MEC&F Expert Engineers : 07/29/16

Friday, July 29, 2016

Ware, Mass. power plant electrical fire caused by 'arc flash' explosion from a 600-volt electrical panel that seriously injured a Ware River Power Inc. employee was accidental





Ware River Power Inc. located at 16 East Main St. in Ware (Jim Russell photo)

By Jim Russell | Special to The Republican
on July 28, 2016 at 2:06 PM, updated July 28, 2016 at 2:07 PM




WARE, MASS. — A brief explosion created by an "arc flash" from a 600-volt electrical panel that seriously injured a Ware River Power Inc. employee was accidental, investigators from the state fire marshal's office have concluded.

Another employee suffered serious injuries, and a third worker, although hospitalized, returned to the scene the day of the April 17 electrical fire to assist investigators, a report provided by the fire marshal says.

Trooper Brian Clapprood of the Massachusetts State Police Fire and Explosion Investigation Unit, wrote the report that was obtained by The Republican this week following a public records request.

The document shows that the federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration, which initially was expected to conduct an investigation, did not do so.

"I contacted Rick Abbott at OSHA after the incident and was informed that due to the low minimum number of total employees at Ware River Power, OSHA would not be involved in any type of investigation. I then contacted Massachusetts Department of Industrial Accidents. They stated that because the employees had workman's compensation, that their office would not be conducting any form of investigation," Clapprood wrote in the report that was completed July 13.

The report says investigators "determined that the incident was not suspicious and was likely the result of some type of human or mechanical accident."

The report also shows that an investigation by the insurance company handling the worker's compensation claims has not been completed. The report says the insurance company "believed that there may be a mechanical issue with the fuse disconnect switch" involving the electrical panel.

The report says the worker who was the most seriously burned from the heat of the arc flash pulled a lever on the 600-volt box to disconnect power while the other two injured workers were behind him.

"It was at this point that some type of 'arc flashing' occurred," Clapprood wrote.


Ware River Power Inc. is owned by Lucas Wright. The plant is located at 16 East Main St. in Ware.

According to the Low Impact Hydropower Institute, the WRP's facility "consists of two dams and a total of five turbines within ¼ mile of each other on the Ware River in Ware."



======================


OSHA begins inspection of Ware River Power after high-voltage accident causing three worker injuries

One of the Ware River dams used by Ware River Power Inc. to generate electricity, near South Street (Jim Russell photo)

  Jim Russell | Special to The Republican
on April 19, 2016 at 6:41 PM, updated July 28, 2016 at 12:25 PM




WARE — The federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration has begun an inspection of Ware River Power Inc. following a weekend electrical accident in which three workers were injured.

Ware River Power has an electricity generating plant at 16 East Main St. An OSHA spokesman confirmed the inspection but said the agency has no other information it can release involving their probe.

Contacted by telephone on Tuesday, WRP President Lucas Wright declined to comment.

The state fire marshal's preliminary investigation determined that the flash fire that resulted when WRP employees were doing work on high-voltage wiring was accidental. A spokesperson said the fire marshal's office plans to interview all workers involved.

The Ware Fire Department responded to a 1:10 p.m. call on April 17, and took the victims to Baystate Mary Lane Hospital.

The most seriously injured worker was flown to a Boston hospital, and another was transferred to the University of Massachusetts hospital system in Worcester.
“To rehabilitate and operate independent hydro facilities is the primary goal of Ware River Power, Inc."


OSHA regulations require companies to report to them within 24 hours any time there is a serious injury in the workplace.

According to the Low Impact Hydropower Institute, the WRP's facility "consists of two dams and a total of 5 turbines within 1/4 mile of each other on the Ware River in Ware."

The institute said WRP "purchased Pioneer Hydro out of bankruptcy. Since that time, the Wrights and WRP have devoted a vast amount of hard work, time, energy and capital to make Pioneer low impact on its surroundings."

"To rehabilitate and operate independent hydro facilities is the primary goal of Ware River Power Inc. since its inception in 1980," Lucas Wright and the firm's founder, David Wright, his father, wrote in a brief history detailing the origins of the business.

The company owns and operates five dams on the Ware and French rivers in Ware, Barre and Webster, with power-generating capacity of more than 2 megawatts, or enough electricity for 2,000 houses, according to the Wrights.

"Since 1980, Ware River Power acting as general contractor has rehabbed 18 complete hydro sites and more upgrading of operating sites," the Wrights wrote.

Their essay appeared in the summer 2007 edition of East Quabbin Land Trust News.

1 killed, 2 injured after speeding drunk driver Ryan Anthony Morris, 26, crashes his SUV into a Santa Ana building








A 26-year-old man was arrested for DUI and manslaughter after slamming into a pole in Santa Ana, killing one passenger and injuring two others Friday, authorities said. (KABC)

By Eileen Frere
Updated 6 mins ago
SANTA ANA, Calif. (KABC) -- A 26-year-old man was arrested and booked for DUI and vehicular manslaughter after slamming into a pole in Santa Ana, killing one passenger and seriously injuring two others Friday morning, authorities said.

The crash involving a blue Subaru Forester was reported near Bristol Street and MacArthur Boulevard at about 8:30 a.m., according to the Orange County Fire Authority.

Authorities said the driver was traveling with friends in his car at high speeds when the SUV jumped the curb, slammed into a light pole, overturned and landed more than 100 feet away.

Officials said a 23-year-old male passenger died as a result of the crash. A 20-year-old woman was on life support with life-threatening injuries, and a 22-year-old man was in stable condition, according to Santa Ana police.

The driver was transported to a nearby hospital with non-life threatening injuries.

Santa Ana police later identified the driver as Ryan Anthony Morris, 26, of Santa Ana. He was booked on vehicular manslaughter and DUI causing great bodily injury and/or death.





Ryan Anthony Morris, 26, of Santa Ana was booked on vehicular manslaughter and DUI causing great bodily injury and/or death. (Santa Ana Police Dept.)

The deceased man was identified as Shane Spear, 23, of Santa Ana.

Joshua Vasquez works nearby and said one of his customers told him the Subaru zipped right by her before crashing.

"My mechanic, he actually went out with me, spoke to the gentlemen. They kind of nodded their heads like, 'Hey, we're OK,' and so we were there just waiting, firefighters came," he said.

Cpl. Anthony Bertagna of Santa Ana PD said an officer across the street from the incident was taking another collision report when he heard the crash and ran over to the scene.


"Based on the signs and symptoms he observed there and at the hospital, (the driver has) been placed under arrest," Bertagna added.

Police said two of the people in the car were from out of state.

Meantime, witnesses were shocked to hear the driver had friends in his speeding vehicle.

"That's sad. How could you be drinking behind the wheel when you have friends and everything?" said witness Ruben Martinez.

The crash remained under investigation.

an underground, 36-inch transmission main broke, impacting 40,000 people in Camden; boil water advisory continues







A boil water advisory continues in Camden for people west of the Cooper River. (WPVI)

By John Rawlins
Friday, July 29, 2016 05:11PM

CAMDEN, N.J. (WPVI) -- A boil water advisory continues in Camden for people west of the Cooper River.

This advisory is the result of a water main break that happened between 2 p.m. and 3 p.m. Thursday in the area of River and Delair roads in Pennsauken, New Jersey.

Officials tell us an underground, 36-inch transmission main broke, impacting 40,000 people in Camden.









A water main break has prompted a boil water advisory for people west of the Cooper River.

As a result of the break, the city is experiencing low water pressure, and officials are asking residents to boil their water until the main is repaired.

Specifically, officials say water used in any form, drinking, cleaning food, etc., should be brought to a "roiling boil" to kill any potential bacteria that may have gotten into the system.

At this time, it is not clear if contamination has gotten into the system. However, officials say it could happen, and they want to be on the safe side.

"My wife was talking about it yesterday that I was going to boil the water, but I forgot all about it. I got up this morning, I made the coffee. oh boy. I hope I don't get sick," said Cesario Martiez.

"I'll be glad when they fix it cause I don't know what's in it and where it's coming from, what kind of bacteria might be in the water," said Yvonne Allen.

While she waits for the boil water advisory to be lifted, Denise Austin continues washing her dishes with bleach and says even when the all clear comes, like most of her neighbors she'll continue using bottled water to drink

"We normally go through cases of water cause we are water drinkers here, like at least two cases, for the safety of my children and grandchildren. We've always been cautious," said Denise Austin.

Five people were injured, one seriously, after the driver of a truck crashed into the Magee Rehabilitation Hospital in Center City, Philadelphia






Five people were injured, one seriously, after the driver of a truck crashed into the Magee Rehabilitation Hospital in Center City.

Updated 26 mins ago
CENTER CITY, Philadelphia (WPVI) -- Five people were injured, one seriously, after the driver of a truck crashed into the Magee Rehabilitation Hospital in Center City.

It happened at 8:16 p.m. Friday on the 1500 block of Race Street.

Police say a 38-year-old woman crashed into the sliding doors of the building.

Two males and three females, including the driver, were injured.

The victims were taken to Hahnemann University Hospital where one male victim is listed in serious condition.

The four remaining victims are in stable condition.

No arrests have been made.

Police AID and L&I are on the scene investigating.

Stick with 6abc as details emerge in this developing story.

Northeast Fresno residents expressing concern about drinking water lead contamination from their plumbing






The city sent flyers to 45,000 households this month. So far about 1,000 have responded, and the city is in the process of testing homes for lead contamination. (KFSN)

By Gene Haagenson
Updated 2 hrs 25 mins ago
FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- A growing number of Fresno residents are expressing concerns about their water. The city sent flyers to 45,000 households this month. So far about 1,000 have responded, and the city is in the process of testing homes for lead contamination from their plumbing.

Like many residents of Northeast Fresno, Jonathan Weibe became concerned when he heard about the potential for lead in his homes water. He had noticed some discoloration and called the city for a free test.

"It was fairly easy to schedule an appointment. They were very willing to put me on the list and about a week later got a call, set it up to come up."

About two weeks after two faucets were tested, he received a 25-page report indicating lead was not present in a significant amount.

"Ours was 0.0005 Mgl., whatever that means," said Weibe.

So far, of the 4,000 or so homes tested, 50 had lead in the water-- lead above the Federal action standard. The lead comes from galvanized pipes and metal fixtures which have rusted because of corrosive city water.

The city has not indicated how many had less than the action level and as Woodward Lakes resident Faith Nitscke reminded the city council this week, "The safe level for lead in your drinking water is zero."

Because of that, many residents are having all their plumbing replaced. But Lance Marks, of All Star Plumbing, said that's not always necessary.

"Usually, it's either leaching from galvanized pipes or your water heater. So you can just take different steps instead of spending a bunch of money to re-pipe your house."

Marks said all the pipes may not be bad. Residents who've had galvanized pipes replaced with modern plastic said its about $10,000, but Marks said jobs are not always that much money.

Wiebe is still concerned about his pipes, even though the city didn't find a significant amount of lead, he doesn't want to put his wife and child in danger.

"At this point, we don't drink the water anymore, you know, we either have bottled water-- we are thinking about getting a water service or something like that. Even though it states here it's fine, with all the news, we just don't drink the water anymore."

The city is experimenting with different levels of calcium in the water and believes it is reducing corrosion. The city is expected to issue a report on Monday on the latest testing results.

Metropolitan Engineering, Consulting, Forensics, and Environmental Remediation Services. Construction, Investigation, Remediation and Forensic Expert Engineers


Construction Defects, Construction Claims, Engineering, Property & Casualty Investigations, Assessment, Site Investigation, Remediation, Litigation and Indoor-Air Expert Engineers

Bill Stephan, PhD, PE, CIH, CHMM, JD, MBA
Principal Engineer

P.O. Box 520
Tenafly, New Jersey 07670-0520
Phone: (973) 897-8162
Fax: (973) 810-0440



__________________________________________________



Firm Overview


The engineering and forensic firm of Metropolitan Forensics and Consulting Engineering and Environmental Services was established for the purpose of providing a high value service to the insurance industry and to the insured companies or individuals. Our founding principal (Bill Stephan) is a licensed professional engineer in several states, including, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, and Delaware.



We specialize in the in-situ remediation of petroleum and chlorinated spills, the defense of liability claims, the investigation and defense of first or third party insurance claims and the handling of subrogation claims.  We are also experts on oil and gas energy sector issues (design, investigations, construction oversight), renewable energy sector (wind turbines, solar panels, biofuels, etc), vapor intrusion evaluation, vapor phase and transport and in design on vapor mitigation systems.  Additionally, we offer forensic engineering services, including age-dating of contaminant releases, construction defects, oversight, evaluation of remedial alternatives, sub-slab ventilation system design and installation.  The list of our core services is:



  • Cause and Origin Investigations
  • Construction Failure Analysis (Residential, Industrial and Commercial)
  • Structural Integrity Evaluation
  • Site Investigation
  • Tank removals and tank installations; licensed and insured to perform entire UST work
  • In-Situ Remediation of Soil and Groundwater
  • Vapor intrusion, indoor air evaluation and mitigation
  • Causation
  • Forensic Investigations (age-dating)
  • Oversight
  • Review of Remedial Action Work Plans
  • Reserve Estimation
  • Cost Allocation
  • RAWP Preparation
  • Site Remediation
  • Cleanup Level Development and Negotiation
  • Subrogation
  • Expert Witness/Litigation Support
  • Licensed Site Remediation Professional (LSRP) Services
  • Construction Claims (Delay, Differing Site Conditions, Loss of Productivity, Acceleration, and others)

 





















Additional Specialty Service Areas

Age Dating
Boilers & Burners
Bridges
Building Codes
Building Inspections


Construction Accident
   Reconstruction
Construction Defects
Construction Delay Claims

Construction Surety Claims
Construction Disputes
Construction Differing Condition Claims
Construction Oversight
Construction Management
Construction Acceleration Claims

Construction Failures
Construction Injuries
Contractor Performance Issues
Corrosion


Defective Designs
Defective Roadway Design
   Evaluations


Earthquake
Electrical Accidents/Injuries
Electrical Equipment Failures
Electrical Fires
Elevators, Escalators
   & Conveyors
Embedded Software Hazards
   & Analysis
Equipment Failures
Errors and Omissions
Explosions

Failure Analysis
Fire
Fire Codes
Fire Protection Systems
Fire Suppression Systems

Flood Damage Assessment

Foundation Systems

Gas Systems

Hailstorm damage

Heating & Ventilation Systems
Heavy Construction
Highway/Roadway Design
Human Factors


Indoor Air Quality
Laboratory Services
Ladders, Scaffolding Falls
   & Failures
Lightning

Mechanical Defect Evaluations
Metallurgical Age Dating
Mold Causation
Natural Disasters/Weather
   Related Issues
Nuclear Energy
Occupational Hazards
   & Illness

Piping
Playground Equipment Injuries
Plumbing
Product Failures
Roofing Problems & Failures
Safety Codes
Safety & Human Factors
   Engineering
Scalding
Scene Mapping and Photographs
Sick Building Syndrome
Sports Equipment Injuries
Standardized Codes
Steam Systems
Subrogation Issues


Transportation Issues
Trips, Slips & Falls
Underground Storage Tanks
Utilities Expertise
Vibration
Water Damage
Windstorm



Mission Statement


Our mission is to work as an extension of our clients to expeditiously achieve the most economically favorable resolution of claims on their behalf and on behalf of their insured. We have developed and will continue to create new solutions to the technical problems and issues which are facing the insurance industry and the insureds today.  

Metropolitan provides forensic engineering work (age-dating or fingerprinting), site remediation, auditing, cost control and litigation support services to insurance carriers, their insureds and to private or public companies.  In its risk management role, examines, manages and audits environmental claims to ensure that assessment and remediation services provided to both carriers and policy holders are reasonable and necessary, properly rendered and appropriately charged. 



In its litigation support role, Metropolitan assists carriers and their counsel to ensure that litigious disputes are resolved fairly and reimbursement benefits are provided when appropriate.  The corporations service area includes the entire United States, with our corporate office located in Northern New Jersey.  The Firm's professional staff also travels regularly throughout the United States on assignment.


Forensics at Metropolitan


There are many issues associated with disputes over responsibility for cleanup. Who, what, when, where, and how chemicals were released can be investigated. The tools of forensic investigation include mathematical models, statistical models, fate and transport calculations, chromatography, lead isotope analyses, time of travel assessments, library search site characterization, tracer additives, and recently developed software applications.



Effective forensic project management should include an evaluation of multiple forensic tools based on site specific circumstances. The process of evaluation and the ultimate selection of the forensic tool are critical to a successful outcome. When project budgets allow, combining forensic methods for corroborative evidence can substantially strengthen your client’s position in an effort to prevent or support litigation. The effective forensic consultant must be well acquainted with an ever expanding list of analytical methods, environmental regulations, assessment procedures and remedial technologies.



The forensic field is one that utilizes a wide range of scientific tools to identify and characterize complex adverse environmental events. Some of the scientific disciplines involved in forensics include engineering principles (biological, physical and chemical), hydrology, lithology, geology, site history, site practices, mathematics, and statistics. These areas may be combined with technologies such as respiratory analyses, chromatography/mass spectrometry and chemical fingerprinting methods to answer complex questions with the ultimate goal of establishing responsibility for a particular event. Accurate, defensible forensic analyses are an essential component of any strategy that attempts to resolve the extent of the insurer or insured client responsibilities in the cleanup of contaminants.


Contact us online or call 973-897-8162 to learn more about our forensic services.



Property Damage Services at Metropolitan

Metropolitan assists property owners, claims professionals, businesses, and attorneys in   the assessment of the cause & origin (C&O), extent of damage and required restoration after pipe bursts, settlements, manufacturing and construction failures, fire, flood, earthquake, or storm damage.  Our teams of engineers have extensive experience in the many systems that make up a building including structural, mechanical and electrical systems.   We also have the necessary background to evaluate property damage to items such as communications towers or solar panels. We can help determine alternative, appropriate, and cost effective solutions for repair or restoration of any damaged property, both commercial and residential. 

Providing Competent, Expert and Objective Investigative Engineering and Consulting Services.

Our experts are multi-skilled, competent, and objective professionals who apply their analytical and common sense skills to reconstruct, determine the root cause, and document the events that give rise to property, casualty, and liability claims.  Thorough investigations and detailed measurements/research help us distinguish between pre-existing conditions and sudden and accidental losses.



 






























Our investigations are:

·         Comprehensive & Accurate

·         Legible & Easy to Understand

·         Timely Performed

·         Delivered Quickly

·         Cost Effective

·         Clear & Concise

·         Developed by Professionals

·         Dependable

·         Our own uniform reporting system saves time and money.


Our Fast Track Investigation and Uniform Format Reporting systems allow us to conduct and deliver a comprehensive response to the assigned claim.  In most cases, we will obtain findings based on a site visit, visual observations, photographs, interviews, and field measurements.  Further investigations and testing will be provided upon request and approval by the client.



Forensic Investigation of Property Damage Claims

Metropolitan Consulting, Engineering & Forensics understands your need to complete a claim investigation accurately and efficiently as possible.  Whether it is accident reconstruction, damage due to environmental forces such as wind, water, hail, snow, tornado, etc.; fire origin & cause investigation or any other claim, the engineers at Metropolitan understand both you and your client want to resolve the claim.  The analysis you receive from Metropolitan will be accurate and complete, giving you the information needed in the claim adjustment and analysis.

Our services have extended beyond the forensic analysis phase into the remediation and repair phase of many large loss claims.  Upon the completion of the cause and origin (C&O) investigation, Metropolitan can provide our clients with complete working drawings and specifications needed to repair or rebuilt damaged buildings or other structures.  Metropolitan Consulting & Engineering’ staff possesses many-many years of experience in rehabilitation design, construction management, and project oversight to ensure the loss is restored in a timely and cost-effective manner without sacrificing quality.  Building code knowledge allows us to identify possible code upgrades as needed.  Metropolitan understands constructability and realizes making an insured whole goes beyond forensic investigation and design. We pride ourselves in providing practical solutions contractors can understand and follow.

At the forefront of available technology, we provide professionals and staff capable of handling a variety of engineering evaluations.  Our reports are clear, concise, complete and efficiently produced.  Our engineering objectives are achieved in an ethical manner consistent with the traditions and character of engineering professionals.

Contact us online or call 973-897-8162 to learn more about our property damage services.


Extensive Experience helping Sureties

Metropolitan also has extensive experience helping sureties fulfill their bond obligations resolve disputes after a contractor has defaulted.  This work includes the evaluation of contractor bid pricing, evaluation of the contractor’s ability to perform work, risk assessment, evaluation of termination, construction completion services, claim and litigation support services, loss recovery services, evaluation of payment bond claims, negotiation and settlement of payment bond claims, and construction defects investigation services.  Metropolitan has provided these services for commercial, development, educational, and assisted living projects.


Construction is a business fraught with risk.  Disputes over even the smallest of issues can quickly escalate, with crippling consequences to the project and the parties.  Over the years, the construction industry has developed various methods of contractually allocating the risk of project delay and disruption.  Some of these methods include liquidated damages provisions, "no damages for delay" clauses, mutual waivers of consequential damages, provisions that limit liability, claims notice provisions, and provisions addressing responsibility for the adequacy of the construction plans and specifications.  Parties frequently litigate the sufficiency of these risk-shifting efforts in conjunction with the underlying merits of delay and disruption disputes.
Construction Claims & Disputes
The most frequently encountered claims include:
1.            Construction Delay Claims
2.            Disruption and Loss of Labor Productivity Claims
3.            Design and Construction Defect Claims
4.            Force Majeure Claims
5.            Acceleration or Compression of the Schedule Claims
6.            Suspension, Termination and Default Claims
7.            Differing Site Conditions Claims
8.            Change Order and Extra Work Claims
9.            Cost Overrun Claims
10.         Unacceptable Workmanship or Substituted Material Claims
11.         Non-payment Claims (stop notice (or Notice to Withhold) claims, mechanics’ lien (only for private construction projects) and payment bond claims)



Forensic Engineering Experience Case Studies


Metropolitan staff has developed and utilized scientific methods to assist clients in a variety of ways related to their claim issues. The following is a partial list of such projects:

  • Provided expert witness services for plaintiff seeking remediation of contaminated groundwater that caused indoor air inhalation problems;
  • Testified that engineering and scientific evidence was improperly collected and analyzed and was inadequate to show the age of the release;
  • Origin and cause of retaining wall failures.  
  • Lightning damage to structures or electrical systems and equipment
  • Roof failure or collapse as a result of accumulated load, additional weight and snow drift at hundreds of commercial and residential properties.
  • Demonstrated that solvents in groundwater at client's property originated from off-site dry-cleaner and that client's site actually provided remediation for the off-site release of dry cleaning solvent;
  • Expert witness for property owner impacted by industrial waste disposal from industrial manufacturer;
  • Demonstrated that environmental analysis by a previous consultant for a manufacturing site was inadequate; as a result, the lender's concerns were alleviated and financing proceeded;
  • Chemical "age-dating" and contaminant transport analyses of petroleum in groundwater at a gas station showed that contaminants originated from other parties;
  • Age-dated petroleum release at a former gas station to show that the previous owner of the gas station caused groundwater contamination;
  • Age-dated petroleum releases at an industrial facility to show that the on-site plume was the result of an off-site source;
  • Prepared age-dating reports for over one-hundred residential fuel oil spills;
  • Assisted insurance companies attorneys in defending subrogation claims; was able to demonstrate that the forensic data collected by the first party consultant were collected and analyzed using invalid methods;
  • Demonstrated that structural damage to a residence was from a source other than the alleged high lake level
  • Collected evidence (for the primary responsible party) that identified other responsible parties to share in the cost of a Superfund cleanup;
  • Review of the site data at a bulk petroleum facility indicated that the site releases were not the result of regular oil transfer operations and that they were caused by the negligent actions of the insured’s agents; the case was settled in favor of the insurance company;
  • Was able to demonstrate that the majority of the removal actions at petroleum release sites were neither reasonable nor necessary; as a result of our opinion, the insurance client settled the claim in favorable terms;
  • At several drycleaner sites we were able to demonstrate that the age of the release was much earlier than the parties originally believed; as a result, the insurance client settled the claim at a fraction of the alleged liability;
  • We performed numerous flood and wind damage assessments at commercial and residential properties.
Contact us online or call 973-897-8162 to learn more about our forensic engineering services.




Site Remediation Services


 Characterizing and remediating contaminated sites involve some of the most complex and difficult issues for environmental lawyers and their clients. Problem areas include responding to regulators; negotiating enforcement settlements; negotiating or litigating cost allocation and recovery claims; working with the insured or insurer client, lawyers and regulators to develop efficient, cost-effective remediation approaches; and selling, buying, or developing contaminated properties.



Metropolitan staff has developed and applied an innovative approach to the use of sodium persulfate for the sequential in-situ treatment of subsurface contaminants through chemical oxidation followed by enhanced biological degradation through sulfate reduction. This approach has broad applicability to a wide range of contaminants, and shows strong cost-saving benefits through reducing the initial volume of chemical oxidant necessary and enhancing the in-situ biological degradation of contaminants.



Through proper subsurface geochemical characterization and chemical dosing design, the approach focuses on utilizing the oxidant for immediate mass reduction at the source area, followed by degradation or polishing of the residual contamination using sulfate reducing bacteria.  Depending upon the oxidant activation method, this approach is applicable to petroleum hydrocarbons including both volatiles and PAHs, chlorinated volatile organic compounds (CVOCs) including chlorinated ethene, ethane and methane groups, as well as PCBs.


Contact us online or call 973-897-8162 to learn more about our Site Remediation Services.





Vapor Intrusion and Indoor-Air Studies


Vapor intrusion has received increased attention over the last few years near contaminated sites because some contaminants have the potential to migrate into nearby buildings and negatively affect indoor air quality. The accumulation of these volatile vapors in buildings can result in significant safety and health concerns.
To properly evaluate vapor intrusion a thorough evaluation of the building's ventilation system and subsurface conditions needs to be conducted by a knowledgeable professional in accordance with state and federal established procedures. 
The evaluation process typically includes a thorough building chemical inventory, the advancement of soil gas probes and the collection of soil gas samples. When indoor air quality problems are identified they can normally be resolved through the modification/installation of a properly designed ventilation system.
Metropolitan is well experienced with U.S. EPA and State vapor intrusion investigation techniques. We have completed numerous vapor intrusion and indoor air quality studies at commercial and residential properties. We have the experience to identify and resolve indoor vapor intrusion problems and the practical know-how to resolve indoor quality issues in an efficient and cost effective manner.
Contact us online or call 973-897-8162 to learn more about our Vapor Intrusion and Indoor Air Studies.




Metropolitan Engineering, Consulting, Forensics, and Environmental Remediation Services.


Construction, Investigation, Remediation and Forensic Expert  Engineers

P.O. Box 520

Tenafly, New Jersey 07670-0520

Ph.: (973) 897-8162

Fax: (973) 810-0440



Contact: Dr. Bill N. Stephan, PhD, PE, JD, CIH, MBA, CHMM






Insurance claim examiners, insureds, insurers, insurance adjusters and risk managers use Metropolitan for determining cause, evaluating the extent of damage, determining the age of the release, separating unrelated damage, analyzing loss scopes and managing restoration data, determining costs to repair, restore or replace, and preparing for insurance appraisals.



Attorneys call on Metropolitan for help when preparing for Litigation and Alternative Dispute Resolution such as arbitration and mediation


Pickup truck collision with utility pole in Santa Clara kills teen, injures 5


 


This image shows a fatal car accident in Santa Clara, Calif. at Lafayette Street north of Montague Expressway on July 29, 2016. (KGO-TV)

Bay City News
Updated 1 hr 13 mins ago
SANTA CLARA, Calif. -- A
pickup truck crash near a major thoroughfare in Santa Clara killed a 15-year-old girl and injured five other people this afternoon, a police spokesman said.

The teen was a passenger in a white Chevrolet pickup truck heading south on Lafayette Street north of Montague Expressway, where the vehicle crashed into a pole, police Lt. Dan Moreno said.

Witnesses reported the vehicle was driving at the speed limit, then for unknown reasons veered off the road and into a traffic signal, Moreno said.

Officers responded to the scene and found six people inside the truck, according to Moreno.

The 15-year-old girl was a passenger and emergency crews pronounced her dead at the scene, Moreno said.

The driver and the other passengers were transported to hospitals for varying degrees of injuries that weren't considered life-threatening, according to Moreno.

There were no obvious signs of drugs or alcohol being involved, but police are looking into the circumstances surrounding the crash, the spokesman said.

Southbound Lafayette Street is closed at Agnew Road and estimated to remain blocked through the evening commute, Moreno said.

11-year-old boy is crushed to death after a Polaris Ranger Crew Addition 800 ATV rolled and landed on him in Greenwood County, Kansas



Highway Patrol: ATV crash kills 11-year-old boy in Greenwood County
 

July 29, 2016
 
Greenwood County, Kansas
 
A Fall River boy died Thursday morning in an all-terrain-vehicle crash.

According to a Kansas Highway Patrol crash log, Blake D. Stapleford, 11, was driving in a field west of Road GG and made a hard right turn around 11:10 a.m.

The ATV he was driving went up on two wheels, then rolled and landed on Blake.  


The child was killed in the crash, the KHP reported. 

RIP.


Date: 07/28/2016
Time: 11:10
County: Greenwood
Location Description: 1552 GG Road or .6 miles south of U54
Investigated by: K24
Type: Fatality
Hit and Run: No
Police Pursuit: No
Crash Narrative: Vehicle 1 was southbound in the field on the West side of Road GG and for unknown reason, the driver turned real hard to the right. Vehicle went up on two wheels and then rolled over landing on top of the driver.
Year:
Make: Polaris Ranger Crew Addition 800
Type: ATV
License:
State of Origin: Kansas
Damage:
Insurance: Unknown
Insurance Company:
Removed by: Owner
Removed to:
Comments:
Name: Stapleford, Blake D
City: Fall River
State: Kansas
Hospital/Mortuary: Koup Funeral Home
Taken to: Mortuary
Age: 11
Sex: Male
Code: Fatal
Safety Restraint: No
Next of Kin Notified: Yes
By Who: K24
Date: 07/28/2016
Time: 11:46
Comments: Next of kin notification was made onscene