Geological, environmental and fire safety documentation

Drawing on the experience of its staff, VICESIMA provides complete support for investment projects in geotechnics and engineering geology. We prepare geological studies for every stage of a project.

Businesses investing in industry and real estate need a valuation that matches the scale of the undertaking. In our experience, investors pay too little attention to the factors that reduce the value of a property burdened by an "environmental mortgage". On undeveloped land where production or service activity was previously carried out, contamination of the ground is common. If the site is to be adapted for housing, it will have to be brought up to the relevant soil quality standards, and removing such contamination often costs as much as the property itself. For production plants there is a further cost to consider: adapting equipment and procedures to the applicable law.

Through work with a number of international groups we have experience in preparing documentation that meets international standards — the documentation needed to value both investment land and production plants being acquired.

Studies we prepare

• Project Information Sheet (KIP);
• Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA);
• Environmental Site Assessment (ESA);
• Health & Safety Environmental Due Diligence Assessment (HSEDDA);
• Remediation Action Plan (RAP);
• reports on completed remediation;
• local groundwater monitoring programmes;
• periodic testing within local groundwater monitoring;
• fire safety instructions;
• explosion protection documents.

Geological documentation explained

A geotechnical opinion establishes the geological profile and groundwater level — the foundation conditions. Since 19 September 2020, following the amendment to the Construction Law, every architectural and construction design must include one, including for single-family houses. Larger projects in geotechnical category II or III additionally require laboratory analysis of soil and groundwater samples.

Hydrogeological documentation describes water conditions in the subsoil and is needed for wells, excavation dewatering and domestic wastewater treatment plants. See geological support for investments.

Environmental documentation step by step

• Project Information Sheet (KIP) — the description of the planned project that opens proceedings for an environmental decision.
• Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) — required for projects that may significantly affect the environment; covers alternatives and cumulative impacts.
• Environmental Site Assessment (ESA) and HSEDDA — international-standard studies used in environmental due diligence and plant acquisitions.
• Remediation Action Plan (RAP) — agreed with the regional director of environmental protection; described in detail under soil remediation.

Fire safety documentation

Fire safety instructions set out how fires are prevented, the conditions for evacuation and the duties of those responsible. An explosion protection document is prepared wherever explosive atmospheres may arise — handling bulk materials, storing flammable substances or working with solvents. Both fall within the scope of HSE outsourcing as well.

When to commission the documentation

Ideally before buying the land. The results of soil contamination testing and geological investigation are an argument in price negotiations, and problems found at this stage can still be designed around. Once construction has started, every correction costs many times more — and on post-industrial sites it can halt a project for months.