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Merging: The process where the results of a Phase I ESA is merged with a report template to create a final report. During the merging process the keywords in the report template are replaced by the text associated with each of the answers to the Phase I ESA questions.
Phase I ESA: The purpose of a Phase I Environmental Site Assessment (ESA) is to identify actual and potential site contamination. This involves the evaluation and reporting of information collected through records review, site visits, and interviews. Phase I ESAs are conducted to identify environmental liabilities for property transactions; identify certain baseline environmental conditions; assist in meeting regulatory requirements; and as an initial step in site remediation. In this manual the word “Survey” is also used to designate a Phase I ESA.
Pocket PC: A small portable computer with a 320x240 resolution screen running the Windows CE 3.0 operating system. Typical models are Compaq iPAQ, HP Jornada, and Casio Cassiopia.
Project: A group of Phase I ESAs collected on the same property or for the same client. All Phase I ESAs are organized into projects.
Questionnaire: A questionnaire is a group of questions that are used to collect the site reconnaissance data of a Phase I ESA. Typically, the questionnaire will adhere to a national standard such as the CSA or ASTM standards. However, abbreviated questionnaires may be created and used in some situations. After a questionnaire has been created it can be downloaded to the Pocket PC and used for numerous Phase I ESAs.
Question Type: The question type determines the format of the question and the types of answers that are allowed. Currently there are 19 types of questions.
Report Template: The report template is a generic form of the final report and contains keywords where the specific answers to the questionnaire are to be merged into the report. These keywords are highlighted in the report template using a unique style created for the Phase I ESA program.
Section Replacement: If a question has section replacement, during the merging of the report any instance of the section heading (keyword) will be replaced with the answer text. If the question does not have section replacement, during the merging of the report the answer text will only be inserted below the first instance of the keyword and the section heading (keyword) will be left in place.
Standard: In North America there are two standards for conducting a Phase I ESA, these are CSA 764-94 Phase I Environmental Site Assessment and ASTM E1527 Standard Practice for Environmental Site Assessments: Phase I Environmental Site Assessment Process. The vast majority of firms in North America use a standardized report based upon one of these standards.
Text Macro: Text macros are composed of lines of text (up to 255 characters) that can be selected and inserted whenever there is a description or information part of a question.