Environmental Health & Safety

Environmental Health and Safety (EH&S) with Omega Environmental has placed air quality monitoring equipment throughout Pierce Hall. Construction activities can create dusty environments. EH&S wants to ensure that dust and other potential construction materials do not exceed established standards during construction. You may notice air monitoring pumps
placed throughout hallways and corridors. Please do not disturb the sensitive equipment. These pumps make a slight humming noise that should not be disruptive. Beginning on March 11th, air monitoring results will be posted to the EH&S web page at the following link: https://ehs.ucr.edu/project-updates

Dust Monitoring:

From 2/18/20 to 2/26/20, Omega will set up 6 direct reading data logging aerosol dust monitors in the Pierce Hall locations indicated on the attached floorplans to run for an entire week. This Data will be reviewed and Omega will send EH&S a baseline monitoring report. At that time we will schedule weekly routine dust monitoring, for the five weeks following the initial monitoring (exact dates TBD).

Asbestos Monitoring

Omega will also collect 6 baseline asbestos PCM air clearance samples at the same locations indicated on the attached floorplans by Friday 2/21.  This Data will be reviewed and Omega will send EH&S a baseline monitoring report. At that time we will schedule our weekly routine asbestos monitoring, for the five weeks following the initial monitoring (exact dates TBD).

Once the 6 weeks of data has been reviewed in total, we will work with Omega on establishing a sampling routine for the remainder of the renovation project.

Maps of testing locations

Air monitoring information poster

Questions or Concerns?
Call EH&S: 951-827-5528
Email: ehssafety@ucr.edu
Web: https://ehs.ucr.edu/
Pierce Project Manager:
Gerald Caraig: (951) 827-2432

 

On September 20, 2019, Omega Environmental, at the request of Environmental Health & Safety, conducted a survey of the Pierce Hall south (first floor) ceiling insulation. The report linked below provides detailed information about what was found. Several different types of testing were performed and in short, the staining on the insulation is not hazardous. A small section of insulation was found to be moist and the decision was made to remove it so that the source of the moisture can be better identified. 

Report conclusion excerpt: 

The building HVAC system design includes the return-air via an open plenum in the subject hallway where the stain impacted duct insulation is located. The laboratory dust analytical results indicated the presence of inorganic and mineral constituents which may have contributed to the discoloration of the insulation material. The findings showed the presence of particulates generally composed of amorphous sands (quartz-like, clays, and soil minerals) and fire residue (soot and char). These findings are considered typical for older buildings located in semi-arid climates with exposure to high winds and historical wildfires.

The laboratory analytical findings confirm that there is no evidence of significant viable and non-viable fungal growth on the stain impacted insulation along the south hallway.

Based on these findings, it is Omega’s professional opinion that the stain impacted insulation has no adverse health effects from mold growth on the
building occupants utilizing the hallway.

Omega Full Report

Pierce Hall Flooring Removal Testing Results - Weekend 9/27-29

Asbestos abatement clearance

The flooring and ceilings were removed from the south wing second floor and remainder of the first floor of Pierce Hall 9/27-9/29/2019. The flooring was 9"x9" non-friable asbestos-containing tile. The ceiling materials removed did not contain asbestos. All work was done under containment to prevent infiltration of dust to adjacent areas. HEPA vacuums and air cleaners were employed to control silica dust as well. Ambient Environmental provided oversight and sampling to ensure the air was clear of asbestos fibers. EH&S also had Omega Environmental representatives onsite to provide additional review and post-work inspection. Additional perimeter sampling was conducted during the entire abatement period to verify containment was effective and no impact to the Block Party event would occur. The building has been cleared for occupancy by EH&S today.

Ambient Clearance for Pierce Hall 9/29/2019

Pierce Hall Testing Results - Post abatement Pierce Hall Third Floor flooring

Asbestos abatement clearance

The flooring and ceilings were removed from the Third floor of Pierce Hall 9/20-9/22/2019. The flooring was 9"x9" non-friable asbestos-containing tile. The ceiling materials removed did not contain asbestos. All work was done under containment to prevent infiltration of dust to adjacent areas. HEPA vacuums and air cleaners were employed to control silica dust as well. Ambient Environmental provided oversight and sampling to ensure the air was clear of asbestos fibers. EH&S also had Omega Environmental representatives onsite to provide additional review and post-work inspection. The building has been cleared for occupancy by EH&S today.

Ambient Environmental Clearance Report

Pierce Hall Waterproofing Odors in Building

Reports of strong chemical smell throughout Pierce Hall

Thursday 9/19 a strong chemical smell was reported to EH&S from second-floor occupants. Rebecca Lally from EH&S responded and sampled the air to determine if the area was safe to occupy. The levels of chemical vapors in the air were very low and while the smell was strong the area was determined safe to occupy.  The odor was discovered to be coming from the exterior of the building and was being brought in by the HVAC system. Contractors applied a urethane-based coating to the north exterior which is adjacent to the intakes for the HVAC system. 

The smell was also reported on Friday. Tracy Stark responded and asked the contractors to prop open the exterior doors to dilute the air in the building and clear out the odor. This significantly improved the air in most areas. In some areas, we placed HEPA fans with charcoal filters and let them run over the weekend. The odor was still reported as strong on the first floor Saturday. We requested that the contractors prop open the exterior doors while they were working over the weekend and then first thing Monday morning.

Rebecca Lally has walked the building today (9/23) and reported that the air was much improved today with little to no odor in most areas. We will continue checking throughout the day to ensure it continues to improve.

Pierce Hall Flooring Removal Testing Results - Weekend 9/13-15

Asbestos abatement clearance

The flooring and ceilings were removed from the Third floor of Pierce Hall 9/13-9/15/2019. The flooring was 9"x9" non-friable asbestos-containing tile. The ceiling materials removed did not contain asbestos. All work was done under containment to prevent infiltration of dust to adjacent areas. HEPA vacuums and air cleaners were employed to control silica dust as well. Ambient Environmental provided oversight and sampling to ensure the air was clear of asbestos fibers. EH&S also had Omega Environmental representatives onsite to provide additional review and post-work inspection. The building has been cleared for occupancy by EH&S.

Ambient Clearance report 9/14/2019

Construction Update: Upcoming Flooring and ceiling removals during September

TO: ALL PIERCE HALL OCCUPANTS AND DEPARTMENT LEADERSHIP

This notification is to provide you with a comprehensive plan and schedule for corridor demo/abatement work scheduled through the month of September. We hope this advance notification will allow ample time to plan ahead and to mitigate any potential impacts for occupants and scheduled events.

Please note: all construction activity will occur on the weekend (Fri-Mon), with full access to impacted areas available by 6:00 AM Monday mornings.

Center Wing Corridor – 2^nd floor: Fri. 9-13-19 at 10:00 PM through Mon. 9-16-19 at 6:00 AM

Construction activities include removal of flooring and ceiling and clean up. This area will be fully off-limits and unavailable for access to occupants/users during this scheduled activity.

 

 

Center Wing – 3^rd floor: Fri. 9-20-19 at 10:00 PM through Mon. 9-23-19 at 6:00 AM

Construction activities include removal of flooring and ceiling and clean up. This area will be fully off-limits and unavailable for access to occupants/users during this scheduled activity.

 

 

 

South Wing – 2^nd floor: Fri. 9-27-19 at 10:00 PM through Mon. 9-30-19 at 6:00 AM

Construction activities include removal of flooring and ceiling and clean up. This area will be fully off-limits and unavailable for access to occupants/users during this scheduled activity.

 

 

South Wing – 1^st floor: Fri. 9-27-19 at 10:00 PM through Mon. 9-30-19 at 6:00 AM

Construction activities include removal of flooring and ceiling and clean up. This area will be fully off-limits and unavailable for access to occupants/users during this scheduled activity.

 

 

Center Wing – 1^st floor: Fri. 9-27-19 at 10:00 PM through Mon. 9-30-19 at 6:00 AM

Construction activities include removal of flooring and ceiling and clean up. This area will be fully off-limits and unavailable for access to occupants/users during this scheduled activity.

 

 

As always, thank you for your continued patience and grace throughout this project. 

If the above schedule poses any significant hardships, or if you have any questions and/or concerns, please contact me at the contact information attached below, and cc your CNAS Liaison, Dr. Deborah McWilliams, at deborah.mcwilliams@ucr.edu. Assuming we hear no objectives that would cause this schedule to change, we will proceed as indicated.

  

Gerald Caraig, Senior Project Manager

gerald.caraig@ucr.edu

(951) 827-2432

Ambient Environmental Post Abatement Asbestos Air Clearance Report

August 31, 2019

The flooring and ceilings were removed from the center wing of Pierce Hall 8/30-9/1/2019. The flooring was 9"x9" non-friable asbestos-containing tile. The ceiling materials removed did not contain asbestos. All work was done under containment to prevent infiltration of dust to adjacent areas. HEPA vacuums and air cleaners were employed to control silica dust as well. Ambient Environmental provided oversight and sampling to ensure the air was clear of asbestos fibers. EH&S also had Omega Environmental representatives onsite to provide additional review and post-work inspection. 

Ambient Environmental Post Abatement Asbestos Air Clearance Report

Pierce Hall Work Planned for 8.30-9.6.2019 - LIMITED ACCESS

Good Afternoon,

The night of August 30^th, at 10:00 P.M., demolition of the center wing hallway, ceiling and floor, will begin.  The work will be accomplished in two phases and will be completed by September 6^th at 10:00 P.M.

Linked here is a floor plan outlining the work areas: https://bit.ly/326GVAO

Phase 1 will consist of the hallway from the construction door at the north to the elevator.  Demolition will begin on August 30^th, at 10:00 P.M., and will be reopened by September 3^rd at 10:00 P.M.  During this time there will be no access 24 hours a day.  It will be necessary to use the second floor restrooms during this Phase.

Phase 2 consists of the center wing hallway, beginning at the west edge of room 1326, going east to the building exit.  This Phase will also begin on August 30^th at 10:00 P.M. and will reopen on September 6^th at 10:00 P.M.  There will be no access to this area, including offices and classrooms off of the hallway, 24 hours a day for the duration of the demolition.

Thank you for your patience during this phase of construction.

If you have any questions please contact Dave Bomba at 951-452-9141.

UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, RIVERSIDE

1223 UNIVERSITY AVE | SUITE 240 | RIVERSIDE CA 92507

P: 951.827.2464 | pdc.ucr.edu

E-mail address: vilma.kern@ucr.edu

 

Pierce Hall Renovation Sampling Reports

All Asbestos and Silica sampling reports for Pierce Hall Renovation to date

Below you will find links to all of the testing and reports for Pierce Hall that have been completed since July 7, 2019 as part of and in response to the first floor flooring abatement concerns. 

August 20, 2019 - Omega Environmental Report on Respirable Silica & Total Dust Pierce Hall

July 19, 2019 - SGS/Ambient Silica Analysis From Dust Collected Post Abatement Pierce Hall

July 19, 2019 - Ambient Environmental Asbestos Micro-Vac Settled Dust Pierce Hall Rooms 1144 & 1148

July 12, 2019 - Ambient Environmental Asbestos  Settled Dust Sampling Pierce Hall 30 Locations

July 10, 2019 - Ambient Asbestos Air Sampling Pierce First & Second Floor

July 8, 2019 - Ambient Environmental Post Clean-Up Asbestos Air Clearance  

July 8, 2019 - Ambient Environment Sampled Dust Asbestos Post Abatement Debris

July 7, 2019 - Ambient Environmental Post Abatement Asbestos Air Clearance Report

Please share this email with your colleagues

PIERCE HALL OCCUPANT NOTICE

Re: Occupant Meeting Scheduled tomorrow (July 16) 1PM Rm 2226

July 15, 2019

If you were unable to attend the meeting on July 11 or have any additional questions, Planning Design and Construction, Environmental Health and Safety, Risk Management and representatives from the Contractor will be available again at 1PM tomorrow in Pierce Hall Room 2226  to answer questions.

We encourage anyone with questions to attend.

For more information on potential health effects from asbestos visit:  https://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/toxfaqs/tf.asp?id=29&tid=4

The campus annual asbestos notification can be found here: https://insideucr.ucr.edu/announcements/2019/01/24/2019-annual-campus-asbestos-notification

Thank you,

Blythe Wilson
Director of Project Management, Planning Design and Construction

Sheila Hedayati
Director, Environmental Health and Safety

Pierce Hall Renovation Update

July 11, 2019

Planning Design and Construction, Environmental Health and Safety, Risk Management and a representative from the Contractor will be present from 1PM to 3PM today in Pierce Hall Room 2226  to answer questions and to provide additional information.

We encourage anyone with questions to attend.

For more information on potential health effects from asbestos visit:  https://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/toxfaqs/tf.asp?id=29&tid=4

The campus annual asbestos notification can be found here: https://insideucr.ucr.edu/announcements/2019/01/24/2019-annual-campus-asbestos-notification

Thank you,

Blythe Wilson
Director of Project Management, Planning Design and Construction

Sheila Hedayati
Director, Environmental Health and Safety

 

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Download the Meeting notes from July 11, 2019 Meeting. 

All, Please share this will all Pierce occupants. Copies of this notice will be posted on all doors in Pierce Hall.

PIERCE HALL OCCUPANT NOTICE

Re: SOUTH WING RENOVATION WORK

July 10, 2019

On Friday, July 5 through Sunday July 7,2019 renovation work, including asbestos abatement, took place on the first floor south wing corridor as part of the overall Pierce Hall project. Routine air monitoring was performed and test results were negative for asbestos in the space.

On the morning of July 8, it was noted that dust had infiltrated into, and the Contactor did not adequately check and clean, the space adjacent to where remediation work was performed. The campus immediately coordinated for a Contractor to retest, seal and clean the affected area and temporarily relocated the first floor south wing occupants. Surface samples were collected and 2 of the 3 samples contained asbestos material. The space was resealed, cleaned and retested. The results of the  additional air testing after cleaning were negative for asbestos.

On July 9 with an abundance of caution, we expanded testing to the second floor south wing. All tests performed on July 9 were negative for asbestos.

PD&C and EH&S are working closely with the Contractor to ensure that this error does not occur again. We apologize for this problem and will share a communication we expect from the Contractor about this issue, when available.

The health and well being of our campus community is of utmost importance. If you have any construction related questions please contact PD&C at (951) 827-2433. If you have any concerns or questions regarding health related issues, or if you were working on the first floor on Monday, July 8, please contact EH&S at (951) 827-5528 or email ehsih@ucr.edu.

For more information on potential health effects from asbestos visit:  https://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/toxfaqs/tf.asp?id=29&tid=4

The campus annual asbestos notification can be found here: https://insideucr.ucr.edu/announcements/2019/01/24/2019-annual-campus-asbestos-notification

Thank you,

Blythe Wilson
Director of Project Management, Planning Design and Construction

Sheila Hedayati
Director, Environmental Health and Safety

 

Due to project delays as a result of COVID-19 suspensions, the final report for the Pierce Hall air monitoring has been postponed. Thank you for your understanding and patience during this time.
 

Questions or Concerns?
Call EH&S: 951-827-5528
Email: ehs@ucr.edu
Web: https://ehs.ucr.edu/
Pierce Project Manager:
Gerald Caraig: (951) 827-2432