Asbestos Information and Research Guide from the Mass DEP: Common Inquiries About Inspection

Read the asbestos information and research guide from the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (Mass DEP). The guide includes common inquiries about the inspection of materials removed from a work site.

3. Do I need to conduct a thorough asbestos inspection prior to any renovation or demolition activity?
All residential, commercial and institutional buildings are subject to Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection’s asbestos regulations at 310 CMR 7.15. Therefore, owners and/or operators (e.g. building owners, renovation and demolition contractors, plumbing and heating contractors, flooring contractors, etc.) need to determine all asbestos containing materials (both non-friable and friable) that are present at the site and whether or not those materials will be impacted by the proposed work prior to conducting any renovation or demolition activity.

Examples of commonly found asbestos containing materials include, but are not limited to, heating system insulation, floor tiles and vinyl sheet flooring, mastics, wallboard, joint compound, decorative plasters, asbestos containing siding and roofing products and fireproofing.

Failure to identify and remove all asbestos containing material prior to its being impacted by renovation or demolition activities can result in significant penalty exposure, and higher clean-up, decontamination, disposal and monitoring cost.

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