTEQUE Corp. is currently certified by the USEPA to provide lead services and employs trained personnel certified by the EPA to provide lead services.

 

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Preparation of Operations and Maintenance (O&M) Programs

Operations and Maintenance programs are historically used for the management and control of potentially hazardous substances or items (i.e., chemicals, asbestos, lead, power equipment, etc.) located within the workplace. EMTEQUE has the ability to develop O&M programs, in addition to aiding in the implementation of these programs and conduct any training directed as part of the O&M program. We have established numerous O&M programs for our real estate clients, which have enabled them to manage in-place asbestos-containing materials. These programs have included the preparation of asbestos surveys, the execution of air surveys, the preparation of the guidance document, the establishment of an emergency response kit, and finally, the training of the building personnel and the required tenant notifications.

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Phase I Environmental Site Assessments

To protect against possible environmental remediation and litigation costs, most developers, commercial real estate and financial institutions require additional environmental information before making an investment commitment. EMTEQUE Corporation's site and property assessment investigation defines all of the possible environmental concerns, chemical and physical factors of a site. The concerns for liability are based on federal and state regulations, which place responsibility for any required cleanup upon the property owner, regardless of the owner's contribution to the problem. The site assessment provides a baseline for understanding potential site and subsurface conditions and is necessary before any clean-up can be designed or implemented.

Phase I Environmental Site Assessments (ESA) are typically required by most lending institutions when seeking a mortgage for commercial property. Prudent real estate managers and developers usually demand that a Phase I ESA be conducted before going to contract, to ascertain the historical usages of any property and to uncover any potentially serious environmental concerns that could have far-reaching financial implications. The American Society for Testing and Materials has recently developed a new standard for conducting Phase I Environmental Site Assessments (ASTM 1527-00), which the geotechnical engineers at EMTEQUE have already incorporated into their workflow. EMTEQUE professionals will conduct a thorough Phase I ESA inspection and deliver a comprehensive report annotated with color digital photography usually less than two weeks from the date of the project inception.

 

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Phase II Subsurface Investigations

When historical review or a site assessment indicates that soil, groundwater, asbestos, chemical, radiation or radon contamination exists, a Phase II Subsurface Investigation is required to either confirm any environmental suspicions or to delineate the extent of environmental contamination. In the event that a Phase II subsurface investigation is recommended, EMTEQUE's staff is capable of performing all subsequent subsurface investigations, including but not limited to drilling, sampling, analysis and reporting. EMTEQUE's geotechnical engineers also work with local and state agencies to close spills that may be associated with a property's historical use. Our staff enjoys an enviable 100-percent closure record of our clients' open NYSDEC spill files.

 

 

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Due Diligence Environmental Audits and Transaction Screenings

EMTEQUE geotechnical engineers and field supervisors can perform various environmental audits and pre-purchase screenings that are custom-tailored to your individual needs, providing analytical and scientific answers to specific concerns or questions that you might have "before" you decide to invest in a property.

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GeoProbe Sampling and Monitoring Well Testing/Installation

When subsurface drilling or monitoring wells are required as a result of due diligence efforts or Phase II Subsurface Investigation findings, EMTEQUE's geotechnical engineers will manage the process of drilling, sampling, lab analysis, results interpretation and reporting. Our field staff will also perform similar project management functions for any well installations that are required, in addition to performing monitoring, sampling, lab interpretation and reporting duties for any wells that are currently in service.

 

 

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Expert Witness Testimony and Third Party Reviews

EMTEQUE Corporation personnel have supported owners and tenants in legal matters relating to asbestos, lead, subsurface soil and groundwater, health and safety issues. It is our belief that a competent technical background is the key to a strong legal position. We pride ourselves in providing these services to our clients 24-hours-a-day, 7-days-a-week and 365-days per year. EMTEQUE personnel have the ability to perform the following:

    1. Third party review of prior environmental reports
    2. Prepare technical reports relative to environmental matters
    3. Meet with counsel to discuss strategy and research technical documents to defend positions (preparation for testimony)
    4. Attend all hearings to render opinions expressed during various testimonies (typical services critical for cross-examinations)
    5. Provide expert testimony in support of the case

 

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Regulated and Chemical Waste Management

EMTEQUE personnel will identify, classify, package and assist in the disposal of all biologically and chemically hazardous waste materials in commercial, private, industrial, institutional and government facilities. Our professional technicians will follow all federal, state and local guidelines and ordinances for the storage, transportation and disposal of these hazardous and non-hazardous materials, including any required follow-up reporting and manifest documentation.

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Petroleum Storage Tank Management, Testing and Removal

EMTEQUE Corporation provides a complete menu of services relating to all aspects of aboveground (AST) and underground storage tank (UST) management, including audits; registration and deregistration; annual certification of underground storage tanks; tank tightness testing; tank cleaning; preparation of tank closure plans; field oversight during tank removal; and spill closure management with the NYSDEC and other states' regulatory agencies. Once a tank audit has been conducted, recommendations are developed for a management program that will be cost-effective and environmentally sound. These may include regular tank testing, monitoring and replacement; testing the leak detection system; tank removal or abandonment; and investigations for remedial action, cleanup or closure.

 

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Community Right-to-Know Chemical Inventory Inspections

The NYCDEP, in accordance with the federal Title III Amendment to the Superfunds Act, requires that every commercial building, school, hospital, etc. conduct a hazardous chemical inventory audit and then report these findings in a specific format, which is due to them by March 1st of every year. Non-compliance can result in severe financial penalties. Trained EMTEQUE field technicians will visit your site, conduct the chemical inventory and then fill out all of the required Department of Environmental Protection forms, all in a timely and cost-efficient manner. We will also keep a file of these chemical audits from year to year to ensure a smooth process that transcends any staff changes.

 

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Local, State and Federal Environmental Agency Liaison Work

EMTEQUE's professional staff will analyze and develop an action plan for whatever current environmental situations or problems that your firm might have in its open, unresolved or pending file. Our dedicated geotechnical engineers and environmental professionals have an excellent rapport with the local, state and federal agency personnel who operate in the NY Metro area and have an envious 100-percent success rate in closing open petroleum, soil and groundwater contamination spills. EMTEQUE is equally competent in preparing NYC and NY State variances for asbestos and lead abatement.

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General Environmental Consulting & Project Management

EMTEQUE's environmental professionals can take charge of all project management duties, working with other abatement and/or construction resources to ensure that the client's best interests are always represented, helping to complete complex programs in a timely and cost-efficient manner. Our staff can also provide valuable assistance to clients, when they are in need of a second opinion or require additional input on complex environmental issues for programs that are already up and running.

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