OVERVIEW
When a residential property is extensively damaged by fire, it poses significant health and safety risks due to the potential presence of hazardous materials. CM3 Environmental was entrusted with the task of conducting a Designated Substance Survey (DSS) for a single-story, wood-framed residential property that had been reduced to a debris pile. This survey, vital for an ongoing insurance claim, aimed to ensure compliance with Ontario’s provincial health and safety regulations while providing actionable recommendations for safe remediation.
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KEY CHALLENGES
The fire damage introduced numerous complications for the DSS, including a severely compromised structure where the property was reduced to a debris pile, making materials difficult to access for inspection and testing. As a result, our experts had to maneuver around the site with limited visibility where many hazardous materials were concealed or partially visible within the debris, requiring careful extrapolation to estimate quantities and ensure accurate reporting.
OUR APPROACH
With both industry best practices and provincial
regulations for hazardous material assessments at the forefront, the experts at CM3 forged ahead with a visual inspection, sample collection and analysis to determine final recommendations for the client.
CM3 conducted an extensive visual inspection of the fire-damaged site, documenting critical areas of concern. Samples were collected for laboratory analysis to confirm the presence of hazardous substances, including asbestos, lead, mercury, and silica.
The analysis revealed a significant presence of asbestos within the property. The sheet vinyl flooring was found
to contain 30% chrysotile asbestos while the roofing shingles, drywall joint compound and vinyl floor tiles
were determined to be asbestos-free.
Due to the extent of the fire damage, some areas
were inaccessible, requiring extrapolations based on observed materials to estimate the quantities of
asbestos-containing materials.
RECOMMENDATIONS
Based on the findings, CM3 provided the client with clear and actionable recommendations to safely handle and dispose of hazardous materials during remediation. Workers were instructed to follow Type 2 abatement procedures, which included wearing disposable coveralls and respirators with P-100 particulate filters. To minimize dust exposure during removal, debris was to be continuously wetted. Materials containing asbestos were to be disposed of in accordance with regulatory requirements to ensure environmental safety.
The Designated Substance Survey conducted by CM3 served as a critical component of the property remediation process. By offering a meticulous assessment and evidence-based recommendations, CM3 demonstrated its expertise and commitment to protecting both workers and the environment throughout the project lifecycle.