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Photo: Excavator tractor demolishes suburban homeDealing with Asbestos

Information for General Contractors Doing Renovations:

Before beginning any renovation project in which the materials being disturbed may contain asbestos, you must follow certain procedures to ensure that the asbestos is properly identified and avoided, encapsulated or removed. Failure to follow these procedures can result in your receiving a notice of violation and monetary penalty.

1. Conduct an asbestos survey or obtain survey results. Property owners who live in and own their single family house to be remodeled may conduct their own survey to identify asbestos-containing materials. In all other situations, a survey must be conducted by an AHERA-certified building inspector.

A summary of the survey results must be communicated to you, your workers, and anyone else who may come in contact with the material to be disturbed. Keep a copy of the survey at the project site

2. If asbestos is found, there are three options:

a. It may be left alone. Asbestos becomes a health risk if it is disturbed or deteriorating and fibers are released into the air. It may be possible to work around the asbestos during the renovation without disturbing it

b. It may be repaired or encapsulated. You may re-seal or encapsulate the asbestos in its location and without notifying our agency if it is not disturbed.

Sometimes, asbestos can be repaired rather than removed. This is basically a process of securely re-sealing asbestos in its location. For example, a few inches of torn, loose, or frayed asbestos tape wrap on heating ducts can be repaired with duct tape. Damaged hot water pipe insulation can be covered with a specially designed fabric available at safety equipment stores.

Some asbestos applications that are in good condition can be encapsulated to reduce the likelihood of asbestos fibers releasing into the air. Encapsulation is the best option when dealing with insulation on heating systems. There are two types of encapsulants.

Penetrating encapsulants are products that seep into asbestos-containing materials and bond with asbestos fibers securing them in place. They have little impact on the outward appearance of treated materials.

Bridging encapsulants are products, such as paint, that coat asbestos-containing materials. They are most commonly used to encapsulate popcorn ceiling and furnace and heat duct insulation.

Be aware, however, that while encapsulation may seem like an attractive option, especially for furnace ducts or popcorn ceilings, there may be less obvious costs and risks involved. For example, painting to encapsulate may make future removal much more difficult and expensive. Also, popcorn applications that become too heavy with added encapsulant product, or through water da mange, may fall off the ceiling in clumps, possibly releasing asbestos fibers.


c. It may be removed.

Friable asbestos must be removed by a certified asbestos abatement contractor, unless the project is at a single-family house that the owner occupies. This is the only exception where the owner/resident may legally remove asbestos-containing materials. When removing friable asbestos-containing materials, follow Regulation III, Section 4.05 (b) “Friable Asbestos Removal Work Practices” and 4.07 “Disposal of Asbestos Containing Waste Material”

An Asbestos/Demolition Notification and filing fee must be submitted to this agency before friable asbestos-containing material is removed. Depending on the size of the asbestos project, a 10 day waiting period may be required. Remember to make a copy of the Notification you submit available for inspection

Exception: Notification is not required for friable asbestos projects involving less than 10 linear feet of pipe or 48 square feet of surface area (per structure and calendar year).

Nonfriable asbestos must be removed and disposed of in accordance with Regulation III, Section 4.05 (c) “Method of Removal for Non-friable Asbestos-Containing Material” and does not require an Asbestos/Demolition Notification.

The Washington Department of Labor & Industries has stricter asbestos removal and specific training requirements for those who come in contact with asbestos. Please contact them for assistance or call 1-800-547-8367

  1. Properly dispose of any removed asbestos. Take friable asbestos-containing waste to Asbestos Disposal Waste Facility authorized to receive the waste.  Complete and bring an Asbestos waste material shipment record to dispose of the friable asbestos waste at the disposal site. Nonfriable asbestos-containing waste must be promptly transferred to a disposal container labeled "nonfriable asbestos waste. Please contact your local disposal company for further instructions.

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