The Level I Survey
The Level II Survey
Combining Level I & II Surveys
Sampling and Analytical Methodologies
Project Management Services
As our clients' have various reasons for wanting building surveys, the same level of detail is not appropriate to every survey. CERL staff have developed two levels of complexity for our building surveys. This enables us to tailor services and costs to the particular requirements of our clients.
The Level I Survey
The Level II Survey
Combining Level I & II Surveys
Sampling and Analytical Methodologies
Project Management Services
This level of investigation includes sampling and analysis of suspect materials, and a general overview of the condition of confirmed contaminated materials. It does not include the specific locations and amounts of the contaminated materials, or cost estimates for remedial action. It is intended for clients who need to make a yes or no decision on whether to buy a property, or begin a renovation. The report is usually made in letter form, with a copy of the sampling log and laboratory report included. Detail is scant, but the cost of the investigation is much cheaper than is possible with a level II survey.
The purpose of a level II survey is to provide the client with a detailed description of contaminated materials in the building, their nature, and what must be done about them. Ideally, a qualified project designer should be able to design a removal project from the level II survey report, and a brief reconnaissance of the site.
As with the level I survey, all suspect materials in the building are identified and sampled, and their general condition assessed. Additionally, a level II survey report includes the following:
A level II survey includes all of the elements of a level I survey. If a level II survey is requested after a level I survey has been done, this will require an extra trip to the site to sketch maps and make material estimates. For this reason, the cost of a level I and level II survey together will be greater than the level II survey alone. If it is expected that a level II survey will be needed eventually, it may be more cost effective to commission this type of survey immediately, without first obtaining a level I survey.
Many asbestos materials, such as joint compounds, plasters, and some pipe insulations, are mixed in the field. For this reason, the distribution of asbestos fibers within materials may vary greatly. Even in the case of factory produced materials such as vinyl tiles, enough variation has been observed to produce negative results in one sample, and positive results in another sample of the same material.
Sample results for lead can also show large variations. EPA studies have shown that laboratory analysis of paint samples taken within 9" of each other can vary as much as 30% to 60%.
Because of these variations, multiple samples of suspect materials should be collected and analyzed, in order to reduce the risk of false negative results. It is recommended that no less than three samples of each suspect material be taken, and that more samples be taken for larger areas.
Samples of suspect materials must be collected in a fashion that prevents cross-contamination of the samples. This is particularly true when collecting lead samples, which are especially sensitive to outside contamination. Sampling tools must be cleaned between samples. Hands must be washed or gloves changed between samples as well.
Bulk samples are analyzed at a laboratory that partcipates in an approved accreditation program. The standard analytical procedure for asbestos bulk samples is called polarized light microscopy (PLM), used in conjunction with dispersion staining. Paint samples to be analyzed for lead are usually analyzed in the laboratory by atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS); this requires complete digestion of the sample, usually with nitric acid.
CERL staff have a comprehensive experience in managing asbestos and lead removal projects for our clients. Our services include: