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…
What to Know Before a Los Angeles Methane Testing Report This post provides readers with 10 important things to consider before ordering a Los Angeles methane testing report. For more information about what methane testing is, please refer to Geo Forward’s “Official Methane Testing and Soil Gas Survey Page.” Updated August 7, 2024. 1) Confirm…
Methane Soil Gas Methane Soil Gas: In geology, methane soil gas refers to the confinement of CH4 within the interstitial pore spaces of subsurface soils. On Earth and potentially on Mars, methane derives from subsurface pockets of biogenic and petrogenic natural gas. To illustrate, accumulations of buried organic matter decay via microbial or thermal degradation….
Hydrogen Sulfide Soil Gas (In Natural Gas) Hydrogen Sulfide: Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) soil gas geologically occurs upon the thermal and microbial decomposition of subsurface organic material deposits. It is typically identifiable in biogenic and petrogenic natural gas sources, along with higher concentrations of methane soil gas. Additionally, nitrogen, oxygen, hydrogen, ethane, and isobutane exist within natural…
Geology of East Hollywood, Los Angeles, California & Hydrogeology This post summarizes the basic geology of the East Hollywood region of Los Angeles California. Some geological and hydrogeological data may be incomplete or pending review. Nonetheless, students, geologists, and earth scientists are welcome to openly use, critique, and contribute information. To do so, please refer…
Geology of the Chinatown Area in Los Angeles, California & Hydrogeology This post summarizes the geology of the Chinatown region, of Downtown Los Angeles California. Some geological and hydrogeological data may be incomplete or pending review. Nonetheless, students, geologists, and earth scientists are welcome to openly use, critique, and contribute information. To do so, please…
Builders who develop properties in Los Angeles frequently want to know- what is a methane zone?
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,…
What is the Methane Mitigation Process? The methane mitigation process entails eliminating the risk of an explosive event at a building, as a result of hazardous soil vapor intrusion. Vapor intrusion is the natural process by which underground gasses migrate upwards and into buildings. So in the case of structures built atop contaminated soils, the…
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…
Can You Retest a Methane Test of Soil? Is it worthwhile to get a retest methane test of soil: Generally Not. Sometimes a methane test will show high results of the hazardous soil gas on a property. And developers will try a retest methane test to get “favorable results.” Regardless, there is a general legal…
Southern California Methane Testing In Southern California, methane testing is a modern necessity due to the land’s rich history of petroleum extraction and natural oil deposits. The testing process comprises the geological evaluation of subsurface conditions as well as the sampling of subsurface natural gas pockets for hazard assessment purposes. A team of professional geologists…
