Frequently Asked Questions about asbestos, and Fire Department training

Identifying asbestos hazards is an integral part of Fire Department training.

The attorneys at the personal injury law firm of Weitz & Luxenberg have decades of experience defending victim’s rights in practice areas that include: accidents/general injury, dangerous drugs, medical malpractice, and environmental pollutants.

NEWS UPDATE:

If the fire department wishes to use the building/house for a controlled burn training, an asbestos building inspection must be performed. This inspection/survey will denote the presence, quantity, and location of all asbestos-containing materials (ACM). The ACM must be appropriately addressed prior to the burn.

All ACM should be removed from the building/house prior to a controlled burn to avoid triggering regulations under MIOSHA Part 305 and NESHAP.

Finally, once all ACM has been appropriately addressed, the fire fighters may utilize the building/house for a controlled burn.

The building/house is inspected for asbestos and it contains friable asbestos-containing pipe insulation and nonfriable asbestos-containing roofing. Can it be utilized for search and rescue training?

The building/house may be utilized for search and rescue training as long as the ACM is not disturbed. Therefore the fire fighters could not cut through the roof or disturb the asbestos containing pipe insulation.

In summary, if a building/house is given to the fire department for training purposes, what are the two options?

A. Inspect the building/house and remove the ACM. Once abated, the building/house may be used for a controlled burn or search and rescue training.

B. Inspect the building/house and leave the ACM. The building/house may be used for search and rescue training if the ACMs are not disturbed.

Other helpful links:

Asbestos
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Asbestos attorney