Hazardous Materials Inspection (HMI)
Hazardous Materials Inspection (HMI)
What is Hazardous Materials Inspection?
Before starting a renovation or demolition project, you will need a hazardous materials inspection and assessment to identify building materials that require specific removal and disposal procedures.
A Hazardous Materials Inspection (HMI) is conducted by a qualified professional who will walk through your home or building and identify and collect building materials suspected of containing asbestos. In addition, inspect for other hazardous materials such as PCBs, lead based paint, mercury, biohazards and chemicals and mold.
Epoch Environmental has provided over 30,000 HMIs to property owners, developers, construction companies prior to demolition or renovation of residential and commercial buildings.
Multiple layers of suspect flooring material such as vinyl floor tile, sheet flooring and linoleum can contain asbestos, and may be concealed under carpeting.
It is very important to ensure that the person who conducts the assessment and sampling is experienced and trained. Moreover, samples need to be testing by a qualified asbestos laboratory for analysis. Our affiliate company, Epoch Analytical Inc is a fully accredited asbestos testing laboratory.
Not all suspected materials will contain asbestos. This is contingent on the type of building, its age (pre 1995) and construction, and the number of all samples collected. Epoch Environmental Consulting technicians abide by the minimum sample requirements set forth by WorkSafeBC.
While sample inspections are more expensive initially due to the cost of asbestos testing, the benefits far outweigh the cost in the long term.
Those materials that do not contain asbestos can be disposed easily and not treated as a health risk hence saving money in maintenance, repair and demolition costs that can incur significant expense.
Frequently, Epoch Environmental consultants have been retained by WorkSafeBC to manage worksite “shutdowns” in which improper removal practises have been observed.
When a site is shut down, there are serious costs to the contractor and the building owner due to the inability to move forward with the project until all deficiencies are resolved and WorkSafeBC regulations are adhered to.
WorkSafeBC requires that a qualified professional conducts a hazardous materials survey before any demolition or renovation work begins.
Municipal Permits may not be granted, unless a comprehensive Hazardous Materials Inspection and Post Abatement Inspection Report are satisfactorily submitted for approval.
Epoch Environmental Consulting is registered with WorkSafeBC and is frequently on site to address WorkSafeBC shutdowns.
