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RHP Risk Management works with architectural and engineering professionals by combining our expertise in building science with environmental science in the development of safe, green, and sustainable designs of new buildings and during retrofit building construction to ensure long-term viability and humanization.
Utilizing scientific principals and best-practices from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the US Green Building Council (USGBC), and the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), RHP professionals provide sound solutions rooted in science for clients based on various aspects of the structure or building including indoor air quality, indoor environmental quality, ventilation, and water management.
Ventilation
Building ventilation is a critical component of building use and occupancy and as such should be periodically assessed to ensure optimal performance. Ventilation system assessments provide valuable information and benefits to building owners and managers that include operating cost reduction, indoor air quality improvements, occupant comfort, and liability and risk reduction. RHP experience with evaluating and validating building ventilation design, construction and equipment installation can provide valuable insights to ensure the health of a building and its occupants.
During the pre-construction phase or while a building is being renovated or retrofitted, RHP experts work with building architects and engineers during brainstorming meetings to confirm all possible “passive strategies” are implemented and utilized to supply outdoor air to a building’s interior for ventilation and cooling without use of a mechanical system. Natural ventilation design is an important component towards credits for a building to be LEED certified by the U.S. Green Building Council.
During remodeling, retrofit or expansion, RHP experts assess a building’s existing ventilation system to provide best-practice and achievable guidance that follows recognized and acceptable federal, state, local, scientific, educational, and professional organizational programs. RHP experts provides building owners with the tools and data to reduce operating costs, improve indoor air quality, increase occupant comfort, and reduce liabilities and risk.
Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) / Indoor Environmental Quality (IEQ)
Often indoor air quality (IAQ) and indoor environmental quality (IEQ) complaints are driven by design components within and around commercial buildings, industrial facilities and multi-family residential buildings that are not working effectively with mechanical systems. Such inefficiencies may impact occupant health, comfort, well-being and productivity. Common attributes that can contribute to poor IAQ and IEQ create health concerns that lead to claims of sick building syndrome (SBS) include biological pollutants, carbon monoxide, formaldehyde, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), nitrogen dioxide, combustion by products, temperature and relative humidity, tobacco/vaping smoke, indoor particulate matter, mold, and ergonomics/lighting/noise.
RHP professionals provide advanced and cutting-edge IAQ and IEQ services and consulting, analytical sampling and testing, forensic detection, and risk management solutions. RHP works with architectural firms to ensure engineering systems in new buildings and existing buildings are operating at optimal capacity to help keep buildings free of pollutants or conditions (mold and moisture) that lead to poor IAQ.
Mold Prevention Strategies and Remediation Protocols
Buildings are most susceptible to mold damage through microscopic mold spores that are present in the natural outside environment and in the inside environments of commercial, industrial, institutional, healthcare, and multi-family structures. If water intrusion or high humidity occurs in a built environment, mold spores may grow and multiply to unhealthy levels. Such growth can lead to odors, cause adverse health effects, damage building materials, and reduce a building’s value.
RHP’s services for mold assessments include visual inspections, detection, testing, remediation specifications, remediation oversight and verification for existing buildings. Mitigation techniques recommended through organizations such as the Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC), American Industrial Hygiene Association (AIHA), OSHA, and the EPA are taken into consideration to help ensure mold is properly removed and does not return.
Water System Audits & Water Management Plans
RHP professionals employ decades experience in a variety of water management related consulting services including general water quality testing for contaminants such as lead, copper, arsenic, nitrates, Legionella, and coliforms; specific regulations related to lead in water sampling for various building types; and thorough building water system assessments and testing for legionella in commercial and public buildings.
Fire Restoration
RHP experts provide post-fire impact assessments including IAQ to determine the extent of visible and hidden fire damage caused to a building. The investigation and evaluation of visual and olfactory smoke damage may include sampling and analysis of fire residuals to determine the environmental quality of a damaged structure.
After or during your insurance provider’s evaluation of the damage and determination of coverage, RHP along with engineers can provide an independent assessment of the damaged building’s/buildings’ occupancy, extent of damage, and health and safety risks.
Such an assessment provides impartial and objective analytical evidence to support a level of restoration, or the restoration technique required. A written report outlining recommendations for restoration is developed and can assist contractors in developing safety protocols for the site to complete the job. An RHP expert will provide an easier transition back to reopening a building following a fire and ensure safety for workers, employers and occupants.
RHP professionals and experts’ design post-fire remediation protocols to return the damaged structure back to its pre-fire conditions.
Contact Us
RHP’s group of Certified Industrial Hygienists and Certified Safety Professionals work with architectural and engineering firms to develop sustainable designs of the built environment of commercial, industrial, multi-family residential, and institutional buildings. Contact RHP Risk Management for an initial phone consultation and learn more about our professional services.
