I just did a quick, random, drive-by of a job and this is what I as the inspector saw. This might tell me that the construction staff, owner and contractor, don’t understand what is required or, haven’t read the TESC specifications.
Since this was a random, unannounced, drive-by, I might think that this is not an isolated incident. While I prefer a site be kept clean, as long as stuff doesn’t leave the project boundary, I don’t have an issue. However, by not keeping the site clean, trackout is inevitable.
Also, note the Bobcat broom sweeper just inside the fence on the left; these are great for pushing dirt around and up in the air but we only allow vacuum sweepers on projects, so I don’t know why this is on site.
I sent an email to the engineer suggesting that everyone might want to review the TESC spec. and take necessary actions so this doesn’t keep happening. Also, rain is forecast for tonight.
The fence line is the project boundary. Photo: David JenkinsThis is a visible, inspector magnet, just inviting increased scrutiny. Photo: David Jenkins
Comments Off on Not What an Inspector Wants to See
I saw this fancy rock entrance on the way to work and thought it was amusing on the surface. Really, though, I think they needed the elevation to access the upper part of the site. That’s a nice mini excavator.
I can’t get away from it. It doesn’t matter where I go, I always see some type of construction erosion issue. I went to visit relatives in Portland, Maine, flying in and out of Boston Logan International. In the terminal, waiting for my flight back home, I saw a construction project on the ramp; it had rained a few says before, hard. Obviously, the stockpile had not been covered before the storm and sediment washed off the pile into the drain.
I work at an airport that operates under strict turbidity
effluent limits; here is how we do this kind of work:
(1) rarely do we allow stockpiles on the ramp because we rarely
reuse the excavated material (it is either contaminated, unsuitable or doesn’t
meet current FAA requirements); it is direct loaded into trucks and hauled off.
When we do stockpile, we place dirt on plastic and cover it with plastic, using
lots of sand bags to secure it from jet blast and wind.
(2) work areas are always isolated so there is no runoff from
the site. Normally, we use four-inch extruded asphalt curbing along the base of
the jersey barriers. Rolled hot mix asphalt (HMA) is used at the entrance point
so water is contained but vehicles can access the site. Water that builds up inside the curbing is
pumped back into the excavation if clean, or a tank if contaminated.
I should have
mentioned that we also have strict sediment trackout requirements: no visible
sediment leaves the site at any time.
This is both because of the effluent limits and for safety reasons; dirt
and debris that gets sucked up into a jet engine is damaging and possibly
deadly.
Lastly, I am
not casting aspersions on the folks at Logan; I don’t know their situation,
permits, drainage system, or tolerance for risk. Because of my situation, I have low risk tolerance
for potential non-compliance with our permit and I notice when something would
cause me grief at my airport.
