Debris Evacuation

Preparing Unaffected Areas for Debris Removal:

• Floor Protection: Before moving any debris, lay down durable floor protection along the designated pathway. This could include heavy-duty construction paper, plywood sheets, or specialized floor runners depending on the situation. Secure the protection with non-damage causing tape to prevent unwanted movement.

• Wall Protection: If debris is being carried through narrow hallways or doorways with expensive or unusual finishes, protect walls with plastic sheeting or heavy-duty construction paper to prevent scratches from accidental contact.

• Cleaning Supplies: Keep cleanup tools readily available along the pathway to address any spills or debris that may escape bags. This includes brooms, dustpans, and a HEPA vacuum.

Utilizing Trash Chutes for Upper-Level Debris Removal:

• Chute Setup: If working on upper levels, consider use of a trash chute to transport debris to a ground-level container. This eliminates the need to carry heavy or dirty loads through the building.

• Chute Placement: Position the chute to minimize impact on the building's exterior and landscaping.

• Chute Safety: Ensure the chute is properly secured and constructed to prevent debris from escaping or causing damage.

• Containment at the Bottom: Place a dumpster or container at the bottom of the chute to collect the debris.

• Permission: Getting written permission may be required prior, for the use of a trash chute on a property.

Utilizing Passenger Elevators for Debris Removal:

Elevator Assessment:

• • Before using a passenger elevator, assess its weight capacity and condition. Ensure it is functioning properly and that it can handle the weight associated with the loads of debris, as well as the number of employees going along.

  • Verify with building management or the elevator service company that debris hauling is even permitted.

    • If it's the only building elevator, they may not allow it because of the elevator being held open for extended periods extending wait periods.

  • Take photographs of the pre-existing condition of the elevator, inside and out, for a comparative against after completion.

Cart Usage:

• • If using a cart, ensure it has clean exterior surfaces to prevent dirt and debris from spreading inside the elevator.

  • The cart should be of a size that allows for safe maneuvering within the elevator cab & hallways.

  • The wheels of the cart must not cause damage to the flooring, or the hallways leading to and from the elevator.

Elevator Protection:

• • If a cart is not used, or if there is a risk of damage, prepare the elevator cab with wall padding and floor protection.

  • Use heavy-duty padding or blankets to protect the elevator walls from scratches and dents.

  • Lay down durable floor protection, such as plywood or heavy-duty mats, to prevent damage to the elevator floor.

  • Ensure that the protection used, does not interfere with the operation of the elevator doors.

Controlled Loading:

• • Load debris into the elevator carefully and evenly to avoid overloading or unbalanced loads.

  • Ensure that debris is securely contained within bags or bins to prevent dispersal.

  • Do not overload the elevator past its weight capacity, overweight elevators can stop between floors requiring rescue from the fire department.

Cleaning:

• • After each use, thoroughly clean the elevator cab to remove any debris or dirt.

  • Inspect the elevator for damage and report any issues to building management or the elevator service company immediately, document the call/reporting.

  • Do not use any elevator as a trash chute. All debris must be bagged & contained, regardless of the existing condition.

Window Evacuation as an Alternative:

• Safety Assessment: Before using a window for debris evacuation, assess the safety of the surrounding area. 

  • Ensure there are no pedestrians or obstacles below, by having an employee on the ground to ensure safety.

• Window Protection: Protect the window frame and surrounding surfaces with padding or plastic sheeting. 

  • Replacing a damaged window can be extremely expensive.

• Controlled Drop: Ensure that dropped bags will not strike the side of the building, or landscaping beneath.

• Ground Containment: Place a container or tarp on the ground to collect the debris. This allows for much easier cleanup.

• When to Use: This is most useful when the work area is located on an upper floor, and there is a safe drop zone available.

Protecting Outdoor Landscaping:

• Tarp Placement: Lay down tarps or protective mats along pathways leading to the disposal container to prevent damage to grass, plants, or other landscaping.

• Plywood Protection: For heavy debris or equipment, use plywood sheets to protect delicate areas.

• Designated Pathways: Establish clear pathways for debris removal and instruct workers to stay within those pathways.

• Cleanup: After debris removal is complete, thoroughly clean the area and repair any damage to landscaping.

• Weather Considerations: If the ground is wet, or soft, extra care should be taken to prevent ruts, or damage.

  • Also, take precautions to not track dirt into the property after walking around outside.

Excessive Cartage - Understanding What This Means:

Estimating Software Limitations: Restoration estimating software often uses standardized pricing models, which assume a "typical" scenario. This scenario usually involves debris being moved from a relatively close work area to a disposal container. These models don't account for exceptional circumstances, that are sometimes encountered.

Real-World Challenges: Many restoration projects present debris disposal hurdles that go well beyond the "typical." These can include:

• • Multi-story buildings without functional elevators.

  • Long, winding hallways or complex building layouts.

  • Remote locations with limited access for disposal means.

  • Tight spaces that require smaller, more frequent loads.

  • The need to carry debris through sensitive or occupied areas.

Impact on Labor Costs: When these challenges arise, the labor required for debris removal increases significantly. Workers may spend hours hauling debris alone, impacting project timelines and overall costs.

Documentation Requirements:

Justification:

• • A detailed written explanation of the specific challenges that are or were encountered.

  • A clear description of why the standard hauling procedures were inadequate.

  • A statement of the steps taken to minimize the impact of the extended cartage.

Time Logs:

• • Accurate records of the time spent on debris hauling.

  • Detailed entries for each worker involved, including start and stop times if the volume of debris hauling warranted a single employee to focus on cartage to the container.

    • Consider timing the walk between the bag collection area for hauling, and the container & back with a typical load of debris. 

    • Track the number of trips to the container versus the actual time.

    • Multiply the number of trips times the time involved in the transport. 

    • Document anything that caused a problems with this time tracking method.

      • Such as the fire department showing up and having to go a different route, till they cleared out.

  • Specific descriptions of the tasks associated with hauling.

    • Typically loading the bags into a cart, pushing the cart, unloading the cart, and returning the cart.

Photographic and Video Evidence:

• • Photographs or videos of the challenging conditions.

  • Images of the debris being hauled through the building or across the property.

    • This helps reviewers put themselves in your shoes & better understand the situation.

  • Visual documentation of the distances involved and the obstacles encountered.

    • Walking the path while recording the path at a normal rate helps validate the additional work.

Site Maps and Diagrams:

• • Diagrams or site maps showing the location of the debris, the disposal container, and the hauling route.

  • Measurements of the distances involved. Typically "time" works better: 

    • Saying it's 322 yards from the collection point to the dumpster doesn't really make as much sense as:

    • Saying it's 2 minutes 30 seconds in each direction.

  • Use of Google Maps overhead view & drawing a diagram where the container was, relative to the path taken from the work area.