Liquid Boot

Using Vapor Intrusion 

Subslab Barriers 

Rob Carvahlo and Amanda Petrocelli 

EAI, Inc.

LINING TECHNOLOGIES | REMEDIATION TECHNOLOGIES | DRILLING SYSTEMS | BUILDING ENVELOPE | CONTRACTING SERVICES 

GAS VAPOR MITIGATION SYSTEMS 

FOR PROTECTION AGAINST VAPOR INTRUSION 

Amanda Petrocelli 

amandap@eaienviro.com 

Robert Carvalho 

robc@eaienviro.com 

201.395.0010 

October 11, 2011 

2 

GAS VAPOR MITIGATION SYSTEMS

Agenda 

Gas Vapor Mitigation Options 

Chemical/Physical Properties 

Diffusion Testing 

CETCO Offerings 

Gas Vapor Barrier Systems 

Gas Venting Systems 

Quality Control 

Case Studies by EAI 

3 


The Risk: Vapor Intrusion 

Vapor intrusion is the migration of subsurface chemical vapors into overlying 

structures. Vapors may include: 

Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) 

Semi-volatile organic compounds 

Inorganics (i.e.. mercury, hydrogen sulfide, etc.) 

Methane 

Radon 

Naturally-occurring / man-made contaminants 

Vapor intrusion and indoor air risk occurs when you have: 

A source 

An inhabited building 

A pathway from the source to the inhabitants 

Vapor intrusion has become a significant environmental issue for regulators, industry 

leaders, and concerned residents nationwide. 

4 


The Risk: Vapor Intrusion 

“Current lack of knowledge about indoor air issues and evaluation techniques 

may oversimplify the problem and may cause air quality investigations and 

subsequent risk assessments to understate or overstate the problem. Indoor air 

quality is overlooked in many environmental site investigation and soil or 

groundwater plume contamination scenarios. Lack of knowledge regarding 

indoor air quality issues and cost considerations tend to contribute to the 

omission of indoor air sampling and evaluation.” – ITRC 

CETCO offers: 

Solutions for various site conditions, backed by extensive track record/case history 

Experienced technical managers with knowledge on current industry trends 

Technical and design assistance for gas vapor membrane and venting systems 

World-class Research & Development facility 

Design-build capabilities 

5 


GAS VAPOR MITIGATION OPTIONS 

6 


Two Types of Gas Vapor Barriers (per ITRC 

Guidance) 

Gas vapor barrier options include: 

Sheet-applied, batten and welded 

60 mil - HDPE 

Spray-Applied Membranes 

60 mil - Liquid Boot ® 

7 


Physical Properties of Liquid Boot ® (spray-applied) 

* 

* 

* 

* 

Physical Property Test Method Result 

Bonded Seam Strength Tests ASTM D6392 Passed 

Heat Aging- average tensile strength change, average tensile stress change, average 

elongation change, bonded seams 

ASTM D4068-88 

Dead Load Seam Strength City of Los Angeles Passed 

Environmental Stress-Cracking ASTM D1693-78 Passed 

Soil Burial ASTM E154-88 Passed 

Passed 

Elongation ASTM D412 1,332% - Ø reinforcement, 90% recovery 

Tensile Strength ASTM D412 58 p.s.i. without reinforcement 

Tensile Bond Strength to Concrete ASTM D413 2,707 lbs/ft 2 uplift force 

Water Vapor Permeability ASTM E96 0.24 perms 

Water Vapor Transmission ASTM E96 0.10 grains/h-ft 2 

* City of Los Angeles approval for 60-mil Liquid Boot ® Gas Vapor Barrier 

8 


Chemical Properties of Liquid Boot ® (spray-applied) 

Chemical Property Test Method Result 

Acid Exposure (10% H2SO4 for 90 days) ASTM D543 Less than 1% weight change 

Diesel (1000 mg/l), Ethylbenzene (1000 mg/l), Naphthalene (5000 mg/l) and Acetone (500 mg/l) 

Exposure for 7 days 

ASTM D543 

Less than 1% weight change, 

Less than 1% tensile strength change 

Radon Permeability Tested by US Dept. of Energy Zero permeability to Radon (222Rn) 

* 

* 

* 

Micro Organism Resistance (Soil Burial) ASTM D4068-88 Passed* 

Methane Permeability ASTM 1434-82 Passed* 

Oil Resistance Test- average weight change, average tensile strength change, average tensile stress 

change, average elongation change, bonded seams, methane permeability 

ASTM D543-87 

PCE Diffusion Coefficient Tested at 6,000 mg/m 3 2.74 x 10 -14 m 2 /sec 

TCE Diffusion Coefficient Tested at 20,000 mg/m 3 8.04 x 10 -14 m 2 /sec 

Benzene Diffusion Coefficient Tested at 43,000 mg/m 3 2.90 x 10 -11 m 2 /sec 

Passed* 

* City of Los Angeles approval for 60-mil Liquid Boot ® Gas Vapor Barrier 

9 


Membrane Diffusion Test – Modified ASTM E96 

The diagram illustrates how the diffusion coefficients on the Liquid Boot membrane 

for PCE, TCE and Benzene were determined 

CETCO R&D facility is capable of performing these tests 

10 


Fick’s Law 

Applying diffusion test data into the Fick’s Law equation results in 

the diffusion coefficient: 

E= A(C source - C g0 )D cz 

eff 

/ L cz 

where E = Rate of mass transfer, g/s 

A = Cross-sectional area through which vapors pass, cm 2 

C source = Vapor concentration within the capillary zone, g/cm 3 -v 

C g0 = A known vapor concentration at the top of the capillary zone, 

g/cm 3 -v (C g0 is assumed to be zero as diffusion proceeds upward) 

D cz 

eff 

= Effective diffusion coefficient across the capillary zone, cm 2 /s 

L cz = Thickness of capillary zone, cm 

11 


Diffusion Test Results Summary 

Test Conditions Average Solvent Diffusion Rate Membrane Area Membrane Thickness Calculated Diffusion Coefficient 

PCE Solvent @ 6,000 mg/m 3 0.12 mg/day 1.45 x 10 -2 m 2 1.68 x 10 -3 m 2.74 x 10 -14 m 2 /sec 

TCE Solvent @ 20,000 mg/m 3 1.22 mg/day 1.48 x 10 -2 m 2 1.57 x 10 -3 m 8.04 x 10 -14 m 2 /sec 

Benzene @ 13,000 mg/m 3 1.4 mg/day 1.48 x 10 -2 m 2 1.57 x 10 -3 m 1.4 x 10 -14 m 2 /sec 

Benzene @ 136,000 mg/m 3 19 mg/day 1.48 x 10 -2 m 2 1.57 x 10 -3 m 1.9 x 10 -13 m 2 /sec 

12 


Venting Systems (Used In Conjunction with a Gas Vapor Barrier per ITRC 

Guidance) 

Passive Venting 

Rely on nature pressure differentials to vent the 

subsurface gas 

Can be designed to be converted to active, if 

needed, to reduce vapor concentrations 

Should be properly designed to allow adequate 

flow of vapors 

Evaluation of air flow should be conducted 

Active Venting 

Use of mechanical means to alter and maintain 

pressure gradients & redirect subsurface gas flow 

Major system components generally include gas 

extraction wells and piping, vacuum blowers, and 

gas/vapor treatment or reuse systems 

13 


CETCO SYSTEM OFFERINGS 

14 


CETCO System Offerings 

Liquid Boot ® 

Gas Vapor Barrier System 

Liquid Boot ® Plus 

High-Performance 

Gas Vapor Barrier System 

Coreflex ® 

Methane Barrier & 

Waterproofing System 

GeoVent ® 

Gas Venting System 

15 


LIQUID BOOT ® 

GAS VAPOR BARRIER SYSTEM 

16 



System Description: 

Liquid Boot ® is a cold, spray-applied membrane that acts as a gas vapor barrier and 

damp-proof membrane. 

Typical Uses: 

Applied under slab and on below grade vertical walls as a gas vapor barrier to minimize vapor and nuisance water (non-hydrostatic conditions) migration 

into buildings 

Ideal for methane migration control 

Concrete water tank and reservoirs liner to prevent water seepage into concrete 

Applied as a liner to concrete canals for rehabilitation 

Agency Approvals: 

City of Los Angeles Research Report # 24860 

Approved for Liquid Boot ® Membrane for Gas Barrier 

County of Los Angeles Department of Public Works 

Approved for “Liquid Boot ® Application as a Methane Gas Barrier” 

NSF International-NSF/61 

Approved for “Potable Water Tank Liner” for tanks >300,000 gallons 

17 



System Components and Features: 

GeoVent TM Gas Venting System 

Low profile; no trenching required 

Liquid Boot ® BaseFabric T-40/T-60 (fabric selection depends on site conditions) 

Heat bonded non-woven geotextile 


Two component spray applied membrane (60 mils typical) 

Water based - No VOCs, odorless 

Bonds to most surfaces – eases detailing 

Seamless - eliminating membrane failures 

Rapid curing - reducing construction time 

High strength and elongation – durable 

Liquid Boot ® UltraShield Series Protection Course 

G Series - Needle-punched, nonwoven geotextile 

P Series - HDPE Polyethylene geomembrane 

Adheres to the underslab providing superior tensile strength 

18 



PILE CAPS AND FOOTINGS 

PENETRATIONS 

19 



VERTICAL SURFACE ATTACHMENTS 

20 



TYPICAL SYSTEM INSTALLATION 

1. Liquid Boot ® applied to BaseFabric 2. Penetrations Detailed 3. UltraShield Protection Fabric 

21 


LIQUID BOOT ® PLUS 

HIGH-PERFORMANCE GAS VAPOR BARRIER SYSTEM 

22 




The Liquid Boot ® Plus Gas Vapor Barrier system is a multi-layer and high-performance, cold 

spray-applied membrane that acts as a gas vapor barrier and damp-proof membrane. 

Typical Uses: 

Installed under slab and on below grade vertical walls as a gas vapor barrier to minimize vapor and nuisance water (non-hydrostatic conditions) 

migration into buildings 

Ideal for applications with chlorinated solvents, BTEX and other PAHs 

Agency Approvals: 

City of Los Angeles Research Report # 24860 

Approved for Liquid Boot ® Membrane for Gas Barrier 

County of Los Angeles Department of Public Works 

Approved for “Liquid Boot ® Application as a Methane Gas Barrier” 

23 




GeoVent ® Gas Venting System 

Low profile; no trenching required 

Liquid Boot ® VI-20 Geomembrane 

EVOH composite geomembrane - 20x lower VOC diffusion than 80 mil HDPE 

Liquid Boot ® VI-20 Detailing Fabric 


Two component spray applied membrane (60 mils typical) 

Water based - No VOCs, odorless 

Bonds to most surfaces – eases detailing 

Seamless - eliminating membrane failures 

Rapid curing - reducing construction time 

High strength and elongation - durable 

Liquid Boot ® UltraShield Series Protection Course 

G Series - Needle-punched, nonwoven geotextile 

P Series - HDPE Polyethylene geomembrane 

Adheres to the underslab providing superior tensile strength 

24 


Liquid Boot ® VI-20 Geomembrane 

Tested by Dr. Kerry Rowe, Queens University, Ontario 

Author of the POLLUTE model 

Well-known in geosynthetics industry 

Determined upper bound partition and diffusion coefficients 

Aqueous phase diffusion coefficient of co-extruded geomembrane 

Liquid Boot ® VI-20 

80-mil HDPE 

Contaminant Diffusion Coefficient (m 2 /s) Diffusion Coefficient (m 2 /s) 

Benzene 9.0 x 10 -15 3.5 x 10 -13 

Ethyl Benzene 8.0 x 10 -15 1.8 x 10 -13 

Toluene 8.5 x 10 -15 3.0 x 10 -13 

O-Xylene 7.5 x 10 -15 1.5 x 10 -13 

25 


EVOH Geomembrane Technology 

Liquid Boot ® VI-20 geomembrane is a layer of EVOH between two layers of polyethylene. 

EVOH is a copolymer of: 

Polyethylene (extrudes easily and improves bonding) 

Polyvinyl Alcohol and Ethylene Vinyl Alcohol (provides gas barrier) 

Major applications for EVOH is in automotive fuel systems to 

control emissions of hydrocarbons 

The use of EVOH in a co-extrusion blow-molded tank with 

molecular weight HDPE originated in the US in response to 

mandates of VOC emissions reductions by the US EPA and the CA 

Air Resources Board (CARB) and is has been in widespread use 

globally for more than 15 years. 

26 


EVOH Geomembrane Technology 

Development started in 1989 in response to EPA and CARB mandates 

Emissions regulations have progressively become tighter each decade 

EVOH became barrier of choice due to VOC barrier properties 

Emissions through tank shell are


PILE CAPS AND FOOTINGS 

PENETRATIONS 

28 


GEOVENT GAS VENTING SYSTEM 

PRESSURE RELIEF COLLECTION AND VENTING SYSTEM (PRCVS) 

29 


Passive Gas Venting Options 

Types of Passive Venting Systems: 

Trenched Installations 

Pipe and gravel 

Installation directly on subrade 

Low-profile GeoVent 

30 


GeoVent ® Gas Venting System 


The GeoVent ® system is a modular prefabricated gas venting layer designed 

to improve venting efficiency and reduce installation costs. 

Typical Use: 

To provide an active or passive under slab gas venting system 


GeoVent ® 

Installed directly on subgrade eliminating costly trenching 

Placed in closer proximity to the gas vapor barrier allowing for more effective 

venting 

Greater opening area per lineal foot of pipe and integral filter fabric allowing for 

higher ventilation efficiency 

Installed at a higher elevation reducing susceptibility to inundation from perched 

groundwater that may accumulate beneath the building foundation 

Flow characteristics meet or exceed that of a typical trenched installation. The 

overall capacity of the system is far in excess of typical gas flux rates. 

Specialty Connecting Pieces: End Outlets, Interior Footing Sleeves 

31 


Design Consideration 

Venting systems should be properly designed to adequately relieve pressure and reduce gas 

concentrations from beneath the structure 

CETCO provides gas venting performance data 

CETCO provides assistance with the design of these types of systems 

32 


GeoVent ® Gas Venting System Details 

TYPICAL PLAN VIEW 

CONNECTION TO A VENT RISER 

33 


GeoVent ® Gas Venting System Installation 

TYPICAL SYSTEM INSTALLATION 

1. GeoVent ® rolled out on subgrade 2. No trenching is required 3. GeoVent ® connection to vent riser 

34 


QUALITY CONTROL 

35 


Certified Installers and Inspectors 

As with any proper installation, it is important to perform QA/QC measure to ensure successful installations. 

QA/QC procedures are performed on CETCO systems using: 

Certified installers 

Certified inspectors 

Smoke testing 

36 


QA/QC with Smoke Testing 

37 


SUMMARY 

38 


Summary 

The EPA has developed and recommends using vapor intrusion models 

designed to evaluate risk. 

Guidance documents encourage the use of a spray-applied gas vapor 

barrier in conjunction with a passive/active venting system. 

EVOH technology is a high performance vapor intrusion technology 

offered exclusively in the Liquid Boot ® Plus system. 

CETCO provides 4 systems designed to meet the needs of your vapor 

intrusion projects. 

CETCO offers design assistance for each of the gas vapor barrier and 

venting systems we provide. 

Proper installation techniques and QA/QC procedures are executed on 

CETCO systems using certified installers and inspectors as well as 

smoke testing. 

To ensure your building is protected now and in the future, it is always 

best practice to install a gas vapor barrier and venting system. 

39 


CASE STUDIES 

40 


Introduction 

Vapor mitigation has become the standard operating procedure for most 

new buildings in the Northeast US. 

Vapor Intrusion can occur on any development/redevelopment of former 

industrial and manufacturing sites. 

EAI has worked on a number of large redevelopment sites, installing subslab 

mitigation systems, vapor barriers, and monitoring systems. 

1. Fraternity Meadows – Secaucus, NJ 

2. Bayonne Crossings – Bayonne, NJ 

41 


FRATERNITY MEADOWS 

Secaucus, NJ 

42 


Fraternity Meadows (Xchange Place) – 

Secaucus, NJ 

Before 

43 


Site Background 

Located 10 miles from midtown Manhattan, the site is formerly known as 

Gallo landfill that encompasses 33.4 acres along the Hackensack river in 

the NJ Meadowlands. 

Redevelopment started in 2008 and is ongoing in phases. 

Vapor intrusion issue is landfill gas intrusion, mainly methane. 

The overall redevelopment encompasses 60 acres including a new large 

scale rail station, new turnpike extension, 50,000 SF retail space, 235 luxury 

condominiums, 800 market rate rentals, 85 low to moderate income rental 

units. 

To date, EAI has installed over 250,000 sq. ft. of sub slab vapor mitigation 

systems including sub slab depressurization systems, vapor barriers, and 

monitoring systems. 

44 



GC/Owner: Atlantic Realty/Fraternity Meadows, LLC 

Design Engineer: HydroQual 

EAI, Inc.’s Scope of Work: 

LIQUID BOOT Vapor Barrier Installation 

Sub-slab Venting Installation 

Monitoring System Installation 

EAI installed the Liquid Boot® vapor barrier underneath the slab of a 

residential development in Secaucus, NJ. Following the installation of the 

vapor barrier, EAI installed over 3 miles of reinforced tubing to provide 

sampling points for a methane gas monitoring system. 

45 


Surface Preparation 

Fraternity Meadows | Secaucus, NJ 

46 


Stone and Subgrade Preparation 


47 


PVC Venting System Installation 


48 


LIQUID BOOT® PVC Venting & Geovent 

Installation 


49 


T-60 Base Fabric Installation 


50 


LIQUID BOOT® Installation 


51 




52 




53 


LIQUID BOOT® 


54 


LIQUID BOOT® 


55 


LIQUID BOOT® Installed and Protected 

Fraternity Meadows| Secaucus, NJ 

56 


Monitoring System Tubing Installation 


57 


3/8” Reinforced Nylon Tubing 


58 


Monitoring Installation 


59 


Fraternity Meadows (Xchange Place) – 

Secaucus, NJ 

After 

60 


BAYONNE CROSSINGS 

Bayonne, NJ 

61 


Bayonne Crossings 

Before 

62 



Former legacy site of a major petroleum company has turned into Bayonne 

Crossings, located in Hudson County NJ. 

The former oil transfer and oil storage facility site encompasses 30 acres in 

Bayonne, NJ, with close proximity to NYC. 

Vapor intrusion concerns were volatile organic compounds (VOC’s), 

chromium, and NAPL. 

The redevelopment includes over 400,000 SF of retail space and is 

anchored by Lowes, Wal-mart, Michaels, New York Sports Club, and a 

myriad of restaurants. 

EAI installed approximately 400,000 sq. ft. of sub-slab vapor mitigation 

systems including sub-slab depressurization systems, vapor barriers, and 

monitoring systems. 

63 



GC/Owner: Cameron Group, LLC 

Design Engineer: Langan Engineering 

EAI, Inc.’s Scope of Work: 

Stone and sub-grade preparation 

UltraDrain 9000 Installation 

Sub-slab Venting Installation 

LIQUID BOOT Vapor Barrier Installation 

Monitoring System Installation 

EAI installed the Liquid Boot® vapor barrier, along with sub-slab 

depressurization systems, and monitoring systems for various retail stores 

and restaurants in the Bayonne Crossings complex. 

64 


Site Preparation 

Bayonne Crossings| Bayonne, NJ 

65 


Subgrade Preparation 


66 


Subgrade Preparation 


67 


Trenching for PVC Venting 


68 


PVC Sub-Slab Venting Installation 


69 


LIQUID BOOT® GeoVent Installation 


70 




71 


Smoke Test – Quality Control 


72 


Smoke Test – Quality Control 


73 


G-1000 UltraShield Protection Layer Installation 


74 


UltraDrain Layer Installation 


75 


VI-20 Geomembrane Installation 

New York Sports Club| Bayonne, NJ 

76 


Bayonne Crossings – Bayonne, NJ 

After 

77 


SUMMARY 

78 


Summary 

These sites deal with a variety of complex issues, as 

any other large scale vapor mitigation project would. 

By complying with strict plans and specifications, 

warranties, and guarantees, all stakeholders will be 

satisfied, including the owner developer, engineering 

firm, regulator, responsible party, and labor 

organization. 

Vapor mitigation systems are now Standard Operating 

Procedure on many redevelopments, schools, retail, 

commercial and residential complexes nationwide. 

79 


Questions 

Contact Amanda Petrocelli or Robert Carvalho with 

any further questions. 

Amanda Petrocelli 

Email: amandap@eaienviro.com 

Phone: 201.395.0010 ext. 261 

Robert Carvalho 

Email: robc@eaienviro.com 

Phone: 201.395.0010 ext. 229 

Visit EAI on the web: www.eaienviro.com 

Visit CETCO on the web: www.cetco.com 

80

Liquid Boot

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