Materials Containing Asbestos

School Indoor Air Quality Best Management Practices Manual

Washington State Department of Health Office of Environmental Health and Safety Indoor Air Quality Program November 2003

Buildings being remodeled may contain asbestos materials. Therefore, Washington State and Federal AHERA regulations require that all buildings have an inspection and written survey for asbestos materials, prior to bidding any construction work. The AHERA asbestos management plan will seldom meet these requirements for renovation or demolition projects.

School districts have additional requirements to have an accredited project designer develop a work plan for asbestos projects, special air clearance samples performed where friable asbestos was disturbed and record keeping of individual asbestos certificates, hazardous waste manifests, all asbestos permits and a written report of the project events.

Materials of concern in building renovations include roofing felts, roofing cements, concrete additives, coal tar pitch, vermiculite, vinyl asbestos tiles, plaster, gypsum board, stage curtains, ceiling tiles and spray texture.