As part of an expansion plan to repurpose existing warehouses as well as construction of new laboratory facilities for a biotechnology firm, Weston conducted a soil vapor investigation and indoor air quality testing. To mitigate vapor intrusion, Weston recommended that passive subsurface depressurization systems (SSDS) be installed. By collecting potentially contaminated subsurface soil gas vapors and venting to the atmosphere at the building roof, the vapor hazard will not enter the buildings.
An existing 100,000-sf warehouse building was retrofitted to optimize an existing SSDS and enhance operation so that the system could function more efficiently in a passive mode without using active blowers. These changes improved operation of the SSDS and reduced energy demand and maintenance costs.
Construction of a new 50,000-sf laboratory addition allowed use of state-of-the-art products to design and install the SSDS, including a nylon-reinforced VaporBlock® impermeable barrier and sub-slab dynamic controls for performance monitoring. Integrating use of the SSDS during building construction reduced capital costs by more than 50% and enhanced indoor air quality and the health and safety of the occupants.
