Our staff is very familiar with federal, state and local regulations for asbestos.  This knowledge enables us to determine what abatement actions are required for specific projects as well as the most cost effective and timely way to complete the necessary work.  Our familiarity with the regulatory officials also allows us to remain abreast of changing interpretations of regulations concerning non-friable asbestos-containing materials.  Our personnel are also well versed in the different technologies available to conduct abatements when required.  The extensive experience of our staff also permits us to prepare accurate budgetary cost estimates, evaluate bids for abatement services, and make solid recommendations for contract selection based on contractors experience, proposed methods, and cost.

The Asbestos Consulting Services offered by Northern include asbestos surveys, sampling and analysis, air monitoring, project management and field services, asbestos abatement design, and construction/demolition oversight services.  Our personnel have been very active in the asbestos management field, conducting surveys for a broad range of clients.  Our clients have included city, state and federal agencies, school districts, building management firms, architects, engineers and private industry.  Our clients have used Northern’s personnel for asbestos issues on a repeat basis and have also recommended us to their associates.

Northern personnel have provided our clients with management services to assist in coordinating multiple agencies and other concerned parties in the conduct of projects.  We have prepared abatement design documents, provided on‑site monitoring services during abatement, and acted as liaisons for building tenants during abatement in occupied buildings.  We are also experienced in working with asbestos abatement contractors during abatement activities.

In addition, we emphasize providing as much information as possible to our clients in regard to how current and proposed environmental legislation impacts their projects.  Northern believes that this not only provides a service to the public, it ensures that we remain in touch with current regulations and the public attitude toward the issues. This informed stance enables Northern to provide the best possible service to each of our clients.

The project team Northern has assembled for asbestos projects is composed of trained and experienced personnel.  All Northern personnel participating in asbestos inspections have received training as detailed in the Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act (AHERA), 40 CFR PART 763 and are accredited asbestos inspectors.  Persons leading field teams of inspectors have a minimum of two years experience in performing asbestos assessments.  In addition, each team leader is experienced in gathering data, and performing field design work in preparation for developing asbestos abatement drawings.

We have conducted asbestos assessment surveys, and prepared abatement design plans and specifications for projects throughout the northwest.  Our clients have requested asbestos consulting services for varying reasons.  For example, we have performed asbestos surveys to meet regulatory requirements to identify asbestos-containing materials prior to their disturbance during a building‘s renovations, to respond to concerns raised about occupational exposures to asbestos, and to assist building owners/managers in taking a pro-active approach to asbestos management in their buildings.  In each of these situations, our experience can be valuable in selecting the most efficient, cost effective and safest management method from available options. A large percentage of our clients also request Northern to prepare asbestos abatement plans and specifications.  Under current Montana regulations, all asbestos abatement projects must be designed by an AHERA accredited abatement designer, an accreditation which Northern personnel possess.  A growing portion of our clients have also requested asbestos construction management services during abatement.

A very important aspect of successful abatement projects is a complete understanding of the issues surrounding the specific project needs.  This includes a thorough review of all available building plans and specifications, a study of the complete history of any building renovations, especially any renovation plans in progress, and a detailed inspection of all previous asbestos work and assessments performed at the project site.  Our asbestos personnel include engineers and industrial hygienists who are well-versed in building systems and structures, and who possess extensive experience in the coordination of abatement requirements with current renovation plans in progress.  They are able to effectively evaluate the needs of the current design program requirements in conjunction with the abatement needs to provide a thorough and cost-effective abatement design solution with the least disturbance to the building users.  In order to accommodate the requirements of each project, we have developed a variety of services designed to best serve the client.  For example, on many projects the use of full size engineering blueprints is necessary to adequately describe the abatement effort in order to receive accurate bids.  On other projects, it is possible to present abatement information on much smaller formats significantly reducing design time and costs to the client.

Each project poses different challenges with respect to the continuous, uninterrupted function of the building.  Maintaining the safety and security of current building users is paramount, as well as minimizing disturbance of their day to day functions.  Also of great importance, is the continued operation of the building systems, including heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning as well as electrical, plumbing and fire safety systems.  Coordinating the interactions of building occupants, building system operation and planned renovation/demolition activities can be a difficult task.  Our designers have a great deal of experience in the coordination of asbestos removal requirements with planned construction activities to minimize building disturbance while accomplishing necessary abatement in an efficient manner.

Northern personnel's extensive experience in meeting difficult deadlines in both design and construction allow us to provide the options necessary to complete projects within time and within budget constraints.  We are aware that time frames for abatement can frequently impact other work to be performed at the site.  Because we are familiar with many types of abatement, Northern is able to predict the duration of various portions of each project, organize the abatement activities to minimize abatement project impacts on other work, and provide for performance requirements in our construction documents.

During the bidding process, Northern generally assists in the project walk-through, answers questions, provides detailed explanations of the project to the contractors, and prepares necessary addenda, to ensure that the contractors have the best possible understanding of the project during preparation of their bid estimates.  Upon receipt of bids, our staff assists in the bid evaluation with respect to cost and completeness, as well as quality, experience, and reputation of the contractor.

Northern believes that construction administration is an integral part of our services on each project.  By providing construction monitoring after the award of the bid, we are able to coordinate the abatement process and to provide documentation of the abatement effort.  Because of the highly litigated nature of asbestos work, the proper documentation of any asbestos abatement is rapidly becoming one of the most important aspects of asbestos management.

Northern personnel have extensive experience in managing and monitoring the abatement process.  Our field inspectors are trained in accurate and complete air sampling techniques to ensure that work in all areas is monitored in accordance with all applicable regulations and all areas receive clearance prior to project completion.  Thorough records of all job site events and observations are documented and maintained in addition to all laboratory analysis reports, contractor correspondence, and notifications. 

Because abatement work can have a substantial impact on building occupants both physically in terms of work routine disruptions and stress, we strive to maintain a clean, safe and efficient project at all times.  We frequently provide assistance to our clients by informing building occupants of planned work to minimize occupant concerns about the abatement.  The contractor and his workers are closely monitored, inspections are thorough, and correspondence is processed in a timely and efficient manner.  These qualities help to maintain the project on schedule, within budget, and with as little disturbance to the building occupants as possible.