Question: Demolition/School/Procedures

[livvy]

Does anyone have any knowledge/expertise on the procedures for demolition/remodeling/addition in a school building? We are adding a small addition to our building, and remodeling of the lavatories. Does any one know anything about procedures for doing this? In out building, demolition has been ongoing for the last several weeks. The rooms adjacent to the demolition have been ridden with dust, and it also extends to rooms further away. The other day, the crew came across some asbestos that had not been removed according to state guidelines.
I've had sinus problems, others have had nosebleeds, hoarse voices, etc Anyone know of things we should be aware of? The building was built in the 50's.

[Syncronaut Seven]

1. Yes, Asbestos everywhere

floor tiles, wall & pipe insulation, ceiling tiles?

Old florescent lights most likely contaminated with PCB's, avoid contact with oily substances on or in flourescent or mercury vapor fixtures.

Nearly every school in America built before 1975 will have one or more of these issues.

Beware the water too, probably lead. Whatcha ya got buried out back? Near any old chem plants, battery factories or refineries?

Good luck

[whatelseisnew]

2. Report it

to your state's Dpt of Health, Dpt of Environmental Protection, local EPA office, maybe the CDC?

[livvy]

3. Over the Christmas break

the state licensed agency came in to remove the asbestos. The asbestos that was found the other day was some they had missed. An asbestos tester has confirmed that the levels in the building are below the accepted level. I'm not as concerned about the asbestos as I am the other dust that has been floating around. The scaling they did in the lavatories caused major dust. The tile is ceramic, so basically this is glass dust. We had a building meeting last week with representatives from the Board of Ed, the construction foreman, the asbestos tester, the architect, and a man from a private environmental(?) company. They assured the staff that things were ok, and that the dust levels would improve since 95% of the demolition work was done. We asked why a temporary pemanent wall was not installed to block off the demolition area, and we were told the fire marshall nixed that idea. When I pressed him about adding a sealed fire door to meet the fire marshall's requirements, they didn't have an answer.
Thanks for your responses. I will speak to my union president about contacting some of the suggested state agencies.