Commercial Office Tower Asbestos Abatement: Safe, Phased Delivery in an Occupied Environment

Client Challenge

A multi-storey commercial office tower in Vancouver, BC, required modernization, and tenant upgrade work while portions of the building remained occupied. Before renovation began, a third-party hazardous materials survey identified extensive asbestos-containing materials across multiple floors.  

The survey confirmed friable sprayed-on asbestos fireproofing on structural steel beams and concrete decks, along with asbestos overspray on walls. Because the materials were friable and widespread, the project required high-risk containments, detailed planning, and close coordination over a multi-year schedule. 

The client needed an experienced abatement partner with comprehensive environmental insurance, a proven safety record, and the ability to keep the renovation on schedule while minimizing disruption to daily operations.

The Approach

The client engaged Enviro-Vac to develop and deliver a phased, floor-by-floor abatement plan that protected occupants, isolated active work zones, and supported uninterrupted project momentum. Strict isolation controls were implemented to prevent asbestos fibres from entering shared floor areas and building air distribution systems.  

Enviro-Vac installed high-risk containments on a floor-by-floor basis, using multiple HEPA negative air machines to maintain a minimum negative pressure differential of 0.02 inches water gauge. Filtered exhaust air was discharged to the building exterior.

Safe Removal and Responsible Disposal

Enviro-Vac controlled dust at the source using proven wet removal methods to reduce airborne fibre risk. Crews saturated the fireproofing and pipe insulation with amended water, then carefully scraped and wire-brushed affected surfaces for thorough removal.  

Asbestos waste was sealed in labelled disposal bags, tracked under manifest, and transported by a licensed carrier to an approved landfill, giving the client clear documentation and confidence in the disposal process.

Quality Assurance and Clearance

Daily third-party ambient and occupational air monitoring verified that safety requirements were maintained inside and outside the containment, in the clean room, and on occupied floors above and below each active work zone. 

Final inspections and air clearance testing along with a written sign-off was completed on each floor before work areas were released to subsequent sub-trades, helping the renovation team move forward with confidence.

Result

Enviro-Vac completed the seven-figure project safely and on schedule, supporting the client’s modernization goals while maintaining strong environmental controls, regulatory compliance, and continuity for ongoing building operations.