Florida International Engineering has performed numerous environmental assessments on a variety of commercial and industrial properties. We understand lending institution requirements and the varied environmental regulations associated with all phases of property assessment. This holistic perspective enables us to determine if a potential environmental concern is a true concern for our client’s business.
Phase I Environmental Site Assessments (ESAs) are performed prior to the closing of commercial real-estate transactions to determine if recognized environmental conditions exist on a subject property. Florida International Engineering performs ESAs in accordance with the most recent American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) Standard E 1527-05, Standard Practice for Environmental Site Assessment: Phase I Environmental Site Assessment Process. This practice is the industry standard for conducting ESAs and is the basis for justifying due diligence satisfies the Comprehensive Environmental Response Compensation and Liability Act’s requirements for Landowner Liability Protections.
We are well versed in numerous, lender-specific scopes of work. Our ESAs include extensive documentation of a property’s environmental condition, providing resolution of detected recognized environmental conditions and, when necessary, recommendations to bring these conditions to closure.
Property Condition Assessments (PCAs) are conducted on improved commercial properties, providing detailed descriptions of the property improvements, cost estimates for immediate repairs and deferred maintenance items, schedules for projected maintenance items, and preventative maintenance advice. We perform inspections to include building exteriors, roofs, common areas, mechanical rooms, maintenance/storage rooms, and other service areas. PCAs can include extensive documentation of the property condition, providing a basis for equitable resolution of repair items as well as projected annual reserves.
We perform PCAs to conform to the Federal National Mortgage Association (Fannie Mae) Delegated Underwriting and Servicing Guide and Part III, Sections 309-310. We conduct Physical Needs Assessments in conformance with Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (Freddie Mac) guidelines as specified in their Multi-family Seller/Service Guide and Chapter 15, Engineering and Property Condition Requirements. The Freddie Mac “Engineering and Property Condition Survey” and the Fannie Mae forms, complete with projected expenditures, are included with each report. In conjunction with the PCAs, we can provide an Americans with Disabilities Act Compliance Survey to ensure that the property is “accessible and usable by individuals with disabilities.”
Indoor Quality Assessments are “out of scope” items as per the ASTM 1527-05 practice for an ESA. However, they are often necessary to quantify poor air quality, moisture, mold, and hazardous surface risk levels at a property. Florida International Engineering is fully qualified to perform building inspections for the presence of asbestos-containing materials (ACMs) in accordance with the Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act (AHERA), the Clean Air Act – National Emissions Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAP), and OSHA standards. We are also qualified to provide Lead-Based Paint (LBP) building inspections. Typically, identified LBP can be safely maintained in place with preparation and implementation of an Operations and Maintenance Program. Whether a property is slated for demolition, or will be maintained in place, we design our surveys to cost-effectively meet client needs on a site-specific basis.
The concern over mold is on the rise as news reports indicate exposure to mold can cause a variety of adverse health effects, symptoms, and allergic reactions. Florida International Engineering will determine if an active mold and/or excess moisture issue exists, and will provide corrective measures to moisture issues that cause mold growth. Further, we provide prevention and risk management plans that outline measures for mold prevention.
Phase II Environmental Site Assessments normally entail collecting representative samples of surface stains, subsurface soils, groundwater, and/or building materials to determine if hazardous constituents are present at levels that represent environmental concern. Florida International Engineering is experienced with a wide range of contaminants of concern and applicable environmental regulations. We evaluate sample results and compare them with applicable standards to determine if actual concerns exist. When an environmental concern is detected, our cost effective recommendations address the issue and bring it to closure. Our professionals are well versed in local, state and federal regulations including, but not limited to, the Code of Federal Regulations, the Comprehensive Environmental Response Compensation and Liability Act and its subsequent amendments, the Clean Water Act, the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act.