Environmental Health

Certain child care centers and educational facilities are required to obtain a Safe Building Interior Certification (SBIC) from the NJ Department of Health (DOH). The following criteria is used to determine if a SBIC will be required:

• The center or educational facility is in a building constructed prior to 1979.
• The prior or current use of the building and/or property was/is used for industrial, storage, or other high hazard purpose. This includes being used as a nail salon, a dry cleaner or a gas station.  These categories may be classified as Groups B, S, F and H as defined by the Uniform Construction Code (UCC).
• The location is on a contaminated site or on a property where contamination is suspected.
• The center or educational facility is referred to the Department of Health (DOH) by the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), Department of Children and Family (DCF), Department of Education, or local construction official (LCO), due to a prior use of the building or property which is of concern.
• The center or educational facility is co-located in a building with a dry cleaner and/or nail salon.
• In some circumstances, educational facilities will require an IEHA to be done. This may be done when renovations, remodeling, additions, conversions, or demolitions are taking place. Educational facilities include any K-12 public, private or charter school. The Local Construction Official (LCO) will determine if the work being done in the educational facility will require an NJDOH Safe Building Interior Certification. If your LCO has required you to obtain certification, go to the Child Care Assessments or contact NJDOH for more information.

To determine if an educational facility or child care center will require an Indoor Environmental Health Assessment (IEHA), please refer to the Frequently Asked Questions.

In some circumstances, when renovations, remodeling, additions, conversions, or demolitions are taking place, educational facilities will be required to have an IEHA done by a licensed consultant . Educational facilities include any K-12 public, private or charter school. The Local Construction Official (LCO) will determine if the work being done in the educational facility will require an NJDOH Safe Building Interior Certification (SBIC). If your LCO has required you to obtain a SBIC go to Educational Facility IEHA Requirements or contact NJDOH for more information.

IEHAs may only be conducted by a licensed consultant. For more information on how to become a licensed consultant, refer to Indoor Environmental Consultant License.

The Indoor Environmental Health Assessment (IEHA) is required to be completed and submitted by a licensed indoor environmental consultant. The IEHA and supporting data must be submitted to the DOH through the NJ DOH portal. 

The NJ Department and Children and Families (DCF) will inform the operator/owner of a child care center if they are required to obtain a NJ Department of Health (NJDOH) Safe Building Interior Certification (SBIC).

Below is information pertaining to the NJDOH SBIC process.

Steps to Acquiring Safe Building Interior Certification

Step 1: Indoor Environmental Health Assessment

The IEHA must be conducted by a consultant licensed by NJDOH.

The IEHA must be complete and include any supporting documentation, reports, floorplans, sample results, maps, etc. necessary to provide a complete environmental history of the property and nearby sites of concern.

In addition to the above items, a copy of the NJ Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) clearance letter, such as the Remedial Action Outcome letter and recent radon test results, must also be included with the submission.

For additional information regarding Exposure Scenarios, Consultants should refer to Exposure Scenarios and Formulas.

Step 2: Payment

A review of the IEHA cannot begin until payment in the amount of $1,500 has been received by the NJDOH. Payment must be in the form of one of the following:

• Cashier's check
• Money order
• E-payment. 

When submitting the IEHA, proof of payment must be submitted (ie. copy of epayment confirmation, check or money order)

Step 3: NJDOH Review and Inspection

Upon receipt of the completed IEHA and payment, NJDOH staff assigned to the center will begin their review. Upon completion of the review, NJDOH inspector will contact the owner/operator to schedule an inspection or request additional information.

At the time of inspection, any areas of concern will be noted. If required, additional testing may have to be done or environmental controls may have to be instituted.

Step 4: Approval and Issuance of SBIC

Upon approval, SBIC will be issued to the child care center. The original certificate will be sent to the owner/operator of the center and a copy will be forwarded to the NJ Department of Children and Families, Licensing Office.

Renewals

When renewing your child care center license, the NJDCF will determine if your center must obtain a new SBIC from the NJDOH. If the NJDCF has determined that your center requires an NJDOH review, please contact the NJDOH before initiating any environmental work.

Review Turnaround Time

Please allow at least 30 days for the processing and review of your submission.