Why Using the Methane Standard Plan Usually Fails Plancheck The methane hazard standard mitigation plans from the Los Angeles Department of Building and Safety (LADBS) offer guidance for vapor mitigation. However, it does not actually satisfy the plancheck requirement for a site-specific methane mitigation plan. Per the regulations in Division 71 of the Los Angeles…
City of Long Beach Methane Gas Zone Mitigation A City of Long Beach Methane Gas Zone represents areas with high levels of subsurface natural gas and methane soil gas. These areas present explosion hazards for buildings, due to biogenic and petrogenic gases of decomposing petroleum deposits, and landfills. As a result, the Building and Safety Bureau…
Builders who develop properties in Los Angeles frequently want to know- what is a methane zone?
Human Health Risk Assessment (HHRA) A Human Health Risk Assessment (HHRA) evaluates the potential dangers to people where there may be some exposure to chemical contaminants in soil, groundwater, ambient air, or soil gas. Typically, the recommendation for an HHRA stems from the Phase 1 Environmental Site Assessment process. However, the awareness for indoor air…
Indoor Air Quality Testing Indoor air quality testing involves collecting and containing samples of ambient air from inside a building and analyzing them to determine what chemicals may be affecting human health and safety. Sources of pollution may exist on- or off-site and can accumulate above- or below-ground. Indoor air quality testing is necessary at…
Methane Barrier for Soil Vapor Membrane A methane barrier is an impervious soil vapor membrane underlying building slabs and retaining walls. And it has the purpose of stopping subsurface methane soil gas from intruding inside structures. The overall goal is to protect the human occupants of buildings overlying methane soil gas pockets. For instance, petroleum…
10 Things to Know Before Methane Barrier Installation Methane barrier installation is part of the overall methane mitigation construction process. Methane barrier construction in Los Angeles requires the use of specific materials with LADBS approval. Additionally, the applicator must have the proper certifications from the local building department and impervious vapor membrane manufacturers. In fact,…
Landfill Methane Gas Testing Landfill methane gas testing is the process by which professional geologists and engineers determine the concentration of landfill gas between soil grains underground. Usually, this is a requirement by environmental regulatory agencies and building departments for the protection of public health. In fact, quarterly landfill gas testing is a common regulation…
Vapor Intrusion & Soil Vapor Testing A vapor intrusion investigation entails the study of toxic soil gases that migrate through the subsurface and into the living spaces of structures aboveground. Geologists perform soil vapor tests to evaluate the presence of vapor-phase contamination underground. Additionally, the chemical content of the vapor samples is examined for toxicity…
