Maintaining a safe and healthy environment in schools is fundamental to protecting public health and ensuring educational continuity. Schools in New Jersey operate within a complex regulatory landscape, governed by federal and state mandates such as the Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act (AHERA), the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) Right to Know Act, and Public Employees Occupational Safety and Health (PEOSH) standards. Compliance with these regulations not only mitigates environmental hazards but also enhances operational resilience, reducing liabilities and safeguarding students and staff. By implementing proactive environmental management strategies, schools can navigate these requirements effectively, address potential risks before they escalate, and foster a learning environment that prioritizes health, safety, and sustainability.
This guide outlines the critical environmental services that help schools meet these requirements:
- Key Environmental Requirements
- Other Environmental Services for New Jersey Schools
- About Construction or Renovations: The Madden Legislation
- Child Day Care Centers
- Additional information for Non-Public Schools in New Jersey
- CCESC Co-Op
Key Environmental Requirements
New Jersey schools must manage several environmental concerns, ranging from air quality to hazardous materials. The following services play a vital role in addressing these issues:
- Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act (AHERA) Compliance – Includes non-public schools: Asbestos, if disturbed, can pose serious health risks, including lung disease and cancer. Schools must develop an Asbestos Management Plan and regularly inspect buildings for potential asbestos-containing materials (ACMs),
What is needed: comprehensive inspections, abatement monitoring, and project management to ensure compliance with the Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act (AHERA).
When: Inspections must be conducted every 3 years, with regular updates to the management plan.
Learn more about AHERA compliance
- Right to Know (RTK) Compliance – Includes non-public schools: Proper chemical management helps prevent accidents and ensures staff are aware of potential hazards. Schools must maintain accurate chemical inventories, label chemicals appropriately, and inform staff about hazardous substances on-site.
What is needed: inventory management, labeling, and annual filing with the New Jersey Department of Health (NJDOH).
When: July 15, 2025, Annual filing is required by the NJDOH, and ongoing chemical inventory updates should be completed as needed.
Learn more about RTK compliance
- Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) Management: Poor IAQ can lead to respiratory issues, allergic reactions, and decreased productivity. TTI offers IAQ management solutions that include policy development, routine inspections, and rapid responses to IAQ concerns.
What is needed: air quality assessments, mold and water intrusion inspections, and remediation recommendations.
When: IAQ assessments should be conducted annually, with additional inspections if mold or water intrusion is suspected.
Learn more about IAQ management
- Lead in Drinking Water Testing – Not required but suggested for non-public schools: Lead exposure can have serious health impacts, especially on children. Schools must test drinking water for lead contamination, especially in outlets used for drinking and food preparation.
What is needed: water sampling, lead level interpretation, and guidance on remedial actions. If elevated lead levels are found, schools must take immediate corrective actions.
When: 3 year cycle – Due by June 30, 2025 All school entities must conduct sampling and analysis of lead in drinking water from all outlets used for drinking or food preparation during the 2024-2205 school year (July 1, 2024 to June 30, 2025).
Learn more about lead testing
- Lead-Based Paint Inspections: Lead-based paint is hazardous, particularly when it deteriorates or is disturbed. Schools built before 1978 should undergo lead-based paint inspections to identify potential hazards.
What is needed: lead-based paint surveys and offers consultation for remediation to eliminate health risks.
When: Inspections should be performed when a school is renovated or if children are at risk of exposure.
Learn more about lead paint safety
- Mercury Hazard Assessments: Mercury is toxic and can cause serious health problems, especially in schools with outdated equipment or flooring. Mercury testing services, including bulk testing of flooring and air sampling, are crucial for schools with older facilities.
What is needed: exposure assessments and remedial consulting to reduce mercury hazards.
When: Mercury inspections should be conducted when any old equipment, such as thermometers or fluorescent bulbs, are present.
Learn more about mercury hazards
Other Environmental Services for New Jersey Schools
- Licensed Site Remediation Professionals (LSRP): TTI’s LSRPs assist with site assessments, remediation, and compliance reporting for environmental contamination.
- PEOSH Compliance Reporting: TTI helps schools meet Public Employees Occupational Safety and Health (PEOSH) standards by conducting audits and offering corrective action recommendations.
- Storage Tank Services: Schools with underground or aboveground storage tanks (USTs) need inspections, upgrades, and regulatory compliance assistance.
- Permitting for Generators and Boilers: Schools that operate generators and boilers must adhere to specific permitting requirements. TTI provides services to ensure that these systems comply with New Jersey’s environmental and safety regulations, including the necessary operational permits.
- Acid Neutralization Tank Replenishment: TTI provides assessments and replenishment services for schools with acid-neutralizing systems.
About Construction or Renovations: The Madden Legislation
The Madden Legislation introduces additional funding, compliance requirements, and environmental safety standards for New Jersey schools. This law focuses on improving school infrastructure and addressing critical environmental hazards. Educational Facilities must conduct an environmental review before a construction official can issue a construction permit or a Certificate of Occupancy. https://www.nj.gov/dep/dccrequest/schools.html
School sites subject to the Madden legislation meet specific criteria, such as undergoing renovation, experiencing changes in use, or being located on historically contaminated sites. Understanding these conditions is crucial for educational institutions to ensure compliance and access funding for environmental projects.
Key Provisions:
- Funding for Remediation Projects: Schools have access to grants for addressing issues such as asbestos, lead, and mold.
- Updated Safety Standards: The legislation requires enhanced air quality assessments, lead testing, and more rigorous monitoring of hazardous materials.
- School Audits: Schools must undergo regular audits to assess environmental health and safety compliance.
How to determine if your school is subject to the Madden legislation:
Sites to be used for educational purposes, such as private schools, public schools, or charter schools, are subject to the Madden legislation if one or more of the conditions in I. and II. exist:
- There is one of the following activities occurring at the subject site:
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- Renovation/rehabilitation/alteration (increasing the square footage of building)
- Change in use (e.g. industrial to non-industrial, non-educational certificate of occupancy to educational certificate of occupancy)
- New construction
- The subject site is/was:
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- A known contaminated site
- Suspected as contaminated, a historic fill site, or has a former agriculture use
- An Industrial Site Recovery Act (ISRA) subject site
- One of the applicable Uniform Construction Codes (UCC), including A, F, H, S, B, or M.
TTI assists schools with navigating the grant process, conducting environmental assessments, and ensuring compliance with updated standards.
Learn more about The Madden Legislation
Child Day Care Centers
Child day care centers in New Jersey must complete a Preliminary Assessment (PA) in accordance with N.J.A.C. 7:26E and applicable guidelines to obtain full licensure from the Department of Children and Families (DCF). Led by a Licensed Site Remediation Professional (LSRP), this assessment involves a comprehensive site inspection and examination of historical records to identify any potential environmental risks at the proposed childcare center. Our experienced Licensed Site Remediation Professionals (LSRPs) and project managers:
- Conduct thorough site visits, prepare detailed Preliminary Assessment Reports, and collaborate closely with Indoor Environmental Health Assessment (IEHA) Consultants to ensure a seamless environmental process. TTI is certified and conducts all aspects of the IEHA.
- Evaluate and assess if any environmental challenges that may have impact on the building which houses the childcare center.
- Perform asbestos, lead based paint inspection/risk assessments, radon, lead and copper drinking water testing and other tests and surveys that may be required in order to obtain certification.
- Additional remediation measures, including playground area sampling, may be implemented if necessary to ensure the absence of contamination that could pose a threat to the children’s well-being.
- We also offer assistance to clients in completing the NJDEP grant application, which allows for reimbursement of up to $1,500 for the PA expenses, if eligible.
- Upon the LSRP’s confirmation that no further remediation is required, a Response Action Outcome (RAO) will be issued, signifying compliance with regulations
Additional information here: https://ttienvinc.com/blog/supporting-child-care-and-school-settings-ttis-collaborative-solutions-for-safe-environments/
Additional information for Non-Public Schools in New Jersey – https://www.nj.gov/education/nonpublic/forms/Health_and_Safety_Requirements_Nonpublic_School_Facilities.pdf
Camden County Educational Services Commission (CCESC) Co-Op.
Great news for NJ schools- TTI is an approved environmental services provider through the Camden County Educational Services Commission (CCESC) Co-Op. Learn how this benefits your school district https://ttienvinc.com/blog/tti-environmental-joins-ccesc-co-op-as-environmental-service-provider/
For more information or to schedule an assessment contact Karen Buniak, VP Business Development at karenb@ttienv.com
PROUD MEMBER OF:
- CCESC – Camden County Educational Services Commission Co-Op # 66CCEPS
- NJASBO – NJ Association of School Board Officials
- NJSBGA – NJ Association of School Buildings and Grounds
- NJAPPA – NJ APPA Chapter( formerly Assoc. of Physical Plant Administrators)
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