Vapor intrusion can be a significant safety issue on new builds or site renovations. Unlike many other health and safety hazards that can be observed on sites, vapor intrusion is typically invisible. Unfortunately, this means that it is frequently overlooked, and protections against it not implemented adequately (if at all!). Vapor intrusion can cause serious damage to the structure of buildings and the health and safety of their occupants.
A vapor intrusion mitigation system (VIMS) involves installing solutions that prevent vapor intrusion and its resulting problems. EPRO’s Geo-Seal line of products was designed specifically to provide reliable, long-lasting vapor intrusion mitigation for construction and renovation projects of all kinds.
Vapor intrusion occurs when chemical vapors migrate from outside a building into the structure. It is a serious concern for developers, as it can severely reduce the quality of the air breathed by a building’s occupants.
While not all vapors are harmful, many contain dangerous contaminants like volatile organic compounds (VOCs) methane, benzene and trichloroethylene. Contaminants are often present in the soil beneath building structures. While many construction sites are polluted with these contaminants, that doesn’t make vapor intrusion inevitable — in fact, it can be prevented with the right materials.
Failing to mitigate vapor intrusion can have severe consequences and cause many problems for human health and the structure of the building itself.
Developers and contractors can be morally, professionally and even legally liable for any of these serious consequences if they could have been prevented by sufficient VIMS. Legal requirements for VIMS vary from state to state, and organizations like the Interstate Technology Regulatory Council (ITRC) help local regulators develop these. ITRC vapor intrusion mitigation information, education and training can be found here.
The typical VIMS methods and systems are separated into two main categories — passive VIMS and active Sub-slab vapor collection systems are installed underneath the building's structure.
A passive mitigation system may be comprised of vapor intrusion barriers, which are watertight membranes that vary in thickness and material, venting layers that force vapors to disperse outside building structures, concrete to seal gaps or cracks, or any combination of all three materials.
An active system can include sub-slab depressurization (SSD) systems with suction pits and electric fans, HVAC systems that control airflow - which help by typically directing air out of the building - or a combination of both.
Many VIMS include both passive and active elements.
While simple VIMS such as installing tape can offer limited protection against vapor intrusion, it is safer and more reliable to opt for professional, specially-designed solutions. Our Geo-Seal line consists of several such products that can be implemented to create a highly-effective VIMS that stands the test of time.
Geo-Seal products are superior to other VIMS products on the market due to their sheer performance, which has been tested extensively. Our experts have years of experience in the construction industry and with tackling vapor intrusion, which they have used to design highly effective solutions. Our products are based on a unique method called Redundant-Field Installed Composite Design that has proved extremely successful in a range of projects over many years.
The Geo-Seal range is also highly scalable and can be customized to meet a wide variety of different project sizes, features and conditions.