City of Alameda Building Demolition HBMS

Following a “Declaration of Unsafe Building and Notice to Vacate” due to fire damage and structural failure, Building 114 was ordered to be demolished by the City of Alameda in California. Terraphase was engaged to assess hazardous building materials and provide environmental oversight throughout the emergency demolition process.

Scope of Services

Terraphase conducted Hazardous Building Materials Surveys (HBMS) for Asbestos-Containing Materials (ACMs), Lead-Based Paint (LBP), and Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs) in accessible areas of the site. Asbestos materials and ACM were assumed to be present in structurally compromised, inaccessible areas based on visual inspection and laboratory analysis of building materials sampled in areas deemed safe to enter. Working with the City of Alameda, demolition contractor, abatement contractor, and Bay Area Air Quality Management District (BAAQMD), Terraphase developed demolition-specific waste management, safety, and regulatory compliance recommendations.

Terraphase also provided third-party oversight for asbestos and lead abatement, including air monitoring, regulatory inspections, and clearance reporting. Terraphase documented site activities, including the type, location, and quantity of materials removed or impacted, in daily field logs. Work areas, containments, and control measures were inspected at the start of work and periodically throughout the project. Terraphase performed perimeter air monitoring for asbestos during abatement activities and for lead-in-air during LBP stabilization prior to demolition. Asbestos and lead clearance inspections were conducted upon completion of work. Terraphase was responsive to changes in the abatement and demolition work schedule, mobilizing field staff on short notice to prevent project delays.

Notable Accomplishments

• Assessed and managed hazardous materials in fire-damaged structure on an expedited basis
• Provided real-time abatement oversight, air monitoring, and clearance inspections
• Supported safe and compliant demolition ahead of schedule

Research Facility HBMS and Abatement Monitoring

Terraphase supports redevelopment efforts at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL) in Berkeley, California through hazardous building material (HBM) characterization and remediation. As part of LBNL’s major campus modernization, decades-old buildings are being replaced with state-of-the-art laboratories.

Scope of Services

Terraphase conducted comprehensive Hazardous Building Material Surveys (HBMS) across several facilities at LBNL, including historic research laboratories, a particle accelerator facility, office spaces, a cafeteria, and utility tunnels. The surveys included the assessment and sampling of asbestos-containing materials (ACM), lead-based paint (LBP), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), beryllium, and universal waste. Sampling activities involved collection of bulk and wipe samples, use of x-ray fluorescence (XRF) analyzers, and documentation of field observations and measurements. Based on laboratory results and site evaluations, Terraphase developed detailed recommendations for waste management, demolition work practices, and health and safety requirements. Additionally, Terraphase provided third-party oversight during asbestos and lead abatement activities related to the demolition of the former cafeteria complex. This included daily field documentation, inspection of enclosures and engineering controls, perimeter air sampling, and post-abatement clearance inspections in accordance with 40 CFR 763. Terraphase was also able to respond quickly to changes in project scheduling, mobilizing staff on short notice to prevent delays and ensure seamless project progression.

Notable Accomplishments

• Performed comprehensive HBMSs across multiple active and historical facilities
• Delivered full abatement oversight and compliance documentation for building demolitions
• Conducted clearance inspections and regulatory-compliant air monitoring
• Ensured timely project execution through rapid on-call field team mobilization

Tahoe Truckee Unified School District Hazardous Materials Consulting

Terraphase has been assisting Tahoe Truckee Unified School District (TTUSD) in Nevada to address, mitigate, and manage hazardous building materials challenges with their school renovation projects. The primary focus of our involvement has been on the Tahoe Lake Elementary School modernization project.

Following the discovery of elevated lead concentrations in dust by Placer County Environmental Health Department (PCEH), construction was suspended in April 2018 by the District. While the lead had been exposed and disturbed during the construction process, it was not deemed a health risk for on-campus students or staff. Appropriate steps were taken to clearly identify the causes and extent of contamination, and a plan was developed to clean the construction site to levels that would allow construction to resume.

Scope of Services

Terraphase reviewed renovation plans and performed pre-renovation asbestos and lead surveys for several TTUSD campuses. We have conducted abatement oversight, visual clearance inspections, perimeter and clearance air sampling, and closure reporting on TTUSD’s behalf. Terraphase conducted lead hazard evaluation, remediation oversight, and validation testing oversight to confirm that the lead-affected areas were safe to reoccupy by TTUSD’s contractors and students. We finalized TTUSD’s Asbestos Management Plans and Operation and Maintenance Plans for compliance with the Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act (AHERA). Our team also conducted district-wide 2-hour Asbestos Awareness Training.

Additionally, Terraphase has conducted lead in drinking water assessment for their Tahoe City Elementary School campus.

Notable Accomplishments

• Review of the site data, directing confirmation testing efforts, guiding the development of a sensible interim cleaning plan, and then assisting TTUSD in negotiating a Work Resumption Work Plan with Placer County to allow construction work to safely resume.
• Assisted TTUSD with response to PCEH’s Notice of Violation for the lead contamination issue at Tahoe Lake Elementary
• Assisted TTUSD with identifying and preventing additional environmental regulatory challenges impacting their operations, including renovation of numerous other school sites