Hazardous Materials

Introduction

Hazardous materials are materials that are found to be harmful to human life, either immediately or over the exposure of time. As we learn more about chemistry and study the effects of environments, more materials get added to the list. These discoveries have led to the banning of certain materials universally, such as lead-based paint and restrictions on others

Sometimes the importance of this can be hard to quantify, as changes and issues dont arise quickly but over time. However, this is one of the most important pages on the site. Material safety is paramount in keeping the developmental abilities of children safe.

• Hazardous Material: Biological substances and other chemicals that pose a threat to the environment or human health if released or misused.
• In many cases, the building and site may be contaminated with substances prior to fully understanding them. The contaminants need to be identified and removed in accordance with best practices and local building laws.
• There are thousands of products and substances that can be defined as hazardous. Many can be used with the proper precautions, and it's unlikely on larger projects to be completely hazardous material free in all aspects of the material, build, etc.

Architects Responsibility

The AIA B101(2017) - Owner Architect Agreement

• States, “...the Architect shall have no responsibility for the discovery, presence, handling, removal or disposal of, or exposure of persons to, hazardous materials or toxic substances in any form at the Project site.”
• Basically, the Architects are not hazardous material experts, and due to the sensitivity of the subject matter, we should not attempt to handle, remove, etc.
• Just like life safety problems on site, there still is a professional obligation to say something if you notice something, even though Architects are not “safety inspectors”.