By Steven A Lipson, CIH, CSP
As we start to re-occupy buildings post-pandemic and begin to establish a new normal, it is important to remember that existing threats to building and personal safety are still with us. With the warmer weather beginning, hurricane season is fast approaching once again.
2020 set a record for named storms in a single year. Combined with the pandemic, threats to people, property, and the environment associated with hurricane damage were increased. Social distancing requirements during evacuation and shelter orders complicated matters, and services such as damage inspections were hindered by stay-at-home orders, ventilation necessity and Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) requirements. Building vacancies increased the risk of water-borne Legionella bacteria, which could be exacerbated by power outages. As the pandemic continues, these additional threats will continue through the 2021 season.
NV5 offers consulting services to assist clients in preparing for potential disasters. These services include ventilation and HVAC assessments, and incorporation of coronavirus (COVID-19) protocols to disaster response plans.
When severe storms hit, the NV5 Disaster Response Team stands ready to assist our customers as we have since Hurricane Andrew devastated Miami nearly 30 years ago. Post-hurricane disaster response services include:
- Moisture mapping
- Mold investigations
- Insurance claim assistance
- Structural and roofing assessments
- Hazardous materials investigations
- Abatement monitoring
- Post-remediation verification (PRV) evaluations
- HVAC assessments
- Litigation support (expert witness testimony)
Contact your local NV5 office to find out more about how we can help you plan for the coming storm season. When disaster strikes, NV5 is ready to assist those in need of engineering, industrial hygiene, and health and safety support.