Office, retail and mixed-use
Abatement for tenant improvements and commercial upgrades
Tenant improvements and mechanical upgrades in older office, retail and mixed-use buildings often start with hazardous materials. Bowfinn takes the hazmat off the critical path: cleared and contained work areas, after-hours phasing planned to limit disruption to neighbouring tenants, and a closeout report for owners, lenders and insurers.
- Occupied facilitiesContained work areas, phasing planned with you to limit disruption
- UA Local 170Signatory contractor
- Trained and certified crewsOn every asbestos abatement job
- InsuredInsurance certificates available on request.
What makes these projects different
- Neighbouring tenants to protect and keep informed
- Liability for hazardous materials sits with the owner
- TI schedules with fixed turnover dates
- Shared mechanical systems
How we work
- After-hours and phased work
- Coordination with the GC and the mechanical and electrical trades
- Clearance planned into the TI schedule
- Closeout report for owner, lender and insurer
Procurement and documents
Insurance certificates available on request.
Frequently asked questions
Can the rest of the building stay in use during abatement?
Often, yes, with planning, but not the area being worked on. That area is cleared, restricted and signed, and for high-risk work it is fully enclosed until clearance. The regulation also requires prevention of spread to other areas and daily air sampling outside the containment when unprotected workers are nearby (OHS Regulation ss. 6.12–6.13, 6.21). How much of the building has to be closed depends on the scope. We plan the sequence, phasing and timing with you, including night and weekend shifts, so the rest of the facility is disrupted as little as possible.
Do I need a survey before you can quote abatement?
Usually yes. A qualified person must inspect for hazardous materials before demolition, salvage or renovation begins, and the written report is the basis for scope and pricing (OHS Regulation s. 20.112). Bowfinn works with the owner’s independent hazmat consultant, who handles surveys, sampling and clearance air testing; we coordinate with them and build clearance into the schedule.
How do you know the area is clean when you finish?
For high-risk work, clearance air sampling must show no more than 0.02 fibres per millilitre inside the containment before it is dismantled (s. 6.12(4)). A qualified person then confirms in writing that the identified materials were safely contained or removed (s. 20.112(8)).
General information, not legal advice. Requirements depend on your project; confirm with WorkSafeBC, your municipality or a qualified professional.
Planning work in an older building?
Book a Site Consultation and we'll walk the scope, the schedule and the building with you.
Prefer email? admin@bowfinn.com