Haverford Township Free Library Renovation – Havertown, PA
E2S provided environmental consulting services during the renovation of the Haverford Township Free Library located in Havertown, Pennsylvania. E2S was contracted by the Haverford Township Free Library to complete a scope of work that included a hazardous building material survey, preparation of asbestos containing materials abatement specifications, abatement oversight and air monitoring, oversight of the removal of an underground storage tank, and investigation of sub slab soils.
Experienced E2S Project Managers prepared abatement specifications for the removal of asbestos containing materials (ACM) that were identified during the hazardous materials survey, including approximately 4,700 square feet of 1’x1’ floor tile and mastic, 51 mastic ends on fiberglass insulated piping, 20 linear feet of window caulk/glazing, and several transite window and light panels. The specifications included all pertinent information for contractors to bid on the abatement project, as well as the methods that should be used to perform the abatement. During the abatement of all ACM, E2S provided contractor oversight and conducted daily air sampling inside and outside the containment areas to ensure excess dust was not generated during the removal process. Following the completion of abatement in each area, E2S completed a visual inspection and clearance air sampling to verify that all ACM was properly removed. Proper abatement of the ACM was an essential step in renovating the library building and ensuring the new space was safe for the community and workers.
Part of the renovation project for the Havertown Township Free Library included excavation of the existing basement to lower the elevation of the basement floor. During geotechnical testing of the basement subsurface, petroleum odors were encountered. E2S was contracted to further investigate the petroleum odors and potentially impacted soil beneath the basement floor. E2S geologists used hand tools and an auger to core the soil beneath the basement slab to depths of 3 to 4 feet below the slab. The sub slab soils were accessed via openings in the slab created by the geotechnical technicians. Each core was field screened with a photoionization detector (PID) to detect volatile organic compounds in the soil. E2S targeted three locations to collect soil samples at varying depths between 1.5 and 4 feet below the slab. The samples were submitted to a certified laboratory for analysis of petroleum parameters and sample results were compared to the Pennsylvania Act 2 Statewide health standards, vapor intrusion screening values, and clean fill concentration limits. All concentrations were below the selected screening values and standards; however, due to the presence of odors in several sample locations it was determined that soils beneath the basement slab at depths of 3 feet or greater did not qualify as clean fill and should be treated as regulated fill. A sub-slab vapor mitigation system was recommended and installed.
In addition to the work completed inside the library building, E2S also provided environmental services during the removal of an underground storage tank located outside the building beneath the asphalt parking lot. The 6,000-gallon, single-walled, steel underground storage tank (UST) contained No. 2 fuel oil and was once used as a heating source. E2S was contracted to provide contractor oversight during the removal of the UST and collect post-removal confirmatory samples. E2S followed the guidance outlined in the Pennsylvania Closure Requirements for Underground Storage Tank Systems technical document. Following cleaning and removal of the UST, E2S observed a small hole on the top of the UST near its bulkhead where a natural gas line had been installed, and a sheen on groundwater that had infiltrated the excavation. E2S collected three soil samples at the soil-groundwater interface and two groundwater samples from the excavation for analysis of No. 2 fuel oil constituents. All samples were compared to their respective Act 2 Statewide health standards and vapor intrusion screening values. Additionally, the soil samples were compared to their respective clean fill concentration limits. No exceedances of the applicable standards and screening values were reported in the confirmatory soil and groundwater samples collected during removal. Comparing the confirmatory soil samples to the clean fill concentration limits allowed the soil beneath the parking lot to be classified as clean fill as long as no petroleum odors were encountered.
The Haverford Township Free Library provides services for over 20,000 library card holders and nearly 180,000 annual visitors. The library is the most used library in Delaware County providing services and hosting events for all ages. The renovation project, which E2S was excited to be a part of, included expanded and updated areas, new and improved lighting, spaces for collaboration, a sensory room, a Makerspace to promote innovation and community engagement, quiet spaces dedicated to reading, and updated technology throughout the entire building. E2S enjoyed attending the grand re-opening of the library on May 22, 2025!
