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 | Aug 10, 2021
Dept. of Energy issues model energy code determinations for commercial, residential buildings
2021 IECC offers 9.4% site energy savings.
Digital Twin | Aug 9, 2021
Digital Twin Maturity white paper offers guidance on digital twin adoption
Provides lifecycle map and an approach for incorporating digital twins.
Codes and Standards | Aug 5, 2021
Contractors can be liable for building failures many years after project completion
Personal injury suits could be brought decades after substantial completion.
Codes and Standards | Aug 4, 2021
Mass timber is a natural choice for building recycling through deconstruction
Designing wood buildings to optimize recovery of materials for disassembly aids carbon sequestration.
Codes and Standards | Aug 3, 2021
Dept. of Energy releases initial version of the Spawn of EnergyPlus software
Targets new use cases in advanced controls, district systems, and grid integration.
Codes and Standards | Aug 2, 2021
Several U.S. cities among most expensive places to build in the world
San Francisco, New York, and Boston head the domestic list.
Codes and Standards | Jul 28, 2021
American Concrete Institute creates new director of innovative concrete technology post
Aim is to attract emerging technologies for development.
Codes and Standards | Jul 28, 2021
Higher ed faces infrastructure backlog of $112.3 billion
Study recommends integrated strategic planning for best results.
Codes and Standards | Jul 27, 2021
Add a wobbly moon to flooding risk factors
Earth satellite’s orbit variations will lead to sunny-day flooding in the mid-2030s.
Codes and Standards | Jul 26, 2021
Revamping of Florida building codes on the table after condo collapse
Tragedy could prompt upgrades like post-Hurricane Andrew effort.