ASTM E2637-17

Standard Guide for Utilizing the Environmental Cost Element Structure Presented by Classification <astmref design="E2150"/>

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
5.1 In addition to its cost management and project management functions, the ECES can also be used to support a number of other program and project functions. These functions include:  
5.1.1 Bid solicitation, collection, and evaluation;  
5.1.2 Communicating project data between installations, complexes, agencies, and industry;  
5.1.3 Providing a project checklist;  
5.1.4 Cost and schedule estimating;  
5.1.5 Historical cost/schedule data collection;  
5.1.6 Historical project data collection (for example, technology deployments, project conditions);  
5.1.7 Validating and calibrating cost estimates and software tools; and  
5.1.8 Establishing and disseminating best practices and lessons learned.  
5.2 Several government agencies are already incorporating this structure into existing and future cost estimating models, databases, and other similar software tools and systems.
SCOPE
1.1 The Environmental Cost Element Structure (ECES) covered by Classification E2150 (and Adjunct E2150) provides a consistent and comprehensive structure across all phases of environmental remediation projects and is a tool to improve the cost management of those projects. This guide is intended to facilitate the application of the ECES to any environmental remediation project, without regard to project size.  
1.2 Classification E2150 establishes the broad, top-level framework for environmental remediation projects by providing a hierarchical list of project elements to two levels of detail. Its associated Adjunct E2150 supports the top-level structure by providing more detailed elements and definitions of the ECES to three additional levels of detail. Although it is assumed that the user is familiar with Classification E2150, much of the content of the classification is repeated in this guide to relieve the user of the burden of back-and-forth referencing during use. It is assumed, however, that all users of this guide will have at hand both Classification E2150 and the Adjunct E2150 during project planning.  
1.3 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. No other units of measurement are included in this standard.  
1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.  
1.5 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.

General Information

• Status: Published
• Publication Date: 28-Feb-2017
• ICS: 13.020.10 - Environmental management
• Technical Committee: E06 - Performance of Buildings
• Drafting Committee: E06.81 - Building Economics

Relations

• Replaces: ASTM E2637-13 - Standard Guide for Utilizing the Environmental Cost Element Structure Presented by Classification E2150
• Effective Date: 01-Mar-2017
• Refers: ASTM E917-17 - Standard Practice for Measuring Life-Cycle Costs of Buildings and Building Systems
• Effective Date: 01-Sep-2017
• Refers: ASTM E917-15 - Standard Practice for Measuring Life-Cycle Costs of Buildings and Building Systems
• Effective Date: 01-Oct-2015
• Refers: ASTM E631-15 - Standard Terminology of Building Constructions
• Effective Date: 01-Mar-2015
• Refers: ASTM E631-14 - Standard Terminology of Building Constructions
• Effective Date: 01-Nov-2014
• Refers: ASTM E833-13b - Standard Terminology of Building Economics
• Effective Date: 01-Nov-2013
• Refers: ASTM E833-13a - Standard Terminology of Building Economics
• Effective Date: 15-Oct-2013
• Refers: ASTM E833-13 - Standard Terminology of Building Economics
• Effective Date: 01-Oct-2013
• Refers: ASTM E917-13 - Standard Practice for Measuring Life-Cycle Costs of Buildings and Building Systems
• Effective Date: 01-Sep-2013
• Refers: ASTM E2150-13 - Standard Classification for Life-Cycle Environmental Work Elements&mdash;Environmental Cost Element Structure
• Effective Date: 01-Sep-2013
• Refers: ASTM E833-12 - Standard Terminology of Building Economics
• Effective Date: 01-May-2012
• Refers: ASTM E917-05(2010) - Standard Practice for Measuring Life-Cycle Costs of Buildings and Building Systems
• Effective Date: 01-Apr-2010
• Refers: ASTM E833-09a - Standard Terminology of Building Economics
• Effective Date: 01-Nov-2009
• Refers: ASTM E833-09 - Standard Terminology of Building Economics
• Effective Date: 01-May-2009
• Refers: ASTM E2150-09 - Standard Classification for Life-Cycle Environmental Work Elements&#8212;Environmental Cost Element Structure
• Effective Date: 01-Apr-2009

Overview

ASTM E2637-17: Standard Guide for Utilizing the Environmental Cost Element Structure Presented by Classification E2150 provides a comprehensive methodology for cost estimation, analysis, and management of environmental remediation projects. Developed by ASTM International, this standard leverages the Environmental Cost Element Structure (ECES) as established in ASTM E2150, delivering a consistent and hierarchical framework applicable to all phases and sizes of environmental projects. ECES aids project managers, estimators, and stakeholders in organizing costs logically, ensuring transparency and comparability across projects, and supporting life-cycle cost analysis for effective environmental management.

Key Topics

• Environmental Cost Element Structure (ECES): A hierarchical system categorizing work activities and cost elements for environmental projects, covering all life-cycle phases such as assessment, studies, design, construction, operations & maintenance, surveillance, and program management.
• Standardized Cost Coding: ECES allows for precise cost tracking and account coding, facilitating data consistency, historical data collection, and project lifecycle management.
• Comprehensive Project Coverage: The standard’s structure supports various types of environmental projects, including remediation, waste management, facility decommissioning, storage tank projects, and ordnance and explosive removal.
• Support for Cost and Schedule Estimating: Enables the development of accurate and detailed project estimates by breaking down tasks to specific activities and associating key cost driving parameters.
• Integration with Work Breakdown Structure (WBS): ECES serves as a model for constructing WBS, aligning cost, schedule, and technical data for integrated project management.
• Bid Evaluation and Best Practice Dissemination: Standardizes data for bid solicitation, project communication, validation of cost estimates, and sharing lessons learned.
• Government and Industry Adoption: Increasingly used by governmental agencies and private organizations to inform databases, software tools, and cost estimation models.

Applications

The practical applications of ASTM E2637-17 include:

• Cost Estimation and Management: Organize, track, and compare costs across the full lifecycle of environmental remediation and waste management projects using a standardized framework.
• Historical Data Collection: Collects consistent historical cost and schedule data to inform future projects and improve cost estimation accuracy.
• Project Planning and Reporting: Facilitates project planning by providing a checklist for required tasks and ensuring comprehensive coverage of project elements.
• Validation and Calibration: Supports validation of cost estimates and calibration of cost estimation tools by referencing collected project data.
• Bid Solicitation: Streamlines the process of collecting and evaluating bids by providing a structured approach to project scope and deliverables.
• Best Practices: Aids organizations in establishing and disseminating best practices and lessons learned, enhancing the efficiency and effectiveness of future projects.
• Regulatory Compliance: Aligns with requirements from regulations like CERCLA and RCRA, supporting the tracking and reporting needed for compliance documentation.

Industries such as environmental consulting, government agencies, engineering/construction firms, and waste management providers will find this standard of direct benefit when managing environmental remediation efforts.

Related Standards

• ASTM E2150: Classification for Life-Cycle Environmental Work Elements-Environmental Cost Element Structure, the basis for ECES’ structure.
• ASTM E917: Practice for Measuring Life-Cycle Costs of Buildings and Building Systems.
• ASTM E631: Terminology of Building Constructions.
• ASTM E833: Terminology of Building Economics.

For effective implementation, it is recommended that users have access to both ASTM E2150 and its adjunct, as they provide detailed definitions and lower-level cost elements required for in-depth cost management and reporting in environmental projects.

Keywords: environmental cost element structure, ECES, cost estimation, environmental remediation, project management, life-cycle cost, ASTM E2150, WBS, waste management, cost management standard.

Standards Content (Sample)

This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
Designation:E2637 −17
Standard Guide for
Utilizing the Environmental Cost Element Structure
Presented by Classification E2150
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E2637; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope 2. Referenced Documents
2.1 ASTM Standards:
1.1 The Environmental Cost Element Structure (ECES)
E631 Terminology of Building Constructions
coveredbyClassificationE2150(andAdjunctE2150)provides
E833 Terminology of Building Economics
a consistent and comprehensive structure across all phases of
E917 Practice for Measuring Life-Cycle Costs of Buildings
environmentalremediationprojectsandisatooltoimprovethe
and Building Systems
cost management of those projects. This guide is intended to
E2150 Classification for Life-Cycle Environmental Work
facilitate the application of the ECES to any environmental
Elements—Environmental Cost Element Structure
remediation project, without regard to project size.
2.2 ASTM Adjunct:
1.2 Classification E2150 establishes the broad, top-level
Adjunct E2150 Adjunct to Classification E2150: Environ-
framework for environmental remediation projects by provid-
mental Cost Element Structure at Levels 3, 4, and 5 and
ingahierarchicallistofprojectelementstotwolevelsofdetail.
Definitions
Its associated Adjunct E2150 supports the top-level structure
by providing more detailed elements and definitions of the
3. Terminology
ECES to three additional levels of detail. Although it is
assumed that the user is familiar with Classification E2150,
3.1 Definitions—Fordefinitionsofgeneraltermsusedinthis
much of the content of the classification is repeated in this
guide,refertoTerminologyE631,andforgeneraltermsrelated
guide to relieve the user of the burden of back-and-forth
to building economics, refer to Terminology E833.
referencing during use. It is assumed, however, that all users of
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
this guide will have at hand both Classification E2150 and the
3.2.1 Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensa-
Adjunct E2150 during project planning.
tion and Liability Act (CERCLA)—A congressional mandate,
1.3 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as also known as Superfund, CERCLA prescribes actions and
standard. No other units of measurement are included in this regulatory requirements for reducing risks to human health and
standard. the environment resulting from releases or threatened releases
of hazardous substances into the environment.
1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the 3.2.2 Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA)—A
congressional mandate that requires the management of regu-
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica- lated hazardous wastes and requires that permits be obtained
for facilities (both public and private) that treat, store, or
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
dispose of hazardous wastes. RCRAalso establishes standards
1.5 This international standard was developed in accor-
for these facilities and requires corrective actions (for example,
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
remediation) of past releases of hazardous waste from regu-
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
lated waste management units.
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
3.3 Acronyms:
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
3.3.1 AST—Aboveground Storage Tank
1 2
This guide is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E06 on Performance For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
of Buildings and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee E06.81 on Building contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
Economics. Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
Current edition approved March 1, 2017. Published May 2017. Originally the ASTM website.
approved in 2008. Last previous edition approved in 2013 as E2637-13. DOI: Available from ASTM International Headquarters. Order Adjunct No.
10.1520/E2637-17. ADJE2150A.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
E2637−17
3.3.2 CERCLA—Comprehensive Environmental Response, 4.2 While primarily a cost structure, the ECES can also
Compensation, and Liability Act serve as a model for developing a work breakdown structure
(WBS). A WBS provides a framework for managing the cost,
3.3.3 CLP—Certified Laboratory Procedure
schedule, and performance objectives of a project. The WBS
3.3.4 CMS—Corrective Measure Study
framework allows a project to be separated into logical
3.3.5 COA—Code of Accounts
component parts and makes the relationship of the parts clear.
It defines the project in terms of hierarchically related action-
3.3.6 CWM—Chemical Warfare Materials
oriented elements. Each element provides logical summary
3.3.7 D&D—Decontamination and Decommissioning
points for assessing technical accomplishments and for mea-
3.3.8 DOE—Department of Energy
suring cost and schedule performance.
3.3.9 (EC) —Environmental Cost Engineering Committee
4.3 It is recommended that projects using the ECES and
3.3.10 ECAS—Environmental Cost Analysis System
associated dictionary routinely report costs to Level 3 in the
3.3.11 ECES—Environmental Cost Element Structure coststructure.Moredetailedreportinglevels(thatis,sub-Level
4 and beyond) are provided to allow users to address high risk,
3.3.12 EM—Environmental Management
high value, or high technological interest areas of projects.
3.3.13 EPA—Environmental Protection Agency
Because the combined life-cycle phases of environmental
3.3.14 ER—Environmental Restoration
projects often span several decades, use life-cycle cost analysis
(see Practice E917) for evaluating an environmental project or
3.3.15 FRTR—Federal Remediation Technologies Round-
table project alternatives over a designated study period. Use of
life-cycle cost analysis is required for the comparison of
3.3.16 FS—Feasibility Study
alternative environmental remedies in CERCLA Remedial
3.3.17 HRS—Hazard Ranking System
Investigation/Feasibility Studies which lead up to Records of
3.3.18 HTRW—Hazardous, Toxic, and Radioactive Waste
Decision.
3.3.19 LTSM—Long-Term Surveillance and Maintenance
5. Significance and Use
3.3.20 O&M—Operations and Maintenance
5.1 In addition to its cost management and project manage-
3.3.21 OECD—Organization of Economic Cooperation and
mentfunctions,theECEScanalsobeusedtosupportanumber
Development
of other program and project functions. These functions
3.3.22 PA/SI—Preliminary Assessment/Site Investigation
include:
5.1.1 Bid solicitation, collection, and evaluation;
3.3.23 RA—Remedial Action
5.1.2 Communicating project data between installations,
3.3.24 RACER—RemedialAction Cost Estimating Require-
complexes, agencies, and industry;
ment (System)
5.1.3 Providing a project checklist;
3.3.25 RCRA—Resource Conservation and Recovery Act
5.1.4 Cost and schedule estimating;
3.3.26 RD—Remedial Design
5.1.5 Historical cost/schedule data collection;
5.1.6 Historical project data collection (for example, tech-
3.3.27 RFA—RCRA Facility Assessment
nology deployments, project conditions);
3.3.28 RFI—RCRA Facility Investigation
5.1.7 Validating and calibrating cost estimates and software
3.3.29 RI—Remedial Investigation
tools; and
3.3.30 SLTM—Surveillance and Long-Term Monitoring
5.1.8 Establishing and disseminating best practices and
lessons learned.
3.3.31 S&M—Surveillance and Maintenance
3.3.32 SM&A—Sampling, Monitoring and Analysis 5.2 Several government agencies are already incorporating
this structure into existing and future cost estimating models,
3.3.33 USACE—U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
databases, and other similar software tools and systems.
3.3.34 UST—Underground Storage Tank
6. Procedure
3.3.35 WBS—Work Breakdown Structure
3.3.36 WM—Waste Management 6.1 Overall Structure—The hierarchical nature of the ECES
cost structure (Fig. 1) allows detailed cost data at Level 3 to be
4. Summary of Practice
summarized into higher level cost elements in a standardized
4.1 The ECES is a comprehensive hierarchical list of work fashion. It is recommended that the ECES be used as a
activities (tasks, items, or products) that may be required to common standard through its top three levels. Appendix X1
accomplish environmental restoration, waste management, fa- provides an example showing how to use the ECES at Level 3
cility decontamination and decommissioning, or other environ- throughout the life-cycle of a project. The use of Level 4 or
mental projects. Its activity-based structure provides a consis- lower is optional. Similarly, while Level 5 is generally deemed
tent and visible cost management framework, with sufficient to provide a sufficiently low level of detail for most projects,
detail and coverage of project types, so that it can be used by the project managers are free to add further lower levels for
private industry and government agencies in the United States their specific projects or portions of their projects. Care must
and other countries to track project costs. be taken in developing the associated numerical codes,
E2637−17
FIG. 1Hierarchical Structure of the Environmental Cost Element Structure
however, to assure that each level directly relates to the next 6.2.2 Phase 2: Studies—Risk assessment, characterization
higher level so that the project costs can readily be “rolled up” and investigations, development and analysis of treatment or
for reporting purposes. remediation options, and treatability studies.
6.2.3 Phase 3: Design—Engineering design and pre-
6.2 Level 1—Level 1 of the structure includes seven cost
construction activities of treatment or remediation alternatives.
categories. The first six categories represent the six life-cycle
6.2.4 Phase 4: Construction—Construction of selected
phases of an environmental project. The final category—
treatment or remediation alternatives. Includes start-up, but
Program Management, Support, and Infrastructure—is in-
excludes all operations.
cluded to address costs that are not attributable to a distinct
6.2.5 Phase 5: Operations and Maintenance (O&M)—
project or are program management costs. Throughout the rest
Includes all operations and maintenance for the selected
of this guide, the Level 1 cost element for Program
treatment or remediation alternatives. Phase ends when
Management, Support, and Infrastructure will be referred-to as
cleanup or waste treatment goals are met.
Phase 8, to simplify references to the Level 1 cost elements.
6.2.6 Phase 6: Surveillance and Long-Term Maintenance
Withminorvariationsinthedefinitions,theseprojectlife-cycle
(SLTM)—Operations have ceased or were not integral to
categories apply to all environmental projects and programs,
selected treatment or remediation alternatives.
including environmental remediation, waste management, de-
contamination and decommissioning, ordnance and explosive 6.2.7 Phase 7: Reserved for Future Use.
retrievals, underground and above-ground storage tanks, and 6.2.8 Phase 8: Cross Cut—Program-wide activities that are
other environmental work. required, but cost is not specific to a single or distinct project
6.2.1 Phase 1:Assessment—Assessandinspectsite,prepare (for example, program management, support, and infrastruc-
site inspection reports. ture).
FIG. 2Level 1 Cost Categories
E2637−17
NOTE1—Fig.2illustratesthelife-cyclenatureofthesevenLevel1cost
developed at the beginning of a project, especially a large and
elements.
complex project, will often be followed by very detailed Work
6.3 Level 2—Level 2 of the ECES represents major ele-
Plans that cannot be developed until much more information is
ments necessary to perform work in an environmental project.
available later in the project, for example, at Phase 4 or Phase
There are 34 elements included in this structure (see Table 1).
5. This structure is flexible, and the user can use other phases
It should be noted that in the Level 2 structure, Level 2
even though they are not marked in the columns.
elements are marked with life-cycle phase numbers in the left
6.4 Level 3—Level 3 of the structure consists of more
columns. These numbers represent the applicability of that
detailed elements required to perform the tasks at the Level 2
phase to that element. This is not necessarily all-inclusive.
oftheECES.SeethestructurefortheLevel3elements,andthe
There may be cases where that element may be applicable for
Level 3 ECES dictionary, in the following sections, for more
aphasethatisnotmarked.Forexample,anoverallProjectPlan
TABLE 1 Level 1 and Level 2 Classification Matrix
Level 1 Level
Environmental Management
Ph1 Ph2 Ph3 Ph4 Ph5 Ph6 Ph8 Sub-Proj. 2
Prog.
Assess. Studies Design Const. O&M SLTM a to z ENVIRONMENTAL COST ELEMENT STRUCTURE
Mgmt/Infra.
8 .01 PROGRAM MANAGEMENT, SUPPORT, AND
INFRASTRUCTURE
(Optional-Installation ⁄Complex Wide Activities)
1 2 3 4 5 6 8 .02 PROJECT MANAGEMENT AND SUPPORT
(Operable Unit/Solid
Waste Management Unit)
1 2 3 4 5 6 8 .03 PREPARATION OF PLANS
1 2 3 4 5 6 .04 STUDIES/DESIGN AND DOCUMENTATION
1 2 3 4 5 6 8 .05 SITE WORK
1 2 3 4 5 6 8 .06 SURVEILLANCE AND MAINTENANCE
1 2 3 4 5 6 .07 INVESTIGATIONS AND MONITORING/SAMPLE
COLLECTION
1 2 3 4 5 6 .08 SAMPLE ANALYSIS
1 2 3 4 5 6 .09 SAMPLE MANAGEMENT/DATA VALIDATION/DATA
EVALUATION
23 .10 TREATABILITY/RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT
4 5 .11 TREATMENT PLANT FACILITY/PROCESS
4 5 6 .12 STORAGE FACILITY/PROCESS
4 5 6 .13 DISPOSAL FACILITY/PROCESS
4 .14 ORDNANCE AND EXPLOSIVES REMOVALAND
DESTRUCTION
(CWM is in X.11 AND X.20–X.30)
4 6 .15. DRUMS/TANKS/STRUCTURES/MISC. AND
REMOVAL
4 5 6 .16 AIR POLLUTION/GAS COLLECTION AND
CONTROL
4 5 6 .17 SURFACE WATER/SEDIMENTS CONTAINMENT,
COLLECTION,
OR CONTROL
4 5 6 .18 GROUNDWATER CONTAINMENT, COLLECTION,
OR CONTROL
4 5 6 .19 SOLIDS/SOILS CONTAINMENT (for example,
CAPPING/BARRIER),
COLLECTION, OR CONTROL
4 5 .20 LIQUIDS WASTE/SLUDGES (for example, UST/
AST)
CONTAINMENT, COLLECTION, OR CONTROL
4 5 .21 IN SITU BIOLOGICAL TREATMENT
4 5 .22 EX SITU BIOLOGICAL TREATMENT
4 5 .23 IN SITU CHEMICAL TREATMENT
4 5 .24 EX SITU CHEMICAL TREATMENT
4 5 6 .25 IN SITU PHYSICAL TREATMENT
4 5 .26 EX SITU PHYSICAL TREATMENT
4 5 .27 IN SITU THERMAL TREATMENT
4 5 .28 EX SITU THERMAL TREATMENT
4 5 .29 IN SITU STABILIZATION/FIXATION/
ENCAPSULATION
4 5 .30 EX SITU STABILIZATION/FIXATION/
ENCAPSULATION
4 5 .31 FACILITY DECOMMISSIONING AND
DISMANTLEMENT
1 2 3 4 5 .32 MATERIAL HANDLING/TRANSPORTATION
1 2 3 4 5 6 .33 DISPOSAL
4 5 .34 AIR-EMISSION AND OFF-GAS TREATMENT
1 2 3 4 5 6 8 .9X OTHER (Use Numbers 90-99)
E2637−17
detailed descriptions of the elements, their uses, the compo- transportation, and disposal. Appendix X2 proposes a roster of
nents which comprise of the elements, and other information. waste categories, and Appendix X3 presents numerous other
secondary parameters related to the ECES Level 3 elements.
6.5 Levels 4 and 5—The use of the Level 4 and 5 ECES
elements is optional. To aid project managers that elect to use
2 7. Program-Specific Cost Category Definitions
Levels 4 and 5, the EC developed detailed ECES elements for
7.1 The seven project phases listed earlier (6.2) apply to
Construction and Operations and Maintenance, but not for
environmental technologies (ECES components under X.21 to environmental restoration, waste management, and facility
D&D projects, but there are slightly different definitions for
X.30).
each as shown below.
6.5.1 For environmental cleanup technologies, the
EC agreed to include a limited set of elements based on the
7.2 For environmental restoration projects conducted under
Federal RemediationTechnologies Roundtable (FRTR) recom-
CERCLA, the phases are:
mendations. For environmental cleanup technologies, indi-
7.2.1 Preliminary Assessment/Site Investigation (PA/SI),
vidual organizations, programs, or agencies can use a more
7.2.2 Remedial Investigation/Feasibility Study (RI/FS),
detailed set of Level 4 elements, as long as the elements can be
7.2.3 Remedial Design (RD),
summarized to the FRTR Level 4 elements.
7.2.4 Remedial Action (RA),
7.2.5 O&M, and
NOTE 2—The ECES considers all possible items and activities by
7.2.6 Post-Closure Surveillance and Long-Term Monitor-
including the Other items at Level 2 and lower levels.The Other items are
designated by the number “X.9x.xx” These “X.9x.xx” elements are ing.
reserved for activities which are unique or for special tasks that cannot be
7.3 For environmental restoration projects conducted under
described closely by available elements.
RCRA, the phases are:
6.6 UnitsofMeasure:Metrics—Anotherimportantaspectof
7.3.1 RCRA Facility Assessment,
this structure is the assignment of units of measure or metrics.
7.3.2 RCRA Facility Investigation/Corrective Measures
As used in this document, the term metrics is defined as
Study (RFI/CMS),
measurable parameters associated with each element of the
7.3.3 Design portion of Corrective Measures,
ECES.MetricsareassignedtoeachlevelelementoftheECES.
7.3.4 Corrective Measures,
The primary unit of measure (UOM) for each ECES element is
7.3.5 O&M, and
defined as the single most important parameter associated with
7.3.6 Post-Closure Surveillance and Long-Term Monitor-
that element for each phase. The Adjunct E2150 provides
ing.
primary units of measure for each element at ECES Levels 3,
7.4 For waste management projects, the phases are:
4, and 5.
7.4.1 Preliminary Planning—Waste/Special Material
6.6.1 Secondary Parameters—To make ECES more valu-
Operations,
able to the estimators, managers, and analysts; additional cost
7.4.2 Pre-Conceptual Design/Research and Development,
driving parameters for all Level 3 ECES elements must be
7.4.3 Waste Management Facility Design,
identified. The purpose of secondary parameters is to identify
7.4.4 Waste Management Facility Construction,
and capture those characteristics that impact environmental
7.4.5 Waste Management Facility O&M, and
management project cost. Cost driv
...

This document is not an ASTM standard and is intended only to provide the user of an ASTM standard an indication of what changes have been made to the previous version. Because
it may not be technically possible to adequately depict all changes accurately, ASTM recommends that users consult prior editions as appropriate. In all cases only the current version
of the standard as published by ASTM is to be considered the official document.
Designation: E2637 − 13 E2637 − 17
Standard Guide for
Utilizing the Environmental Cost Element Structure
Presented by Classification E2150E2150
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E2637; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope
1.1 The Environmental Cost Element Structure (ECES) covered by Classification E2150 (and Adjunct E2150) provides a
consistent and comprehensive structure across all phases of environmental remediation projects and is a tool to improve the cost
management of those projects. This guide is intended to facilitate the application of the ECES to any environmental remediation
project, without regard to project size.
1.2 Classification E2150 establishes the broad, top-level framework for environmental remediation projects by providing a
hierarchical list of project elements to two levels of detail. Its associated Adjunct E2150 supports the top-level structure by
providing more detailed elements and definitions of the ECES to three additional levels of detail. Although it is assumed that the
user is familiar with Classification E2150, much of the content of the classification is repeated in this guide to relieve the user of
the burden of back-and-forth referencing during use. It is assumed, however, that all users of this guide will have at hand both
Classification E2150 and the Adjunct Adjunct E2150E2150 during project planning.
1.3 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. No other units of measurement are included in this standard.
1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility
of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory
limitations prior to use.
1.5 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization
established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued
by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
2. Referenced Documents
2.1 ASTM Standards:
E631 Terminology of Building Constructions
E833 Terminology of Building Economics
E917 Practice for Measuring Life-Cycle Costs of Buildings and Building Systems
E2150 Classification for Life-Cycle Environmental Work Elements—Environmental Cost Element Structure
2.2 ASTM Adjunct:
Adjunct E2150 Adjunct to Classification E2150: Environmental Cost Element Structure at Levels 3, 4, and 5 and Definitions
3. Terminology
3.1 Definitions—For definitions of general terms used in this guide, refer to Terminology E631, and for general terms related
to building economics, refer to Terminology E833.
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
3.2.1 Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act (CERCLA)—A congressional mandate, also
known as Superfund, CERCLA prescribes actions and regulatory requirements for reducing risks to human health and the
environment resulting from releases or threatened releases of hazardous substances into the environment.
This practiceguide is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E06 on Performance of Buildings and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee E06.81 on Building
Economics.
Current edition approved Sept. 1, 2013March 1, 2017. Published September 2013May 2017. Originally approved in 2008. Last previous edition approved in 20082013
as E2637 – 08. DOI: 10.1520/E2637-13.-13. DOI: 10.1520/E2637-17.
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM Standards
volume information, refer to the standard’sstandard’s Document Summary page on the ASTM website.
Available from ASTM International Headquarters. Order Adjunct No. ADJE2150A.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
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3.2.2 Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA)—A congressional mandate that requires the management of regulated
hazardous wastes and requires that permits be obtained for facilities (both public and private) that treat, store, or dispose of
hazardous wastes. RCRA also establishes standards for these facilities and requires corrective actions (for example, remediation)
of past releases of hazardous waste from regulated waste management units.
3.3 Acronyms:
3.3.1 AST—Aboveground Storage Tank
3.3.2 CERCLA—Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act
3.3.3 CLP—Certified Laboratory Procedure
3.3.4 CMS—Corrective Measure Study
3.3.5 COA—Code of Accounts
3.3.6 CWM—Chemical Warfare Materials
3.3.7 D&D—Decontamination and Decommissioning
3.3.8 DOE—Department of Energy
3.3.9 (EC) —Environmental Cost Engineering Committee
3.3.10 ECAS—Environmental Cost Analysis System
3.3.11 ECES—Environmental Cost Element Structure
3.3.12 EM—Environmental Management
3.3.13 EPA—Environmental Protection Agency
3.3.14 ER—Environmental Restoration
3.3.15 FRTR—Federal Remediation Technologies Roundtable
3.3.16 FS—Feasibility Study
3.3.17 HRS—Hazard Ranking System
3.3.18 HTRW—Hazardous, Toxic, and Radioactive Waste
3.3.19 LTSM—Long-Term Surveillance and Maintenance
3.3.20 O&M—Operations and Maintenance
3.3.21 OECD—Organization of Economic Cooperation and Development
3.3.22 PA/SI—Preliminary Assessment/Site Investigation
3.3.23 RA—Remedial Action
3.3.24 RACER—Remedial Action Cost Estimating Requirement (System)
3.3.25 RCRA—Resource Conservation and Recovery Act
3.3.26 RD—Remedial Design
3.3.27 RFA—RCRA Facility Assessment
3.3.28 RFI—RCRA Facility Investigation
3.3.29 RI—Remedial Investigation
3.3.30 SLTM—Surveillance and Long-Term Monitoring
3.3.31 S&M—Surveillance and Maintenance
3.3.32 SM&A—Sampling, Monitoring and Analysis
3.3.33 USACE—U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
3.3.34 UST—Underground Storage Tank
3.3.35 WBS—Work Breakdown Structure
3.3.36 WM—Waste Management
4. Summary of Practice
4.1 The ECES is a comprehensive hierarchical list of work activities (tasks, items, or products) that may be required to
accomplish environmental restoration, waste management, facility decontamination and decommissioning, or other environmental
projects. Its activity-based structure provides a consistent and visible cost management framework, with sufficient detail and
coverage of project types, so that it can be used by private industry and government agencies in the United States and other
countries to track project costs.
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4.2 While primarily a cost structure, the ECES can also serve as a model for developing a work breakdown structure (WBS).
A WBS provides a framework for managing the cost, schedule, and performance objectives of a project. The WBS framework
allows a project to be separated into logical component parts and makes the relationship of the parts clear. It defines the project
in terms of hierarchically related action-oriented elements. Each element provides logical summary points for assessing technical
accomplishments and for measuring cost and schedule performance.
4.3 It is recommended that projects using the ECES and associated dictionary routinely report costs to Level 3 in the cost
structure. More detailed reporting levels (that is, sub-Level 4 and beyond) are provided to allow users to address high risk, high
value, or high technological interest areas of projects. Because the combined life-cycle phases of environmental projects often span
several decades, use life-cycle cost analysis (see Practice E917) for evaluating an environmental project or project alternatives over
a designated study period. Use of life-cycle cost analysis is required for the comparison of alternative environmental remedies in
CERCLA Remedial Investigation/Feasibility Studies which lead up to Records of Decision.
5. Significance and Use
5.1 In addition to its cost management and project management functions, the ECES can also be used to support a number of
other program and project functions. These functions include:
5.1.1 Bid solicitation, collection, and evaluation;
5.1.2 Communicating project data between installations, complexes, agencies, and industry;
5.1.3 Providing a project checklist;
5.1.4 Cost and schedule estimating;
5.1.5 Historical cost/schedule data collection;
5.1.6 Historical project data collection (for example, technology deployments, project conditions);
5.1.7 Validating and calibrating cost estimates and software tools; and
5.1.8 Establishing and disseminating best practices and lessons learned.
5.2 Several government agencies are already incorporating this structure into existing and future cost estimating models,
databases, and other similar software tools and systems.
6. Procedure
6.1 Overall Structure—Overall StructureThe —The hierarchical nature of the ECES cost structure (Fig. 1) allows detailed cost
data at Level 3 to be summarized into higher level cost elements in a standardized fashion. It is recommended that the ECES be
used as a common standard through its top three levels. Appendix X1 provides an example showing how to use the ECES at Level
3 throughout the life-cycle of a project. The use of Level 4 or lower is optional. Similarly, while Level 5 is generally deemed to
provide a sufficiently low level of detail for most projects, the project managers are free to add further lower levels for their specific
projects or portions of their projects. Care must be taken in developing the associated numerical codes, however, to assure that each
level directly relates to the next higher level so that the project costs can readily be “rolled up” for reporting purposes.
6.2 Level 1—Level 1—Level 1 of the structure includes seven cost categories. The first six categories represent the six life-cycle
phases of an environmental project. The final category—Program Management, Support, and Infrastructure—is included to address
costs that are not attributable to a distinct project or are program management costs. Throughout the rest of this guide, the Level
1 cost element for Program Management, Support, and Infrastructure will be referred-to as Phase 8, to simplify references to the
Level 1 cost elements. With minor variations in the definitions, these project life-cycle categories apply to all environmental
projects and programs, including environmental remediation, waste management, decontamination and decommissioning,
ordnance and explosive retrievals, underground and above-ground storage tanks, and other environmental work.
6.2.1 Phase 1: Assessment—Phase 1: AssessmentAssess —Assess and inspect site, prepare site inspection reports.
FIG. 1 Hierarchical Structure of the Environmental Cost Element Structure
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6.2.2 Phase 2: Studies—Phase 2: StudiesRisk —Risk assessment, characterization and investigations, development and analysis
of treatment or remediation options, and treatability studies.
6.2.3 Phase 3: Design—Phase 3: DesignEngineering —Engineering design and pre-construction activities of treatment or
remediation alternatives.
6.2.4 Phase 4: Construction—Phase 4: Construction—Construction of selected treatment or remediation alternatives. Includes
start-up, but excludes all operations.
6.2.5 Phase 5: Operations and Maintenance (O&M)—Phase 5: Operations and Maintenance (O&M)Includes —Includes all
operations and maintenance for the selected treatment or remediation alternatives. Phase ends when cleanup or waste treatment
goals are met.
6.2.6 Phase 6: Surveillance and Long-Term Maintenance (SLTM)—Phase 6: Surveillance and Long-Term Maintenance
(SLTM)Operations —Operations have ceased or were not integral to selected treatment or remediation alternatives.
6.2.7 Phase 7: Reserved for Future Use.
6.2.8 Phase 8: Cross Cut—Phase 8: Cross CutProgram-wide —Program-wide activities that are required, but cost is not specific
to a single or distinct project (for example, program management, support, and infrastructure).
NOTE 1—Fig. 2 illustrates the life-cycle nature of the seven Level 1 cost elements.
6.3 Level 2—Level 2—Level 2 of the ECES represents major elements necessary to perform work in an environmental project.
There are 34 elements included in this structure (see Table 1). It should be noted that in the Level 2 structure, Level 2 elements
are marked with life-cycle phase numbers in the left columns. These numbers represent the applicability of that phase to that
element. This is not necessarily all-inclusive. There may be cases where that element may be applicable for a phase that is not
marked. For example, an overall Project Plan developed at the beginning of a project, especially a large and complex project, will
often be followed by very detailed Work Plans that cannot be developed until much more information is available later in the
project, for example, at Phase 4 or Phase 5. This structure is flexible, and the user can use other phases even though they are not
marked in the columns.
6.4 Level 3—Level 3—Level 3 of the structure consists of more detailed elements required to perform the tasks at the Level
2 of the ECES. See the structure for the Level 3 elements, and the Level 3 ECES dictionary, in the following sections, for more
detailed descriptions of the elements, their uses, the components which comprise of the elements, and other information.
6.5 Levels 4 and 5—Levels 4 and 5The —The use of the Level 4 and 5 ECES elements is optional. To aid project managers
that elect to use Levels 4 and 5, the EC developed detailed ECES elements for Construction and Operations and Maintenance,
but not for environmental technologies (ECES components under X.21 to X.30).
6.5.1 For environmental cleanup technologies, the EC agreed to include a limited set of elements based on the Federal
Remediation Technologies Roundtable (FRTR) recommendations. For environmental cleanup technologies, individual
organizations, programs, or agencies can use a more detailed set of Level 4 elements, as long as the elements can be summarized
to the FRTR Level 4 elements.
NOTE 2—The ECES considers all possible items and activities by including the Other items at Level 2 and lower levels. The Other items are designated
FIG. 2 Level 1 Cost Categories
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TABLE 1 Level 1 and Level 2 Classification Matrix
Level 1 Level
Environmental Management
Ph1 Ph2 Ph3 Ph4 Ph5 Ph6 Ph8 Sub-Proj.
Prog.
Assess. Studies Design Const. O&M SLTM a to z ENVIRONMENTAL COST ELEMENT STRUCTURE
Mgmt/Infra.
8 .01 PROGRAM MANAGEMENT, SUPPORT, AND
INFRASTRUCTURE
(Optional-Installation ⁄Complex Wide Activities)
1 2 3 4 5 6 8 .02 PROJECT MANAGEMENT AND SUPPORT
(Operable Unit/Solid
Waste Management Unit)
1 2 3 4 5 6 8 .03 PREPARATION OF PLANS
1 2 3 4 5 6 .04 STUDIES/DESIGN AND DOCUMENTATION
1 2 3 4 5 6 8 .05 SITE WORK
1 2 3 4 5 6 8 .06 SURVEILLANCE AND MAINTENANCE
1 2 3 4 5 6 .07 INVESTIGATIONS AND MONITORING/SAMPLE
COLLECTION
1 2 3 4 5 6 .08 SAMPLE ANALYSIS
1 2 3 4 5 6 .09 SAMPLE MANAGEMENT/DATA VALIDATION/DATA
EVALUATION
2 3 .10 TREATABILITY/RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT
4 5 .11 TREATMENT PLANT FACILITY/PROCESS
4 5 6 .12 STORAGE FACILITY/PROCESS
4 5 6 .13 DISPOSAL FACILITY/PROCESS
4 .14 ORDNANCE AND EXPLOSIVES REMOVAL AND
DESTRUCTION
(CWM is in X.11 AND X.20–X.30)
4 6 .15. DRUMS/TANKS/STRUCTURES/MISC. AND
REMOVAL
4 5 6 .16 AIR POLLUTION/GAS COLLECTION AND
CONTROL
4 5 6 .17 SURFACE WATER/SEDIMENTS CONTAINMENT,
COLLECTION,
OR CONTROL
4 5 6 .18 GROUNDWATER CONTAINMENT, COLLECTION,
OR CONTROL
4 5 6 .19 SOLIDS/SOILS CONTAINMENT (for example,
CAPPING/BARRIER),
COLLECTION, OR CONTROL
4 5 .20 LIQUIDS WASTE/SLUDGES (for example, UST/
AST)
CONTAINMENT, COLLECTION, OR CONTROL
4 5 .21 IN SITU BIOLOGICAL TREATMENT
4 5 .22 EX SITU BIOLOGICAL TREATMENT
4 5 .23 IN SITU CHEMICAL TREATMENT
4 5 .24 EX SITU CHEMICAL TREATMENT
4 5 6 .25 IN SITU PHYSICAL TREATMENT
4 5 .26 EX SITU PHYSICAL TREATMENT
4 5 .27 IN SITU THERMAL TREATMENT
4 5 .28 EX SITU THERMAL TREATMENT
4 5 .29 IN SITU STABILIZATION/FIXATION/
ENCAPSULATION
4 5 .30 EX SITU STABILIZATION/FIXATION/
ENCAPSULATION
4 5 .31 FACILITY DECOMMISSIONING AND
DISMANTLEMENT
1 2 3 4 5 .32 MATERIAL HANDLING/TRANSPORTATION
1 2 3 4 5 6 .33 DISPOSAL
4 5 .34 AIR-EMISSION AND OFF-GAS TREATMENT
1 2 3 4 5 6 8 .9X OTHER (Use Numbers 90-99)
by the number “X.9x.xx” These “X.9x.xx” elements are reserved for activities which are unique or for special tasks that cannot be described closely by
available elements.
6.6 Units of Measure: Metrics—Units of Measure: MetricsAnother —Another important aspect of this structure is the
assignment of units of measure or metrics. As used in this document, the term metrics is defined as measurable parameters
associated with each element of the ECES. Metrics are assigned to each level element of the ECES. The primary unit of measure
(UOM) for each ECES element is defined as the single most important parameter associated with that element for each phase. The
Adjunct Adjunct E2150E2150 provides primary units of measure for each element at ECES Levels 3, 4, and 5.
6.6.1 Secondary Parameters—Secondary ParametersTo —To make ECES more valuable to the estimators, managers, and
analysts; additional cost driving parameters for all Level 3 ECES elements must be identified. The purpose of secondary parameters
is to identify and capture those characteristics that impact environmental management project cost. Cost driving parameters are
data that characterize activities or sub-activities and significantly effect cost. These cost driving parameters are readily available
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to the work managers who are acquainted with the work and can be included while reporting the cost data without requiring
additional resources. As an example, Element 4.18.01 (Phase 4) Extraction Wells will commonly have an associated parameter of
each (that is, $X/each well). However, additional cost driving parameters are necessary to define this activity in a meaningful way.
The additional cost driving parameters for this activity would include depth and diameter of the well, the construction material of
the well, site conditions or physical state of media, and other parameters. Other typical cost driving parameters might be given in
terms of square feet, pounds, tons, gallons, cubic meters, etc. This information should be readily available to the project manager,
and should be recorded in a format (for example, tabular) that is conducive to database entry and management. The objective is
to be as precise and descriptive as possible for
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