ePhase guarantees results within 10 to 15 business days. Sometimes our clients elect to have us issue the Phase I report in our guaranteed turnaround time without the file review even if a regulatory file exists on the subject property. In these cases, we’ll follow up the report with a letter addressing any key items discovered through the file review.

Unless there is a known threat to human health and the environment, findings and conclusions generated through the Phase I process are not reportable to any governing state or federal agency. ePhase leaves it up to our clients to report any findings of the Phase I process to the agencies.

Yes. It is ePhase’s internal policy that all projects are confidential in nature. Without specific written consent of the client, all information generated as part of the Phase I process is the property of the client and is not shared with anyone outside ePhase.

Yes. Each and every Phase I we perform is covered under our extensive insurance policy. ePhase maintains policies of insurance for Commercial General Liability, Professional Liability (for Engineers and Scientists) and Pollution Liability, each with a liability limit of 1,000,000. In addition, ePhase carries worker’s compensation, as required by state law.

Transaction Screens

On properties where environmental issues are not suspected and environmental liabilities are believed to be minimal, ePhase performs pre-Phase I Environmental Site Assessments, also know as Transaction Screens. The elements typically included in a Transaction Screen include:

• Detailed on-site inspection
• Off-site reconnaissance
• Governmental database search
• Interviews with owner/operator(s) with historic knowledge of the site
• Interviews with local officials (fire marshal, township manager/engineer, health department, etc.)
• Report preparation

Phase I Environmental Site Assessment

ePhase handles Phase I Environmental Site Assesments for single sites and multi-state, multi-site mergers, acquisitions and divestitures. All assessments are performed in accordance with the current ASTM standard for your protection, and include extensive research of the history of the property. The elements of a Phase I include:

• All the elements of a Transaction Screen
• Recorder of Deeds search or assessor records review
• Environmental lein inquiry
• Topographic map review
• Soils survey review
• Zoning map review
• Aerial photography review for a 50-year period
• Sanborn map review, if readily available
• Geologic and hydrogeologic conditions review
• Floodplain map review
• Building department records and other local records review
• Inquiry to determine whether DEP has site-specific files and review of those files, if available
• Historical atlases review, if available
• Historic city directory review, if readily available
• Historic land use map review, if available
• Other miscellaneous document review

The Phase I process identifies recognized environmental conditions and environmental concerns. A recognized environmental condition is defined as the presence or likely presence of contamination at or in the immediate vicinity of the site under conditions that would indicate an existing release, a past release or a material threat of release of CERCLA hazardous substances, petroleum, or petroleum products in, at, or to the subject property that would attract the attention of a regulatory agency. The identification of environmental concerns can bring to light factors that have the potential to cause environmental problems – factors such as USTs, septic systems, improper use/disposal/storage of chemicals and wastes, asbestos and lead-based paints, surrounding properties that might pose as a threat to the subsurface conditions of the site, floor drains/dry wells and historical operations that may have impacted the subsurface beneath the site.

If ePhase identifies recognized environmental conditions and/or significant environmental concerns as a result of the Phase I, we usually recommend that a Phase II Environmental Site Assessment be performed. In deciding whether to proceed with the Phase II, clients must consider how much risk they are willing to accept if they do not perform follow-up testing to quantify their environmental exposure.

ePhase works with a number of specialists who can perform any follow-up work we recommend necessary to quantify your exposure – whether it’s abating the asbestos or removing the UST. In addition, we can recommend consulting firms should you need to implement a soil or ground water investigation.

Yes. Unless specified by the client, ePhase does not deviate from the American Society of Testing and Materials (ASTM) standard. We will always adhere to the most current ASTM standard.

eQuote is fast and easy to use. In fact, eQuote can speed up the assessment quotation process by several days. It takes just a few moments to use our eQuote system. Here’s how:

• Gather all site information first.
• Visit the e Quote section of the site located here.
• Fill out the e Quote form completely. You must supply as much site information as possible.
• Click the submit button to send your information to the e Quote system.
• After you submit the form, you will receive a confirmation screen telling you the information has been successfully processed.
• You will also receive a confirmation of your information that is automatically emailed to the email address you supplied on the e Quote form.
• If you do not provide your correct email address, you will not receive the email confirmation.
• A representative from e Phase will contact you to verify your information and address any questions about the site.
• You will receive your e Quote once the site information is verified.