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Handling the Stress of a Hazardous Materials Spill

Many industries need to keep hazardous chemicals on hand or generate hazardous waste as a byproduct. No one wants to think of what to do if a spill happens but it is necessary to visit this and mentally prepare for the chance of it happening in your Orange, Los Angeles, Riverside, or San Bernardino County business.

Do Not Freeze Up In Shock

If a hazardous chemical spill happens in your business, two of the worst things you can do are panic or freeze. Neither will help you get anything done to help the situation. Take a moment to gather your thoughts, but then you need to make every move and action count.

Call All Emergency Response Needed and the Hazardous Material Cleaning Company

If there are injuries from exposure, or the spill is bad, call the necessary Los Angeles, Riverside, Orange, and San Bernardino County emergency management people to the scene. Contact your chosen Environmental Clean-up company and have them on site to help minimize the contamination and begin the process of cleaning up when safe to do so.

Check for Injuries and Chemical Exposure of Employees IF It Is Safe

Check on all of your employees if possible and find out if there are any chemical exposure injuries. Do NOT enter the area of the spill if it is releasing toxic fumes. You can end up a casualty yourself. In this case, wait for those with specialized equipment to help any stranded employees.

Evacuate Employees and Block Access to the Area of the Spill

Evacuate all employees from the building and block off access to all but emergency and clean-up personnel. Take a head count and know who is there and who is missing. Make sure they are not sitting at home enjoying a day off, and you are worried about nothing.

Let the Professionals Do Their Job Upon Arrival

You can begin to relax a little as the professionals begin to arrive to take the help in this situation. Stand back and let these individuals do their jobs. Have all of the information handy about the type of chemical, what happened, how many people were involved, and possible injuries. If none of your Los Angeles, Orange, San Bernardino, or Riverside County employees were injured, it was a good day.

[su_note note_color=”#f1f1f1″]Call us at Tri Span and find out about our environmental clean-up services that are available for any business in the Orange, Los Angeles, Riverside, and San Bernardino County areas.[/su_note]

April 2, 2018
Upgrading Your Structural Earthquake Damage Protection
As beautiful as the Southern California scenery looks above ground, there is an ugly force at work beneath the surface that can leave your home with thousands of dollars of damage within minutes. Earthquakes are a common occurrence on the Western coast of the US and are typically small events. You may already have preventative measures in place to minimize damage, but every year there is new knowledge gained about protecting structures. It is time to see about upgrading to a better level of protection.

What is retrofitting?

Retrofitting buildings for earthquake damage protection is the act of adding needed features to the structure and foundation to boost support and stability. Knowledgeable contractors can inspect the building and recommend the best methods for attaching the protective support each structure needs to avoid catastrophic damage.

What can be done to make a building stronger?

The methods employed to strengthen your building depend on the age, type of materials, and whether you already have existing added support. Even if you have already had previous retrofitting, you can take advantage of newer technologies and methods that will increase your safety and buildings stability during an earthquake. Common methods of retrofitting include
- Bracing cripple walls
- Foundation hold down brackets
- Bolting the foundation
- Adding angle-iron struts and bolting to the foundation
A simple inspection of your Orange, Los Angeles, San Bernardino, or Riverside County structure will help the retrofit experts understand what you need for optimal protection.

Can retrofitting make buildings earthquake damage proof?

Unfortunately, there is no way to make a building utterly impervious to at least minor damage from a severe earthquake. On a positive note, most earthquakes in the Los Angeles and surrounding County areas are mild. It means that the extra support you add to your structure will make a difference in the level of damage experienced with a majority of localized earthquake activity.

Choose an Experienced California Retrofitting Contractor

It is wise to choose a contractor in the local Los Angeles, Orange, San Bernardino, and Riverside County area to complete all of your retrofitting work. Picking someone from out of state can present a massive problem if you need additional work done, or there is a problem. Tri Span has local experience and a proven track-record for top quality work.

[su_note note_color=”#f1f1f1″]Contact us at Tri Span and make an appointment with our experts to inspect your building and begin adding the support it needs to prevent catastrophic damage today! We can handle any size of retrofitting you need in Los Angeles, Orange, San Bernardino, Riverside Counties and the entire Southern California region.[/su_note]
March 5, 2018
Why You Need to Make Tri Span Part of Your Emergency Disaster Recovery Plan
Quick action is necessary following an emergency or disaster situation causing damage to your home, business, and personal property. Professionals at Tri Span are trained to minimize damage, salvage as much personal property as possible, and help completely restore your home or business to pre-disaster condition.

Preparing for and Expecting the Unexpected

Unexpected events that can cause serious damage to your home or business can leave you scrambling to secure your property and salvage your belongings. Damage and loss can occur from:
- Water leaks and floods
- Fire and smoke
- Earthquake
- Vehicle damage
- Wind and hail
- Explosion
Some of these possibilities might be far and few between events in Orange, San Bernardino, Los Angeles and Riverside Counties, but they can and do happen. Developing an effective emergency plan to salvage your home and belongings is a smart way to stay ahead of any situation.

Weather Events

The weather has become an unpredictable force. Hail, high winds, lightning, flooding rains, mudslides, and tornadoes can happen at any moment. At times there is little warning. You need emergency assistance to preserve your property and belongings that are local to the Los Angeles, Riverside, San Bernardino, and Orange County area. Tri Span will dispatch quickly to give you needed help.

Earthquakes

Southern California, especially Los Angeles County, and Orange County are no stranger to earthquakes. Thankfully, most tend to be mild and barely felt. The opportunity always exists for a massive earthquake that can do some significant property damage. Include the services of Tri Span to assist in cleaning up the damage and getting your house or business back up and running.

Fires and Floods

The incidences of wildfires, unpredictable flooding, and mudslides seem to be on the rise. It is good to prepare for these major types of cataclysmic natural disasters, but a small fire in your home or business and flooding due to a severe water leak can prove devastating to the property. Cleaning these types of messes is the only way to avoid further damage. You will need help retrieving personal items.

Contact Tri Span, your resident experts in emergency disaster cleanup and restoration today! We serve the entire Orange, Los Angeles, San Bernardino, and Riverside County area.
February 19, 2018
Eliminate Black Mold for a Healthier Environment
Black mold can grow and get out of control long before you see and smell the problem. The difficulty in dealing with black mold is that there is a health hazard associated that can directly impact anyone with a compromised immune system or present breathing troubles. A severe mold infestation should be taken care of as soon as it is discovered to preserve the health of you and your family.

The Prevalence of Mold Spores

The weather in Orange County and the surrounding areas are typically lovely, and the idea of mold infestations seem a distant threat. The reality is mold spores are present in the air in nearly every climate, especially near large bodies of water. These mold spores enter the home on clothing, shoes, bags, and through fresh air. Once they make their way indoors, finding a fresh, undisturbed area of the house is all that is needed for the problem to start.

Treating Common Areas

Common areas to find black mold are bathrooms, closets, cupboards, basements, and attics. Visible dark spots on the surface of walls, ceilings, and floors mixed with a pungent, musty odor are good clues that you have a problem with mold in your home. The wise solution is to have experts in the Orange, Los Angeles, San Bernardino, and Riverside Counties safely isolate and remove black mold. Professional remediation personnel understand the health hazards of black mold and demolish it.

Finding Lurking Black Mold

There are times that your home has a black mold problem, but the location is not as noticeable. Mold experts can locate these problematic areas, such as under flooring, behind drywall, and in areas of plumbing fixtures. There might even be black mold lurking in behind the insulation. Water intrusion locations are a likely spot for black mold to settle in and grow. These areas will have to be thoroughly checked, cleaned, and new materials put in place that is free of mold.

Physical Symptoms of Mold Sensitivity

Sensitivity to mold can cause you and all family members to feel miserable all year long. You may try to enjoy the warm sunny days of Orange County, but the mold leaves you feeling like there is a constant cold going around. A few of the symptoms can include:
- Sneezing and watery eyes
- Coughing and wheezing
- Asthma attacks
- Stuffy nose and chest congestion
- Runny nose and sniffling
Take the time to have a professional mold remediation company take care of the problem so that you can get back to good health.

[su_note note_color=”#f1f1f1″]Contact the mold remediation specialists at Tri Span for complete removal in all of Orange, Los Angeles, San Bernardino, and Riverside Counties today![/su_note]
January 4, 2018
How to Incorporate Best Management Practices In Recycling Demolition Materials

The Counties of Los Angeles, Riverside, Orange, and San Bernardino have strict regulations when it comes to the disposal of materials after all demolition projects. It is required that at least 50 percent of all material be salvaged for recycling or reuse. Below are a few ways you can incorporate best management practices to meet these obligations.

Determine Whether Materials Will Be Salvaged On or Off-Site

Sorting through debris with any demolition will take space. If the area is limited, you might need to consider using an off-site location to get this done. There are well-trained individuals that work for companies that specialize in helping residents of Los Angeles County and the surrounding area reuse or recycle as much demolition material as possible. They will accurately document the percentage that is salvageable, versus what has to go to the landfill.

Use a Properly Licensed Hauler

There are specific haulers that are licensed to carry demolition debris through Los Angeles County. They are aware of all safety regulations in securing the load and transporting items in a way that guarantees safety for all other vehicles on the road. Make sure you plan to utilize one of these haulers.

Discuss Recycling Equipment Options With Contractors and Recycler Services

Not every contractor has the ability to provide recycling equipment for every job, but a few are able to bring it in when the job requires gathering an extensive amount of reusable and recyclable material. You can also check with the recycling services in Los Angeles and surrounding Counties. Most can accommodate your needs if given enough lead time.

Incorporate Recovery of Materials In Planning Stages

Find ways to incorporate the use of some of the demolition material in your building plans if you are adding an addition, or doing a complete remodel. You can miss golden opportunities to meet that 50 percent and more goal by skipping this step.

File a Debris Management Plan and Update as Needed

File your demolition debris management plan with Los Angeles County and keep them updated as needed. It is better for you to take a few minutes of your time and let them know how the project is going, rather than having them look you up for a progress report.

[su_note note_color=”#f1f1f1″]Contact building demolition specialists like Tri Span and find out more about reuse and recycle plans for Los Angeles and all surrounding counties today![/su_note]

December 11, 2017
OSHA Regulation and Asbestos Work

Cleaning up asbestos is a hazardous job, which is why you need an experienced and trained professional when you remove or disturb asbestos-containing materials during any type of repair or demolition in an older building.

[su_note note_color=”#f1f1f1″]The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has developed categories of asbestos work, exposure limits, definitions of regulated areas, hazard communication systems, and requirements for a competent person to be present on job sites where asbestos is present. These regulations protect workers, property owners, and neighbors by monitoring asbestos and regulating people’s exposure.[/su_note]

Asbestos Abatement Work Classifications

There are four levels of asbestos work classified by OSHA.

The Class I asbestos work designation is for the most hazardous projects including the removal of thermal insulation on ducts, boilers, pipes, tanks, and other equipment and removal of areas with troweled and sprayed surface textures typically found on decorative ceiling details, acoustic surfaces, and fireproofing containing asbestos.

Class II asbestos work involves materials such as roofing, siding, ceiling panels, and flooring containing asbestos.

The Class III OSHA category is for jobs involving maintenance and repair in areas where asbestos is present and is likely to be disturbed by the work.

Class IV asbestos work involves the clean-up of asbestos dust and fibers during any type of construction, demolition, remodeling, or repair where asbestos is present. Cleaning carpets, tile floors, and other surfaces are included in this designation.

[su_note note_color=”#f1f1f1″]Employers engaged in asbestos abatement work must monitor asbestos in the workplace and ensure that employees’ exposure to airborne particles remains below a very low threshold. Employers are required to assess all asbestos-related jobs for the presence of airborne particles during the entire project.[/su_note]

OSHA regulations on asbestos work also require hazardous materials contractors to designate a competent person to oversee all asbestos-related construction jobs. This person is required to be present at the job site a significant amount of time during the work and takes responsibility for monitoring all asbestos exposure and taking measures to mitigate hazards.

The designated competent person must be trained at a U.S. EPA certified training course for monitoring and handling asbestos during all types of construction, demolition, and renovation work.

Tri Span Inc. is a fully-licensed, OSHA certified and trained provider of asbestos abatement services in Orange County, Los Angeles County, Riverside County, and San Bernardino County. Contact Tri Span Inc. for all OHSA categories of asbestos-related work.

November 16, 2017
Preparing for Emergencies Before They Happen

Emergencies situations happen suddenly and without warning. When an emergency happens, panic, anxiety, and overreaction often come into play, making it more likely you will make a decision you later regret.

One of the best ways of handling an emergency is to be prepared for the unexpected before it happens. For emergencies involving accidents and the unforeseen and real estate property, the best preparation is knowing a reliable building trade specialist who responds to emergencies before you need their services.

Taking the Panic Out of an Emergency

Emergencies in buildings take many forms. Plumbing lines burst in unseasonable cold spells, leading to flooding. Old electrical systems develop shorts, leading to inconvenient and dangerous power failures. Earthquakes and wildfires arrive out of the blue when you least expect them. Windy weather blows off roof tiles, leading to leaks and damage.

Other emergencies develop over time but are discovered suddenly. You have a look in the crawl space or attic, where you have not looked for years, and suddenly you are confronted with termite damage, rot from a leaky pipe hidden behind a wall, or haphazard wiring which could start a fire.

In all of these situations, fixing the problem costs money and time, but it often costs even more if you have to begin your search for help under these adverse circumstances.

While there are many contracting companies licensed for work in plumbing, electrical, and general building repairs, not all of them are equipped and experienced for responding to emergencies in buildings. Not all building trade contractors have experience working with insurance companies, so damage and repairs are properly documented and claims are quickly processed.

Responding in a fast and effective manner to a plumbing, electrical, or structural emergency in a building requires a contractor who is familiar with emergency situations and clean-up, insurance claim procedures, and hazardous material disposal regulations, and who also has the dedicated personnel and specialized equipment for evaluating and repairing emergency situations in structures.

Planning ahead for an emergency in your house or business means already knowing about a contractor who specializes in emergency clean-up and repairs before you need help.

Tri Span Environmental Inc. is a licensed contracting company with decades of experience in all types of emergency clean-up and repairs in Southern California homes and businesses. Keep Tri Span in mind now for an emergency you may have later.

October 17, 2017
Deconstructing for Reuse & Recycling
When a building is demolished making way for a new structure, many of the old building materials can be reused or recycled. This deconstruction process saves resources, energy, and landfill space. This same materials conservation practice can be used during remodeling when only part of a building is being demolished.

Recycling and reusing old building materials can be done on any type of job site including, residential, commercial, and industrial locations.

Deconstruction Before Demolition

In some demolition situations, state and federal laws regulate which materials or fixtures can be taken out for reuse. Knowing these regulations is the first step when deconstructing a building and salvaging useful items.

The next step in recycling parts of an old building is identifying any hazardous substances present at the location. This is important because the materials being removed for reuse must be free from any contamination, or they must be properly decontaminated before they are recycled.

[su_note note_color=”#f1f1f1″]When a building is slated for demolition, rapid assessment of salvageable materials is important for preventing theft or vandalism of salvageable items. Unfortunately, there is a thriving market for stolen building materials and valuable metals found in old buildings.[/su_note]

There are many building materials and appurtenances which can be reused and recycled from an old building. Some of the materials which can be reused include:
- Dimensional framing lumber,
- Wood flooring,
- Fixtures such as sinks, faucets, bathtubs, and toilets,
- Doors and window glass,
- Bricks and stone,
- Appliances such as air conditioners, furnaces, and water heaters,
- Marble and other countertops and fireplace mantels,
- Doorknobs and latches,
- Cabinets and built-in bookcases and shelves,
- Light fixtures.
Wood trim around doors and windows, moldings, and doors from older buildings are often made with wood and architectural styles no longer available. These items hold special historical and architectural value, and they can demand a high price at resale.

Copper pipe and other metals found in buildings also have a high value at the scrap yard and are worth salvaging.

Salvaging and recycling useful, historical, and valuable materials from a building help preserve natural and cultural resources in a community. When you deconstruct for reuse and recycling before demolition, you are playing a role in community conservation.

[su_note note_color=”#f1f1f1″]Tri Span Inc. is a general contracting company with extensive knowledge and experience in properly deconstructing a building before demolition or remodeling begins. Contact TriSpan for more information on preserving valuable construction materials in old buildings in the Los Angeles area.[/su_note]
September 18, 2017
Inspecting and Assessing for Lead Paint Hazards

Inspection and assessment of lead risks at a property site are not the same things. Inspection for lead hazards is the first step in knowing whether a hazard exists, and assessment is a second step for determining how dangerous the hazard is and what can be done to mitigate the problem.

Inspecting for a Lead Hazard

Inspection for the presence of lead in paint, dust, and the soil surrounding a building must be done by a professional with California State certification and training, according to State law.

[su_note note_color=”#f1f1f1″]During an inspection for lead hazards, a lead hazard inspector examines all of the surfaces inside and outside the building and performs tests as needed to find out if lead-based paints are present. Paints containing lead were routinely used until 1978 in the U.S., and in many situations, lead-based paints are lurking below the surface of newer coats of paint which do not contain lead.[/su_note]

This hidden lead becomes a health hazard when there is remodeling or demolition of the building and also if the paint begins to peel or chip with age. Inspecting for the presence of lead-based paints is especially important when purchasing or renting a building where children live and in child-care sites.

Inspection for lead hazards also involves examination of the soil surrounding the building. Often, old paint has been scraped away from the exterior of the building, leaving dust in the surrounding soil. This soil then poses a health hazard for anyone who works in the soil, and it is hazardous for children who play outside the building.

Assessing Lead Hazards

Once an inspection for lead is completed, a certified lead assessment specialist goes further in determining the exact source of the hazard and then developing a plan for lead abatement.

A lead assessment specialist works with the property owner in understanding the level of hazard posed by lead in their building and then in choosing the most cost-effective strategy for solving the problem.

[su_note note_color=”#f1f1f1″]Tri Span, Inc. is a Southern California licensed contractor specializing in all types of hazardous materials inspection, assessment, and abatement, including lead hazards. Tri Span is California state certified for inspection and assessment of lead-based paint hazards in Riverside, San Bernardino, Los Angeles, and Orange Counties and is ready to assist you in determining the level of lead hazard at your property and then doing the work to remove lead hazards.[/su_note]

August 21, 2017
Preventing Mold and Sick Building Syndrome

Many buildings in Orange County and other areas of Southern California experience what is known as sick building syndrome. This unhealthy indoor environmental condition is caused by molds which directly or indirectly affect the indoor air quality, leading to health problems for people and animals who use the building.

[su_note note_color=”#f1f1f1″]A new study done in France has found a further explanation for how these molds actually cause disease and spread. Researchers at the University of Toulouse discovered that toxins produced by molds commonly found in buildings could disperse from the spores into the air. This moves the mold from one place to another inside the building, helping it spread, and it causes allergic reactions and other health issues in residents along the way.[/su_note]

Mold Problems in Southern California Buildings

When moisture from flooding, leaking pipes and drains, ground water, or other sources come in contact with walls, floors, and ceilings in a building, it creates the perfect conditions for mold growth. As these molds grow they develop reproductive spoors containing a toxin called mycotoxin. Many people and animals develop allergies and chemical sensitivity when exposed to the invisible mycotoxin dust particles as they float around in the air.

[su_note note_color=”#f1f1f1″]The researchers in France studied three mold species commonly present in sick building syndrome, Aspergillus versicolor, Stachybotrys chartarum, and Penicillium brevicompactum, and discovered mycotoxins dispersing directly into the air from the mold spoors under conditions simulating real life inside a building. The molds were grown on the wallpaper to further reproduce actual conditions.[/su_note]

These aerosolized mycotoxins were then observed dispersing into the air and traveling around inside the building. From there, they can easily enter the respiratory tract of a person or animal, making them sick, even though they never directly contacted the mold itself.

Health experts estimate between twenty and forty percent of all buildings in the United States have visible mold growing somewhere in the building, creating conditions where sick building syndrome can develop. The best prevention for sick building syndrome is repairing water-damaged areas as soon as possible and hiring a contractor with the right experience, personnel, and equipment for remediating water and mold damage in a timely way.

[su_note note_color=”#f1f1f1″]If you have a water damage or mold remediation problem in Los Angeles, Riverside, San Bernardino, or Orange Counties, contact Tri Span, Inc. We are Southern California’s leading building contractor for all types mold remediation work.[/su_note]

July 19, 2017