Case Studies

Con Edison of New York

Challenge: During an outage, Con Edison of New York contracted HEC for the remediation of a 36” steam line in their Hudson Avenue Steam Tunnel that stretched under the East River from Brooklyn to Manhattan. The tunnel was over 200’ below grade and ran over 1400’ under the river.

HEC Solution:

• Installed temporary lighting
• Performed abatement of over 700’ of 36” diameter steam piping in a two-week period
• Re-insulated all piping with mineral wool and aluminum metal jacket

Result: HEC completed the project on schedule, to the full satisfaction of Con Edison and without incident in a demanding safety environment.

The United Nations

Challenge: The United Nations approached HEC to help remediate their General Assembly Hall.

HEC Solution:

• Erected all scaffolding to create work platform
• Performed all demolition and abatement of asbestos containingfireproofing material, pipe insulation, duct insulation and plasteracoustical ceiling
• Installed all temporary lighting

Result: HEC completed the project safely and securely, and on budget, five days ahead of schedule — in time for President George Bush to give his opening speech to the delegates of the United Nations.

Skanska USA Building

Challenge: HEC was charged with the Phase I of the Skanska USA Building project. The project consisted of the decontamination and demolition/dismantlement of 1.5 miles of shoreline and upland buildings, soil excavation, remediation and erosion control in Brooklyn, New York, for the formation of a waterside park facing the downtown skyline of New York City.

It entailed surgical dismantlement and demolition of over 2 million square feet of pier warehouses directly over the East River in Brooklyn, as well as demolition of numerous upland structures that abut active roadways and historic structures, such as the Brooklyn Bridge.

HEC Solution:

• Instituted all erosion and site management controls to meet groundwater and marine requirements
• Prior to deconstruction, abated and removed all contaminants, such as asbestos, lead, lab packing and PCBs from site
• Developed logistics for removal of construction debris to travel over water, saving Brooklyn Heights significant truck traffic over road. Mobilized barges and cranes; following ISO 14001 protocols, maximized green waste flow management by recycling all concrete, steel, wood, tires, etc.
• Structurally dismantled Piers 1, 5 and 3, and demolished four upland structures
• Excavated underground storage tanks, soils and utility trenching

Result: The project had no injuries, safety accidents or regulatory violations. HEC is currently engaged in Phase II of the project.

New York City Department of Sanitation

Challenge: The New York City Department of Sanitation approached HEC for the demolition and asbestos/lead and hazardous material abatement of the southwest Brooklyn Incinerator Plant.

HEC Solution:

• Removed and disposed of hazardous material, including cadmium contaminated ash, debris and brick, throughout first through fourth floors, and mercury-containing lights and electrical equipment throughout various areas of site
• Conducted lead paint abatement in all areas where loose and peeling paint were present and where structural steel was to be cut, drilled, or subject to torch burning prior to demolition
• Performed asbestos remediation over three phases. First phase: abatement/decontamination of the tipping floor, receiving pit, charging floor and associated offices. Second phase: complete abatement of the main incinerator. Third phase: remediation of exterior of building, including roofing material, concrete and caulking materials
• Conducted demolition and dismantlement of plant over four month time period after decontamination

Result: The entire abatement project was performed without a single incident and to the full satisfaction of the New York City Department of Sanitation.

Vornado Realty Trust

Challenge: Vornado Realty Trust, the owner and management company of retail properties throughout the U.S., contacted HEC to perform fast track remediation of asbestos-containing floor tile, roofing materials and thermal insulation in various stores from Massachusetts to Maryland.

HEC Solution:

• Addressed remediation of sites in a program that provided the most economical and expedient routing of construction activities
• Turned over spaces to meet owner’s aggressive timeline

Result: HEC completed the project on time and on budget, and without incident, and continues to work with Vornado Realty on an ongoing basis.

Commercial Building, Manhattan

Challenge: A 3 1/2 inch water main gave out in the basement of a 100-year-old commercial building in mid-Manhattan. The water flooded a storage room, a workroom, the locker room and boiler room and two freight elevator shafts. The boiler was powered down as well as the electricals. Half of the boiler was covered with petroleum-contaminated water with islands of thick oil floating on top of the water.

The outside temperature was 19 degrees with a forecasted temperature of below 0 degrees in the early evening. With two water tanks on the roof, the entire water pipe system was threatened.

HEC Solution:

• Determined that the contaminated water had to be removed immediately
• Due to age of the building, removed water slowly, with speed of work increased over time
• Disposed of the water in a treatment facility with a manifest given to the client
• Performed structural drying and general clean up
• Called in HazMat for clean-up of the boiler room

Result: HEC had removed 95% of the water by 8:00 p.m., allowing technicians to restart the boiler and electrical that evening. HEC had the building back operating within one day, without frozen pipes or violations from DEP.