Blog of Information and Services

Discover how to maintain water jet cutting tables for optimal performance. Learn about effective cleaning methods in our comprehensive guide.

Sampling and analytical are the collection method and test results used to make decisions about certain materials. For First Environmental, this is usually about waste disposal and profiling, but it can also be about abatement or health & safety. We utilize third party companies to do the analytical work, but helping our clients collect samples and finding the most appropriate (or required) test methods and sampling approach is something we get involved in daily. We also use trained experts to monitor specific materials that have toxicity to humans (asbestos, heavy metals). Sampling for disposal purposes The sampling is usually about the characteristics of certain waste materials, and the focus is on physical properties of the waste. Examples such as ignitability, corrosivity and reactivity, as well as various metal and organic materials are derived directly from the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) and its supporting regulations found in the Code of Federal Regulations (40 CFR 261). These sampling methods are designed to test for these physical properties or the presence of materials when tested that exceed a specified threshold which is identified in this section. “Totals” analytical provides a quantifiable result about the presence of certain materials in a sample. A TCLP (toxic characteristic leaching procedure) analytical is the basis for RCRA determination. Sampling for each of these items varies according to the test method, but ultimately are about determining whether the waste is hazardous or non-hazardous by these definitions. Treatment, Storage and Disposal Facilities (TSDF’s) have requirements about what types of materials they can receive and manage, including hazardous waste or non-RCRA waste, and this analytical or testing allows them to corroborate their ability to handle it. While the focus here is on hazardous waste, it can also apply to other property types including radioactive, TSCA (Toxic Substances Control Act), etc… 

Discover the essentials of vacuuming solids with First Environmental: key insights into vac truck capabilities, handling various materials, and effective industrial cleaning.

Water Stuff Using water to clean surfaces is as common as it gets. We wash our hands, we clean the dishes, we use a shower to get clean, and so on. This leads to one of our favorite discussions, flow versus pressure. The shower is pretty low pressure, so is the faucet. Even the Grand Canyon is an example of flow that is pretty low pressure (even the rapids). The flow of water will ‘cut’ stuff, it just takes a really long time. Same thing if you’ve ever left the hose on in the backyard for too long and it ‘cuts’ into the soil creating its own canyon. These are low-pressure circumstances. Adding pressure to that water changes a few things, but we are pretty familiar with those effects. If you add a nozzle to a garden hose, the sharper focus can remove/move more effectively. A garden hose without a nozzle moves easy items (leaves, debris…) and with a nozzle it is more focused and moves thicker items (caked on dirt/soil). If we turn that nozzle into a “pressure-washer” at 2000-4000 PSI, it removes certain “dirts/oils” with ease cleaning a patio or driveway making it look like new. When we kick up the pressure, the flow actually decreases, so you start to get the impact of the water in a more focused way where it is used to remove stubborn materials (resins, paints, hardened materials). Using a 10K or 20K water-blaster is a common way to clean tanks, trenches, grates, and other surfaces that get build-up of various types. On our path towards the 40K, it worth noting that a 10K or 20K water-blaster can cut softer materials (fiberglass, plastic, etc…).

Asbestos is a dangerous substance due to its impact on human health. Using an asbestos abatement service is crucial to keeping clear and disposing of it safely using specialized tools.

Tanks can need to be cleaned by professionals for a variety of reasons. Depending on the contents of your tank and how dirty it is, there are different tank cleaning services to safely clean and dispose of material in your tank.

First Environmental’s team is a big part of why we succeed thanks to their dedication and hard work. Our industrial cleaning team is made strong through our culture, training, and collaborative approach with customers.

There are a number of containers used in the industrial cleaning industry. From bulk containers to non-bulk containers, these pieces of equipment are crucial for getting the job done.

Working in a confined space presents a unique challenge to industrial cleaners. Confined space entry requires expertise, extensive training, and precautions to keep team members safe while they clean.