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RHP works in collaboration with commercial building owners and property managers to help identify potential health and safety risks and provide achievable, actionable solutions during commercial due diligence, adaptive reuse and redevelopment, property transactions, and in response to potential concerns.
Our Certified Industrial Hygienists (CIHs) are experienced in recognizing and investigating hazards within the public and commercial buildings to maintain a safe and healthy environment. RHP professionals utilize best-practice guidance and regulations from ASHRAE and EPA to identify and mitigate hazards related to indoor air quality (IAQ), water quality, the presences of hazardous materials, moisture infiltration and microbial growth.
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 ineffectively running mechanical systems or have inadequate systems. Inefficiencies in your HVAC systems may impact occupant health, comfort, well-being and productivity. Common attributes that can contribute to poor IAQ and IEQ and create health concerns that could lead to claims of sick building syndrome (SBS) include biological pollutants, carbon monoxide, formaldehyde, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), lead, nitrogen dioxide, combustion by products, temperature and relative humidity, tobacco/vaping smoke, indoor particulate matter, asbestos, 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 can lead to poor IAQ.
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.
Mold Prevention Strategies and Remediation Protocols
Buildings are most susceptible to mold damage through microscopic mold spores that are present in both inside and outside 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
RHP professionals employ decades of 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.
Noise
RHP’s Certified Industrial Hygienists (CIHs) have experience evaluating workplace, community and environmental noise sources. Noise exposures are monitored using noise dosimeters over an entire shift to determine if a Hearing Conservation Program, along with hearing protection and audiometric testing are required. Sound level surveys are conducted utilizing sound level meters to determine if industries are operating within local noise ordinances and if construction will impact local residents and community activities. RHP utilizes compliance standards from the Environment Protection Agency (EPA) and Department of Housing Urban Development (HUD) noise standards that require long-term average sound levels be collected and analyzed.
Contact Us
RHP’s group of Certified Industrial Hygienists and Certified Safety Professionals provide environmental health and safety solutions for you throughout the commercial building industry. Contact RHP Risk Management for an initial phone consultation and learn more about our professional services.