Recommended Techniques, Tactics, and Procedures(TTP) for professional remediators.

Suggested Remediation Operations  Remediation operations have a lasting impact on the people that must re-enter the building after it has been cleaned. Instilling confidence that the threat is neutralized is just one part of the remediation process. EnviroFoam Technologies has developed suggested Techniques, Tactics, and Procedures (TTP), for the professional remediator to use when faced with a potential chemical or biological hazard.  These suggested procedures were used during operations to remediate Senate and House office buildings infected by anthrax spores.

Though bio-terrorism is the threat the United States is currently facing, we cannot ignore that the chemical threat exists and could just as easily be employed. A chemical incident will have different repercussions and possibly a far worse outcome. The spreading of chemical agents moves much faster than biological agents. Regardless of the fact that biological contamination is far more persistent, chemical contamination possesses the advantage of affecting humans and infrastructure with a rapid lethality. 

Purpose: To establish a set of procedures, practices and guidelines for remediation operations following a chemical or biological incident in a specific location.

Objectives:

• To ensure all personnel have a clear and concise understanding of the magnitude of remediation. 
• Provide a consistent checklist of procedures that follow a common sense approach, forbidding the spread of any contamination. 
• Maximize resources and personnel to effectively neutralize any suspected contamination.

Responsibility:  These procedures establish certain responsibilities for sampling teams, contact teams, and remediation teams throughout the remediation process. This document focuses on operational guidelines, and includes safety procedures ensuring well being of all individuals involved.

Remediation Operations Overview:  Specific areas suspected of contamination require different types of remediation and logistical support. Each suspected area or setting along with the potential for a variety of agents must be addressed on an individual basis.

The art of remediation is a team effort involving several agencies and personnel. The personnel involved are trained in the protection, containment and decontamination of chemical and biological hazards.
The threat of spreading the contamination is real and at the forefront of every operation. To kill the hazard, the hazard must first be identified, contained and then eliminated.

Non-Specific Remediation Guidelines Notification: Upon notification of suspected contamination evacuation plans are put into effect. Personnel in and around the area are centralized and segregated immediately.

A perimeter of no less than 100 feet is placed around the suspected area or building. Medical Support: Individuals suspected of exposure are examined by qualified medical personnel. The medical staff, with supporting agencies, determines the disposition of each patient. 

Traffic to and from the perimeter of the suspected site is controlled. Access is denied to all unprotected humans. Upon completion of all control measures, qualified authorities will determine the best course of action. Sample detection operations are the first step in the remediation process. We must confirm what it is we are battling against. We must also determine logistics and extent of the contamination.

Non-specific Remediation Operations Plan: Developing a strategy for remediation projects in general require; excellent communication, cooperation, and coordination of team members; and specific essential steps accomplished sequentially in order to achieve success.

The abiliity to accurately exchange information between organizations is vital. Clear written and oral instructions/communications are essential for successful remediation projects. Cooperation of all involved personnel is key to correctly evaluating, creating a strategically efficient plan, and effectively executing entire operations.

In any office facility remediation project detailed information needed prior to implementing any remediation process.

Priorities include: 

• Square footage of affected area, including rooms which are not sealed off from mainly affected area(s).
• Current blue prints of area, marked-up / highlighted to indicate contaminated area(s).
• Specific equipment such as mail sorting and strapping machines, computers, copiers, fax machines, scanners and printers. Other spaces to consider are closets, storerooms, restrooms, cubicles, above drop ceiling tiles bulkheads, overhanging pipes, electrical conduit and windows.
• Then there is the furniture, pictures, antiques, artifacts, personal keepsakes that must be remediated, yet preserved if at all possible.
• Lastly and not to be overlooked, is the documentation and historical records. These kinds of obstacles were in front of EFT personnel prior to entering the contaminated area or “Hot Zone”. With the assistance of all agencies involved, these obstacles were breeched and from it all, a set of procedures evolved. In all planning, intelligence is the back bone of the operation. Knowing what you are up against is half the battle.

The intelligence sought must be real time and as detailed as possible. If information is vague or un-substantiated, the execution phase is sure to be hampered. “Hot spots” or sampling areas known to have produced a positive reading are critical to the remediation process. A list of all agencies involved and there respective area of responsibility is critical. Knowing who is supporting the effort and in what manner, will aid in the speedy remediation of the suspected site.  

• All of the logistical support plays a vital role in the success of the operation. Once the intelligence has been confirmed, it is time to plan. The plan must include:
• The amount and type of EasyDECON® solution for use is dependent upon the area perimeter and the contamination. This also includes all of the obstacles mentioned above. To remediate everything in the office, everything must be considered.
• Support equipment such as Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), site decontamination equipment for personnel and clean up equipment must be well thought out and implemented into the overall plan.   
• Another key element is the support from other on site agencies. Sub-contractors play a vital role in the preparation and execution of the remediation.

Remediation Operation Pre-staging: Prior to entering the contaminated area or “Hot Zone”, a thorough reconnaissance of the affected area must be completed by the remediation team. The team will establish requirements for remediation by identifying any obstacles which need to be addressed prior to the application of the solution(s).

A team is then sent in to prepare the room for remediation. Their sole objective is to remove all items that are not crucial for the suspected area. The team must ensure that the team applying the foam can enter the area unobstructed, apply the foam without having to rearrange the area during the process, and exit the area quickly. The preparation team will perform the bulk of the work load. It will take time to prepare the area for remediation. Time spent in the preparation will pay great dividends during the foam application and clean up.

Executing Remediation Operation Strategy: EasyDECON® foam solution is applied to all areas designated by the operations plan. This could include an entire room from the ceiling to the floor, or just one specific area having EasyDECON® foam applied. After foam is applied, area is sealed off and remains undisturbed for 60-90 minutes.

Remediation Post-Execution  When the required product working time has elapsed, properly equipped clean-up team will complete the remediation process. Supplies include: 

• Concentrated anti-foam in garden insecticide sprayers. 
• Wet/Dry Vacuum cleaners
• HEPPA filtered vacuums 
• Sponge mops
• Cleaning pails / mop buckets
• Sponges / paper toweling
• 55 gallon drums (palletized) for hazardous waste 

The clean up team will evacuate the area of all residual residue. All furniture, desk tops, walls and equipment will be wiped clean with clean water and anti-foam solution. Anti foam solution will be applied to all floors, carpets, drapes, curtains and upholstery. Wet/Dry vacuum cleaners will remove the foam residue from these surfaces. Once the clean up team is finished with this part of the operation a reconnaissance team is sent back in to inspect the final outcome of the clean up. Once the clean up process is complete, routes and entrances to the Hot Zone must be remediated in the same manner as the primary area.

Remediation Operation Examples : The entity responsible for ensuring that contaminated areas are remediated will conduct sampling in accordance with the approved sampling plan. After the area is treated, restoration and re-supply of the area may begin.

The procedures outlined in this document were used in two separate incidents. Decontamination of the United States Senate and United States House of Representatives offices was facilitated with 100% success. The building interiors and equipment were restored to pre-incident operating capacity. Degradation of the space was minimal and clean up was quickly completed.