Hazardous materials abatement · BC
Hazardous materials abatement, start to finish
When a survey turns up more than one hazardous material, Bowfinn plans the removal as one project: asbestos, lead-based paint and the other materials your survey identifies. We work with your independent hazmat consultant, who handles the survey, sampling and clearance air testing, and we build clearance into the schedule. We work from the survey report, clear and contain each work area, remove the materials in a sequence planned with you to limit disruption, ship the waste with the right manifests and close out with one report.
Tell us the building, the work you're planning and your timeline. We aim to respond promptly.
- 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.
When you need this
- A pre-renovation or pre-demolition survey identifies several hazardous materials
- A capital project needs one contractor to clear an area before the trades move in
- You need waste manifests and records that will stand up years from now
Materials we remove
- Asbestos-containing materials
- Lead-based paint and lead-containing materials
Process
How the work runs
Survey review
Every material in the report is matched to a removal method, sequence and waste stream.
One plan
A single schedule, containment plan and Notice of Project (where required) for all materials.
Containment
Controls sized to the highest-risk material in each area.
Removal and segregation
Materials removed and kept in separate, labelled waste streams.
Manifested disposal
Hazardous waste shipped to authorized facilities with manifests; recycling and material reduction where possible.
Closeout report
One closeout document covering every material removed.
Occupied facilities
How we keep disruption low
The area being worked on is cleared, isolated and contained until the work is finished and cleared. 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.
Phasing
Work split into areas and sequences planned with you, so less of the building is affected at any one time.
Negative air
High-risk enclosures under negative pressure with HEPA-filtered exhaust, so air flows into the work area, not out of it.
After-hours work
Night and weekend shifts where they reduce disruption
Cleared, restricted work areas
The work area is cleared and closed off, with signs and controlled routes for crews and waste, until the work is finished and cleared.
Occupant notices
Plain-language notices for staff, students, patients or residents
Trade coordination
Clearance planned into the schedule so the mechanical, plumbing, sprinkler and electrical trades behind us are not held up.
Frequently asked questions
What has to happen before a building can be demolished?
A qualified person must inspect for hazardous materials, and no demolition that may disturb them can happen until they are safely contained or removed and a qualified person confirms that in writing (OHS Regulation s. 20.112).
What do cities ask for before demolition?
It varies. Vancouver requires a Hazardous Building Materials Assessment Report and, if abatement was needed, a Post-Abatement Clearance Report before machine-assisted demolition (Vancouver); Coquitlam lists a clearance letter and waste manifest where asbestos is present in pre-1990 residential demolitions (Coquitlam).
Do demolition contractors need an asbestos licence?
WorkSafeBC lists building demolition contractors among employers that need an Asbestos Abatement Licence when they offer asbestos abatement services to others in relation to buildings (WorkSafeBC).
Which hazardous materials are removed before demolition?
Whatever the survey identifies. That can include asbestos, lead-containing materials and mercury-containing devices. Metro Vancouver's C&D toolkit lists common sources.
Is a Notice of Project needed for demolition with asbestos?
Yes for moderate- or high-risk asbestos work, and for alteration or demolition of buildings where asbestos was processed, manufactured or stored. WorkSafeBC must receive it at least 48 hours before the activity (s. 20.2.1).
What if hazardous materials can't be reached until demolition starts?
The qualified person must address them. Material that cannot be sampled is treated as asbestos-containing unless shown otherwise (s. 6.4(2)), and newly found material triggers s. 20.112(6).
Where does demolition hazmat waste go?
To authorized facilities, with a licensed transporter and manifest where required. In Metro Vancouver, the Vancouver Landfill accepts commercial asbestos waste from within the region with 24 hours' notice; Metro Vancouver transfer stations do not (Metro Vancouver).
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