Services

While on site, the technician will make an informed decision on how many samples of the suspect material(s) to collect to attain an accurate representation of the material within the property.

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Then, the samples are sent to an accredited laboratory for analysis.

Once the results are returned to us, we compile them into a Summary Letter along with interpretations of the results, and recommendations for removal (if warranted) going forward.

When a material has been confirmed as asbestos-containing, and needs to be removed, a professional abatement company must be called in.

Depending on factors like material type, condition, and asbestos content, the abatement company will remove the material while following specific risk level procedures and guidelines as outlined in the Government of Alberta’s Asbestos Abatement Manual (2019).

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A requirement of most abatements is air monitoring and third-party inspections (of the work and work site set-up). This is a service that Sherlock provides.

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Inspections are conducted prior to work beginning, during active work, and following work completion to ensure throughout the process things are done correctly and safely. Air samples are set-up in various locations and analysed in-house to identify airborne fibre counts and ensure they remain within established safe concentrations.

While on site, the technician will make an informed decision on what kind of samples (bulk or tape-lift) and how many of them should be collected.

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Then, the samples are sent to an accredited laboratory for analysis. Once the results are returned to us, we compile them into a Summary Letter along with interpretations of the results, and recommendations for removal or further assessment/sampling (if warranted) going forward.

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*Please note, if mould is a concern, the technician will likely recommend a full Mould Assessment, as limited bulk/tape-lift sampling alone does not provide an accurate depiction of a larger mould issue that could be at play.

While on site, the technician will make an informed decision on how many samples of paint chips to collect, and the appropriate quantity (in grams) needed to achieve accurate analysis.

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Then, the paint-chip samples are sent to an accredited laboratory for analysis. Once the results are returned to us, we compile them into a Summary Letter along with interpretations of the results, and recommendations for maintenance or removal (if warranted) going forward.

If mould is a concern, and symptoms are experienced, a full Mould Assessment might be warranted.

To start, a visual assessment utilizing industry superior handheld devices is conducted. Then, the technician makes an informed decision on what kind of sampling is warranted (air, bulk, tape-lift, etc.) and how many samples to collect to achieve an accurate assessment of the property.

Then, the samples are sent to an accredited laboratory for analysis. Once the results are returned to us, we compile them into a Report along with interpretations of the results, and recommendations for removal or further assessment/sampling (if necessary) going forward.

A standard Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) Assessment involves a visual review of the property utilizing industry superior handheld devices that take “snapshots” of the air at specific times and record the levels of specific airborne hazards.

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The airborne hazards assessed include; Total Respirable Particulates, Total Volatile Organic Compounds, Carbon Monoxide, Carbon Dioxide, Relative Humidity, Temperature, Oxygen, Methane, and Hydrogen sulfide.

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Once completed, the recorded levels of these airborne hazards are compiled into a Report and compared to recognized safe ranges as established in provincial, federal, and in some cases, international legislation and upheld by industry standards and best practices. Interpretations of these recorded levels and recommendations going forward are then included.

Older buildings have character, but oftentimes, they also have hazardous materials.

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Prior to any major renovations, it’s wise to have a full understanding of what hazards are present and could be disturbed within the property. A Hazardous Materials Assessment or a “Hazmat Assessment” is a full-scale assessment of a property.

Hazards assessed for include; Asbestos, Mould, Lead-in-Paint, Lead, Biohazards, Mercury, Ozone Depleting Substances (Refrigerants), Urea-Formaldehyde Foam Insulation, Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs), Ionizing Radiation (Smoke Detectors), Radioactive Tritium (Self-luminous Exit Signs), and Silica.

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All sampled materials are sent to an accredited laboratory for analysis. Once the results are returned to us, they are then compiled into a Report along with each hazardous material’s identified quantity, condition, and location within the property. Interpretations of these hazardous materials and recommendations for removal or maintenance going forward are also included.

If your building is older than the year 2000, and you have plans to demolish it, prior to being granted a demolition permit, your local municipality will likely require you to first complete a few steps.

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These steps include completion of a Hazmat Assessment, abatement of any identified hazards from this assessment (specifically asbestos-containing materials), and finally, confirmation of abatement completion.

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For more information on Hazmat Assessments, look directly left.

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Once abatement of any identified asbestos-containing materials is completed, Sherlock can then provide a Post-Abatement Sign-Off letter, which you can take to your local municipality to seek a demolition permit.

An Asset Retirement Obligation (ARO) is often a legal responsibility of a company or organization that can involve having aged assets (e.g. old buildings) assessed for the presence of hazardous materials and the cost to have these materials maintained or removed.

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Therefore, an ARO Hazmat is simply a Hazmat Assessment initiated for a specific purpose. For more information on Hazmat Assessments, see above and right.

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If you have industrial-grade High Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) equipment (e.g. vacuum, negative air unit, etc.), it should be compliance tested via Poly Alpha Olefin (POA) aerosol generation.

Formerly this testing was done using Dioctyl Phthalate (DOP) "oil". 

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HEPA Compliance Testing should be completed before the start of each abatement and should occur on site. 

Preparation of asbestos tender government documents and scope relating to the proper removal and disposal of hazardous materials like asbestos, mould, lead, etc.