5.1 System documentation
Inspections with recordkeeping are necessary during installation to document that the VMS components were properly installed, meet the design specifications, were not damaged during construction, and remain leak free so that sub-slab soil gas does not enter the building envelope. The inspections must account for construction phases and conditions that may affect the integrity and performance of the PVMS:
- Vapor collection zone and sub-barrier vapor collection system piping installation;
- Sub-slab vapor barrier installation, thickness, termination, and sealing prior to installation of building floor slab;
- Post building floor slab installation (above vapor barrier);
- Surface coating thickness and sealing (for surface-coating-based systems);
- Passive ventilation system/piping installation (above-slab/above roof).
The matrix in Appendix 2 was developed to assist design professionals with developing design-specific quality assurance/inspection plans for use during PVMS construction and obtain the necessary documentation. The matrix identifies key components where oversight may be necessary. PVMSs are specific to the conditions and location where they were installed; therefore, not all elements in Appendix 2 will be applicable to every system; however, justification should be available why oversight of specific elements are not required (i.e., such as an element is not part of the design). Some PVMS designs/applications may require quality assurance elements or protocols that are not included.
Documentation that the quality assurance/inspection plans where followed should be completed by an oversight party that most PVMS have identified as a neutral third party. Documentation that each task was completed should include photographic confirmation as well as daily fiend logs provided by the on-site oversight person. Any changes to the design should be approved through the design engineering firm.
5.2 System commissioning
For passive mitigation, a PVMS is considered to be fully commissioned once the PVMS has been documented to be properly installed, including any protective barriers that are required, and a demonstration has been made that the PVMS is capable of meeting the performance metrics specified for the PVMS, including flow or connectivity through the system and out of the exhaust ports. That demonstration may include a combination of the product manufacturer’s documentation, such as chemical and physical testing, documentation of proper system installation in accordance with all of the product manufacturer’s requirements, that necessary site and installation conditions were complied with, that any identified areas where leaks or tears were identified have been appropriately corrected or fixed, and measurements demonstrating proper function of the PVMS as designed.
Key supporting information
- Documentation such as figures and tables may vary greatly from one PVMS design to another but should be used to support that appropriate materials and installation processes as well as functions of the PVMS meet the performance metrics specified in Section 2.
5.3 Operation, maintenance and monitoring (OM&M)
An OM&M Plan is developed during the commissioning phase after the installation has taken place. The design submittal should not include the specific details of the OM&M plan. This section is included in the design submittal only as a reminder for the design firm to consider how and where the PVMS will be monitored so that the monitoring points and components will be installed during the installation process. This section should identify that one will be developed based on the information obtained during the commissioning process so that the installed PVMS, the maintenance requirements of the equipment utilized, and the final operating parameters are accounted for in the OM&M Plan.
If specific details are provided, EGLE will review the proposed OM&M as if the PVMS was installed, which may result in unnecessary complications during the review. The approval for this type of review will contain language that modification to the OM&M Plan may be warranted depending on the final installed system.