Giffin Interior & Fixture, Inc. (Giffin Interior), located in Bridgeville, PA, is a manufacturer and installer of custom architectural millwork and casework. Currently employing 75 full- and part-time employees, Giffin Interior assembles wood cabinets, counter tops, wood moldings and other specialty cabinetry.
Alec Kinslow, Director of Environmental Health and Safety for Giffin Interior, was referred to the University of Pittsburgh’s Small Business Development Center – Environmental Management Assistance Program (EMAP) by the Allegheny County Health Department (ACHD) Air Quality Program. EMAP assisted Mr. Kinslow with the preparation and submission of an operating permit renewal application. Assistance included but was not limited to the development of emission calculations as well as emission reporting spreadsheets. EMAP also prepared a more user-friendly semiannual air quality report template for Mr. Kinslow to use.
Lastly, EMAP worked closely with the ACHD to successfully classify Giffin Interior to a “Natural Minor Source.” This classification will result in an annual cost savings of $2,000 for Giffin Interior as well as lightening the load of the record-keeping and reporting requirements associated with the minor source classification.
The permit renewal application package was submitted to ACHD for review and approval. Giffin Interior received their final approved Operating Permit in November 2022. The permit is good for a five (5) year term.
The University of Pittsburgh’s EMAP consultant and Mr. Kinslow will continue to work together as needed for any reporting assistance, or other questions that may arise.
“If it weren’t for Lee Ann and the EMAP program, we would not be where we are at now. Not only did she assist us with the technical documentation needed, but also worked with us and the county to keep us in a minor source. If we tried to do this ourselves, we would be paying more and have a lot more administrative burden – not to mention the headache of learning everything on our own. The EMAP program is beneficial, but the people you work with are even more beneficial.”
Alec Kinslow, Director of Environmental Health and Safety, Giffin Interior