A Glossary of Terms Used During Mold and Hazardous Materials Removal
Every industry has its own language and terms. These words and phrases can be confusing to anyone who is not part of the daily operations of a specific industry, and the asbestos and mold removal business is no exception.
To help you understand the terms, acronyms, and phrases regularly used when availing the services of asbestos and mold removal experts, Advanced Remediation Solutions has created this handy reference guide. Here you’ll find valuable information allowing you to comprehend and communicate your needs effectively.
Abatement.
It involves removing the problem from the structure or encapsulating it in such a way that it no longer causes harm to others.
Remediation.
It refers to addressing the underlying problem, so it doesn’t happen again. The remediation plan, which includes an abatement strategy, should be created before any work begins.
NOP.
Before starting work activity on specific projects, owners, prime contractors, and employers are required by the Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) Regulations to send a written notice. Work cannot start until approval is received from Occupational Health and Safety.
HEPA.
It refers to being, using, or containing a filter usually designed to remove 99.97% of airborne particles measuring 0.3 microns or greater in diameter passing through it. We have HEPA filters in our Air Scrubbers/Neg Airs and HEPA vacuum cleaners.
DOP Testing.
Dioctyl Phthalate or DOP is a liquid chemical which produces mono or polydispersed test aerosol of sub‐micron particles, generated to challenge (evaluate integrity) of HEPA filters. DOP testing of equipment is required before the start of an abatement.
Containment.
While removing hazardous material the work area is completely sealed off with polyethylene sheeting. All the openings allowing the passage of air are sealed to create an airtight cocoon that completely envelops the workspace. A two or three-celled decontamination chamber is built to allow workers to pass into and out of the sealed work site. This decontamination unit has four successive sets of flapped door coverings. These flaps operate the same way heart valves do. They will allow outside air to pass inward, but fall shut to prevent inside air from escaping outward. It is essential that large volumes of air be allowed to pass inward through the flapped doors and into the work site. Negative-pressure air filtration machines are installed in the enclosed work area. Once the machines are turned on, large volumes of air begin to move inward through the flapped doors of the three-chambered airlock. The constant inward rush of outside, or “make up” air, serves several purposes:
1. It continually pushes contaminated air toward the intakes of the air-moving units, thus clearing airborne asbestos contamination even as it is being created by workers who are disturbing asbestos materials.
2. The constant inward rush of air through the decontamination chamber prevents airborne contamination from moving outward even as workers move through the decontamination process and exit.
Negative Pressure Ventilation.
It is a system that controls the flow and volume of air contained inside a removal worksite’s barrier walls. The primary purpose of the system is to prevent airborne asbestos from escaping outward past the barriers to contaminate the rest of the building’s airspace.
Air Scrubbers.
HEPA filtered negative-pressure air filtration machines which are installed in the enclosed work area or containment. These machines can move up to 2,000 cubic feet of air per minute. The air is drawn through the front of the unit and, after filtering out any asbestos fibers, it exhausts through the rear via ductwork or plastic, to the outdoors.
Going Dirty.
After OHS and the Environmental Consultant complete all approvals and inspections of the contained work area. We can now have workers don all the required personal protective equipment, enter the containment and begin the removal process.
Third Party Air Monitoring and Inspection.
1. A visual inspection of the integrity of the containment, which must be performed before work commences.
2. Visual inspections of the containment when on-site by collecting air monitoring samples.
3. Air samples are taken during abatement activities and upon completion of the job if required.
Final Clearance.
A final visual inspection and air sampling to confirm that the abatement or remediation has been successful.
Occupationals.
This term refers to air sampling done inside the containment. A worker wears an air sampling cassette inside the containment during the removal process. These cassettes are analyzed in a lab to confirm that exposure levels did not exceed the limits of the respiratory protective equipment being worn.
Gluing Out.
The Alberta Abatement Guidelines recommends that after final inspection and before the final clearance air sample, the containment should be glued out. The entire area inside the containment, walls, floors, air, etc. will be sprayed with a water-soluble glue solution.
Leaving it on Scrub.
This refers to the Neg Air/Air Scrubbers during the final clean-up phase of a project, the machines process the air to remove any residual amounts of asbestos or mold that may remain after the mold or asbestos materials have been removed from the site.
Environmental Consultant.
Air monitoring, inspections, and final clearance must be performed by competent personnel following the methods specified in the OHS Legislation.
If you’re looking for asbestos and mold removal experts in Edmonton, AB, reach out to the specialists at Advanced Remediation Solutions. We excel in hazardous material removal and are proud of our strong bonds with our clients throughout Alberta. Our advanced equipment and expertise allow us to quickly assess and remediate not only the major contaminants of mold and asbestos, but also PCBs, animal feces, mercury, and other hazardous materials.
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