patersongroup Phase I - Environmental Site Assessment 450 Churchill Avenue North Ottawa, Ontario Prepared For Kitchissippi United Church March 8, 2010

Transcription

1 Geotechnical Engineering patersongroup Environmental Engineering Hydrogeology Geological Engineering Materials Testing 450 Churchill Avenue North Building Science Prepared For Kitchissippi United Church March 8, 2010 Paterson Group Inc. Consulting Engineers 28 Concourse Gate - Unit 1 Ottawa (Nepean), Ontario Canada K2E 7T7 Tel: (613) Fax: (613)

2 TABLE OF CONTENTS PAGE EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ii 1.0 INTRODUCTION SITE INFORMATION SCOPE OF WORK METHOD OF INVESTIGATION 4.1 Historical Research Field Assessment FINDINGS OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT 5.1 Historical Review Exterior Assessment Interior Assessment Adjacent Properties ASSESSMENT AND RECOMMENDATIONS 6.1 Assessment Recommendations STATEMENT OF LIMITATIONS APPENDIX Aerial Photographs Figure 1 - Key Plan Drawing PE Site Plan March 8, 2010 Page i

3 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Assessment A was carried out for the property located at 450 Churchill Avenue North, in the City of. The purpose of this environmental assessment was to research the past and current use of the site and adjacent properties and identify any environmental concerns with the potential to have impacted the subject property. The historical research indicated that the subject site building was constructed in various phases in 1913, 1950 and 1958 and has been used as a church and for other institutional uses ever since. Prior to the construction of the southern portion of the addition, this portion of the site was occupied by residential dwellings. Adjacent properties have also been used for residential, institutional and commercial (retail and offices) purposes since development. Based on the available information, the subject building was formerly heated with furnace oil stored in a UST previously located in the courtyard, east of the 1958 addition. The UST was reportedly removed in the early 1990's and no significant evidence of hydrocarbon impact was noted at the time. There was no documentation available presenting the findings of the UST removal. Following the historical review, a site visit was conducted. No significant concerns were noted with the current use of the subject site or immediately adjacent lands. Recommendations Former Underground Storage Tank It is recommended that a Phase II-ESA be conducted in the area of the former tank nest to assess the soil and groundwater in the area of the former furnace oil UST. Potentially Hazardous Building Materials Based on the date of construction of the original building and additions, asbestos is potentially present in building materials throughout the structure. An asbestos survey of the building must be conducted in accordance with Ontario Regulation 278/05, under the Occupational Health and Safety Act. March 8, 2010 Page ii

4 Lead-based paints may be present in the building based on its date of construction. Lead testing should be conducted in the building prior to the disturbance of older painted surfaces. Major works involving lead painted surfaces, including demolition of the premises, must be done in accordance with Ontario Regulation 843, under the Occupational Health and Safety Act. March 8, 2010 Page iii

5 1.0 INTRODUCTION At the request of Kitchissippi United Church, Paterson Group conducted a Phase I - Environmental Site Assessment (ESA) of the property located at 450 Churchill Avenue North, in the City of. This report has been prepared specifically and solely for the above noted project which is described herein. It contains all of our findings and results of the environmental conditions at this site. 2.0 SITE INFORMATION Address: Location: Owner: 450 Churchill Avenue North,. Located at the southwest corner of Churchill Avenue North and Ravenhill Avenue, in the City of. Refer to Figure 1 - Key Plan in the appendix for the site location. Kitchissippi United Church Site Description: Configuration: Legal Description: Zoning: Current Use: Services: Rectangular Plan 204 Lots 10 and 11, Edison East, City of Ottawa I1A The subject site is occupied by a two storey institutional building with a basement level. The building houses a church, a daycare centre, offices and art groups. The subject site is located in a municipally serviced area. March 8, 2010 Page 1

6 3.0 SCOPE OF WORK The scope of work for this was as follows: Investigate the existing conditions present at the subject site by carrying out a field study and historical review in accordance with CSA Z Present the results of our findings in a comprehensive report. Provide a preliminary environmental site evaluation based on our findings. Provide preliminary remediation recommendations and further investigative work if contamination is encountered or suspected. March 8, 2010 Page 2

7 4.0 METHOD OF INVESTIGATION 4.1 Historical Research The methodology for the program was carried out in two segments. The first consisted of a historical review which included a brief research of the past use of the site. This portion of the program was carried out by Paterson personnel from the Environmental Division. The following is a list of the key information sources reviewed by our firm. Federal Records Maps and photographs (Geological Survey of Canada surficial and subsurface mapping). Air photos at the Energy Mines and Resources Air Photo Library. National Archives. PCB Waste Storage Site Inventory. Provincial Records MOE document titled Waste Disposal Site Inventory in Ontario. MOE Brownfields Environmental Site Registry. Office of Technical Standards and Safety Authority, Fuels Safety Branch. Municipal Records The Corporation of the City of Ottawa. Intera Technologies Limited Report Mapping and Assessment of Former Industrial Sites, City of Ottawa. City of Ottawa document entitled Old Landfill Management Strategy; Phase 1 - Identification of Sites, City of ; finalised October Local Information Sources Previous Environmental Reports. Personal interviews. March 8, 2010 Page 3

8 4.2 Field Assessment The second segment of the Phase I - ESA consisted of a site visit which included a cursory assessment of the environmental conditions of the subject property. The field assessment was carried out on February 17, 2010, by personnel from the Environmental Division. As part of the field assessment, the site and existing structure were inspected for signs of the following: Evidence of previous or existing fuel storage tanks. On-site use or storage of hazardous materials. On-site handling or disposal of liquid or solid waste materials. Above-ground piping systems, including pumps, valves and joints. Truck or rail loading or unloading areas. Electrical conduits, abandoned pipelines or pumping stations. Remnants of old buildings. Signs of surficial contamination (ie. staining, distressed vegetation). Unnaturally discoloured, ponded or flowing waters. Surficial drainage, wetlands, natural waterways or watercourses through the properties (i.e. ditches, creeks, ponds, poor drainage). Any evidence of potable water supply wells or groundwater monitoring wells (such as leak detection monitoring wells for underground storage tank systems, or abandoned systems). Any abnormal odours associated with the site, whether from on-site or off-site sources. The presence of any recent soil disturbances such as soil removal, filling, tilling, grading, etc. Asbestos containing materials (ACMs). Urea formaldehyde foam insulation (UFFI). PCB containing products. Ozone depleting substances (ODS). Lead-containing materials. Current use of neighbouring properties. March 8, 2010 Page 4

9 5.0 FINDINGS OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT 5.1 Historical Review Air Photo Research Historical air photos from the National Air Photo Library were reviewed. Based on the review, the following observations have been made: 1928 The subject property is occupied by the original portion of the subject building. The remainder of the site was vacant with the exception of an apparent residential dwelling along Edison Avenue. Adjacent lands appear to be occupied by residential buildings to the west, east and south of the subject property. Adjacent land to the north is occupied by Ravenhill Avenue followed by what appears to be institutional buildings (schools) No significant changes were made to the subject site or adjacent properties The two additions were built on the subject building and the site appears like it does today. No major changes have been made to the adjacent properties with the exception of further institutional development to the north (school additions) No major changes have been made to the subject site or adjacent properties No significant changes have been made to the subject site or the adjacent properties. The property north of Ravenhill Avenue was redeveloped with the existing Churchill Public School and associated playground (City of Ottawa website) No significant changes were made to the subject site or adjacent properties. Laser copies of some of the aerial photographs reviewed are included in the appendix. March 8, 2010 Page 5

10 National Archives The 1956 Fire Insurance Plans (FIPs) and Ottawa city directories from the 1900's to 2000 were reviewed at five year intervals for the area of the subject site. Based on the city directories, the site was used for institutional purposes since the early 1900's. Adjacent properties were used for residential purposes with the exception of a few commercial (retail) establishments and the school located north of Ravenhill Avenue. A number of dry cleaning establishments were identified north of the subject site. These facilities are not considered to represent a significant concern based on the inferred groundwater flow direction in the area (northerly, downgradient). The 1956 FIPs depict the original portion of the building and the 1950 addition in the northern portion of the site. Residential dwellings and a car garage were present in the southern half of the property. Adjacent properties to the south, east and west were occupied by residential dwellings while the property north of Ravenhill Avenue was occupied by a school. Natural Resources Canada (NRCAN) The Geological Survey of Canada website on the Urban Geology of the National Capital Area was consulted as part of this assessment. Based on the information from NRCAN, bedrock in the area of the site consists of interbedded limestone and shale of the Gull River Formation. Based on the maps, the thickness of overburden is less than 1 m in the area. PCB Inventory A search of national PCB waste storage sites was conducted. There are no PCB waste storage sites located in the immediate vicinity of the subject property. Technical Standards and Safety Authority (TSSA) The TSSA, Fuels Safety Branch in Toronto, was contacted to inquire about current and former underground storage tanks, spills and incidents for the subject site and neighbouring properties. The subject property and neighbouring sites were not registered with the TSSA. March 8, 2010 Page 6

11 Ontario Ministry of Environment (MOE) The Ontario Ministry of Environment document entitled Waste Disposal Site Inventory in Ontario, 1991" was reviewed as part of the historical research. This document includes all recorded active and closed waste disposal sites, industrial manufactured gas plants and coal tar distillation plants in the Province of Ontario. No active or closed waste disposal sites or former industrial sites were identified in the vicinity of the subject site. A search of the MOE Brownfields environmental site registry was conducted as part of this assessment. No record of site conditions (RSC) were listed in the data base for the subject site or neighbouring properties within a 250 m radius of the subject site. City of Ottawa Old Landfill Document The document prepared by Golder Associates entitled Old Landfill Management Strategy, Phase I - Identification of Sites, City of Ottawa, was reviewed. No former landfills were identified in the immediate vicinity of the subject property. Former Industrial Sites The report titled Mapping and Assessment of Former Industrial Sites, City of Ottawa prepared by Intera Technologies Limited was reviewed. No former industrial sites were identified within a 250 m radius of the subject property. Previous Engineering Reports A Phase I-II-Environmental Site Assessment was conducted for the Churchill Avenue reconstruction project in No significant concerns were identified in the area of the subject site based on the findings of this assessment. March 8, 2010 Page 7

12 Personal Interviews Mr. Arnold Midgley, chair of the Property Committee for the Kitchissippi United Church was interviewed as part of this assessment. Mr. Midgley indicated that the subject building was previously heated with oil fired equipment located in the current furnace room (1958 addition). The furnace oil was stored in an underground storage tank (UST) located in the courtyard area. According to Mr. Midgley, the UST was removed by Francis Fuels in the early 1990's. There was no soil testing or inspection report available with regards to the UST removal. Mr. Midgley was unsure of the heating source prior to the construction of the 1958 addition. 5.2 Exterior Assessment The site inspection was conducted on February 17, 2010 in the presence of Mr. Arnold Midgley and the property custodian (Mr. Heino). Buildings The subject property is occupied by a two storey church building with two, one or two storey additions, all with a basement level. The exterior of the original building and additions is finished with brown brick. The roof of the main building is sloped and covered with shingles and the roofs of the additions are flat. The building is heated with natural gas fired equipment. Based on historical information, the original portion of the building was constructed in 1913, the western addition was constructed in 1950 and the southern portion of the building was constructed in Site The building occupies most of the site area with the exception of a fenced courtyard in the southeast corner of the site. Site drainage consists of infiltration and sheet drainage directed to catch basins located on adjacent city streets. The subject site is located on a topographic high point. The general topography south of the subject property gently slopes down in a southerly direction. North of the subject site, the topography significantly slopes down in a northerly direction. March 8, 2010 Page 8

13 Potential Environmental Concerns Fuels and Chemical Storage There were no signs indicating the presence of USTs or ASTs observed at the time of the assessment. No fuels or chemicals were observed on the exterior of the property. Waste Management Domestic waste and recycling materials are collected in bins and collected on a regular basis by a licenced contractor. Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs) No potential sources of PCBs were observed on the exterior of the site. 5.3 Interior Assessment A general description of the interior of the building is as follows: Floors consist of a combination of terrazzo, linoleum, vinyl tile (various styles and sizes), carpet, laminate wood flooring and poured concrete. The walls consist of concrete wire mesh, lathe and plaster, gypsum board, concrete block, poured concrete or stone. The ceilings consist of various textured and smooth plaster finishes (over cement followed by wood lathe or wire mesh) or stick-on tile. Large tiles were observed on the ceiling in the sanctuary. Lighting throughout the building is provided by fluorescent, incandescent and halogen fixtures. The building is heated with natural gas fired equipment. March 8, 2010 Page 9

14 Potentially Hazardous Building Products Asbestos Containing Materials (ACMs) Based on the date of construction of the building (1913, 1950 and 1958), building materials observed that are considered to have the potential to contain asbestos include the vinyl floor tiles and the linoleum flooring (various styles), the drywall joint compound and the stick-on ceiling tiles. Asbestos may also be present in the various smooth and textured plaster finishes on the walls and ceilings (plaster and cement over wood lathe and over wire mesh). Asbestos is also suspected in the pipe insulation observed throughout the building (runs and fittings). The suspected ACMs were in good condition with some areas in fair condition. Lead-Based Paint PCBs Based on the period of construction of the building, lead-based paints may be present on original painted surfaces throughout the structure. Painted surfaces were in good to fair condition, with some areas in poor condition with severe chipping. Fluorescent lighting was observed at the time of the site inspection. There were no signs of leakage from any of the observed light ballasts. Urea Formaldehyde Foam Insulation (UFFI) No signs indicating the presence of UFFI were observed during the site inspection. However, the wall cavities were not inspected to verify the insulation type. March 8, 2010 Page 10

15 Other Potential Environmental Concerns Fuels and Chemical Storage Three jerry cans of fuel and quarts of motor oil for the lawn maintenance equipment were observed in a storage space below the stairwell of the main church entrance. In addition, cleaning and maintenance chemicals were observed. All chemicals observed were stored properly. There were no ASTs observed in the interior of the building. Copper lines, presumed to have been associated with the former UST were observed on the east wall of the boiler room. There were no other signs indicating the possible current or former presence of USTs observed in the building at the time of the assessment. The walls of the previous boiler room were inspected for signs indicating the former heating fuel storage methods. The south and west walls of the former boiler room consisted of concrete block and may have been rebuilt at the time of the construction of the addition(s). The former chimney was observed on the east wall. This wall consisted of painted stone which had many depressions and grouted areas. It is expected that the building was originally heated with coal and possibly oil prior to the construction of the 1958 addition. The former fuel storage methods are not considered to represent a significant concern based on the fact that any soils in the area surrounding the former boiler room would have been removed at the time of the construction of the additions. Wastewater Discharges The liquid discharge from the building includes the washwater and sewage from the washrooms and kitchen areas. Sump pits were observed in the former and current boiler rooms. The water contained in both pits was clear and free of hydrocarbon odour or sheen. The subject site discharges into the City of Ottawa sewer systems. March 8, 2010 Page 11

16 5.4 Adjacent Properties Land use adjacent to the subject site was as follows: North - Ravenhill Avenue followed by institutional (school); East - Churchill Avenue followed by commercial (retail and offices) and residential South - Residential; West - Edison Avenue followed by residential. The current use of the immediately adjacent properties is not considered to pose a concern to the subject site. Current land use adjacent to the subject property is illustrated on Drawing PE Site Plan in the appendix. March 8, 2010 Page 12

17 6.0 ASSESSMENT AND RECOMMENDATIONS 6.1 Assessment A was carried out for the property located at 450 Churchill Avenue North, in the City of. The purpose of this environmental assessment was to research the past and current use of the site and adjacent properties and identify any environmental concerns with the potential to have impacted the subject property. The historical research indicated that the subject site building was constructed in various phases in 1913, 1950 and 1958 and has been used as a church and other institutional uses ever since. Prior to the construction of the southern portion of the addition, this portion of the site was occupied by residential dwellings. Adjacent properties have also been used for residential, institutional and commercial (retail and offices) purposes since development. Based on the available information, the subject building was formerly heated with furnace oil stored in a UST previously located in the courtyard, east of the 1958 addition. The UST was reportedly removed in the early 1990's and no significant evidence of hydrocarbon impact was noted at the time. There was no documentation available presenting the findings of the UST removal. Following the historical review, a site visit was conducted. No significant concerns were noted with the current use of the subject site or immediately adjacent lands. 6.2 Recommendations Former Underground Storage Tank It is recommended that a Phase II-ESA be conducted in the area of the former tank nest to assess the soil and groundwater in the area of the former furnace oil UST. March 8, 2010 Page 13

18 Potentially Hazardous Building Materials Based on the date of construction of the original building and additions (1913, 1950 and 1958), asbestos is potentially present in building materials throughout the structure. As discussed in Subsection 4.5 of this report, the presence of asbestos is possible within the vinyl floor tiles and the linoleum flooring (various styles), the drywall joint compound and the stick-on ceiling tiles. Asbestos may also be present in the various smooth and textured plaster finishes on the walls and ceilings (plaster and cement over wood lathe and over wire mesh). Asbestos is also suspected in the pipe insulation observed throughout the building (runs and fittings). An asbestos survey of the building must be conducted in accordance with Ontario Regulation 278/05, under the Occupational Health and Safety Act. Lead-based paints may be present in the building based on its date of construction. At the time of the investigation, the painted surfaces were noted to be in good to fair condition with some areas in poor condition (severe chipping). Lead testing should be conducted in the building prior to the disturbance of older painted surfaces. Major works involving lead painted surfaces, including demolition of the premises, must be done in accordance with Ontario Regulation 843, under the Occupational Health and Safety Act. March 8, 2010 Page 14

19 7.0 STATEMENT OF LIMITATIONS This report has been prepared in general accordance with the agreed scope-of-work and the requirements of CSA Z The conclusions presented herein are based on information gathered from a limited historical review and field inspection program. The findings of the Phase I - ESA are based on a review of readily available geological, historical and regulatory information and a cursory review made at the time of the field assessment. The historical research relies on information supplied by others, such as, local, provincial and federal agencies and was limited within the scope-of-work, time and budget of the project herein. Should any conditions be encountered at the subject site and/or historical information that differ from our findings, we request that we be notified immediately in order to allow for a reassessment. This report was prepared for the sole use of Kitchissippi United Church. Permission and notification from Kitchissippi United Church and Paterson will be required to release this report to any other party. Paterson Group Inc. Cynthia Tremblay, P.Eng. Mark S. D Arcy, P.Eng Report Distribution: Kitchissippi United Church (3 copies) Paterson Group Inc. (1 copy) March 8, 2010 Page 15

20 APPENDIX AERIAL PHOTOGRAPHS FIGURE 1 - KEY PLAN DRAWING PE SITE PLAN

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26 SITE Source: Google Maps FIGURE 1 KEY PLAN

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