flexiblefullpage
billboard
interstitial1
catfish1
Currently Reading

New Phase 1 Environmental Site Assessment standard debuts in 2021

Codes and Standards

New Phase 1 Environmental Site Assessment standard debuts in 2021

Will affect 250,000 commercial real estate deals a year.


By Peter Fabris, Contributing Editor | April 14, 2021

Courtesy Pixabay

A new version of ASTM E1527 standard for Phase 1 Environmental Site Assessments is expected to be completed this year.

The new standard would affect about 250,000 commercial real estate deals a year. One of the proposed changes could be interpreted to require the same level of historical research of adjoining properties as is done for the subject property. The assessment, in such a case, would require additional historical research to fill in data gaps for certain adjoining properties, which could increase the scope and cost of some reports and potentially delay transactions.

Other proposed changes add PFAS and other emerging contaminants to the list of “non-scope issues,” raising awareness of the issue that some may want to evaluate as is commonly done with asbestos and mold. The draft new standard aims to call more attention to significant data gaps, a substantial piece of information that wasn’t feasible to obtain given time or budget constraints.

Data gaps would be assessed as to whether they materially affect the environmental professional’s ability to identify Recognized Environmental Conditions (RECs). The ASTM committee will continue to discuss, refine, and vote on proposed changes and has a goal of releasing the new standard by the end of the year.

Related Stories

Codes and Standards | Mar 6, 2017

ConsensusDocs updates standard short contract editions

The updates address industry changes impacting insurance, legal, technology, and terminology.

Codes and Standards | Mar 3, 2017

ASCE updates standard for structures using tensile membrane

The new sstandard combines guidelines for conventional tensile membrane structures with frame-covered membrane structures.

Codes and Standards | Mar 1, 2017

EPA's 2017 Construction General Permit now in effect

The regulation governs compliance with effluent limits.

Codes and Standards | Feb 28, 2017

Concern grows for high tide flood vulnerability in Mid-Atlantic states

Washington, D.C., and Annapolis, Md., could flood every three days by 2045.

Codes and Standards | Feb 27, 2017

Green building saves operating costs and boosts asset value

A new report shows 14% cost savings and a 7% increase in value when green standards are met.

Codes and Standards | Feb 24, 2017

Scant data hampering energy, water efficiency at sports venues

New NIBS report says baseline information needs further development.

Codes and Standards | Feb 22, 2017

Plans for WELL Building Standard include linkage with other green building standards

The planned updated version will be customizable for any building type.

Codes and Standards | Feb 21, 2017

Aging building code inspectors and government belt-tightening could cause crisis

Inspectors are edging toward retirement with no understudies in place.

Codes and Standards | Feb 20, 2017

AISI publishes three new cold-formed steel framing research reports

Seismic simulation, roof trusses, steel-to-steel and sheathing-to-steel connections are examined in the reports.

Codes and Standards | Feb 17, 2017

New energy design guide for metal building systems now available

The second edition incorporates more recent IECC and ASHRAE standards.

boombox1
boombox2
native1

More In Category

Sustainability

Grimshaw launches free online tool to help accelerate decarbonization of buildings

Minoro, an online platform to help accelerate the decarbonization of buildings, was recently launched by architecture firm Grimshaw, in collaboration with more than 20 supporting organizations including World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD), RIBA, Architecture 2030, the World Green Building Council (WorldGBC) and several national Green Building Councils from across the globe.




halfpage1

Most Popular Content

  1. 2021 Giants 400 Report
  2. Top 150 Architecture Firms for 2019
  3. 13 projects that represent the future of affordable housing
  4. Sagrada Familia completion date pushed back due to coronavirus
  5. Top 160 Architecture Firms 2021