Cleaner Air is Safer Air -- Spaces4Learning

Healthy Schools

Cleaner Air is Safer Air

02/01/18

Vapor Mitigation Strategies’ team completed the piping from the vapor pits to the risers for the SSDS, installed the AVB, and installed four vapor monitoring wells to ensure there was no vapor intrusion at D.C. early childhood centers, ensuring student safety.

A national chain of early childhood education centers chose the location of its Washington D.C. project on property known to have soil and groundwater contamination left behind from its former uses. The building designers were cognizant of the potential for vapor intrusion risk which might present itself to a sensitive population and researched design options.

Their choice was to employ a vapor intrusion mitigation system, which included a combination of two elements: an active pump sub-slab depressurization system (SSDS) component, and a spray-applied asphaltic vapor barrier (AVB). The SSDS consists of two square subterranean concrete vault “pits” with slotted openings at the top, and piping running from the pits to risers penetrating the sub-floor.

Both vapor pits were installed as part of the General Contractor’s (GC) pre-vapor intrusion mitigation installation commitment to provide for large scale construction items prior to the finishing of the SSDS and AVB by vapor intrusion mitigation installation specialists.

The GC accomplished pre-installation work which included construction of the vapor pits, all plumbing and electrical penetrating uprights, concrete collars around clustered penetrating uprights, smooth-grinding of rough surfaces for attachment of AVB to the foundation, and constructed and compacted the sub-slab gravel bed.

Vapor Mitigation Strategies’ team completed the piping from the vapor pits to the risers for the SSDS, installed the AVB, and installed four vapor monitoring wells.

The AVB was installed using a three-layer approach. First, by applying a polypropylene tarp which was rolled out tailored to fit around the vertical uprights and sealed to the foundation or uprights with Geo-Seal.

After the tarp was completely rolled out and all uprights and edges were addressed and sealed, the core layer of Geo-Seal was sprayed over the entire area.

Then, a final layer of tarp was installed to provide protection to the vapor barrier itself since metal rebar and concrete were layered on top.

www.vapormitigationstrategies.com

This article originally appeared in the School Planning & Management February 2018 issue of Spaces4Learning.

E-Mail this page

Printable Format

Featured

How Design Shapes Learning and Success

Can the color of a wall, the curve of a chair, or the hum of fluorescent lights really affect how a student learns? More schools are beginning to think so.
Texas State University Completes Stadium Renovations

Texas State University in San Marcos, Texas, recently announced that it has completed a series of additions and renovations to its football stadium, according to a news release. Formerly known as the Bobcat Stadium End Zone Complex, the Johnny and Nathali Weisman Football Performance Center is an 85,000-square-foot expansion featuring hospitality spaces, banquet spaces, exterior concourses, and upgrades to the field house.
Illinois District Boosts Security at High-School Stadium

Richmond-Burton Community High School in Richmond, Ill., recently announced that it has completed the redesigned entrance to its high school stadium with a new focus on school security and community engagement, according to a news release. The district partnered with Wold Architects and Engineers on the project as part of District #157’s year-long facilities master plan.
T&T Construction Management Group Completes Pasco High School Expansion

Pasco High School in Dade City, Fla., recently announced that it has completed an expansion project in partnership with T&T Construction Management Group, Inc., Harvard Jolly Architecture, and Williams Company.