Services
Site Assessment & Due Diligence Services
Since its founding in 2008, MAKSolve has completed over 1,800 individual projects for over 790 clients. These have included Phase I ESAs, Phase II ESAs, Risk Assessments, Remediation Feasibility Studies and Site Remediation. Our site assessments can be expanded to include asbestos and lead surveys, indoor air quality evaluations, ground water monitoring, contaminant characterization, vapor intrusion and remedial action responses. MAKSolve maintains a strong “insight” into due-diligence revisions and pending regulatory issues by being an active member of the International ASTM E-50 PIESA (E 1527) Task Group.
MAKSolve conducts ESAs for real estate investment trusts, commercial and industrial businesses, healthcare industry, financial institutions, law firms, municipalities, and individuals involved in the acquisition, liquidation and development of real property. ESAs are conducted on all types of properties including undeveloped property, utility and right-of-way easements, multi-unit residential property, commercial property, and industrial/manufacturing property.
Phase I Environmental Site Assessments
MAKSolve performs Phase I ESAs following ASTM Standard E1527-13 (Standard Practice for Environmental Site Assessments: Phase I Environmental Site Assessment Process). The purpose of these studies is to identify “recognized environmental conditions” associated with a property. A “recognized environmental condition” is defined by ASTM as “the presence or likely presence of any hazardous substances or petroleum products in, on, or at a property; (1) due to any release to the environment; (2) under conditions indicative of a release to the environment; or (3) under conditions that pose a material threat of a future release to the environment.” Therefore, a Phase I ESA performed in accordance with the industry-standard ASTM guidelines is designed to identify potential environmental contamination.
MAKSolve typically completes and delivers Phase I ESA reports within 10 business days from receipt of Authorization to Proceed. This schedule, as well as our report format, can be modified to meet client-specific requirements. We will provide a project update by telephone prior to issuing the report. In this update we will discuss the report findings with you.
Modified Phase I Environmental Site Assessments
As discussed above, an ASTM-standard Phase I ESA is designed to identify “recognized environmental conditions.” The definition of recognized environmental condition addresses potential environmental contamination at a site but does not address other possible business environmental risk. These possible risks may include asbestos, lead-based paint, wetlands, floodplains, environmental compliance issues, etc., or are required by Agency Rules such as HUD or OHFA.
MAKSolve can customize a Phase I ESA scope of work to address possible business environmental risks that may be present at a site. In order to address these issues, we will typically ask the client about development at the site and planned site usage prior to developing an agreed-upon scope of work.
Phase II Environmental Site Assessments
A Phase II ESA is designed to provide additional information about the environmental condition of a property. Typically, Phase II ESAs include the collection and analysis of samples of environmental media such as soil and groundwater. Sampling is targeted toward areas of the site that are most likely to have been impacted by releases of hazardous substances or petroleum products during past or current operations at the property, as identified during a Phase I ESA.
If subsurface soil, soil gas and/or groundwater sampling is required during a Phase II ESA, MAKSolve utilizes various drilling technologies. However, most projects can be executed using a Geoprobe® Soil Sampling System for collection of samples. The Geoprobe® sampling system uses hydraulic pressure to advance a sampling tube to collect soil samples, and may also be used to collect groundwater samples. This system is rapid and much more cost-effective than a traditional drill rig.
Site Characterization, Risk Assessment, and Remediation
If a Phase II ESA identifies environmental contamination at a site, MAKSolve can develop appropriate remedial strategies to eliminate or reduce the associated environmental and business risk. These activities may include one or more of the following:
- Additional investigation to delineate the extent of contamination vertically and horizontally
- Risk assessment to identify human health or ecological exposure risk
- Removal of impacted soils, underground storage tanks, or other environmental concerns
- Remedial system design, installation, operation and maintenance including bio-remediation strategies
Underground Storage Tanks (USTs)
The greatest potential hazard from a leaking UST is that the petroleum or other hazardous substance can seep into the soil and contaminate groundwater, the source of drinking water for nearly half of all Americans. A leaking UST can present other health and environmental risks, including the potential for fire and explosion. The EPA established financial responsibility requirements for UST owners and operators to cover the cost of taking corrective actions and to compensate third parties for injury and property damage caused by leaking tanks. When a property is effected by an underground storage tank(s), MAKSolve thoroughly provides the following services:
- Investigation
- Evaluation
- Corrective Action
- Removal
- Compliance
MAKSolve also has a strong practice in Brownfield projects. Before Brownfields was a defined term, MAKSolve was helping clients redevelop and manage contaminated real estate. These projects are designed to return environmentally-impaired commercial or industrial property to viability through field investigations, risk assessments, remediation, engineering controls and/or deed restrictions to prevent exposures to residual contamination.
Vapor Encroachment (Intrusion) Assessments
Vapor Intrusion occurs when volatile chemicals migrate from contamination in the soil or groundwater up into a building’s interior space. Vapor Intrusion can pose a potential health threat to the occupants of the building, especially to sensitive populations such as children.
An assessment of the risk for Vapor Intrusion and Vapor Encroachment can be an important part of the environmental due diligence process. MAKSolve can perform a risk assessment for vapor concerns within the context of a Phase I Environmental Site Assessment, or as a separate assessment done to the ASTM standard E2600-15 (Standard Guide for Vapor Encroachment Screening on Property Involved in Real Estate Transactions).
Asbestos Containing Materials
MAKSolve provides a full range of asbestos consulting services. Services include:
- Limited asbestos surveys in conjunction with a Phase I ESA
- Building renovation asbestos surveys
- Full building pre-demolition asbestos surveys
- Development and implementation of asbestos Operation and Maintenance (O&M)plans
- Development of asbestos abatement specifications
- Asbestos abatement oversight, monitoring and final clearance testing
MAKSolve can also provide emergency response-style assessments with same or next day analysis for when a previously unidentified suspect asbestos containing material is encountered during a renovation or demolition project. Our goal in these situations is to give to our client the data they need to get their project back on schedule as quickly as possible.
Lead Based Paint
Lead-based paint represents a health risk to people exposed to the lead through consumption by oral intake or inhalation of lead paint dust. Typically these scenarios occur in residential settings where children have the opportunity to eat paint chips or suck on window sills or in commercial settings where lead paint is being disturbed by refinishing, remodeling or renovation activities or within industrial settings involving vibrating equipment that releases lead paint particles from aging equipment or wind erosion resulting in the generation of airborne lead dust. Lead in paint can also be a concern during the demolition of older buildings.
MAKSolve’s staff hold the State Lead Assessment Certification and has the requisite training and experience to evaluate a site for these and other scenarios, and to conduct quality assessments for the presence of lead in paint on surfaces. We can also develop plans for the management of lead paint either in-place or during renovation or demolition activities, and for the abatement of lead paint prior to renovation or reoccupation of a residential structure.
Occupational Safety & Health Services
MAKSolve offers a wide range of safety services, from preliminary OSHA compliance audits to comprehensive compliance strategies. We can help you evaluate your OSHA compliance status, develop a cost effective, site specific, safety program for your facility and provide the associated safety training that fits your organization’s specific needs. Our goal at MAKSolve is to provide you, our client, with long-term solutions that will protect workers and your organization and simultaneously reduce the costs associated with losses and non-compliance.
- Safety Audits
- Safety Program Development/Deployment
- Safety Training
- Support in OSHA inspections and Representation
- Industrial Hygiene Services
Safety Audits
Our Team of certified safety experts have conducted hundreds of audits of the occupational environment across numerous manufacturing and other commercial enterprises and governmental sectors. Our Audit process encompasses both OSHA Standards (General Industry and Construction sectors) and typical state additional requirements.
Safety Program Development/Deployment
Safety Training
Our staff conducts training sessions on topics ranging from general health and safety to specific issues such as hazard communication, electrical safety, forklift operations, Lockout/Tagout, confined space entry and blood borne pathogens. All training can be tailored to meet the specific needs of your organization. Training can be conducted at your site or at an appropriate off-site venue.
OSHA Inspection
MAKSolve offers a wide range of safety services from preliminary OSHA compliance audits to comprehensive compliance strategies. We can help you evaluate your OSHA compliance status, develop a cost effective, site specific, safety program for your facility, and provide the associated safety training that fits your organization’s specific needs. Our goal at MAKSolve is to provide you, our client, with long-term solutions that will protect workers and your organization and simultaneously reduce the costs associated with losses and non-compliance.
Industrial Hygiene Services
Our industrial hygienists specialize in the recognition, evaluation, control and management of physical, biological and chemical hazards in the workplace. We provide expert advice on risk control options and help with the selection of solutions to prevent or control exposure to hazards in the occupational environment. Comprehensive industrial hygiene services include workplace exposure monitoring surveys for chemical contaminants and physical agents, occupational safety and health audits, indoor air quality investigations, hazard communication programs and OSHA compliance consultations.